Saw A Question: Do You Believe In God?

Ξ June 11th, 2008 | → 4 Comments | ∇ Christian Living, End Times, Growing In The Lord |

Welcome back!

I answered this question on another other blog. I love that question. Gets some people thinking. But it got me thinking because of the variety of answers. So, I will also pose the question…Do YOU believe in God? I find that so many do not. Others believe…sort of. What a dangerous time for people to believe this way. It makes me so sad to see that people will believe so many things that are not of God, not good for them. I do realize that God is a gentleman and will not push His will on anyone. However, sometimes I just want to shake the secular right out of folks.

We are living in the coming of the last days of this age. I say that because it is not the end of the world contrary to what many people believe. There’s that word again….believe. You know, you can believe just about anything if you put your mind to it. You can believe that the ground is going to produce a money tree but that does not make it so. That’s the problem. People tend to believe about anything but what is the truth? Doesn’t anyone want to know that?

I do realize that not everyone is going to be willing to believe that a man was born of a virgin, grew up in this world but never sinned, performed a lot of miracles, taught things that most people would not accept, died on a cross at Calvary and was resurrected on the third day at which time he began to walk the earth for another several days, then rose up to heaven. Yes, that would be a tad hard to swallow for me too if I did not know that I know that is the Gospel truth! God loves you! God loves me too. I originally had a problem believing that but I do now. Awesome!

Does God believe in you? Most definitely! He is the Creator. He gave us everything and believes that we are worth it to become saved from this sin natured world of evil and nasty things. He wants us to know Him better. We can have a close, personal relationship with Him if we will pray and study God’s Word, if we will talk with Him as if we are related because we are related. I am an adopted child of God through Jesus Who died for me on the cross, taking away my sins. Do I still sin? Of course I do but God forgives me each time if I ask Him. What He does not forgive is someone who willfully and knowingly sins and has no remorse. We must be willing to turn away from that sin and run to Him again.

So, the question here is Do you believe in God? I raise my hand high as I say, YES! I do! He is the best thing that ever happened to me…my husband is second and he’s okay with that because God is the best thing that ever happened to him too!!!

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Is It The End Of The World Next Week?

Ξ June 6th, 2008 | → 3 Comments | ∇ End Times |

We know that we are heading into the last days or end times when the scriptures are predicting the times of the end and they are coming to pass. People love to predict the end of the world. I have no idea why since all would vanish if such things were actually true. Now, I realize that we have had such predictors for years. I remember back when I was a kid, according to my nieces it was during the years of the dinosaurs, that there were cartoons and pictures of guys carrying sandwich board signs that said things like “The end of the world is coming! Repent!” and other such oddities. Those have been around since long before I was born. So, what makes it different today?

Not much except that when you read your Bible, you can see that the prophecies for the last days are actually coming true before your eyes. I am especially interested in what Jesus has to say in Mathew 24, aren’t you? We can see more and more wars and rumors of them; the earthquakes are really getting bigger, more of them and more often; hurricanes are causing much more damage, diseases are getting worse and worse especially some that the scientists thought were a thing of the past; people are starving in a world where there are resources enough to feed every man, woman and child every day for their entire lives but there are people who would rather see them starve than give a helping hand. And it is all more and bigger than ever before.

Jesus talked about the signs of the times of the end. He said that it was like birth pains. Any woman who has gone through a birth of a child knows exactly what He means. In our family recently, there was a new birth, a baby girl. She is absolutely beautiful. My niece had to go through birth pains that started small but gained in strength until it was constant. Like that, the world is seeing those same things but in ever increasing pain.

The wars and rumors, the diseases, the hurricanes and tornadoes that are so much worse this year than ever before, the earthquakes that are happening so much more often and so much worse than before. Just think for a moment. Those people who have steadfastly denied that the end times are upon us also said that we have always had the quakes, the tornadoes, hurricanes and so on all of our lives. I know that too. BUT, when I was a kid, there were maybe a tornado or two in a few years time. Now when the tornadoes break out, it is in large numbers all at once. This is totally different than ever before.

However, there is a danger in trying to predict the actual date of such occurrences that are in the Bible. In the last several years, there have been some people who decided that they could tell when the last days were going to happen or when the end of the world was going to occur.

