February 1, 2025

Though it may feel like we are approaching the return of our King and Savior, many mysteries still surround it. John, the writer of Revelation, heard some mysteries in a thunderous voice and was told not to reveal them. The angel, clothed with a cloud and a rainbow on his head, gave John a little book and told him to eat it. The taste was sweet in his mouth but made his stomach bitter, which makes so much sense when you think about what may occur before Jesus’ return. We will be so happy for ourselves but have our stomachs turned by the events and the people not included in the wonders to come. Though we may not understand all the symbolism in Revelation, God has given us an understanding of who we are to trust to get us through the trials and possible tribulations leading up to his return; Jesus is the only way. He will give us the strength to stand firm if facing persecution. Don’t ever give up or give in. The beast system seems to be at our doorstep with digital cryptocurrency, and it may require everyone to take a mark to be able to buy and sell; even if it’s not as it rolls out, it will be presented soon after. We hope we are raptured before, but we should prepare our hearts to endure if we are not. Remember, there are mysterious things we don’t understand. The bottom line is to be ready for whatever might happen and keep your eyes on Jesus!

And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. Revelation 10:4

January 31, 2025

In the Bible, 33 percent or one-third is significant. However, if you pay close attention, you will hear it used often on television; that number seems to pop up during disasters. There is a good reason for that, and it has to do with the number of angels kicked out of heaven who decided to side with the devil rather than God. I’m sure these angels/demons have a lot to do with the mayhem we experience, and they want it known that it was them and that they should be given credit for the disaster. If you read about the seven trumpets in Revelation 8-10, you will find that God uses one-third to describe how much of the Earth should be destroyed by the angel holding the trumpet. It makes me wonder if God is sending his loyal angels to defeat the angels that followed Satan and anyone else who sided with them and participated in the evil against God. I feel like God may be giving us clues by opening our eyes to what is happening in the heavenly realm that happens to spill over into actions here on Earth. Look for 33, 33%, or one-third, and see if it is associated with evil or good. You might be surprised by what you find. Stay vigilant; we are closer than you might think to the return of our Savior. Make sure you are ready!

Each of the first four angels with the trumpets was to destroy one-third. The verse included is an example. 

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. Revelation 8:6-7

January 30, 2025

Several days before Passover, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey colt. It symbolized the lamb being chosen as the sacrifice for the upcoming feast as required by the law of Moses. The people who lined the streets waving palm branches were also his followers and knew he was unique and different from the other religious leaders of that time. Because Jesus is a different kind of King, he made his way to the temple, symbolic of his spiritual kingdom. He went into the temple with a vengeance, turning over tables and running the money changers out, cleansing it from unrighteousness. The temple was suppose to be a house of prayer, not a den of thieves. Considering that we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit of God, are you a house of prayer or a den of thieves? Do you focus your life on Jesus or is it about making the next big windfall? Sometimes, we get off track of what is really important and lose what we should focus on: Jesus. If we turn our attention towards him, the rest will fall into place as it should. Stay keenly aware of your motives; you never want to experience Jesus coming into your temple with a vengeance to clean out the filth. Live a repentant life, thankfully praising Jesus for everything he has done. 

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:12-13

January 29, 2025

How can the rich get into heaven? This question comes into play because the rich have a lot here on earth and may be satisfied with their circumstances, not desiring a better way of life beyond their earthly experience. They have fulfilled all their wants, so what more could they dream of? That’s why Jesus says it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to get into heaven. It is so important that we get our minds right and set our hearts on Jesus so the extraordinary things of this world don’t distract us from the true riches set aside for us by Jesus. What we have here on earth is nothing compared to what we have in Jesus; we have only the dross of unrefined gold, but what is waiting for us is beyond what we could imagine. Be careful not to get caught up in the things of this world; set your eyes on Jesus and keep in check what you adore in this current life. Don’t get discouraged if you are rich and think you cannot get into heaven. Jesus says all things are possible with God. The world is changing rapidly; get your mind right because Jesus’s return may be right around the corner, so we need to be prepared. 

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:24-26

January 28, 2025

We are often saddled with burdens we don’t realize are there. It’s not that we are unaware of our burdens, but we put them in the back of our minds like an app opened in the background, draining our battery. It’s time to close those apps. When you erase them from the screen, it’s the beginning of your healing. Jesus came that we might learn a better way of life, let go of the past, heal, and learn to do things his way. Unloading your worldly cares and focusing on Jesus is the best way to unleash his grace and mercy into your life. The verses I lived by for years until I learned to heal from the past is this:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke iseasy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

If you learn to follow his guide by taking on his yoke, he will carry the heaviness for you and make your way easier. It goes back to the verse that says “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Corinthians 12:9

Sin is the most heavy load, whether it’s your own sin or the sin of others against you. These are the issues that weigh us down the most. The best way to let these go is to turn them over to Jesus. He has already paid the price for those sins, so it’s time for you to stop paying for them! They are not worth the effort of keeping them alive for you to continue to worry over them. Some people don’t know how to let these burdens go because they have become part of their personality. However, when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are supposed to take on his characteristics and let go of the guilt from the past. Prayer and confession is the best way to let it go. If the burden creeps in again, pray and confess again. Do it until its app is no longer running in the background. It may take some time, but keep working on it until it’s a healed memory.

January 27, 2025

There is something we may leave out when trying to convince someone to follow Jesus: the cost. Even though salvation is free, when you turn away from the devil, he comes after you to try and convince you to stay worldly. When Jesus sent out his disciples to preach, teach, and heal, he warned them that they would be like sheep among wolves. He didn't paint a beautiful picture but prepared them for possible persecution and discouragement. Refinement is the byproduct of following Jesus and dealing with the devil at every turn. The most beautiful stones are made under pressure, and the refiner's fire purifies gold. Once the dross is poured away from the gold, or when the rock is chipped from the stone, the beauty is exposed, and the truth about the work God is doing in you can be seen. The road to refinement is grueling, but it is better to lose your flesh than your soul. Jesus says it is more beneficial to fear the One who can kill both your body and soul than the one threatening your flesh. He tells us not to fear them at all. You will face challenges in whatever you do to fulfill your part of the great commission, but be strong and courageous, and do not be afraid, the Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still while he intervenes on your behalf. When you are weak, then He is strong. 

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

January 26, 2025

A common theme during Jesus’ time spent among the people was that he commended the faith of those seeking healing. Jesus commended the men for their faith, who brought their friend, who was paralyzed, to him for healing. Jesus praised the woman for her faith, whose body wouldn’t stop bleeding, which was healed when she touched the hem of his garment. A young girl was raised from the dead by Jesus because of the faith of a certain ruler. Two blind men and a mute man received healing because of their faith. These people saw God’s work through Jesus, and he became quite famous. It gave them enough faith in him to believe in him for the healing they needed. He made it abundantly clear that he had come to call the sinners to repentance because, in many cases, he told them to go and sin no more. Him forgiving them of their sins got the attention of the scribes who accused him of blasphemy because only God could forgive sins, but because their hearts were hard, their religion blocked them from seeing the truth about who he was. 

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. Matthew 9:4-6

Jesus has done many things for us even though we haven’t seen him in the flesh. When you are going through a rough time, and it seems God is not hearing your prayers, take a few moments to remember what he has done for you in the past to help boost your faith and give you the expectation that He will bless you again. Keep a book to write down all the blessings you have received from him so you have something to reference for remembrance.