March 30, 2022

I spent a wonderful day with my mother at Marie Selby Gardens in Sarasota. It was the perfect spring day, slightly cool but warmed by the sun. The breeze coming off the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay was a delight and gave us a hint of salty air to clear our lungs. We meandered through the garden at a slow pace, soaking in all the beauty of God’s unusual creations and staying in awe of the intricate detail of his design. I’m thankful to God for giving us a feast for our eyes, but I’m most grateful for the time I got to spend with my mother. God gave us things to do here on earth, but he’s primarily concerned about our quality time with one another and cultivating relationships. If your only care is where your next dollar is coming from, you need to stop and ask yourself why you are doing what you’re doing. If it’s to spend more time with your family, you might be on the right track, but if it’s only to have extraordinary things that money can buy, you may need to reassess your values. Jesus is about relationships; follow his example.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

March 29, 2022

The crimes against humanity are beginning to add up. You can’t treat God’s creation with disdain, withhold help, and expect to get away with it for very long. When the world’s governments release biological warfare on their people, you know their time is short. 

Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great. Joel 3:13

However, because we love the Lord, we dwell in the safety of his stronghold. 

The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel. Joel 3:16

What comes next is nothing but glorious; we will live in prosperity, the way God intended. Evil will be gone, and everyone will know that our God reigns!

“And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim. Joel 3:18

March 28, 2022

God is so good and loves us so much; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Our enemies have come against us at every turn, but do not worry, he sees what they have done and doesn’t like it one bit! Children are stolen, trafficked, and traded into slavery; if you don’t think this is happening, you have your head buried in the sand.

and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it. Joel 3:3

Remember, God cares nothing about material possessions; his care lies in people, so he means people when he mentions gold and silver.

For you have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried my rich treasures into your temples. Joel 3:5

Even though it seems like Baal and Baphomet are relics of the past, believe me when I tell you it’s alive and well today. These people are sick, and the people of God are becoming stirred and are beating their plows into swords; the army of God’s people are on their way! We are closer than ever to seeing God bring his recompense on the wicked! 

Behold, I will stir them up from the place to which you have sold them, and I will return your payment on your own head. Joel 3:7

Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior.” Joel 3:10

March 27, 2022

God will restore what the enemy has taken from his people, while those who've chosen the dark side watch. It says that they will know that the Lord is among his people. For those who say, "why does it say Israel?" remember, God has grafted us in, we are adopted, because Jesus chooses us. 

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame. Joel 2:27

When comparing this portion of scripture to Revelation, God may have given Joel a vision pointing to the 1000 years of peace that coincides with God's restoration of everything the enemy has taken; the similarities are there. It says among the survivors will be those whom the LORD calls; that's us! Then comes the judgment. Thankfully we have Jesus who covers our sins; it will not be such a great day for those who rejected him.

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls. Joel 2:32

March 26, 2022

After we humble ourselves and submit our lives to the Lord, he is faithful to forgive. What gets me is how unworthy we are, yet He pours out his blessings in abundance once we turn our hearts towards him. He will return to us what the enemy has taken. 

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. Joel 2:25

Can you imagine getting back everything? Think of all the taxes you’ve paid over the years and get all of it back! Look at how foolish the world’s leaders appear right now; something major is coming, I can feel it! The enemy will never shame us again!

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. Joel 2:26

March 25, 2022

It's time for the strays to come home. It's time for those who know the Lord but have wandered off or have become stale in their walk to turn back to him. We need all hands on deck and reaching out to him as this world has become heated with sinister activity. God gave us the steps to get his attention, but we must follow them. 

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Joel 2:12-13

I remember hearing these verses a lot after September 11th, but I believe it is more important now than ever to turn and to adhere to God’s recommendation for prayer and fasting. God’s children need to wake up to what the enemy has planned and reach out to God for help. He’s the only one who can intervene and prevent further damage to his people. 

March 24, 2022

Is it time? Is this happening now? I'm afraid the news is nothing but propaganda; you are misinformed if you watch it and believe it. Through other means of information, many know the truth and have continued to battle against the new world order that many world leaders have proclaimed. This army of believers seeks to inform others, so God's people are not surprised when the perpetrators of the heinous acts of treason are brought to justice. Many will be crying in disbelief when they find out their most beloved television stars are a part of the disinformation that has become a part of our lives since the beginning of film and television and possibly before that! I don't want you to be devastated when it seems like the world is falling apart; it isn't. That's what the deceivers expect you to believe. If the lights go out and the internet shuts down, know that God is in control, and you will be okay. It's going to be glorious! We are closer than ever to seeing justice served.