I had some friends who had bought a book by what they thought was a reputable preacher who had predicted the end of the world and when the rapture was going to happen back in the early 80s. My friends fully believing the guy, were putting labels on all their things giving things away to people that they knew would not be included in the event that was predicted…the rapture. When that did not happen as stated in his book, he simply started a new book to put out for more people to believe. I think he had about 4 or 5 books out before he truly was no longer credible. That is amazing to me. He should have not been believed in the first place but if believed then, certainly not after the miss on the dates the first time around.

God is quite clear about not believing just anyone about this sort of thing. Jesus told the disciples not to be deceived. The problem is that those people that try predicting such things are actually deceiving others. It is highly possible that they are deceiving themselves as well if they really believe these things they are talking about. One the other hand, there are those that are strictly in it to deceive as many as possible. One such person appears to be a man named Hawkins who is spreading his own brand of the word of God. He maintains his own little cult in Texas. His prophecy is that the beginning of the end of the world, nuclear holocaust will happen next Thursday, June 12th or sooner. He also states that it will be around the river Euphrates. There is a grain of truth in what he says but it also is a problem for people. I will tell you why.

(Mat 24:4-5) And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many.

(Mat 24:11) And many false prophets will rise and deceive many.

Those scriptures were warnings by Jesus to those of us who are living in the last days of the age. But it is imperative that people take note that God is telling us not to believe those false prophets. And how can we tell that they are false? Through studying the Word of God so that you know it very well. In the meanwhile, you can also tell by simply noting that it is a human who is bringing this to you. When someone tells you that such things are happening, do not believe the person just because he says it. Prove it out by going to your own Bible and searching out the scriptures for yourself. NEVER EVER believe anyone without doing that. I do not want you to believe me JUST because I say something. Go to your Bible and see it for yourself.

It is quite clear that there are to be many false prophets in the last days of the age. This particular person, Mr. Hawkins, who has a farm in Abilene, Texas, has conveniently been selling people supplies from his own store. He has many, many semi-trailers, hundreds so the media states, full of food and supplies sitting at the ready for “the day” so that his followers can hide from the worst. Unfortunately, this is not the first time this guy has predicted the beginning of the end of the world. This is just the latest in his efforts to get others to believe his stories. It is this very type of person to beware of as a false prophet. Now, he might mean well but he is not following what God has said. And this is deceiving others.

Oh yes, I should mention this one tiny detail about the end of the world. That isn’t going to happen. Read your Bible. God specifically says that after the tribulation time of seven years, the devil will be locked up for a 1000 years and then loosed for a short time. That does not say that there will be an end to the world. So, anyone who tells you that the world is about to end has no clue what they are talking about.

The key to knowing one way or another whether such people are actually prophets of God is to check everything out for yourself. Do not simply believe someone just because he says to believe him. Those who preach the Word of God and are credible will expect and tell you to seek these things out for yourself. Any preacher, no matter how good or nice, who gets upset about you proving things for yourself or doesn’t tell you to read your Bible for these answers is deceiving themselves and you if you believe them. God was clear…there WILL BE false prophets. They actually have always been here but now the devil is working very hard to make us believe his lies for he is the father of them.

We must be wise by seeking God’s face, seeking out His Word and what it says about these things. People like Mr. Hawkins may very well believe what they are saying but it is false. Do not be deceived. We do not need a go between. Jesus took care of that on the cross. We can talk to our Father, go directly to the throne to seek Him.

(Heb 4:16) Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Isn’t it time to spend more time with the Lord? Isn’t it time to study and seek His face so that we will not be deceived by those who know not? Make no mistake, we are living in the last days of the age. I did not say that we are in the tribulation. There are no indicators that we have gone into that period just yet. But it is most definitely close. I will not say when because I do not know when. No one does. Jesus even said that. He said that only the Father knows. Isn’t it time to believe the Lord and stop believing the humans who do not know? Take the time today to talk to the Lord. Enjoy this time. We may not have much left to get close to the Lord.

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Using God Like An ATM

Ξ June 2nd, 2008 | → 8 Comments | ∇ End Times, Prayer |

The truth is that most people do use God like He is an ATM machine. No? How about the fact that most people pay little to no attention to God until they need something. This is one of those things that is really important, especially in these times. We are coming in to the end of the age. Your Bible goes into the Book of Revelation in the last days of the age. We are on a precipice of time and prophecy. It is so close that you can feel it in the spirit realm if you spend any time praying and talking to God at all.

