The End Of The World

End Of The World

Have you ever thought about the end of the world?

As Bible-believing Christians, we know what’s eventually coming.

Increased persecution, chaos, and a one world demonic cult ruling earth’s inhabitants in the guise of world peace – to name just a few of the realities.

For some people, the final events are too scary to even consider.

If that describes you, trust me, I get it.

End Of Days

the end times

When I first became a Christian, I purposely avoided reading the Book of Revelation.

I tried to read through it on my own and got lost.

What did all that symbolism mean? 

I was so overwhelmed that I gave up and spent my time in other books of the Bible for many years.

Frankly, I had no idea at the time what I was missing. 

Of course, we’re not supposed to “dwell” on the end time events, but we do need to be aware of them.

Fast forward to a few years ago, when an opportunity arose that I couldn’t pass up.

The Book Of Revelation

Like an answer to a prayer, my church offered a Revelation Bible study, also known as Eschatology.

Simply put, Eschatology is a long word meaning the study of the end times.

I jumped at the chance to learn more.

It was a 3-part course which, in totality, would last several months.

I’m so glad I took the course. Let me encourage you to not be afraid to jump into Revelation if an Eschatology study is offered at your church.

It is so worth it!

After completing the course, the symbolism that scared me off so long ago, finally made a lot more sense.

If you’re interested in a quick overview of end time events, you can find a briefing here: https://www.gotquestions.org/end-times-timeline.html

However, I recommend a more in-depth Bible study rather than a flyby through one article on the Got Questions website 🙂

Through the entire Book of Revelation, we have a blessed reminder that God is Sovereign, and Jesus is coming back.

Our Righteous Judge

Sadly, what some people fail to accept is that Jesus will return as our righteous judge.

My heart breaks for those who, for the remainder of their lives, refuse to put their personal faith and trust in Him.

I have nothing but great pity for those people.

If Jesus’ return happens within our lifetime, that means that all remaining unbelievers, including those we personally know, are headed for everlasting suffering – an eternity of torment, no saving grace offered, beyond any complete human description.

Jesus’ words are clear, as presented here in Mark 8, among other passages.

38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38, (ESV).

want to pray for someone

Every night, my husband and I pray by name for someone we know who is lost. We pray specifically that his/her heart will open up to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The thought of a non-believing friend going to hell is tragic.

But, despite the limitations of my and your human understanding, we must trust our Sovereign God and know that He alone will judge righteously.

The End Of Days

Keep your eyes on the news.

I should clarify: keep your discerning eyes on the news and on Jerusalem. There’s a lot of significant events underway.

A word of caution: your red flags should go up if you hear of anyone setting an “exact date” the rapture will occur.

Date-setting is just doomsday, hysteria-promoting, nonsense.

Here’s What We Can Delight In

We can delight in knowing that everything is in God’s timing, not man’s.

We can delight in knowing that only the Creator orchestrates the future, and that prophetic events are falling into place according to what God has appointed.

The good news is that, for true-believers, Jesus has provided us the way to spend Eternity with Him.

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*Scripture quotation is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Saving Your Children From an Atheistic World

Saving Your Children From an Atheistic World

Our nation’s children are in the crosshairs. Political correctness and the destruction of family values rule the day (in big part, on television and in our public schools and universities.)

Saving your Children from an unbelieving world

It’s a very real problem, and it will catch up with us.

The “grace period” we’re living in now won’t last forever.

Some people may delude themselves into thinking “none of it affects me personally, so I don’t care.”

They are in for a wake-up call.

Do you avoid watching the news? New assaults on our freedoms occur every day.

And now, discouraging news about the internet. Our national leaders have given up control of this global network. It’s sad where this relinquishment could lead, especially in the wrong hands.

There will come a time when Christian websites will be forcibly shut down. What a sad day that will be.

The Problem With Apathy

businesses shut down

All authentic Christians will feel the effects of persecution, whether it be happening to someone we know or to ourselves.

For some Christians, their businesses will or have already been shut down. (or they could lose their jobs.)

For others, they may see their beloved church silenced because authentic Biblical teaching offends atheists.

Some churches will regrettably choose to water down the gospel, rather than preach about sin and the availability of God’s forgiveness.

In some public schools and universities, kids will be forced to reject God in the classroom.

Does anyone out there think God will put up with this nonsense forever?

Assurance That God is Always in Control

The assurance we have over evil is that Christians are never completely silenced. It’s impossible.

God’s got this.

A blessed remnant of believers will spread the good news of salvation, no matter what global leaders try to do to quash it. God’s Word will get out and many people, thank the Lord, will be saved because of it.

God’s will for humanity is unfolding before our very eyes. There is a blessed outcome to this temporary suffering. God allows the suffering, but there’s an eternal way out.

