A Call To Repentance

(Introduction to Zephaniah 2)

To understand the times we need to understand the gods that were and are being worshiped. The behavior of a people in large part is tied to the gods they serve. King Hezekiah's son Manasseh became the king of Judah and ruled for almost fifty years. He brought the pagan gods of the heathen nations to Judah and set up statues in the temple in Jerusalem and made groves and high places for worshiping the gods, such as Baal and Molech. Idolatry, wizards, star gazing and the worship of the planets, sun and moon were done in this wicked time. Judah had left their true LORD God and the LORD was about to judge them and the surrounding nations. Manasseh was captured and taken to Ninevah and during this time he repented and returned to the God of Israel. He was returned to be king for a year. He took down the idols and statues from the temple in Jerusalem and repaired the altar. The next king was Ammon who returned back to the idols. He reigned for two years and then his son Josiah began to reign. Josiah brought reforms and the law was read once again. From this time of revival Daniel was taught.

The God of America is the God of Israel. We worship him and come to him through faith in his son Jesus Christ who died to remove our sins and who is risen from the grave. We serve a living God. There are other gods in the world. The god of Islam is not the God of Israel. There are gods of pleasure, entertainment and hedonism in our nation. Secular humanism puts a human as god. The environmentalists have the goddess gaia, a mythical Greek god. This is the godess mother earth.This goddess is of those who believe in evolution combined with pantheism. The Goddess mother earth is seen as a living organism with humans seen as parasites or germs to be controlled. Laws are passed that are bad for humanity including the killing of babies, abortion, and same sex marriage that undermines the healthy family structure. This explains the various laws for the environment that are against jobs and the betterment of humanity and the foundational Christian values.The laws of God are ignored and removed from public life and the constitution that was inspired from God's laws is being ignored. Judgment would come and will come to those who turn from the true God of Israel and follow other false gods. The Day of the  LORD is a time of wrath on the nations who sin against God. It is time for the humble to trust in the true God who will keep them from the day of judgment. Let the LORD God be your hiding place from the Day of the LORD.

Boldly go where no man has gone before.

I watched two interesting documentaries this week. One was an interview of Steve Jobs, the creator of Apple computers. He did the impossible by first knowing that his vision could be done; we call this faith. All things are possible if we believe. Steve Jobs was a dreamer of possibilities and he was gifted to see his dreams come to reality. Just look at the innovations in digital computers since 1980. The smart phones do everything a computer does and is a phone with a still camera and movies. Probably they do a lot more than I am aware of.

 

Mar 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

When Steve was asked if he was a hippy or a nerd? He paused and surprisingly he said, I am more a hippy". He saw Hippies as seeking something better and different from what previous generations had. He wanted  to make things better and to think in new ways. This worked for him in Apple computers. Many hippies are still looking for answers in the spiritual things. Most just went to the eastern religions to find the answers to their spiritual quest. Others made up things,to believe in, a form of idolatry. Their rejection of authority and the hypocrisy of their parents as they saw it, put them away from the God of America. Some found the real Jesus, but many wanted change. See how things have changed to the worse spiritually? They put away the laws and the truth of the Bible and have no fear of God and no shame. It is a time of apostasy, leaving the true faith.

 

Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

The other documentary that I enjoyed was the space program and how our nation in competition with Russia landed on the moon. Another impossible feat that was inspired by JF Kennedy saying that by the end of the decade that we will have a man on the moon. By all working together with a spirit of adventure and faith this goal was met in 1969. Problems were solved and overcome as they occurred. What an example of American excellence, but this too has passed. Can we in the church work together to achieve impossible goals?

 Jesus gave us the goal of reaching all nations with the gospel message and making disciples. We are not to be lazy and complacent, which often comes with a life of ease and prosperity. We are to work together, in one accord being totally committed to Jesus Christ. I think of the original Star Trek series that were made in the time of the space exploration,  I do enjoy this series where they had a five year mission to explore new worlds, to boldly go where no man had gone before. We must be boldly going where Jesus would have us to go. There is no rewriting the Bible, but an acceptance of every word as truth.