But so many people do not spend that time but they get mad at God if He does not produce exactly what they wanted in the time frame they thought it should happen. That makes God either a handy corner ATM machine to be used only when necessary or, at best, He ends up being some type of sugar daddy that gives and gives and gives. The other end of that is that the person takes and takes and takes without giving anything back.

Now, this is my take on the subject just from reading what God has to say about many things. I believe that when the time comes for Jesus to call His own home, He will only take those who have had a personal relationship with Him and the Father. Does that mean that if you asked Him into your heart that you will be left behind. I did not say that. But it does bear thinking about, doesn’t it.

What type of relationship do you have with your Lord? At times, I have to think about that because I want the best relationship and fellowship I can have with Him. I want my Lord to tell me that He is pleased with His servant. I just wish I was more of a servant than I am. Do you think that? Do you feel that way? You are not alone. I once heard Billy Graham say that he was not sure of how Jesus would see him, that he had done nowhere nearly enough for God. It shocked me. If that blessed man of God does not see himself as having accomplished anything, how can I be seen as a servant??? Actually, God sees us individually and uniquely. He does not compare our works or serving to others. He does compare us to what we are supposed to be. Is that scary or what?

God made us in His image and called us to do His will which includes serving Him. We should be so grateful to be Christians because of the sacrifice on the cross that Jesus made that we would literally do anything for Him. Is that how you live your life for the Lord? Mine is sadly lacking in that area. But I hope I do not use Him as an ATM machine only wanting, wanting, wanting and not giving back to Him.

One of the ways you can give back to the Lord is simply talking to Him and listening to what He has to say. I realize that sounds simple but is it? Most people go about their business not paying any attention to what God has to say at all. I am guilty of that myself so I know that happens. What’s going on? We are wanting what He has to offer but we are not interested in learning all He can teach us. Weird, huh? Do you realize that if you were to listen and learn all that God could teach you, you would not have too much trouble right here on this incredibly evil earth? Why? Because He can teach you how to live here and walk in divine health, be available to serve and help as many as God sends your way. But, the big problem is that we do not want to listen long enough to learn all that. After all, we have our lives to live, right? And Who was it that gave you that life?

It is time to talk to the Lord, have a very personal relationship with Him especially at this very dangerous time in our lives. For those who live in the US, this is going to be a crucial time for us depending on who enters the White House. We are not looked on as the biggest power in the world anymore. In fact, our reputation is quite soiled now. We are not the greatest, most honest country anymore. The truth is that with the housing market what it is, the gas prices doing what they are and the whole security thing going on, we are on our own precipice and it’s about to break off. Things are going to get MUCH worse before they get better. If we are not prepared, we will have all the problems we have now and then some. Will you survive such a life?

Our lives have been truly blessed in so many ways. Despite the fact that we may not be able to always pay our bills, even if we are homeless, we have ways to deal with the problem. There are shelters and places to get food and supplies. We can find ways to live. But in other countries, that is not the case. Look at some of the truly poor countries. People are starving. We do not have that too much in this country. But, and that is a big one, when you see those other countries, if our country does not wake up to what God wants, it will be much like the ones you see that are so poor. Believe me, I did not want to say that but it is the truth and it will happen. We, as Americans, have been too full of ourselves. We MUST learn to walk with the Lord before it’s too late to do it!!!!

It is time to pray, to talk to God, to seek His kingdom because He says that if we do want anything from Him, that we MUST seek the kingdom first. DO NOT WAIT until it is too late. Seek God, seek His Face and begin to do what He wants you to do now!!! And for goodness sake, quit using God as an ATM machine that never runs out. It will.

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My Apologies–Homeschool Your Child, Commit A Crime

Ξ March 14th, 2008 | → 2 Comments | ∇ End Times, Family, Prayer |

I apologize for not being on here more to write the devotionals that I am given to write. As I wrote in a past post, the world has gotten in and taken my focus away from this blog. It is very wrong to allow that to happen. Then I receive the news that a state judge has ruled in a homeschooling case and I am horrified of that outcome.

The state of California and the state judge who heard the case concerning homeschooling by parents has ruled against the parents and for the state. It means that he told the parents they were violating the law by teaching their OWN children without a teaching certificate which is incredibly pricey and, of course, takes a number of years to complete. Naturally the state wants it this way.

