New testimony (Written 12-10-23)

 My story begins with the fact that I was raised by a man who was a Seventh-day Adventist minister, with the General Conference. One of the things that made him very sad, was that someone he loved had strayed into this weird “Off-shoot” movement. When he got sick and was told that he was dying, he made a flight out to go and see this loved one.  He specifically told me to pray for her return into the fold.  After his death, she and I began to get closer and she eventually started sharing these “Weird” ideas with me.  Oh did I pray for her enlightenment. When visiting her once she took me to her church.  The man that spoke, (he and his wife even ran a lifestyle center), he said, “The SDA church was Babylon and we needed to come out of her.  If I had had more of a holy boldness, I would have stood up and told him that that was blasphemy, but I didn’t.  He looked directly at me and I could clearly see the evil in his eyes, but everyone around me was nodding and saying “Amen.”  Eventually that church dissolved and I thanked God, that my loved one was no longer under his spell.  Then she began sharing other YouTube ministries with me.  One preacher, I felt showed a lot of arrogance, and I could not seem to want to listen to him, but then she also shared with me Amazing Word Ministries.  The more that I listened, the harder it was for me to sit in my comfortable pew at church. I began to study everything that EGW had to say about the GC. I spent many months agonizing over everything sister White said and I listened to every sermon that pastor Emmanuel preached.  The more I listened the more convicted I became. Then I realized one very important truth. The “Ship” that everyone says to stay on, it ran aground and broke up.  Some, who could swim “independently” did so and made it safely to shore, while others, who could not swim independently also made it to shore on “Pieces” of the broken ship. The little group that I had been meeting with had been on fire and went door to door passing out the Great Controversies.  I was thrilled to be a part of them.  But after one trial ended, and they became complacent, the plandemic hit.  I thought to myself, “MY church knows better than to shut it’s doors”. Oh how wrong I was.  I had been one of two and sometimes three people on their prayer line, but when the plandemic hit, everyone jumped on board.  I began to pray a Daniel 9 prayer. Daniel 9: “3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 and I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 we have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.9.KJV I prayed, “Father, forgive US where WE have compromised in OUR beliefs.”  The next person that came on began his prayer by saying that we had not compromised our beliefs.  (The group didn’t have a preacher, we were too small.  They had baptized a couple that were living together, and he had a tobacco issue.  They made him a deacon in the church right after that.  Another person that they baptized was working a regular job on Sabbath and they made him an elder just after baptizing him.  I had objected in a board meeting to both, but they told me that I was just jealous, because I didn’t hold a position in the church.)  Anyway, back to the story, I was asked not to return to the group unless I was willing to meet with the “Elders”.  Shortly after this, I “Chanced” to see the head elder in Walmart.  I stood and faced him in the middle of the store crowded with people—not social distancing—and told him to his face that God was not pleased with his actions of closing the church.  When he began to make the excuse that there were older people in the church who were afraid, I replied that God had not given us the spirit of fear, and then I walked away. 

“I entreat you who have long professed the faith and who still pay outward homage to Christ: Do not deceive your own souls. It is the whole heart that Jesus prizes. The loyalty of the soul is alone of value in the sight of God. “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong to thy peace!” “Thou, ... even thou”—Christ is at this moment addressing you personally, stooping from His throne, yearning with pitying tenderness over those who feel not their danger, who have no pity for themselves. 5T 73.1   

Many have a name to live while they have become spiritually dead. These will one day say: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Woe will be pronounced against thee, if thou loiter and linger until the Sun of Righteousness shall set; the blackness of eternal night will be thy portion. Oh, that the cold, formal, worldly heart may be melted! Christ shed not only tears for us, but His own blood. Will not these manifestations of His love arouse us to deep humiliation before God? It is humility and self-abasement that we need, to be approved of God. 5T 73.2  

The man whom God is leading will be dissatisfied with himself because the light from the perfect Man shines upon him. But those who lose sight of the Pattern, and place an undue estimate upon themselves, will see faults to criticize in others; they will be sharp, suspicious, condemnatory; they will be tearing others down to build themselves up. 5T 73.3” https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p113.358(113.362)&index=0  