 

2Ti 1:8  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2Ti 1:10  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
2Ti 1:11  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
2Ti 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2Ti 1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Live long and prosper.

Eaglewings Ministries

Judgment, then and now

Zephaniah 1:18  Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

The rich of Judah were unable to bribe the LORD.

Eze 18:32  For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Exo 34:14  For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Exo 34:15  Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

The latter day church is a wealthy church in need of nothing but to feel good with pleasant  messages. They have no room for preachers who teach hell fire and brimstone. Our God is a God of love, but what of judgment? He is the same God as in the Old Covenant.

Rev 3:13  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Do you hear the voice of the LORD?

Eaglewings Ministries

 

Who killed cock robin?

All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.

Who killed Cock Robin rhyme

I was mowing the lawn when I spied a robin in the tall grass. It had been freshly killed, for it was limber and limp as a dishwashers hands. No doubt foul play, or more likely "feline" play. The cat got it but did not tear or eat it. The red breast was beautiful and very soft to the touch. The work of our LORD, the master designer. 

Hos 6:1  Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 

Hos 6:2  After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 

The back too was so soft to the touch, each feather in it's place. Jesus took the whip on his lovely back for us.

Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

A roofer should admire the fitting together of the wing feathers. 

Exo 35:35  Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work. 

Underneath and behind the legs the redbreast gives way to delicate white and gray feathers. They Are as if they were painted with the delicate strokes of a brush and soo soft to the touch. The Robin is a gentle bird, hopping on the ground, often he will come near you if you remain still. It's cousin the dove is the symbol for the Holy Spirit. They too are soft and delicate with a mournful coo.

Rev 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 

Who killed cock robin? Somewhere a cat is under conviction? No, they have no souls, he will do it again if he has a chance. The devil would like to sneak up on us too. We are fearfully made and with the Holy Spirit we overcome his sneaking plans.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 

1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Eaglewings Ministries

The seeing and the blind

Jesus came being the light of the world. Without light we are unable to see. His light brought spiritual understanding, opening spiritual eyes and giving sight to blind eyes.

Joh 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Joh 9:5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Joh 9:6  When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

Joh 9:14  And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 

Joh 9:15  Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 

Joh 9:16  Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 

Joh 9:39  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 

Joh 9:40  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 

Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. 

Because so many refused to see with spiritual eyes, in Matthew 11 Jesus began speaking only in parables. We have a lot of churches that are parable speaking churches because the people do not care to see in the spirit. They want to hear pleasant words and words that appeal to their desires for wealth and power. Some just want to belong to a fellowship, like a friendly club and not interested in a deeper walk. They go to church liking the fellowship; but they choose to forget about going to Bible study and prayer.

The last two times that I opened a Bible reading chat room, the only ones who came were the mockers of God's word. There is no fruit in mockers and if left alone the subject would be anything but fruitful. Some come to destroy faith. It is impossible to do the will of Jesus Christ without faith and the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant through his blood requires that we follow him by faith and  he speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. The difference between the first covenant of outward law keeping is that Jesus has kept the laws and forgiven our sins. From this higher ground we follow him by the voice of his Spirit. From our innermost being we hear and do his will, flowing out to others the works of Christ. If we sin, he convicts us of sin in our hearts. Whatever is not of faith to us, is sin. If we are convicted of sin we must confess it in prayer and be forgiven. If we do not do this, we are most miserable. This is the Holy Spirit bringing conviction to the believers and judgment to the ungodly. He is the restrainer of sin. O Father do not withdraw your Spirit from our nation. We need you.

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Near the ponds

Sometimes the simple things have beauty. The broken reeds remind me of ships masts. They also illustrate the verses in Isaiah speaking of our gentle Savior.

Isa 42:1  Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 

Isa 42:2  He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 

Isa 42:3  A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 

Perspective is important, how we look at things. This scene of pond reflections, turned, becomes a hairy face; perhaps Bigfoot or some hairy man or an idol?

2Ki 1:6  And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. 

2Ki 1:7  And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words? 

2Ki 1:8  And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite. 

A large water turtle was in another pond. Usually they fall back in the water when I approach, not wanting company. They are not very hospitable. I suppose sometimes we are like the turtle, but I do like to be a good host. My mother always greeted us with coffee and cake, cookies or pie. 