Many Christians have homeschooled their children for years. I do believe that this is an attack directly affecting those parents and children…possibly an attack directed AT those people. Here is a part of what the judge said:

Justice H. Walter Croskey wrote his ruling on February 28, 2008:

“Parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children… parents who fail to comply may be subjected to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program.”

Did you see that? If a parent homeschools their child are criminals. People, we are so close to the end of the age! This will directly affect many Christian parents. The children will end up going to public schools where they will be subjected to the inadequate teaching in inadequate schools just because some judge in a state that is power hungry and greedy wants to make sure that the state has control over the kids. They will be indoctrinated with the views of the teacher and the curriculum of the school system the parents have been trying hard to avoid.

We are here for such a time as this. Please pray for these parents, children and all parents and children who will eventually be affected by this ruling. When the other states see this, they will begin to do the same things. Our freedoms are being lost, one by one. And now we are not allowed to teach our children in the manner we see fit. Oh Lord, come quickly!!!

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What Is A Man Made God?

Ξ March 7th, 2008 | → 4 Comments | ∇ Christian Living, End Times |

In a previous post, I mentioned a lyric with the words “man made god” in them. That phrase really bothered me for some time. In fact, it still does bother me. What is a man made god? As I stated in the other post, a man made god is whatever you are so focused on that it takes your heart from the One True God. It could be money, jobs, children, family, boat or car payments, house payments, overdue bills, whatever it might be. If your focus is on that instead of on God, then you have a man made god in your life.

God wants your full attention. He is, however, a gentleman and will not impose His will on you at any time. He waits patiently for you to see that all the worry in the world is not going to change what’s going on. He is waiting patiently for you to look at Him instead of your worries and situations. God tells us to rest in Him.

Heb 4:3 For we who have believed do enter into the rest

Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall rest under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Jehovah, my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him I will trust.

It is especially important that we do enter into His rest. However, we cannot do that if we are focused on those man made gods out there. It might be your money worries but it could just as easily be that person you are wanting to get together with even though you are married. If that is what you plan, that is your man made god.

Man made gods in your life will slow you down or stop you completely from learning what God has in store for you right now. We live in perilous times and need all the help we can get from the Lord. He wants us to seek His face. He wants us to bear witness of His Son, Jesus. Paul says that he is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must learn to not be ashamed either. If the man made god in your life is stopping you, then you are too busy to witness of the Lord. That makes you ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What can you do to change that? First, stop focusing on your problems and personal desires and start focusing on the Lord. If you do that, He will add all those things to you that you need as long as it lines up with God’s Word. If you desire things that do not line up with God’s Word, you risk His resounding NO! He wishes to give you the desires of your heart. But seek God first with those desires. Always seek God first.

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We Are Not Ready For The Coming Of The Lord

Ξ February 26th, 2008 | → Comments Off | ∇ End Times, Growing In The Lord |

We are not ready. Why do I say that? Because the Lord is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle. There are too many spots and wrinkles in our churches. For as many churches that are anointed of the Lord, there are that many more that are falling into legalism and strife.

Too many are rejecting the the Word of God in favor of the word of the someone who outwardly looks good but inwardly is not seeking God. They are living in their own arrogance, a box of their own making. When God says seek Him, they seek another who offers castles and parades. God is calling to you.

We are not ready. We look at the circumstance and not the Face. We seek what has already been done to be done again making what was done to be of no effect. Seek His Face. The Face of God is seen in the eyes of Jesus.

We are not ready. God calls us to Him but we walk away to seek riches and honor. Honor from God is the only honor but we chase dreams of another world. We seek praise from those who do not know what praise is or from where it comes. Compassion is leaking away.

We are not ready. There is no study time, none for prayer. Only time for sports and drinking. Turning about face to seek those things that will pull you down. We are seeking the wrong things, wrong faces, wrong riches, wrong places.

We are not ready. The church needs to clean it’s spots, iron out it’s wrinkles. We must seek unity in the Lord, not strife and discontent. The whole body of the Lord is fitly joined together. When the wrinkles are gone and the spots have vanished, we will be ready. Then our lamps will be full of oil, trimmed and ready for the Master.

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Why We Say The Pledge Of Allegiance To Our Flag

Ξ January 22nd, 2008 | → Comments Off | ∇ Christian Living, End Times, Prayer |

This subject has come up recently concerning young teens who are willing to sit down and ignore the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance at their school. Now first, I want to say that we live in a more or less still free country. Those teens are able to do that because of the country they live in. We do have free speech in this country regardless of what it may look like during Presidential trips through the streets.