For this section I would like to start by reading a few texts.  The first is found in Psalm 27: 10 “When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take me up.”  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.27.KJV  Matthew 10: 36 “And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.10.KJV  Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PHP.4.KJV And Isaiah 65: 24 “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.65.KJV This same person who had brought me into more light, had been begging me for years to come and live with her.  “We get along great and we are on the same page spiritually” was the gist of how the conversations would always go.  “You can help me fix up this room on my house and you can live here.”  Well as soon as the room was fixed, she asked when I could start helping with the bills.  I said that my savings was gone and that I would have to wait until I got a paycheck, but I would be happy to continue to help out.  As I got to thinking about things I wondered what she meant by “Start helping pay the bills”?  I had put around $7000 into her home. When I reminded her of all that I had done, she began the eviction process.  She told a friend of hers that I was abusing her, but when questioned as to how this alleged abuse was happening, she got quiet, thought for a minute and then said that I didn’t talk to her. He told her that wasn’t abuse. I had just made a covenant with God to give a particular sum of money to a ministry when I got the eviction letter. Oh how satan tempted me to keep that money, but praise God, I sent it anyway. And then I spent the next three days in fasting and prayer. God is so gracious.  He had already set up a friend of this person, who saw the truth of what was going on, and she invited me to live with her.  She lost a friend and $40 dollars that this person still owes her because of her kindness to me. After I was evicted, I wanted vengeance and so I got it.  I sued and won for the money that had basically been stolen from me. And the first thing I did, knowing full well that this person would never willingly pay me back, was to put a lean against her house. 

A few weeks ago, I heard a sermon about gossip.  I said, “Good, so and so needs to hear that message.”  And then the following week I heard another sermon, except this time, it whopped me upside the head.  I said, “Ouch.”  The text used in that sermon was: Romans 12:17 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.12.KJV   

Fast forward to the “ouchy” part.  The plan is that tomorrow, when the courthouse opens, to go and remove the lien and forgive the debt.  I’ve decided to make it God’s “problem”.  The money now belongs to Him, whatever may come.   It’s been a year now and I thank God every day that He saw fit to bring me to this beautiful state and that I have a roof over my head and good friends. So, Thank you, to this unnamed person for the lessons learned, for bringing me to this beautiful state, and for bringing me to more light spiritually.

Footnote: Went to courthouse, the process to release a lien isn't as simple as I thought, but I will continue to work on it. (It's done)

As it was in the days of Noah Isaiah 59:1-4, 12-19

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.59.KJV 1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. 12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; 13 in transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. 16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. 17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. 18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. 19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.27.KJV 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 and the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

The ship is about to capsize and be broken up, Oh Lord God in heaven we your people have sinned a great sin. Everything is as it was in the days of Noah.

 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.24.KJV 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.9.KJV 3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 and I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 we have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10 neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

I couldn't have said it better, so I  let the Bible speak for itself.

My son Scott's dream as told by him

 "I had a dream where I was at my house. My wife was at work. The house was out in the middle of the country. I am getting my kids ready for the day, when I look out the window and see an uncountable amount of tornadoes. So I gather my kids and go to a room with no windows and then I hear a calm, soft, strong voice, and it said, 'The winds HAVE broken free. I am NO LONGER holding them'."

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Revelation 7:1‭-‬4 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.7.1-4.KJV

Matthew 28:19-20

 Jesus said go. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Matthew 28:19‭-‬20 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.28.19-20.KJV

  I was standing looking out a door.  The water came about 2/3 of the way up the door.  To the left of me was one of those old candy dispensers.  I went over to it got something out of it and put it in my mouth.  There was a tall man standing next to me as we looked out the window in the door .  A short distance away was a small island.  The man said to me, "swim over there".  I said, "I can't, it's too far.". I was scared. The water was deep and flowing quite rapidly.  He said to me again, "swim over there.". Again I told him, "I can't." Suddenly the door turned up from the bottom and the top of the door went down on the water and I was on the door as if it were a raft.  The tall man went beside me as we crossed the water and came to the island.  Then the man pointed to the water and the base of the island and again he told me, "go". I said,  "it's deep, and I can't swim that well.". He said, "go, gather the gold that is down there all along the base of this island." I said, "I can't" and I spit out what had been in my mouth into my hand.  It was just a small amount of cheap costume jewelry.  The man turned from me when I attempted to offer him what was in my hand.  A very loud noise rung in my ears as I very groggily awakened.  Father in heaven,  I have nothing to offer you,  except myself . I will go, only do not turn your face from me.  Walk with me and I will go even into the deep waters because you have promised that the will not overflow me. 

