Posted in Christian Service, Evangelism, Leadership, Purpose

Hindsight is 2021

No, the headline is not a typo. It’s a real truth from my perspective of last year. I came away from 2021 with wisdom that I didn’t have in 2020. I could see very clearly things that I had not seen before. Part of it was because I chose to stay more informed, rather than being the ostrich with my head in the sand. I had stayed in that position for most, if not all of my adult life. Choosing rather to avoid the truth than face it. If I didn’t see it, it didn’t happen. I’m here to confess that that is how I still deal with a great many things when it comes to reality. Reality bites. I don’t like it.  When I met with the team of doctors doing my open heart in 2018, they ask, “do you have any questions?” I had only one… Is anything that I ask going to change what’s about to happen?” Their answer was no. Then I had no questions. It’s a mind safety mechanism that I deploy. It worked really well until 2021. It was at that point that I decided I needed to know the truth about what America was up to, and what God thought about it.

I started by watching Fox News. A notable conservative news program. Not long into it I realized that if they had ever been conservative, they’d compromised and much of their dialogue and banter was very worldly. I seen no point of watching something that made me angry. Then I found Blaze Media. I wont’ tell you there’s not a worldly language issue, but when it came to the truth, I fully believe they give it to me. And so, that’s my source of worldly wisdom, and though they helped in my perspective of the truth in news, they couldn’t hold a candle to the truth I received through the word of God. No worldly language there… just honest to goodness prophecy that’s way better than any prediction a newsman will make. 

So here’s my hind site from 2021:

We are closer to Jesus’ return now than we ever have been. Whew! I bet you didn’t see that wisdom coming. I know… it’s sound like a no brainer. Time wise of course it is, that only makes sense. But remember what I said about the fact that I could deny anything I didn’t know or understand. I could turn off thoughts about Jesus’ return, so long as I didn’t see any evidence it was about to happen. But then things on the news began to painstakingly align with scripture more and more every day. A “one world government” is a very real conversation throughout the countries. Christianity is a very unwelcome conversation. Covid-19 all but shut down church in America and the church did nothing. One world currency is also a very real conversation, and a digital money source is just what Satan needs to fully control who receives money. Israel is more and more on the radar every day, and just like Herod attempted to destroy every infant every where in hopes of killing the Messiah, Satan will continue to attempt to destroy the work of Jesus Christ. He can’t kill the Lord, but He can and does kill the ministries of so many. 

Ridgeview news has been another new adjustment for me. It’s not easy keeping up with everything happening in a slow news county. While other news reporters are trying to keep up with all the events, I spend most of my time looking for news. That’s funny! But it’s true. 

But back to my hindsight. 

Every day our current government is climbing into bed with other countries. The American dollar is worth less and less, Washington is making every attempt to take away the freedom that our ancestors gave their lives for, and there really isn’t anyone trying to stop them. It’s unreal the lack of attention that people are giving to what’s going on. And while we’re not in the tribulation period of the bible, the stage is being set. 

I’m in shock at the various things that Satan has taken over on the earth. One that bothers me to no end, and makes me want to puke every time I see it used for the purpose of gay pride is the rainbow. The very symbol that God gave Noah for hope and promise that He would not destroy the earth with water again, Satan encouraged the adoption for an anti-god abominable behavior. It’s mockery and arrogance. 

It is arrogance that America must overcome to have any chance of getting God’s hand of protection back upon us. It was arrogance and pride (ironic choice of title) that caused Satan’s fall. He wanted God’s throne and because of the very beauty that God created in him, felt he deserved it. Tell me there is any difference in political leaders?

But praise God in the realm of spirituality that the world chooses to ignore unless it’s to their benefit, there are things happening that we know not of. Just as it did when Satan was thrown out of Heaven.

The evil “prevailed not!”

Revelation 12:7-9 KJV

[7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, [8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

There is so much deception on the earth, it’s hard for anyone to know what is truth and what is fiction.This is a drop in the bucket of what’s to come and why it’s so important to understand end time events and prepare your family to be among those raptured out. Called to be with God off of this earth before the worst of it all takes place. 

While the prophesies of Revelation are hard for most to understand, the Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom we need for the times we’re in. 

Revelation 13:11-18 KJV

[11] And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 

The beast coming up out of the earth had two horns like a lamb. But not like the Lamb of God (Revelations 5:6) who had seven horns denoting fullness of power. Satan longs to deceive this world that he is God. He is the god of the earth, but he will never be God. He will continue to deceive the people of the earth by his mockery of the things of God, and his counterfeit behaviors.