But it saddens me to see that those teens have not seen the whole picture, from what I can see. Growing up, I learned that our country was founded by people of faith on the principle that our country would be governed by that faith. God was an important part of this country’s beginning. Through the years, as is usually the case, we have forgotten that this country and it’s beginnings were bound in the Christianity that the signers of the Declaration of Independence believed.

Dwight Eisenhower authorized the final change that was made to the Pledge of Allegiance on Flag Day in 1954. His reason was this:

“In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.” ….President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Though the Pledge did not originally contain the words “under God”, this pledge has reflected the beliefs of most Americans then and now. And although I was very young at the time, in school we learned the Pledge of Allegiance just as it was changed to read. I was proud to say it then and I am proud to say it now just as it is.

What we seem to have forgotten is that God was a part of this country’s beginnings. People now choose to leave God out of the whole thing. They choose to change history to read it as they want it. This is not a new tactic. It was done during the time Jesus had died on the cross and those who led the Temple at the time did not want their people to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. The story was that the disciples stole the body and ran away with it. That story still goes through Israel today.

But Jesus did rise from the dead and is our Savior and Lord. Our country was born on that belief. People choose not to believe that the words “separation of church and state” mean something totally different than what most people like to portray. Those words were so that the government would be kept from interfering with the church so that it would not become a state religion like it had previously been in England. It does NOT mean that the church is completely separated from the government so they cannot have the manger scene at a courthouse.

What needs to happen now is that those of us who are born again believers should pray for the sovereignty of our country, for the government to become what it used to be and for the leaders of our country to lean on the Lord for all of their wisdom. We must all live by seeking the Lord’s wisdom and knowledge. If we do not, the country and we ourselves will pay dearly for it.

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Ringing In The New Year!

Ξ January 1st, 2008 | → Comments Off | ∇ Christian Living, End Times, Holidays, New Christians |

I wanted to wish you all a blessed and happy new year for this brand new time. This is a fantastic time to be alive and a frightening one as well, depending on how you see things going. God was quite clear that the times would become extremely dangerous for the believer as things progress in the history in the making before your eyes.

This is an amazing time to get closer to the Lord, make the determination that you need to rededicate your life to Him and bring out that dusty Bible. The scriptures are there to help you! When you get into the Word of God and really study it, you will find the answers to many of your most pressing problems. I have found this to be so…even if the scripture at the time did not really sound like it fit the situation. Eventually, I would see that it did, indeed, fit like a glove.

At times, we are veiled and do not see spiritually what is happening or about to happen. That, too, is part of the test from our Lord and a blessing as well. Did you really want to know how long you had to live? How long anyone had? It would create a pressure that you cannot imagine until you try it out. I would not want that information. I would be trying to run my life like that and failing miserably.

So, today, take the time to reflect on your role in what you can do for the Lord. The first thing would be to read your Bible and study with prayer. When you have that under your belt (and I am talking about reading, studying and prayer daily), the Lord will guide you to someone who desperately needs Him and you are His witness. It is an awesome thing to be a servant of the Most High God!!! Awesome!!!

Happy New Year to all!!!!

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Christians Do Not Always Walk In Love

Ξ December 5th, 2007 | → Comments Off | ∇ Christian Living, End Times, Growing In The Lord, New Christians |

(Ephesians 5:1-2) Then become imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell. (Literal Translation)

Yesterday, I put up a post that talked about imitating God and walking the path He has for you to walk. The next verse (above) says that we need to walk in love. That can be extremely difficult at times but isn’t it an interesting statement for God to make? First, we are to imitate God and then we are to walk in love but He does not stop there. Remember the rest of it? We are to imitate God like we are children AND walk in love.

This verse is particularly necessary in these days that are becoming more and more evil. The love of others is steadily growing colder and leaving and hatred is becoming the norm. If you do not believe that, just try to be nice to someone who has a bad attitude. They will not thank you many times. They might even attack you for it. Between that and seeing out and out wrong as right are fast being the normal everywhere.

Recently, I was watching videos on a popular free video site. In searching out Christian preachers, I came across one that was getting a large number of comments, mostly bad, so I took a look. Others who profess to be preachers and believers (meaning born again Christians) were criticizing, bashing and otherwise slamming a couple of quite popular television preachers. I have watched both myself and while I did not always agree with everything they said, I was not about to be critical of them. Why? Because they could be anointed preachers of God. He is quite clear about not touching His anointed.