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Isaiah 43:2 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.43.2.KJV

"Hide not thy face far from me; Put not thy servant away in anger: Thou hast been my help; Leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation."

Psalm 27:9 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.27.9.KJV

 https://youtu.be/voUPf3r5ykU?si=wiWEXrGStlhCYzEL

Just when I need him/Need a Favor

 https://sdahymnal.net/sda-hymnal-512-just-when-i-need-him-most/ 

1. Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,

Just when I falter, just when I fear;

Ready to help me, ready to cheer,

Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him most,

Just when I need Him most,

Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,

Just when I need Him most.

When this song was sung in church, my father would say that he didn't like the words to it.  He said that the theology was faulty.  He said that Jesus is near all the time, not just when I think, that I need him.  Recently my oldest son told me that I should listen to another song.  It isn't the type of music that I normally like to listen to.  The title is, "Need a favor", by a group called Jelly Roll.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1nRboaLTzU The first line is, "I only talk to God when I need a favor," The singer goes on to recount how he is more frequently drunk than in church.  The video associated with the video shows a father in a hospital praying for his child who is very sick, and the father is asking God for a favor. He knows that he doesn't deserve the favor, but it is his child, and he is willing to do anything if only God will spare his kid.  How many times in our lives do we only come to God when we need a favor?  Is the God of the universe like some big Santa Claus in the sky granting requests to good little girls and boys?  If you had an earthly friend or child that only called you when they needed money or some other favor, what would you think about that friend, or kid?

Daniel chapter 6 describes Daniel's prayer life.  Most of us have heard some version of Daniel in the den of lions, but let's read it now. Let's begin in Daniel 6:4 "Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. 6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.6.KJV 

    There are several points that I would like to make here. The first one is found in verse 4, people who are jealous of the favor that God bestows on others will seek to find something against them to bring them down to their level.  May we be the kind of people, like Daniel, that no one can find any fault with us. Even if the laws of the land contradict God's laws, we must be faithful to God's laws.  The way that Daniel was able to do this is found in verse 10, Daniel prayed three times a day, regardless of the laws of the land, just as he had ALWAYS done.

    There is a verse in the Bible that has always scared me.  I think that it is one of the saddest and scariest verses in all the Bible.  That verse can be found in the seventh chapter of the book of Matthew. Matthew chapter 7, the verse is actually verse 23 but I am going to start in verse 21 for some context.  "21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.7.KJV How do we have a knowing relationship with the God of the universe?  We pray and we prayerfully study His Word.  Never open the Word of God without praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Just like in every other type of relationship, communication is key.  If we do not have this, we have nothing; and that is my second point, good communication with our creator is to be of the utmost importance in our daily lives.  It was the communication that Daniel and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, had with God that saved them in the temptation to eat from the king's table, that saved them from the fiery furnace and that saved them from the den of the lions.  In the end times, in which we are living in today, honest, daily communion with the God of heaven will be our only refuge. Psalm 119 says in verse 11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.119.KJV The only way to do that is with daily studying of the Bible, with prayer.  God has many precious promises in His word, but we can't claim them if we don't know them; and the only way to know them is to memorize them.  One day we might not have access to our apps or the internet, so we need a physical copy of God's Holy Word and we need to spend time reading it every morning.  If we wait till the end of the day, satan will make sure that we are too tired or too busy to do so.  Wake up, get your Bible, and pray, before you start getting ready for whatever you have to do in the day, EVEN if you have to wake up a little bit earlier to do so.  If we make this our habit, then our spiritual life will be stronger and we will be able to see God's hand in our lives. Here is one such precious promise: Psalm 34:15 "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.34.KJV Yes, God can and sometimes does answer the prayers of those who don't normally walk with Him, but the Bible clearly states that those that are righteous, God promises to hear their cries. God's answers aren't always a yes or a no, but sometimes it is a "wait".  And the answers aren't always what we THINK that we want or need, but the answers will always be what is for our BEST interest.

