Edom Indicted

The LORD's indictment against Edom, the land of Esau, a brother of Jacob in the flesh, but also an enemy. When Israel and Judah were invaded and exported to Babylon and other lands, Edom joined with the invaders to afflict them. Israel is still surrounded by enemies. Are they any different today? God watches Israel, His covenant people,  and their enemies will be punished.

 

Obadiah 1:10“Because of the violence you did
to your close relatives in Israel,
you will be filled with shame
and destroyed forever.
11When they were invaded,
you stood aloof, refusing to help them.
Foreign invaders carried off their wealth
and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem,
but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.
12“You should not have gloated
when they exiled your relatives to distant lands.
You should not have rejoiced
when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune.
You should not have spoken arrogantly
in that terrible time of trouble.
13You should not have plundered the land of Israel
when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have gloated over their destruction
when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have seized their wealth
when they were suffering such calamity.
14You should not have stood at the crossroads,
killing those who tried to escape.
You should not have captured the survivors
and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble. (NLT)

 

Do we take advantage of a brother in need? How can we not be like Esau? How can we bless God's covenant people?

Fall back, but not away

In the Fall we fall back an hour to be off of daylight saving time and back to normal. I like the extra hour that we gain this way. Sometimes we need to take time to fall back and to seek the LORD's presence and his direction for our life. We do not fall away and hide from the LORD and our problems, Jesus loves us and we take our problems to him. As I was reading in Amos 9, the chapter was about God's judgement on his own people Israel. They had left him for other gods and he was telling them that they could not hide from him, they would be judged. The story ends with a promise of restoration for a remnant who would return to the land and it would be rebuilt and the land would produce an abundance of good things. This is happening and it refers to a time when they would be ruled by a righteous king. This king is Jesus at his second coming. These things are coming very soon, so fall back and pray and be refreshed, but do not hide from God. The safest place is in Jesus and he is in you.

 

Amos 9:1  I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

 

Luke 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

 

Jer 23:24  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

It is terrible thing to run from the wrath of God. Where can you go, that he is not there?

 

Jude 1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

The greatest thing we have is his love and the Holy Spirit, his truth and power with us. Fear God, but not the things that are coming. Pray for his peace and his salvation in our land.

Reminders

My family could smell the propane, a reminder that it soon will run out and the 25 gallon tank will need to be refilled. We have had 4 months out of this filling. We use propane for cooking, mostly. Another reminder, that tomorrow night we set the clocks back one hour. Sometimes I make notes reminding me of things that need to be fixed or done around the home. I ran out of baking powder, it goes on the grocery list. It is good to study and read the Bible each day, I have been faithful this year to remember to do this each day. Did I remember to take a blood pressure pill? God is faithful, it is we who forget things. Have you shared your love lately? Hugged a loved one? As I mature in years I must not forget the important things. As you see my thoughts can ramble. LORD be my strength and a sound mind. May we not forget the cross of Jesus Christ and so great a salvation and may we remember to share the good news for time is running out.

 

A number of Biblical scholars were sharing recently about these being the last days. Pastor Hagee spoke of the four blood moons as a sign of the last days. There was a blood moon in 1492, in 1948 when Israel became a nation again, (the fig tree blooming). A blood moon in 1967 when Israel defeated the Arab nations and regained control of Jerusalem and there will be a blood moon in 2014. Will this be the start of Daniel's last week? 

 

Luk 21:29  And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
Luk 21:30  When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
Luk 21:31  So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Luk 21:32  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Luk 21:33  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

A generation could be referred to as a life span of 70 years. From the beginning of the nation of Israel in 1948, the symbolic fig tree, adding 70 years, would make the end times around 2018. The middle of Daniel's seven weeks is 3.5 years. It was mentioned that 2014 is the last blood moon and it may be the start of Daniel's final week of seven years. Mid way Israel will be in great tribulation from the Antichrist, but their redemption would be coming soon. Hopefully we will be raptured before this happens. These are events to remember in scriptures. We are not to know the days, but we are to be reminded of the end time events and most agree that the things that are happening in our time are reminders of Biblical prophecy. This is no time to turn away from God.

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. 

