Tag: Christ’s return

Posted in Christian Service, Evangelism, Life Inspiration

Why You Need to Meet the Delanceys

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David and Marolyn Delancey

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Habakkuk 3:18-19

I received a call from my good friend David Delancey yesterday, a man without sight and yet he sees more than I’ll likely ever see through the eyes of God. Possibly because the world is not a distraction to him (well not too much anyway, he does love bluegrass!) I’ve learned so much through he and his wife Marolyn. David is blind and Marolyn has battled cancer for years, beating the odds again and again, defying the logic of man because I believe and she believes, God has a mighty work for her to do. The two of them are not super saints, they’re just plain ol’ ordinary extraordinary children of God.

How does one become ordinarily extraordinary? I’m so glad you ask!

They Care

Much like Habakkuk the prophet whose vision of the coming of Christ caused him great concern for his people, David and Marolyn have a great concern for the people of the earth. All over the earth, not just in their neck of the woods, or in their family, but for the missions of earth. They serve at Marietta Bible Center Church which is the Church on the Campus of Marietta Bible College. They give and they give, not only of money but of time and prayer, while the world around hoards for themselves. They tirelessly pray for the students of Marietta, both current and past and even on the days that they feel terrible, they’re terribly concerned about people. They genuinely care.

They Commend

They praise the Lord in the best of times and the worst of times and they encourage others to praise. They’ll likely hate me for this post (not really, there is no hate in them) but they are humble people, and worthy of introducing you to. Not because they’re any different or better than you and I, but because if the Lord can use them in the manner He does, we’re without excuse. When is the last time you’ve really praised the Lord. I mean out loud and to people who needed to hear it? People who only think they have trouble, but have yet to realize the trouble they’re in without Christ as their Savior.

Habakkuk made the world aware of the return of Christ and praised God for the opportunity 2600 years ago or so, and we may be within seconds of His return and we’re saying nothing. We need to praise the Great and Awesome God and let the world know that to fear Him is to praise Him because you’re acknowledging Who He is.

They Continue

Habakkuk said the Lord would make his feet like hinds (deer) feet to walk upon high ground! In this area of the world for which I live deer season is second only to Christmas, and the ideal Christmas gift is hunting gear. I won’t say that deer are worshipped but it’s real close! They’re a worthy adversary for the hunter because of their sure footedness and grace. That should be the life of a Christian, should it not? My friends, David and Marolyn, know where they stand! They stand on the solid ground and saving grace of Jesus Christ. They continue to tell the world about Jesus on their bad days and their good.

Who are you going to tell today? If you’re saved you are without excuse you know? Me too. I don’t tell it near as often or as loud as I should.

Jesus is coming back, and none of the heartache we’re facing will compare to being left behind when He calls His church home.

Tell somebody! Love on somebody today with the love of Christ like my friends do. Sing a song about Jesus! I hope it’s bluegrass 😉

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Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Our Steadfast God

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I have always been a fly by the seat of your pants kinda gal. Which works great for me, until it doesn’t. There are so many good ideas and so little time! But in celebrating my 20th year as a child of God, I’m so glad God doesn’t think like me! I change my mind more than a chameleon changes color, but God does not. He is steadfastly steadfast. Written twice for emphasis.  And in this wishy washy world where nothing seems certain and the backbone of most churches is as weak as a spaghetti noodle how wonderful it is to have the assurance that God’s the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is steadfast.

Whether or not they’ll admit it, even to the unsaved, He is steadfast. It frustrates many that God doesn’t change because then they could find fault in Him. Men change. Churches change. But not God. There are no business meetings in Heaven! In Daniel 6:9 King Darius had signed a decree that no one should pray, but Daniel didn’t change. He’d always prayed to the God of Glory and even the threat of death would not stop him. So when Daniel’s blatant noncompliance to the King’s law was brought to his attention, the King attempted to change his mind but the world wouldn’t have it because Daniel represented what they loathed, which was righteous living.

The King had observed the steadfastness of Daniel and knew there was a difference, but he was bound by his own law to carry out the punishment of throwing Daniel into the lion’s den. But before he sent him in he said to Daniel “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” Yes, even the unsaved know. And He did deliver Daniel! To the amazement of the King and I’m sure to the sore losers who thought they were finally shed of the guilt Daniel made them feel. So the King made a new decree in Daniel 6:26

I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

Whether or not our leadership repents and turns back to God doesn’t change the fact that God is still steadfast. Our lions may look more like unemployment, heartache or disease but we like Daniel will be delivered in God’s time and in God’s way.

I don’t think Daniel went arrogantly up to the lion, thumped him on the nose and said “You want a piece of this?” No, lest the lion took a piece of that. I think he faced the lion with humility and belief that “come what may” God had him covered. And I believe that in the arrogance of our political climate we need to bow our heads and wait for the Lion of Judah to silence the arrogant kings of this world. And He will, because my God is steadfast.

Acts 1:10-11

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

He’s coming back! Be steadfast in your looking toward Heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

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Posted in Heaven, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

3 Points to Ponder on Christ’s Return

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chick soul

The eminent return of Christ can cause a gamut of emotions in me depending upon the day. I look at the sorrow in the world: “Okay, Jesus…come now.” I watch my grandchildren playing: “Umm, Okay, Jesus… wait.” I watch the news: “Okay, Jesus…come now.” I think about lost family and friends: “Okay, Jesus…please wait.” But the reality of it is, He’s gonna return!!! Ready or not. Excited or not. Whether people believe it or not. So I ponder three thoughts today…

ABSOLUTE

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Every single word of the bible is truth: either proven truth, or truth to come. Every prophetic event on the Lord’s time line has happened just as He said it would, the rapture will be no different. Watch the news and it mightily reveals the end times. The arrogance of our leadership who believe themselves to be in control and are slowly siding against Israel will be our end should someone not step up and prevent it. I do not know how America’s story will end “pre-rapture.” Post rapture, when the tribulation is playing out, the only nation under the protective hand of God is the one we tread closely of offending, Israel.