[12] And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. [13] And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, [14] And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 

This is happening during the days of tribulation yet to come. It’s extreme deception. Today’s counterfeit attempts are not so extreme but they’re just as damaging to the church of God

Satan loves giving a sense of false hope, of securities in self and all things this world provides. It’s those things that will keep the people away from the truth and the house of the Living God. Once you’ve experienced a true relationship with Jesus Christ, you can still be deceived by Satan, but it’s not nearly as easy for him. He cannot steal the true hope that comes from knowing Christ and the true joy of having a relationship with God Himself. The difference between now and when the tribulation is going on, is we currently have the Holy Spirit residing in us. The Spirit will be removed from the earth during tribulation time. 

During this time Satan pulls the wool over the eyes of the earth and God will work through Israel who will finally acknowledge Jesus Christ as Messiah. Revelation 13 continues on with the events that many have heard about but few understand.

[15] And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. [16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: [17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. [18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

The mark of the beast, the numbers 666. Widely known as end time events. Satan will deceive the people by bringing someone back from the dead. Perhaps himself. The Spirit will not be whispering in the ears of the people, “Fake News” as He is today. People will buy Satan’s likes hook line and sinker. Your people. Those who do not know Christ as Savior and will be left behind when Christ raptures out the church. 

Can you see these things in play now? Do you see the multitudes flocking to church on Sunday? No? Me either. Because people are already being lulled into the belief that a relationship with God is not important. 2021 made that much clearer for me. 

Starting the new site has required my focus to be both on the news of the world and the Good News. And I confess, I’m having trouble balancing it all out again. I covet your prayers, that this Jesus Chick does not lose site of what is the most important job I have on this earth right now. Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christmas, Faith, Praise, salvation, testimony

A Much Needed Christmas Sign

This morning as I tried to get my heart in shape for Christmas… which isn’t always easy… I kept hearing the song “Jesus is the Rock of my salvation and His banner over me is love, Jesus is the Rock of my salvation and His banner over me is love, Jesus is the Rock of my Salvation and His banner over me is love… His banner… over me… is love. If you know that tune, it is likely stuck in your head too! You’re welcome! But that’s okay, we need to remember that what ties the cradle to the cross is a love that has been there since the creation of time.

I’m not sure if the scripture came first or the song this morning but none the less it’s been a good study.

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious. ~Isaiah 11:10

From that one scripture, so many others began to run through my mind like the banner song.

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner (ensign) over me is love. ~ Song of Solomon 2:4

Here’s your sign…

and mine too. While the world is so focused on the physical things of life that bring temporal joy (which I can be so guilty of) the very evidence of our salvation which is the love of God, often takes a back seat. It’s why there can be so much stress around the holidays. Our focus is not on the main thing. The reason Christ came was to prove His love for us. And somehow or another the focus seems to get off Him and on to us.

Here’s your star…

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root of the offspring of David (root of David), and the bright and morning star. ~ Revelation 22:16

Long before the star was in the heavens proclaiming the birth of our Savior, the Bright and Morning Star had His place in the Heavens. He knew there needed to be a plan to saved fallen man, and as the lineage of Adam to Christ, with David in the midst became filled with countless characters of less than perfect reputations, the plan stayed perfect. Amazing.

Here’s Your Savior…

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ~ Isaiah 7:14

Emmanuel. God with us. Is He? Or has He been shoved to the side like the wrapping paper that was only important when it concealed the goodness. Then once the goodness of the gift was discovered the paper wasn’t important.

Do we not treat the Word of God, “God with us”, in that same manner? Once we’ve discovered His salvation we no longer find the paper important. And while the wrapping paper certainly isn’t the important part of Christmas, The Word of God, which is how He delivered our salvation to us is important for our relationship to continue. Without it, He is no longer central focus.

Here’s What You Seek…

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (His rest) ~ Matthew 11:28

I don’t know what you need this morning, but I needed to hear words of encouragement from God that would draw my mind back into the central focus of the season. Jesus. I needed that banner waving before me, draped between the two trees; one signifying life, the other death. Together they symbolize the gift of eternal life and peace through Jesus Christ. The latter of which I cast to the side in exchange for the chaos and mayhem of the season. Praise God I can’t lose eternal life or I’d misplace that in all the wrapping too!

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