    Another point that was brought out in Daniel 6, was brought out in verse 10.  Daniel knows that he is probably going to face a den of hungry lions, yet the record states that Daniel KNEELED, prayed and GAVE THANKS.  Often times in this busy world we don't even take the time to pray, much less kneel, and then our prayers consist of our wish list.  Often like the nine lepers of Luke 17, we forget to give God the thanks that he deserves for the way he has protected us and provided for us in our lives.  Luke 17:12 "And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.17.KJV  God deserves our thanks even for the very breath that we take, for today was not promised to anyone.

  My last point is simply this, others see our example.  Our lives may be the only "Sermon" that some people will ever hear.   It isn't about being "religious ".  The Pharisees and the Sadducees were the most religious people in their day, or so they thought, but the Bible calls them a generation of vipers. Matthew 3:7 "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"   https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.3.KJV The Bible says in the book of James chapter 1 verse 27, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.1.KJV King Nebuchadnezzar and the princes knew that Daniel served God continually.  Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, if they are in the kingdom of God, will probably only be there because of the faithfulness of Daniel and his three friends, showing them the right God and the right way to serve him.  There is only one thing that we can bring into heaven with us, and that is our characters.  Is our character one that will lead others to Christ or away from Him?  There are only two choices in this life: serve God and go to live forever in heaven with Him or serve the devil and end up with him in the lake of fire. Our choices today, the way we live our lives every day, are what is going to determine our destiny. If we don't have a relationship with our Creator now while we are still living, we will never be a part of His eternal Kingdom. The last part of Revelation 2:10 says, "be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/REV.2.KJV Won't you make your choice to serve the living God today?

From Immigrant to Pulpit

    “Practice, practice what you preach. I’m here to tell you that it’s what you do not what you say that’s gonna count on judgment day.” The lyrics to this song were popular in the house I grew up in. They summarize my sentiments on what it takes to be an effective pastor. An effective pastor should have several virtuous qualities. Level of commitment, passion for God and courage of conviction makes one a credible witness for God.

    His name was Heinz. He was my father. He was also a pastor. Heinz first learned about commitment at the early age of five when his parents escaped from East Germany with their six children. His mother had vowed that her children would have a better life and so they boarded a boat, headed for the United States. It was April 22, 1952 when they landed in New York, with only $11.45 to their name. Heinz carried that commitment with him the rest of his life. He had gone into the army during the Vietnam War. Soon after that, he married my mother, and within a few years they had two children. It was then that Dad felt God tugging at his heart. He decided to go to college to become a preacher. He and Mom both worked while Dad went to school. I remember this so clearly because Dad and I walked to school together. Finally, in May of 1977, Heinz graduated from Southern Missionary College in Tennessee. He and Mom had their third child.

    My father’s passion for God first took us to North Dakota where Dad ministered for four years. Dad had three churches. Two of the churches we went to one week. Then the next week we went to the other. Every church Dad pastored grew. One of the ways he encouraged participation in church was to tell the children what his sermon would be about and have us count how many times he said specific words. The child who came the closest to being right got a prize. I never got a prize. After four years we moved to Illinois. Again Dad’s church grew. Then one day my parents split. Rumors that went around caused my father to lose his job. Yet so great was my father’s passion for God that he began to sell religious books door to door. Later he remarried a widow who had four young children. This was his saving grace. For the next twelve years Heinz worked hard to provide not only for Carolyn and her children but also his first three children.

    After years of struggling to provide for his family Heinz was finally accepted back into the ministry. A little church in Idaho asked him to come and be their pastor. On April 11, 1998 Heinz preached his first sermon in his new church. The little church grew and flourished under Heinz’s leadership. Each member came to love him. Then it happened. November 15, 1999, I got a phone call. “There’s a tumor attached to Daddy’s liver. We don’t know how long it’s been there or how fast it’s growing, more later.” January, “Dad only has about four months to live.” Yet Heinz’s spirit was not deterred. His witness led to him baptizing his older brother. Any time I called him he would do two things. First he would tell me some stupid joke to try to make me laugh. Second he would remind me of the hope of the resurrection. If his faith ever wavered I never saw it. Easter weekend came. April 22, 2000 Daddy’s congregation gathered around him. Someone began to read. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...” Daddy squeezed my hand and was gone.