1Pe 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 

1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 

1Pe 4:9  Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 

Someone placed this domestic duck in the second pond where no other ducks were. He looked like the phantom of the opera, with the mask and the black feathers. He is a Muscovy duck. Will he learn to eat the pond moss? He came towards me hoping that I had bread, no I had come for a walk with no bread. Some birds are dependant.

Pro 30:8  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 

Pro 30:9  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 

An osprey landed in a tree near me by the pond. Eyes like an eagle he can spot a fish and swoop down and pick it out of the water. These are also called "fish hawks". I have seen them in flight carrying fish as long as they are. They are related to the eagles.

His powerful wings lift him up.

Isa 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Eaglewings Ministries

In His Presence

A young pastor spoke at our church yesterday. He had suffered a heart attack and even died, but was brought back. Many prayers were said for him  He said that during this time the LORD spoke to him not about seeking Him just for healing, but for His Presence. This is something we have always sought for in our church, to be in the presence of the Lord. It is through worship and praise that we feel his presence. 

The pastor has the theme of the year concerning the Rock. Jesus is the Rock.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

What about Peter was as a rock? It was his profession of faith.

Mat 16:15  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 
Mat 16:16  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 
Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 

Our faith must be solid as a rock. The revelation that Jesus is the Son of the living God, is the beginning of our rock like faith. To keep our faith growing we are to hear the word of God and to pray, hearing from our Lord. Altars of worship and prayer were often made of a pile of stones or a big rock. I do not know if Jesus, the Rock prayed on a rock, but he often would seek to be alone with the Father in a wilderness place. He was in the presence of God the Father and received instructions from Him.

The news of possible things that may happen to our country are alarming and many are stressed out. We do not have to be stressed or depressed. What we need most is to be In His Presence.

1Ch 16:25  For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. 

1Ch 16:26  For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 

1Ch 16:27  Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 

1Ch 16:28  Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 

In His Presence Medley - Judith Christie-McAllister - YouTube

Eaglewings Ministries

Pre-Trib Rapture

My understanding of the rapture is that the Lord could come at any time to take those who are looking for him up to heaven. We will be changed into his image, we will be like him. Following this we will accompany him back to earth for a thousand years as he is king, the devil is bound and placed in the bottomless pit for a thousand years. We will be rewarded for our faithfulness now and given things to do. Many will be kings and priests in the Thousand year reign. Following this satan is loosed again, many of the children of Adam with his sinful nature will follow him as he comes against the king in Jerusalem. Fire will fall from heaven and satan will be thrown into the lake of fire with the beast and false prophet. Then comes the final judgment, the resurrection of the dead that are not in Christ. We in the first resurrection will not receive the wrath of God. The rapture removes us before the wrath of God is poured out on the earth.

Perhaps the greatest proof that the rapture does not occur after the tribulation and after the wrath of God is that there will be people alive on earth during the thousand year reign of Christ. If all the bad are removed and the good raptured, then there would be no humans left living in flesh on the earth. The only way the post tribulation rapture would work is if it would be selective, taking some :"super Christians" and leaving some others on earth. One more concern is that too many are expecting the Lord to come to take them out of their problems. This is an American trait. The Christians who are being mutilated and murdered in many terrible antichrist places are leaving as martyrs. Many Christians felt betrayed because of  persecution and killing of them in past wars. The Bible says that the godly shall be persecuted. We need to toughen up, trusting the Lord, even if things get bad and we are martyred.Will we stay the course? The promise is that the wrath of God will not be on us, whether by death or rapture we will be in Christ. This is our hope and promise. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Eaglewings Ministries

King Makers

John 6:14  Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
John 6:15  When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

This was following the feeding of the five thousand. Those men wanted to take him by force to make him king. Jesus would be king, but not by man's doing in man's time. He obeyed the Father's will and easily walked through the crowd out to a desert place alone to pray. We can learn from this to not get ahead of God's timing. Sarah could not wait on the LORD's timing and brought her handmaid to Abraham. From this union, the child, Ishmael became the seed of the Arab nations who are always fighting against the existence of Israel.

