Sleepless nights, humid days - and it is still officially Spring!

Well friends, if you are living within 150kms where I am living, you know that weather we've been having the last few nights. Severe thunderstorms, high winds, lightning, hail, tornado warnings, thunder, torrential rains, humidex values in the low 40's and loss of power. 3 nights running, this is what we've been living through.

Am I complaining - no. I am sharing what I have been living - that is life.

One thing I would like to share though is this - But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Psalm 73:28 

You see, even through these uncertain times, I know that the LORD is looking after me and my family. I have the security that He is looking out for us and protecting us. And that is what keeps me going. I know that the external events that are happening around me are just that - external. All these weather factors happen to everyone - friend/enemy, family/stranger, religious/non-religious....everyone is effected. Jesus even said in His teaching of loving you enemies - “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! ⁴⁵ In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. ⁴⁶ If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. ⁴⁷ If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. (Matthew 5:43-47) 

Today, if you are a Christian - Show Christ's love. If you are not a Christian and you are reading this - please know this - He loves you dearly. 

Not all storms are like the external events that I talked about in the first paragraph - the worse storms, the most hurtful, occur deep in your mind. They make you feel lost, tired, and hopeless. You wonder when they are going to end. Unfortunately, you can't look on the radar and see how long it is going to last. You can ask Jesus to be in the boat with you, as you weather the storm. His peace can calm the internal storms of your life.

Blessings friends !

May 21, 2011 - Rapture...Oct 21, 2011 End of the World....NOT !!!

False Prophetic Van driving around the area

Last week, I saw an interesting van parked at McDonald's. The entire van was covered in warnings. “The World is going to end on Oct 21, 2011, The Rapture is going to occur On May 21, 2011” At first I thought, “What in the world?” Then I took out my camera and got a couple of pictures. (See above & below) 

False prophetic van @ McDonald's

Then my heart started to break...more deception, more lies, more smearing of Christianity. You see, I've heard this before. I've seen first hand how people take advantage of others at time of weakness. They are predators, they are con-artists, false prophets and lairs. I know that as you are reading this, some will agree with me, some will disagree with me and some will just laugh me off.

Christianity right now is so segmented and I don't want to open up the debate of pre, mid, post tribulation rapture. And I know of others that don't believe that there will be a rapture. I do not doubt your sincerity of your beliefs on which position you take. I just think that so much focus is given to the subjective parts of the Bible instead of the objective parts of the Bible. In other words, many people put major focus on the minor parts of Christianity instead of putting the major focus on the majors of Christianity.

What do I mean by major parts of Christianity – The Nicene Creed is a good place to start.

"We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic (the word catholic means universal) and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN."

To sum it up – On May 21 the rapture will NOT happen....On October 21 the world will NOT end. I suggest that you do what Jesus said though...it is found in Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Have a great day friends. :)

Beginning of March - Lion & the Lamb

 

Today is March 1st. March coming in as a lamb this year - at least in Southern Ontario. Gentle & Peaceful. As I think about the weather, another lamb-lion comes to mind.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7

“Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. Revelation 5:5a

Two verses - both speaking about the same person - Jesus. Both verses are prophetic. Isaiah`s verse was before Jesus came to earth as a lamb to be sacrificed for our sins. The verse in Revelation is in the future, when Jesus will return not as a lamb but as a triumphant king to rule - The Lion of Judah.

Here is a song by Robin Mark - You`re the Lion of Judah

Have a great day !

Don't worry about tomorrow...tomorrow will bring its own worries !

How's your day been? Mine has been ok. My youngest son and oldest daughter are on antibiotics to fight infections that they both have. But they are doing fine. I just keep looking up. This song keeps coming to my mind. Some of you may know it, others may not ever have heard of it before. Either way, the lyrics are ageless. I know that some songs aren't played anymore because they are old fashioned...but I'm not going to debate musical style. That is not what tonight's blog is about...it's about truth. So here is the song...

I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW

By Ira F. Stanphill 

I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day; I don’t borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray. I don’t worry over the future, Fore I know what Jesus said; And today I’ll walk beside Him, For He knows what is a head.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter, Every cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining, There no tear will dim the eye,
At the ending of the rainbow. Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I don’t know about tomorrow, It may bring me poverty;
But the one who feeds the sparrow Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me And I’m covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

I really think that the author really knew his Bible. The scripture that keeps coming to me is from Matthew 6 - when Jesus was teaching....I have put a few versus below. 

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life— whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

  “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:25-34

Words to live by. Have a great evening!

My "AH HA" moment today....

Today I had an “Ah Ha” moment. A moment that when it happened, was like a baseball bat hitting me square between the eyes. And no, it was not when the lady who was texting came over into my lane and almost killed my family and myself. This was very different. Let me explain it to you.

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”

Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”

“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.

Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

“That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

This is what the “Ah Ha” moment was for me...I've been like the Pharisee....So often I want to sit down with the Lord and chat...I've been neglecting my worship to my Lord. Many times I'd come out of a church service and say “wow, what great music” or “boy did the pastor ever preach a good sermon” Instead of saying, “Thank you Jesus for forgiving me of my sins!”