The coming of the Lord is Absolute!

IN HIS TIME

1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Christian’s, who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and have the Holy Spirit living within them, don’t know the day but they should know to be ready. John 14:17 says Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

And yet we live (myself included) like that day will never come. The return of Christ is in His time. But His time can be before I close this blog today. We are children of the light! Praise God He has shown His light within me and gives me great peace in these tumultuous times, but He did not give us peace so that we could rest. He gave us peace so that others would see the testimony of it and desire Christ. However, you have to speak about the peace, else no one will know and they will be caught unware.

READY?

It’s a one word question that packs a multitude of answers when asking people of their readiness should Christ return.

  • Many don’t have clue that Christ’s return is even on the radar. (just like in the days of Noah)
  • Many don’t believe it.
  • Many fear it, kind of believe it, but doubt it enough not to take action.
  • Many deny it.
  • Many assume because they’re “good” people they’ll be taken to Heaven with all the other good people.

Good people don’t make it to Heaven. For there is none but Jesus Who is good.

Luke 18:19

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Those who have called upon the name of Jesus, believing that He is the virgin born Son of God, crucified on the cross, rose again the third day and now sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf will go to Heaven.

John 14:6 reads “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

My three points are the acronym A.i.R. – Look up!

Luke 21:28

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

chick encourage 2

 

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Posted in Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Purple Lizards and Christ’s Return

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chick watchThere was a time when I sang in another Bluegrass band that one of our most requested songs was “Matthew 24”. A song about the coming of the Lord and our need to be ready. Oh it was a beloved song, but the message in reality is not readily accepted. Nobody wants to hear about the return of Jesus Christ, and yet they do. I know… sounds like either a riddle or a bluegrass song. Perhaps I’ll write it! If there’s time. The blood moons got several people excited and ready for a major spiritual event. But what if that event was a major spiritual non-event.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 says But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

This verse always causes me to roll my eyes when the predictors start giving dates of the Lord’s return. What part of Matthew 24:36 do they not understand when it says “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” God said simply to “Watch.” In verse 42 of that same book, and so that’s what I’ve been doing. Watching…

I’ve watched:

  • As many have professed to be God (Matthew 24:5)
  • As there have been wars and rumors of wars (24:6)
  • Nations have risen against nations (24:7)
  • Pestilences (diseases) have come (24:7)
  • Famines have come (24:7)
  • Earthquakes have occurred (24:7)
  • As Christians are killed and hated by all nations (24:9)
  • Many are offended (24:10)
  • False prophets deceive man (24:11)
  • Iniquity abounds (24:12)
  • Many wax cold (24:12)
  • The gospel is preached to all nations (24:14)

Yes, I may roll my eyes at the predictors, but I’m not fool enough not to watch.

Verse 42 says “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

Before I put the last dot on this blog… Christ could return. And that brings joy to my heart until I read  the end of verse 43 ~ But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

That brought new definition to “Broken Homes” for me. And it breaks my heart to think that many of the people that I know and love, and who love me in return, won’t take heed. I might as well be telling them that there’s a purple lizard is taking over the planet; because for them the return of Jesus sounds just as crazy. And lest they take heed, their homes will be broken eternally.

Did it happen on the night of the blood moon? Nope. But it will happen. Look at those bullet points of Matthew 24 and tell me which one has not occurred. The “non-events” are precursors to “The” event. Don’t watch the predictors… watch the skies.

Posted in Eternity, Heaven, Life Inspiration

Weep Not for Me!

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chick willow

One of my favorite trees of all times is the willow.  Those billowing, flowing branches that drape the ground are just beautiful! I should have known that those trees would have a purpose and spiritual significance in the Kingdom of God… I didn’t…. but I should have.

Psalm 137, believed to have been written by the weeping prophet himself (Jeremiah, he foretells of the coming destruction of the enemies of God. My mind likes to ponder that thought as I see the modern day enemies of God proclaim their victories in arrogance. After reading and studying this Psalm this morning I pray I’ll never view that tree the same again. What hope we have in that tree!

Psalm 137

1-4 ~ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?

Thus… the weeping willow!  I get his emotional outcry. It is hard to rejoice and sing psalms when we see the nonsense going on around us that has our country in an uproar, and seemingly captive to doing anything about it. The children of Israel were physically captive and being carried away into Babylon and their oppressors were wanting them to entertain them with their songs of Zion. “How can I rejoice?” Jeremiah asked. But then he encouraged himself to do just that in verses 5-6

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

 And this is where my soul begin to think itself happy. Just as the children of Israel were looking to Zion as that day when their captive souls would be free from bondage and in the arms of God, so should we. Our Lord will not always be mocked and the mockers will have their day of destruction.  Read on weary child of God.

Vs. 7-9

Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

The word “rase” means to destroy! And our enemies, just like the daughter of Babylon who rejoiced in the misery that they inflicted upon God’s children, they’ll be rewarded by God, but not as they believe. They’ll be rewarded with the same treatment that they’re dishing out today. Their arrogance will be short lived on that day.

So as I pass by the weeping willow tree I’ll recall the words of Jeremiah in Psalm 137 and I will rejoice. For we are on our way to a city whose builder and maker is God and death and destruction will be no more. I’ll not hang my harp upon the willows, but I’ll fiddle the tune of Amazing Grace and thank God that I am heading there someday to be with Him.