    Daddy had all the stubbornness of a German, all the “smoothness” of a drill sergeant, and all the weaknesses of the rest of us humans. No, Daddy wasn’t a saint, but his dedication to others, his passion for God and the courage of his convictions led him to his greatest accomplishments, seeing his children working for God in various ways and still strong in the Lord. Anyone can preach; not everyone should.

Comfort one another with these words. EGW vision of Heaven

 https://archive.org/details/a-vision-of-heaven-09-the-new-jerusalem-christian-o-berdahl-1411-44/(A_Vision_Of_Heaven)_03_The_Refiners_Fire_(Christian_O_Berdahl)_(1411-44).wav

LS 64.1 I seemed to be surrounded with light, and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. I turned to look for the advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, “Look again, and look a little higher.” At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the advent people were traveling to the city which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the “midnight cry.” This light shone all along the path, and gave light for their feet, so that they might not stumble. LS 64.2 If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before. Then Jesus would encourage them by raising His glorious right arm, and from His arm came a light which waved over the advent band, and they shouted “Alleluia!” Others rashly denied the light behind them, and said that it was not God that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they  stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of Jesus, and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below. LS 64.3 Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses’ did when he came down from Mount Sinai. LS 65.1 The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, “God, New Jerusalem,” and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another's feet, and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet. LS 65.2 Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a man's hand, which we all knew was the sign of the Son of man. We all in solemn silence gazed on the cloud as it drew nearer, and became lighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it was a great white cloud. The bottom appeared like fire; a rainbow was over the cloud, while around it were ten thousand angels, singing a most lovely song; and upon it sat the Son of man. His hair was white and curly, and lay on His shoulders; and upon His head were many crowns. His feet had the appearance of fire; in His right hand  was a sharp sickle; in His left, a silver trumpet. His eyes were as a flame of fire, which searched His children through and through. Then all faces gathered paleness, and those that God had rejected gathered blackness. Then we all cried out: “Who shall be able to stand? Is my robe spotless?” Then the angels ceased to sing, and there was some time of awful silence, when Jesus spoke: “Those who have clean hands and pure hearts shall be able to stand; My grace is sufficient for you.” At this our faces lighted up, and joy filled every heart. And the angels struck a note higher and sang again, while the cloud drew still nearer the earth. LS 65.3 Then Jesus’ silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of the sleeping saints, then raised His eyes and hands to heaven, and cried, “Awake! awake! awake! ye that sleep in the dust, and arise.” Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted “Alleluia!” as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. LS 66.1 We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious  white mantle from their shoulders to their feet. Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the city. Jesus raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, “You have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in.” We all marched in and felt that we had a perfect right in the city. LS 66.2 Here we saw the tree of life and the throne of God. Out of the throne came a pure river of water, and on either side of the river was the tree of life. On one side of the river was a trunk of a tree, and a trunk on the other side of the river, both of pure, transparent gold. At first I thought I saw two trees. I looked again, and saw that they were united at the top in one tree. So it was the tree of life on either side of the river of life. Its branches bowed to the place where we stood, and the fruit was glorious; it looked like gold mixed with silver. LS 67.1 We all went under the tree, and sat down to look at the glory of the place, when Brethren Fitch and Stockman, who had preached the gospel of the kingdom, and whom God had laid in the grave to save them, came up to us and asked us what we had passed through while they were sleeping. We tried to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us, that we could not speak them out, and we all cried out, “Alleluia! heaven is cheap enough!” and we touched our glorious harps and made heaven's arches ring. LS 67.2