And it also made me think...”I don't take enough time to be with the Lord” I mean, everything is so scheduled...so prepared...so sterile...This woman in the story above didn't care who was in the room – she worshipped her Lord. She didn't care about crying, she didn't care about what people would think of her – she worshipped her Lord. It convicted me...I am so conscientious of who is around me, who is watching, who may say something, what the time is, where I have to be.... I'm like that Pharisee.

“A person who is forgiven little, shows only a little love” Jesus's words....not mine.

Forgive me Lord.

My life in 2010, my future in 2011 pt2

So Summer passes, harvest happens and life plugs along. One thing that has become a very loud reality to me this year, and please don't think that I am being morbid, but my days are numbered.... I am 40 years old – each day that passes is one day closer to the return of Jesus or my meeting him.

People can try to hide ageing by getting botox, plastic surgery, a nip here and a tuck there, but guess what...you are getting older also and like me, your days are numbered. I know a lot of people reading this will laugh at this, but I am not offended. I can't change a persons mind on what they believe – but I know what I believe.

I am excited for this 2011. I truly believe that this will be the most interesting and rewarding year that I have lived ! The more I pray and read the Bible, the more His Word speaks to me. I have an increasing desire to see the loving hand of God more in my and my family's life.

If I have one request of my family and friends it is to look more into God's Word for yourself ! Ask the Lord to help you as you read the Bible. Do not just rely on tapes, cd's, videos, books, mp3's, itunes, video streaming and t.v programs to tell you about the Bible. Read it for yourself! I personally like the New Living Translation for daily reading, but I also enjoy the New King James Version.

Have a great New Year family and friends – let this year be the greatest and most memorable that you've had up until this time !

Pray or Complain....part 2 of 2

One important thing to remember is that the journey is just part of the process. It enables a person to grow and develop as you continue to press towards the goal. God knows what your needs are and will provide in His way in His timing. Think of how God has provided and cared for you in the past...Why would you doubt that He would not do it again. Think back to difficult situations that were tough when you originally were going though them, but in retrospect, you recognize that you saw God's hand in it for good.

So today, thank Him...thank Him for how He has worked in your life. Thank Him for His sovereignty as He continues to work in your life. Go to Him with your problems and allow Him to minister to your heart. Pray....there is nothing in your life that is going on that is out of God's control. His love is from everlasting to everlasting. By praying to Him, you are acknowledging that He is more powerful than you - you realize that He is greater than any problem that you have and He has the power to intervene.

The Israelite s allowed their past (We had it better in Egypt) bleed into their present ( we're at the water and we can't drink it) and it polluted their future ( a 3 month journey turned into a 40 year journey)... Don't allow your past, bleed into your present and pollute your future !

The conclusion is this...In all your circumstances praise Him. 2011 is almost here. There will be challenges, trials and adversities that will come your way. What are you going to do? I trust that you will seek His face, trust in Him, and cast all your cares to Jesus.

Pray or Complain - pt 1.

Life is always full of challenges. Just when we think that everything is going smoothly and according to God’s plan, we are faced with a challenge, something that causes us to feel inadequate once again, something that causes us to seek His direction and strength. It didn’t take very long for God to give Moses and the children of Israel some challenges that would stretch their faith and patience. With 2011 being just around the corner, I want to look at what Israel did when a problem confronted them.
When Joseph was originally in Egypt, he was an honoured guest – He and his family were exalted. Over time however, the Israelite s became more numerous and overstayed their welcome. - Life is a series of steps. And just like a step – it is a place provided for you to move. You've never seen a person living on a step, because that is not what a step is designed for. - And the Israelite s were not suppose to be living in Egypt – It was not the land that God had given Abraham – so God turned up the heat on Israel...sort of encouraged them to get back to where they were suppose to be.
Moses becomes their leader and leads them out of Egypt. I want you to think for a minute what that would look like...a few million men, women and children...with all their belongings....walking across the desert. Then they make it to the Red sea... Water in front – Egypt's military behind them..And what do the people do...Complain...Exodus 14 tells us about it....

10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, 11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? 12 Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Escape through the Red Sea

15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelite s can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.
God opens the sea and the Israelite s walk to the other side. Let's take a minute and look at this...Have you ever thought what it would be like to walk with 2 walls of water in each side of you?
After they safely made it across the Red Sea – they had a 3 month journey to the promise land. 3 months...
God had just delivered Israel from Pharaoh. They were free from the tyranny that they had been living under for 215 years...(430 years from the time God gave Abraham his promise). God had delivered them. They were ready to live a new life, in a new land. They were praising God and singing songs to Him…until there was a slight problem. There was no water to drink. Instead of continuing to praise God, they began to grumble.

What happens when the bottom drops out of your journey?

What happens when you see were you are to go, but you are not there yet.

Do you give up on your dreams?

Do stay stuck?

Do you go back?

Do you give up on your destiny?

What do you do when you are on your journey from Egypt to the promise land and plans drastically change?

To be continued....