So many that were commenting and professing to be Christian and preachers were making extremely vicious remarks. They were ugly, sometimes filthy comments about how these preachers were acting. I chose to say something about now knowing all of the story since this particular video was about a one minute slice of a much longer video, not seeing all of the video. The target was now me! Vicious, nasty, filthy comments and statements were made to and about me.

What’s the problem here? Cold hearts. A lack of love. With this type of attack, there simply is no love of the Lord. We are told by God specifically, as Christians, to walk in love, AS CHILDREN, being imitators of God. If those who made those statements are Christians, they need to seek God and evaluate their lives because love is not included. I do not evaluate my life every single day, which I certainly should, but I do talk to God about that so that I do not walk off the path. I still find myself going in the wrong directions quite often. We must be diligent to do this and walk in love as well.

We do not have to take everything dished out to us but God does require us to walk in His love. I know that when the love of God is working in my heart, my day is brighter, my attitude is nicer and I care about people. At other times, I can be definitely disgusted with people as a group. Why not try walking in love today, like a child imitating God’s love for us all?

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Suffering Through Life

Ξ November 13th, 2007 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Christian Living, End Times, Growing In The Lord, New Christians |

Did you ever wonder if the suffering you have to do will end? I have thought of that many, many times. Usually, when our family is going through something that’s a health issue, it feels like it will never end. Ditto for the financial problems. Sometimes those are worse than the health problems. Health and money are the hot topics in our extended family almost every time we start talking.

Isn’t it sad that we have to talk about those negative things so much? I hate it but I still find myself doing it anyway. Of course, it does not help when the usual and customary question asked by literally everyone is “Hi, how ya doin’?”, does it? If we are not truthful, we tend to say things like “Good, and you?” or the ever popular “fine”. Sigh. But if we were actually truthful, those folks do not really want to know the real deal. They don’t want you to tell them every little ache and pain you have or what Bessie did to Tommy last night. Uh uh. They only ask that because it’s a habit, not real concern.

Now, God tells us that suffering does happen but it will end. He also makes some really great promises with that. I love those promises because He KEEPS His promises unlike most of the people in our lives. Do you know anyone who has always kept their promises? I try very hard to keep all promises I make..but it does happen when something unavoidable happens and a promise is broken. Rare but it does happen. Only God has the reputation for keeping ALL of His promises. So, isn’t it great that He gives us so many!!!

(1Peter 5:10) But the God of all grace, He calling us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

You know, most people read this and say “Yeah..and??” but I read it this morning and got a huge zing out of it. First, God says that He has all grace. Wow! Grace means that He gives us a free gift, a grace period to straighten out sort of like an insurance policy. Many policies offer a grace period when you haven’t paid yet but you still have the policy. They do not owe you the coverage but they give it to you whether you have paid them or not. God does not expect payment for your sins. Jesus already paid that price for you on the cross. He only asks that you believe that and receive Jesus into your heart.

In the next phrase of the verse, God says that He is calling us to eternal glory! Awesome. Can you feel the pull of your heart to Jesus? I do. He love us so much that He is continually calling us. Then the verse says “after you have suffered a little”. My translation says “suffered a while”. In either case, there is going to be a certain amount of suffering. It’s how you handle that suffering that tells the tale of your faith. Ouch!! That one can hurt a bit. But take heart. God is there with you during the suffering. You can see your faith grow in such times.

But, God has us on this earth to learn. We are in school and it’s not even kindergarten yet. Sigh. At least for most of us, it isn’t. Some folks have risen to the level of kindergarten and first grade but I’m guessing that would be those faith giants that are walking in the Lord so closely that you almost can no longer see them for the shine of the Lord. I strive to be in that place myself. Do not despair. You can get to that point. It is not just for preachers and pastors. God did not write this scripture just for those who are on the front lines of ministry. God wrote that for everyone!! EVERYONE! Yes, you also.

These promises are a blessing of God. It means that He is constantly watching over us. He is vitally interested in all parts of your life, little things and huge things. Have you ever asked Him which beans to buy at the store? I have. He wants to be in ALL of your life, to guide and to protect. Doesn’t it make sense to allow Him to do that? After all, He is your Creator and the One Who knows the end from the beginning. I would say that those credentials are good enough, wouldn’t you?

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