Light or Shadows

There wasn't much light as I came to the street that led to the park. One of the largest oak trees still standing is in the front of the Episcopal church. The moon shined through the shadows of the tree.

The LORD always speaks to me on my visits to the park. The church sign spoke to me. Is our life a light in the darkness of the world or are we as a shadow? The Old Testament was Gods light but it also had shadows and types of the true light that was to be manifest. Jesus is the light of the world. We are to shine forth his light of goodness and truth.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

The light of the moon made a veil of light on the pond surface. Our light must come from within, the light of God from the Holy Spirit.

1Jn 2:8  Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 

1Jn 2:9  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 

1Jn 2:10  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 

1Jn 2:11  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 

A small child was feeding the ducks from the dock. I gave my bread to her parents and the little girl was delighted to feed the ducks and Randy the goose with the encouragement of her mother. This was a good lesson of sharing from our abundance. Our LORD shares his abundance and all good things with us.

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

The ducks were as ghosts in the night time light. There is a spirit world that we sometimes see through our spiritual eyes.

Deu 29:29  The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. 

Randy is there too, but something else happened that troubled me. In the distance was a struggle, a black duck had been introduced into the pond. At one time there were four white ducks and over time there is now only one white duck left who acts as the shepherd over the Mallard ducks. Often I would see a line of ducks being led by the white duck. The black duck attacked the white duck as the other ducks were feeding. Then I saw the black duck chasing a female mallard away from the flock. The shepherd white duck followed seeking to protect the female from the black duck. This is not about racism concerning ducks, but it reminded me of a larger picture where Christians are being persecuted worldwide by Muslim extremists. They kill and destroy the family of God. We are to pray for these who are being persecuted.Their angels go beside them, but the LORD wants us to pray. There is power in the spirit world and our prayers are the power of God for the needs we see. Pray for the souls of the lost and for strength, peace and protection for the Christians and the suffering people of the world to come to Jesus.

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 

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. 

The sun stood still

  

Josh 10:9  Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.
Josh 10:10  And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
Josh 10:11  And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
Josh 10:12  Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
Josh 10:13  And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
Josh 10:14  And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

 

I  have been tricked into signing a contract by someone who lied to me. This is what happened to Israel when they were tricked into signing a treaty with Gibeon. They honored the treaty and later when Gibeon was attacked by five local kings, Gibeon called upon Israel for help. Israel honored their treaty and God honored Israel. He fought for them with hail stones and at Joshuas request the sun and the moon stood still until the battle was over.

 

Joshua was not educated like our scientists today who say that it is impossible for the sun and moon to stand still. He just believed God for a miracle and God did the impossible for him. He held the sun and moon and earth in his hands and holds us in his hands. There is nothing impossible with God if we keep our word, honor his word and trust in him.