Arise and Shine

When we used to visit my folks before they went home to the LORD, my mother would say to us "you bring life to us." I remember back when I was a young man in the hospital; my mom and dad would come to be with me every day and when my two older brothers would visit, they brought life and strength to me. When our ministry team brings music and the gospel message twice a week to the rest home services, some of them say to us that we bring life to them. Jesus is our light and the life that brought us the light of God. His presence continues in those he has saved. We are his light in this sin darkened world.

Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Isa 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

This refers to Israel in the Millennium, when the Lord comes in the midst of his chosen people Israel, but the application is for now, to those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ. Look around and we see the darkness covering the earth. Sin and shame and fear and despair cover the land, but we are not just from the land, we are made heavenly creations in Christ Jesus, his ambassadors and light bearers.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

What then? As ambassadors for Christ, we are not to be hidden in the darkness, but to get up and get out and shine for Jesus. Not only shine in appearance but with the word of life. We are not to be in darkness and gloom, we are to be like Jesus: full of life. He has arisen and his glory will be seen on us for we are in Christ by faith and the giving of his Holy Spirit. As He shined at the Mount of transfiguration, so we shall shine with a holy glow from within. We also are to associate with others of his light, encouraging one another, showing that we are one people of God; the Church of Jesus Christ and the chosen of God.

Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

The darkness needs the light from Jesus. Those who are of God, will come out of darkness; those who remain, prefer the darkness. Politically correct people of darkness, may persecute those of the light. It is God who makes the laws, not man. Any law that transgresses the law of God is sin and darkness. God is not mocked, for the light shines and that which is true will gladly respond to that light, and not come against it.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

All Israel shall be saved

This is the age of the church, since Jesus died on the cross all nations, the Gentiles,  are invited to receive salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The end of the church age is when Jesus comes for us in what is called the rapture of the church. Then all Israel shall be saved.

 

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16  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:
1Th 4:17  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.
1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

 

The LORD has a time of salvation for the nation of Israel and the called physical descendants of Israel. We are to be witnesses of Jesus to all nations until the fulness of the Gentiles come in. Then the LORD will turn to Israel. The first shall be last. Jesus came first to the house of Israel, but being rejected, he will call them and gift them in the last days. Some are coming to Jesus now, but at his second coming all will be saved. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

My Heart's Desire

Paul was a Roman citizen, but above all he loved Israel and the Jewish people, for he too was a Jew, a Pharisee of the Pharisees but when he saw the blinding light...Jesus, on the road to Damascus,(Acts 9:3)  his life and calling was turned around to serve Messiah Jesus. He was called to be the apostle to the Gentiles.

 

Rom 10:1  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Antioch

 

Act 13:44  And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
Act 13:45  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Act 13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Act 13:47  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Act 13:48  And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

 

When family or those we love most refuse the gospel message, it tears at our heart, as it did to Paul who loved his fellow Jews. He didn't stop loving and praying for them who were connected by blood, but who lacked faith. and we do not stop praying for them as well.

 

Rom 9:1  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Rom 9:2  That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
Rom 9:3  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Rom 9:4  Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Rom 9:5  Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 9:6  Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Rom 9:7  Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8  That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

The children of the promise which is received by faith. By faith in Messiah Jesus both Jew and the Gentiles become the children of the promise.

 

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

I love Israel as the people of the promises of God and I love the people of the Church who are included in the family of God. We also love those who are not yet seeing the light, that is Jesus who are still in the darkness of sin. I pray that those who cannot see will see Jesus and be saved as well. This is my heart's desire.

Blessings of God

When Moses was called to be the deliverer of his people, he felt that he was not adequate for the job. He was alone in the desert with only his Midianite family for forty years. Your mind can think a lot of things when alone and separated. When he said that he was not a good speaker, God sent him his brother Aaron who would be the spokesman and high priest of the people. Moses came from the family of the Levite's who would become the tribe that was separated unto God. Moses and Aaron were given visions of what would happen in Egypt. Feeling most humble Moses with his brother went to Egypt. They went as sent by God, trusting Him to deliver His people. When we overcome our thoughts and circumstances by responding to the calling of God, we will be a blessing. God spoke a blessing to His people through Moses and Aaron.

Num 6:22 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 6:23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,
Num 6:24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
Num 6:25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
Num 6:26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Num 6:27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

We want and need the blessings of God that come by faith and obedience. We are to be the people who bless others from the blessings we receive through God. This is promised through the Abrahamic covenant, to the people of faith in the one true God.

Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. 

Be blessed and share your blessings.