 

We must not let people or circumstances sweep us into something that is not of God's timing. Wait upon the LORD, not the will of men or women. Many a fool has been made "king" by the will of men in power. In 2008 the king acted like a god, but proved to be much less. This may well be God's judgment on this nation. Seek God's plan and will and don't be made a fool by flattery or the persuasion of men.

Eaglewings Ministries

Leaping on the Threshold

Zep 1:9  In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

 

 I see leaping on the threshold as an act of willful transgression, going where one should not go. It was an act of violence and deceit. 

When the Ark of the Covenant was captured and placed before the god dagon, the priests would no longer step on the threshold because the God of Israel was greater than the god dagon.

 

1Sa 5:1  And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.
1Sa 5:2  When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
1Sa 5:3  And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
1Sa 5:4  And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
1Sa 5:5  Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

 

Stepping on the threshold, I see as a willful contempt for the presence of God. Jesus is the door, but some refuse to enter, stomping in protest on the threshold they remove crosses from public land that which is holy the treat as nothing.

 

2Pe 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2Pe 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Romans 1 speaks of those who are too wise for God.

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 

Rom 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 

Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 

Rom 1:26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: ...

On the day of the LORD those who oppose him will be judged.

Eaglewings Ministries

Angels and Bees

Our Apricot tree is full of blossoms, but I only saw one bee to pollinate it. Bees are required to set on the fruit. Like the Bees, we are to be working to produce fruit as well.

I noticed four or five Black Swallowtail butterflies that were landing on the blossoms. I saw it as angels sent to help in the harvest. Black angels, but good ones, for the work of pollinating the tree.

Cloaked like a priest it does the work before the harvest.

The color is on the outside of the wings of this angel butterfly. I thought of this story and was thinking that we in Christ are to be busy as the Bee in telling people that Jesus has come to bring them good news. He has paid the price for our sins. Come to Jesus and be saved. Only one Bee? and only a few workers in the sharing of the good news.

Mat 9:37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 

Mat 9:38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. 

I thought of the end of this age. The church having been raptured and the tribulation so great, when as a last call the LORD sends out an angel with the gospel message. Like these butterflies he will come to bring fruit and one last harvest.

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

Worship our God , the creator of all there is and receive Jesus as your Lord and savior.

Eaglewings Ministries

A Day

Psa 90:4  For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

Those trying to fit evolution into the creation story, try to say that the creation was in thousand year days. I do not see it that way from the Bible.

Gen 1:5  And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

A day is defined as evening until morning. The next day begins at the evening. Adam named his wife Eve, because she was the beginning. Evening is the beginning of a day in the Bible account. The Sabbath is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. The Sabbath  is the seventh day as described by the hand of God in the ten commandments written in stone; it is a day of rest.

Exo 23:12  Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

Eaglewings Ministries

Mercy Seat

Jesus has many titles. Perhaps the two most distant titles from each other are brought together at the mercy seat.

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 


John 1:34  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 

Jesus The Lamb of God and Jesus, Son of God are two distant names that came together as our atonement for sins. God came down in a human, to be the sacrifice, the Lamb of God for our sins; His blood applied to the mercy seat. This blood was received by God the Father as the atonement for our sins. Jesus has been called the Mercy Seat, the propitiation. He is the atonement, the sacrifice, and the sin forgiver as God the Son. Mercy grew to bring to us grace. We who receive Jesus by faith are adopted sons of God. Only a perfect sacrifice and our perfect loving and just God could do this for us.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 
Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 
Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 

Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Splashing

It was after sundown and I wanted to go stand on the fishing dock and watch the pond as the light grew dimmer, no camera, just to experience His presence. Two strapping young men met me as I walked towards the dock. "Would you make a movie of us jumping off the dock?" Then they asked why I was out there? I came for some peace, where is the movie camera? One of the young men reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone with a large screen. "Just push the red button. I held i t and everything went away and a new screen came up...oops. "Just hold it by the sides". We went out on the fishing dock and they said this was some kind of Indian tribe requirement, (initiation?) They peeled off their shirts and went running and hopped over the four foot rail into the chilly pond water. I kept the movie going as they swam back to the dock and climbed up again;"thanks" they said. Was it an accident that a retired photographer just happened to come when they needed someone to record their diving? I thought about these two young men, muscular, tattooed, fit, the kind that would be soldiers to fight for our country. How many like these young men who are in the prime of life have given their lives for honor and country? There is little honor in our country in high places now. Little moral integrity, is it worth it to die for political corruption? No, they love family , (tribe?), and what freedom we still have. This is still our home. Do these young people know Jesus? Jesus died for us all.