Vision of New Earth LSMS 86 With Jesus at our head we all descended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great city, with twelve foundations and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We all cried out, “The city, the great city, it's coming, it's coming down from God out of heaven!” and it came and settled on the place where we stood. LSMS 86.1 Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city. There I saw most glorious houses that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold. These were to be inhabited by the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns, and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God. LSMS 86.2 I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out, “They will never fade.” Next I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green, and had a reflection of silver and gold, and it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts,—the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably  after. Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light and all over glorious; the branches of the trees waved to and fro, and we all cried out, “We will dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.” We passed through the woods, for we were on our way to Mount Zion. As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments. LSMS 86.3 Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the never-fading flowers. There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place; the box, the pine the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig-tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs,—these made the place all over glorious. And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, “Only the 144,000 enter this place,” and we shouted “Alleluia!” LSMS 87.1 This temple was supported by seven pillars all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I there saw, I can not describe. Oh that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which  the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold. LSMS 87.2 After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us, and went to the city. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, “Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will, suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.” We shouted, “Alleluia! Glory!” and entered into the city. LSMS 88.1 And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit. LSMS 88.2 I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit. He said; “Not now. Those who eat of the fruit of this land go back to earth no more. But in a little while, if faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit of the tree of life, and drink of the water of the fountain.” And He said “You must go back to earth again, and relate to others what I have revealed to you.” Then an angel bore me gently down to this dark world. LSMS 88.3 After I came out of vision, a gloom was spread over all I beheld. Oh, how dark the world looked to me! While under the power of the Lord, I was filled with joy, seeming to be surrounded by holy angels in the glorious courts of heaven, where all is peace and gladness; and it was a sad and bitter change to wake up to the realities of mortal life. I wept when I found myself here, and felt homesick. I had seen a better world, and it had spoiled me for this. LSMS 88.4 Sometimes I think I can stay here no longer, all things  of earth look so dreary. I feel very lonely here, for I have seen a better land. “Oh that I had wings like a dove, then would I fly away, and be at rest!” LSMS 88.5 https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p666.441(666.444)&index=0

The Lord “doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” He knows our heart, for he reads every secret of the soul. He knows whether or not those for whom petitions are offered would be able to endure the trial and test that would come upon them if they lived. He knows the end from the beginning. Many will be laid away to sleep in Jesus before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall come upon our world. This is another reason why we should say after our earnest petition: “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Such a petition will never be registered in heaven as a faithless prayer. PH089 47.2 https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p365.265&index=0

God sent His angel(s)

 So a little bit ago I was walking my dogs when two bigger dogs came up out of the woods and straight towards me and my dogs.  My dogs started pulling towards them and I was being pulled along with them.  I was in danger of being pulled face first onto the road. I yelled at the dogs, nothing budged them from backing down from what I was sure was going to be a bloodbath. I screamed at the top of my voice for help, but out here in the middle of nowhere, no one could hear me. As soon as a thought flashed into my head I repeated it out loud, "Father, send your angels,". Instantaneously, The two bigger dogs turned to leave and my dogs stopped pulling, and my balance was restored, so that I didn't end up face down on the road.  All the way home, I was shaking and repeating over and over, "Thank, you for your angels, thank you for your angels."  After I had gone just a little was down the road, I stopped shaking but I broke down and cried, "Thank you God for protecting me and my dogs." 

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Psalm 60:11 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.60.11.KJV

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Psalm 91:11 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.91.11.KJV

Can't stand Lies and manipulation

 Leviticus 6:2 (KJV) If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbor 4 then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, 5 or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. 

Leviticus 19:11 (KJV) Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. 

Numbers 23:19 (KJV) God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?  

Deuteronomy 33:29 (KJV) Happy art thou, O Israel: Who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, The shield of thy help, And who is the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; And thou shalt tread upon their high places.  

1 Samuel 15:29 (KJV) And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.  

Psalm 62:9 (KJV) Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: To be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.  

Psalm 119:69 (KJV) The proud have forged a lie against me: But I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.  

Proverbs 14:5 (KJV) A faithful witness will not lie: But a false witness will utter lies. 

Proverbs 17:4 (KJV) A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; And a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. 

Proverbs 19:22 (KJV) The desire of a man is his kindness: And a poor man is better than a liar. 

Isaiah 63:8 (KJV) For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.  

Jeremiah 27:14-16 (KJV) Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you. Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD's house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. 

 Jeremiah 28:15 (KJV) Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.  

Jeremiah 29:21 (KJV) Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes Jeremiah 29:31 (KJV) Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie 32 therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD. 

Ezekiel 21:29 (KJV) whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.  

Micah 2:11 (KJV) If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.  

Habakkuk 2:3 (KJV) For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  

Zephaniah 3:13 (KJV) The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.  