America is in a Huge Mess

Until the Rapture, believers will witness a lot of trouble in our world.

What can we do about it? Here are some options.

2016 upcoming election– Christians must vote in the upcoming election. The build-up to this circus is something I never thought I would ever see in my life. It borders on the absurd. I was hoping for better choices. Regardless, these are the two options that we have, and God has allowed it.

I believe in the sanctity of life and my choice is for the pro-life candidate. That’s it. Liberal celebrities don’t impress me or sway my vote. I will not stay home and sit this election out. If you’re on the fence about your vote, please check out the article linked in this sentence.

Now Is Not the Time for Apathy

Apathy helps no one. That’s a big reason our country is in the state that it’s in. We need supreme court judges to protect the babies and uphold the Constitution; we need intelligent people surrounding our president, plus a Christian running mate like Mike Pence is, at least, a positive sign for me. No matter who wins, the only One who can ultimately fix any of this mess is God, when and how He decides to do it. The Bible tells us what happens in the end.

– Please actively pray for our nation. Parents should pray with their children that America will remain a Christian nation.

How?

One example is you can add a request at the end of the “Grace” prayer you say before eating a meal.

For example:

Heavenly Father, we ask that You

will protect our nation

and our family

against evil.

Kids need to hear that (or something like it) from the mouths of the parents they love. Kids are in the spiritual battle just as much as we are. Would you send them out unprepared? Of course not.

My husband and I say grace before we eat out at a restaurant. I encourage you to do the same. It’s a small thing, but it’s a powerful witness. God’s people praying. I’m seeing people saying grace together a lot.

Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child’s School

Many parents don’t realize what’s up ahead for their children in public schools. I won’t share the headlines here; it’s too disturbing and a joy killer. You can find the news yourselves if you search. These agendas include wanting to change our words, grammar, and pronouns. Pronouns like “he” and “she” offend some people.

FACT: God created us in His image. Newly born, we are precious to Him. None of us should ever be classified as an “it.”

saving-our-children-in-public-schools

What is happening in public schools in many states is highly offensive. It’s not just the Common Core nonsense. Maybe you’re in a state that has escaped that initiative, but there’s much more happening in schools regarding sex education that will make your head spin around.

Involving yourself in your children’s school is vital. Deprogram them from anything that is anti-God. Equip them how to answer when challenged about their faith. 

Lord, we desperately need your mercy.

Give us discerning wisdom and guide us

how to protect our children.

Helpful Resources

There are “equipping” websites that can guide you with parental resources readily available to prepare your children for the apostasy to come. If you’re actively attending a Bible-believing church, there may be resources in the church library as well.

Here are three additional options:

http://www.moodymedia.org/resource-library/parenting/

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting

http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/parenting/essentials/praying-for-your-children

Do you have any other ideas on how to spare your children from an unbelieving and defiant world? Discussing these things with your spouse and/or family is important.

Our Incomparable Father

No matter what, God’s divine providence is exactly on track. The temporary setbacks to our Christian faith are only temporary and of this world.

No one knows the timing when Jesus will return. We can only watch for signs of His coming and discern the false teachers.

America needs God, not the other way around. As horrible and deceptive as a one world government will be, we have a God who loves us and promises to spare us from the worst of it at the rapture of His church.

romans-chapter-8-verse-18

Pray for opportunities to share your story.

God bless you.

May everything you do, glorify Him.

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*Scripture verse from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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Top Reasons to Save Biblical Sermons

Did You Know That You Can Save Great Biblical Sermons?

It’s true.

You can populate your hard drive with some great Biblical sermons with just a few clicks of your mouse.

Save sermonsI think it’s a great idea.

Why?

Let me start out by saying that it should always be a priority to find and attend a  good Bible-believing and teaching church.

You should be discerning. If you’re attending a church that preaches the infallibility of the Bible and that “sin” is still a sin, then you’re on the right track to finding a good church home.

Bible church

A Favorite Biblical Resource

But, how does saving sermons weigh into this?

Allow me to mention one of my favorite Christian resources again: OnePlace Ministries.

This is the site where you can, with their simple interface, save great Biblical sermons right to your hard drive.

Five Reasons To Save Biblical Sermons

Here are my five top reasons (in no particular order) that you should save a biblical sermon:

• If you’re ever too sick to attend church or if you ever become a shut-in due to a disability or otherwise, having your favorite topical sermons accessible on your hard drive assures that you’ll never miss a beat.