Rom 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 
Rom 5:7  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 
Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Who will tell the young people that Jesus has died for them?

Eaglewings Ministries

The Real You

Let me get to the point, you do not want a lot of words. There is someone who sees you and knows all about you. He sees your past and your faults. He feeds your worst desires and mocks you. He despises you. You know this spirit from the devil. But? Is this really who you are?

If Jesus is your master he sees you as you are meant to be. He sees you as his ambassador, someone he gives his authority to and yes, even the nature of his glory revealed through you. He gives you eternal life as a son of God. You are righteous because you are in him. He is your advocate, your defender and your reason for living. In him goodness, love, truth, loyalty and honor come. He gives you grace and favor, because as he is, so are you. I am to be like my Lord Jesus. In myself there is a battle. Who am I? Who do I  believe? Who is your Lord? Answer this and you will know your identity. I choose to serve God through my Lord Jesus Christ because he has chosen me. How can I choose to be any less then this?

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 
Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 
Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 
Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 
Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Suppertime

Our senior group gathering in church always sings following the pot luck supper. One of the hymns we sang was sung by my friend Bob when he was with us at the rest home services. He is being treated for cancer and with our prayers he will return with his deep voice and guitar to sing this song.

Revelation 19:9 

"And he saith unto me, Write, 

Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb...: 

SUPPERTIME 

Words & Music by Ira Stanphill 

When I was just a boy in days of childhood, 

I used to play till evening shadows come. 

Then winding down an old familiar pathway, 

I heard my mother call at set of sun: 

Chorus 

Come home, come home, 

It's supper time, 

The shadows lengthen fast. 

Come home, come home, 

It's supper time, 

We're going home at last. 

One day beside her bedside I was kneeling, 

And angel wings were winnowing the air. 

She heard the call for supper time in heaven, 

And I know she's waiting for me there. 

Chorus 

In visions now I see her standing yonder, 

And her familiar voice I hear once more. 

The banquet table's ready up in heaven, 

It's supper time upon the golden shore. 

Chorus

Here is Johnny Cash singing Suppertime:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsM7TiDcnko

I will rejoice in the LORD

Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit; even though the destroyer will come, we can rejoice in the Lord, our salvation.

Isa 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 41:15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.
Isa 41:16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Hab 3:19 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.

Feet like a doe, a deer, that will not slip in dangerous places. This sounds strange, but we do not want to put our feet on slippery ground when the times are dangerous. We need to walk sure footed, walking with the Lord, not ahead of him, but with him as we are led by the LORD. Having observed deer in the wild, they are cautious, gentle, circumspect. They know their environment, preferring to be hidden or in tall grass, but also in high places. I have seen them swim across the river. I have never seen a malicious doe. We are to be gentle and cautious; surefooted in our walk with the LORD.

2Sa 22:32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
2Sa 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
2Sa 22:34 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
2Sa 22:35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
2Sa 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
2Sa 22:37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

Psa 18:30  As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Psa 18:31  For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
Psa 18:32  It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
Psa 18:33  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
Psa 18:34  He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Psa 18:35  Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Psa 18:36  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. 

Eaglewings Ministries

The true riches

A lot of people have had problems with thieves breaking into their homes when they were away; nothing is secure. We are becoming a nation of lawless people. Well, the Bible says that we are only stewards of what the Lord gives to us.

Luke 16:10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 
Luke 16:11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 
Luke 16:12  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? 

Luke 16:13  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 

A thief has not the favor of God. There are thieves who call themselves public servants, They are not fooling anyone.

1Co 6:9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 

1Co 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

I want the true riches that are only found in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and in him I have eternal life.

Eaglewings Ministries