Zechariah 10:2 (KJV) For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.  

John 8:44 (KJV) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  

Acts 5:3 (KJV) But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  

Romans 1:24, 25 (KJV) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25 who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  

Romans 9:1 (KJV) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost  

2 Corinthians 11:31 (KJV) The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.  

Colossians 3:9 (KJV) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds  

2 Thessalonians 2:11 (KJV) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie  

1 Timothy 2:7 (KJV) Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.  

Titus 1:2 (KJV) in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began 

1 John 1:6 (KJV) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth 

1 John 2:4 (KJV) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

1 John 2:21 (KJV) I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 1 John 2:27 (KJV) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 

1 John 4:20 (KJV) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  

Revelation 3:9 (KJV) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.  

Revelation 21:8 (KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.  

Revelation 21:27 (KJV) And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.  

Revelation 22:15 (KJV) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 

2 dreams 4-10-23

 In my first dream, I was working in a mansion. It had a large swimming pool. I was supposed to be taking care of the old lady in the back bedroom but I was instead swimming in the pool.  The old lady attempted to get out of her bed and yelled. Her bed was wet and she was half in and half out of the bed when I ran in there. I was trying to dry my hair with a towel and the children were helping her back to bed.  They were very angry with me and told me to leave.  I went home and waited for the phone call that would tell me that I had been fired. I awoke.  When I fell back asleep the scene was of a gym with 4 exercise bicycles. Three other older ladies were on three of the bikes leaving me the last one.  As we were riding the tension on the peddles got harder and harder. The two ladies to my right soon tired, became bored and quit peddling. The one in front of me continued on. The peddles got harder to push. I looked at her but she just kept peddling. Although she was looking forward, she didn't seem to be looking at me, but passed me. We seemed to be waiting for some sort of signal to stop peddling. I thought it was taking forever and then suddenly a buzzer sounded. I gestured to the lady across from me indicating thanks for the good ride, but it seemed to me that she didn't even see me. Then a man came in the room and removed the TV from in front of me and I realized that those women weren't really there at all. They had been put there in front of me to encourage me to keep going even when the ride got tough.  

Father, God who art in heaven, please forgive me when I have had a lazy attitude towards doing things to prepare for your kingdom.  Please forgive me and your people for being in the Laodicean condition.  Raise up a standard against the enemy of our souls. May I and my family and loved ones and all whosoever will be among the 144,000. May we fight the good fight of faith, may we endure to the end, may we finish the course faithfully, no matter how hard it gets or who joins us.  Thank you for sending others to walk with us to give us courage to continue the battle. Save us at last in your kingdom when you come. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen 

https://youtu.be/grSf5d29udw

1/26/23 dream

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JER.23.KJV  This was the text my Bible app was on when I woke up this morning. "1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. 2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. 3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD."

In my dream that I woke up from this morning I had warned some people about a man that I saw as dangerous. This man had been seen by me being very flirtatious with two other women at the same time. Nobody had seemed to listen to my warning. Later however one woman came to me crying that this man had defiled her. As I was trying to comfort this woman. Another woman, whom I knew to be a very Godly woman, had caught this man by his shirt and suitcoat tails twisted in her hand and she was singlehandedly thrusting him from the church building. She was saying that she had caught this man trying to kill another woman.  He was very angry and cursing her and saying all manner of horrible things that he would do to her.  Myself and a couple of other younger women came running to help this God fearing woman and we wrestled him to the ground. I had my knee in his back and was wrestling his arm around behind his back when I awoke. The older Godly woman was sinking to her knees.

Is there anything left you can trust?

2 Peter 1:20 "knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/2PE.1.KJV We touched on this text a bit yesterday but I wanted to explore it a bit further today. NO prophecy is of any private interpretation.  That means that there is not one man to whom belongs the secrets of the Bible.  With diligent study each person may be able to understand the prophecies in God's Word. Now I will admit that some, especially in Daniel and Revelation, can be very difficult. This is actually intentional. When the Bible mentions specific nations the casual reader may not understand what is being talked about.  It is only with the help of the Holy Spirit, who was the one that inspired the writing in the first place,  that we can gain a clearer understanding of the prophecies. The Bible was not written because someone was just jotting down some notes. The Holy Spirit of God guided in their thoughts. Men received dreams and visions. 

Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.15.KJV These things, in God's Word, were written to give us hope.  So many people in this world, especially today do not have hope. This is why getting a Bible and prayerfully studying it DAILY is of utmost importance in our lives. Make a commitment to do just that in this New Year. God gave us many precious promises all the way through His Word. By God's grace we will touch on some of those this year. Please join me in this year to put bible verses to memory. We need to hide God's Words in our hearts. Perilous times are here and only in God's word can we find a safe retreat. Here are the first ten days worth of verses: (or chose some of your own)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 16, 17 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/2TI.3.KJV 

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:20, 21 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/2PE.1.KJV 

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.15.KJV 

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Isaiah 46:9, 10 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.46.KJV 

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me. 100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep thy precepts. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. 160Thy word is true from the beginning: And every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalms 119:98, 100, 105, 160 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.119.KJV 

8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Isaiah 42:8, 9 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.42.KJV 

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.4.KJV 

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.24.KJV 

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.16.KJV 

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.17.KJV 

20 “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.8.KJV

 

New Year, new vision

 2 Timothy 3:1"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/2TI.3.KJV

In verses 1-5 we are given a picture of the last days.  These are the days in which we are now living. If you don't believe me just turn on the news. Today I want to spend some time focusing on verses 16, and 17.  Let's take this word by word or phrase by phrase. First there is that little word ALL; I looked it up in the Greek.  Do you know what it means in Greek? Well it means, um, all! not just some. Therefore ALL scripture is by inspiration of God. yes even those boring and seemingly endless genealogies. What is "scripture"? Scripture is ALL of the 66 books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, nothing else. I will add here that the apocryphal books are not recognized as being inspired. They have, contained in them, things that go contrary to the canonized 66 books. The closest version of the Bible to the original language is the King James version. Other more modern versions change the meaning of some passages or leave them out altogether. 

Inspiration of God, what does that mean? For the answer to that we go to our second verse which is 2 Peter 1:20 "knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/2PE.1.KJV The Holy Spirit was sent to teach mankind what to say and how to live. 

Profitable for doctrine, what is doctrine? That is a system of beliefs. The dictionary puts it like this: doctrine dŏk′trĭn noun

1. A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma.
2. A rule or principle of law, especially when established by precedent. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=define+doctrine&t=newext&atb=v257-1&ia=definition 

We need to study scripture in order to form a system of beliefs and to know what and in whom we can believe. 

Reproof and correction, wow, these can be a bit challenging, because many people hold up the verse Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged." to mean that no matter what nobody has the right to tell me that I'm doing wrong.  Many who feel this way have failed to read the rest of the chapter as well as other verses in the Bible that contradict their feelings. The verses continue this way: "2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.7.KJV The meaning of these verses says, first take care of your own sin issue and then you will be able to see clearly to help your brother see his issue. People who use Matthew 7:1  to say "don't judge me" also need to realize that Matthew also says, in Matthew 18:15 "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.18.KJV

Instruction in righteousness, along with correction comes instruction. Not just telling people that they are bad, awful sinners, but showing them by words and example how they ought to live. Everything we do and say should be tempered with the love of God.  We should not just tell people that they are going to hell, but should in love, tell them about Jesus sacrifice for us so that we would not have to end up in hell, but will be able to enjoy all eternity with God in a beautiful heaven. 

That the man of God may be perfect,  um, perfect??? Yes, that is what the Bible says in more than one place. Matthew 5: 48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.5.KJV Some preachers try to say that we don't need to be perfect, that God's grace is all that we need.  While it is because of God's grace that we even exist, we must also by His sustaining power STRIVE to be more like Jesus every day of our lives. Philippians puts it this way in chapter 3:10 "that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PHP.3.KJV Luke 13 says: 23 "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.13.KJV This perfecting is a work of a lifetime. 

Thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  God will provide the means to do whatever He calls us to do. We just have to be willing to do whatever He calls us to. We must learn and understand His voice and the only way to to that is through DAILY prayer and Bible study.  Not just a cursory reading of the Bible but a thorough study of it. Which brings us right back to 2 Timothy this time chapter 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/2TI.2.KJV