• If you haven’t found a biblical church home yet, the Bible and the OnePlace website are your resources! The website is simple to navigate. You can pick and choose your topic or pastor. I listen on an almost daily basis to at least one sermon a day when I’m getting ready for work. It’s much more encouraging and uplifting then the bad news we hear every morning on television. The only day off I take is Sunday, because I’m attending a Bible-believing church. 🙂

• The adjective “topical” sermon raises another good reason. How many times have you experienced a challenge in your Christian life and wished you had access to some guidance on that very topic? Let’s take “anxiety” for example. We’ve all experienced it. Researchers say stress and anxiety are deadly and can make you susceptible to many illnesses. Here’s the good news: on the main page of the One Place Ministries website, there’s an empty search field where you can browse topics. If you type “anxiety”, over five pages of results (sermons) pull up for you to choose from. Listen to one by a wonderful pastor and save it on your hard drive for the next time you’re feeling stressed or anxious. It can have a huge calming effect.

• Lastly, I’m sure you’ve heard the terrible news. Christians are being persecuted and killed for their faith. Terrorism is on the rise and the anti-Israel sentiments by the godless or misinformed in our society are reaching a fever pitch. This is an age of lawlessness and darkness like I never thought I would see in my lifetime. There may come a time when biblical churches are harassed to a point where people are afraid to even attend. There are shades of that happening now. Some news-making churches have unfortunately bowed to societal pressure.

God will not honor that concession.

churches should not bow to pressureRemember, you can always save sermons in case it ever gets to the point where Christians are not allowed to openly worship and express their faith. Current news events point to a rising demonic influence in the world that is threatening to overtake everything we hold dear as Christians. Churches are being picketed, vandalized, and verbally slapped by a mainstream media for standing up for the infallibility of the Bible.

How To Save A Sermon

OnePlace website

You can save a sermon by going to the OnePlace.com website. Register with your email address. Once you have access, you can browse and decide which sermons you want to save. When you find one, download the mp3 version to your hard drive. Now you will always have great biblical teaching, even as the world around us becomes increasingly dark.

Our country is on a downward spiral. We could easily place blame on the political party in charge, but it goes way deeper than that.

Way deeper.

Persecution of Believers

I believe that you should save Biblical sermons because, as the hatred towards Christians and Christian businesses continues to grow, our very access to Scripture may be increasingly limited. I have no doubt the internet controllers will threaten Christian broadcasts and websites. It’s all very anti-God.

We don’t know the timing of God’s divine plan to rapture His church. But, through Scripture, we do know that End Times prophesy is unfolding right before our very eyes.

Remember, dear readers, God is still on the throne, always and forever. He has promised to never leave nor abandon us.

Save Biblical sermons

Put On The Armor Of God

I’ll close with some verses from Ephesians 6:10-17, NASB, which encourages us to put on the armor of God –

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [e]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 [f]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

 

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The Rapture in the Bible

Rapture? What’s the Rapture?

My first exposure to the idea of a rapture came was when I was a teenager. I was driving behind another car and saw a strange bumper sticker on the car in front of me. It said that once the rapture occurred, that car would be “unmanned.”

Huh? That didn’t make any sense to me at the time.

Well that, if it was true, could result in a huge traffic jam, right? What a mess!

I also felt a little left out.

the holy rapture in the Bible

What did that person know that I didn’t?

The rapture was never talked about during my childhood years nor in any grade school class, high school religion class, or in college. 

It’s such a significant event and yet no religious instructor ever mentioned or taught about it. Sad, huh?

I could look back at that with some regret, but I realize now that only God has perfect timing. My learning about the Bible and the holy rapture happened at the exact time in my life that it was supposed to. Praise God!

I Get It Now and I Want You to Get It too!

Once I became saved, the rapture became a source of reverent fascination for me, as it has for many other Christians.  I’m intrigued (being a former tv reporter, it’s in my blood) by how the News networks will try to explain away this glorious and very real future event. I’ve even researched how the media will try and explain it away. Some writers theorize that the mysterious disappearance of Christians in the future can be blamed on an alien invasion or something crazy like that. (I’m shaking my head right now.)

Regardless, scripture tells us that we’re not to stress about it or even get wrapped up in the timing of when this blessed event will happen. There are certainly telltale signs that our world is sinking fast so the speculation of when the rapture in the Bible will occur continues.

I could write about why I’m a pre-Tribulation believer, but instead I’d rather share a lesson I heard this morning during my Bible study. Every morning I try and listen to a sermon when I’m getting ready for work.

I think Pastor Jeff Schreve describes the end times very well and I wanted to share his sermon with you.  He’s an excellent speaker, so please enjoy.

Part 1:

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/from-his-heart/listen/what-does-the-future-hold-pt-1-428169.html

Part 2:

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/from-his-heart/listen/what-does-the-future-hold-pt-2m-428171.html

If you have questions about the rapture in the Bible, I hope these videos are helpful to you.

In the meantime, as believers we can rest in the knowledge that Christ will come again and all will be made right with the world and, in His perfect timing. The rapture is something I’m looking forward to.

the rapture in the Bible

Praise the Lord!

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