The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it? Joel 2:11

March 23, 2022

The bad people who claim Satan as their god have taken everything, and they keep coming back for more and more. Look at our government and what is happening now. Taxes, gas prices, the price of food, and more. Not only that, but they are teaching the people that they are better living off the government’s handouts rather than working for their money. I’m not saying we shouldn’t help others, but there should be a limit. The people of God work to earn their keep, and the government gives it to those who don’t. The locusts come in a devour our finances. Then another kind of locust comes and eats more, then another, and another! Sound familiar? Like endless taxation? We do whatever it takes to earn our money because God has instilled good in us. It will end; God has promised it will, but we need to fast and pray because he hears us and will relent and bring the perpetrators to justice.

What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten. Joel 1:4

                                                                                                                         

Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes. Joel 1:14-15

March 22, 2022

Finally, a day away from unpacking, sorting, cleaning, and other chores. It’s still there waiting for me, but I needed a break from the monotony. Richard and I both needed some new clothes; we found ourselves wearing the same stuff repeatedly, so I went shopping. It was amazing the relief I felt by getting away from the house. Maybe it was the change of scenery or the feel of something new; whatever the case may be, I feel better. A simple but necessary break was all that I needed to help me refocus. After finishing Revelation, I’ve struggled to decide the direction of my study. I believe I’ve decided; we will see if it’s what God wants, then I will dig in. I thought it might be good to look at some of the minor prophets of the Old Testament and compare them to what I’ve learned in Revelation. Not my will, but God’s will be done. 

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

March 21, 2022

The first day of spring was beautiful! Along with the brilliant green of new growth and flowers blooming, a calf was born. I’ve been anxiously waiting and watching as I walk my dogs by the pasture each morning. Then yesterday, I didn’t see the cow; that was a sure sign that she had delivered a new baby. Sure enough, she was hiding out near the barn. I probably shouldn’t have disturbed her, but I wanted to see it, and there it was a beautiful reddish-brown baby bull, still a little shaky but full of life. You know that God is still moving because he continues to bring life to the earth. Evil may be nearing an end, but those who love Jesus are like this new calf leaping and springing to life. We should rejoice with nothing to fear because our hope is in Jesus. 

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2

March 20, 2022

Can you have too much joy? I know the world is shaking, and evil has overtaken some of the best parts of society. Still, for those of us who love Jesus, even the most heinous acts against us cannot break our joy in the LORD. He loves us so much and cares about what most people would consider minor details; they are not insignificant to him. He knows you intimately and will answer the thoughts you never prayed and give you the desires you only contemplated in your heart. He is loving and faithful. Continue to pour over the Word of God, offer thanksgiving, and worship him. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalms 100:4-5

March 19, 2022

My dogs love having a big yard. They can sniff and frolic without me becoming concerned with them getting hit by a car. Rudy, who loves to run, has never run so much in his entire life. As I'm following them around to watch them, I'm discovering treasures that thrill my heart, like the avocado tree that got a bit nipped by frost that’s sprouting new leaves. There are philodendrons with holes in the leaves, and the new growth is vibrant green. I'm finding countless crepe myrtle trees busting out. A giant wisteria is blooming, and the scent wafts through the air, delighting my senses. I live in a garden, and it makes my heart full. 

Don't get me wrong, it's not perfectly manicured and needs a lot of work. The point of today's story is that everything may not be perfect in your life, but look for things that are. It's nearing spring; there are plenty of good things to discover this time of year.

For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11

March 18, 2022

I came across this bit of instruction that most of us have neglected in pursuit of evangelism. 

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. 2 John 1:9-11

This scripture sounds like we shouldn’t even be friendly to them, and if we are, we are participating in their evil deeds! This teaching reminds me of when my preacher invited a well-known speaker from a cult religion to speak in the pulpit on Sunday morning. It caused a bit of decent among our group of Bible students, which in turn, caused the preacher to kick us out of his church. The anger of this preacher welled up like the Incredible Hulk, and rather than help us understand his position, he lashed out at us. According to this, we were right in our disagreement with him.

March 17, 2022

Today, I will complete the final cleaning of my home because our closing is on Tuesday. We have barely cleared out enough space for our belonging amongst my father-in-law's stuff, so my new home is chaotic. Glimmers of hope lie around every corner as we systematically handle the issues that have come to light because of his passing. I would say that chaos is a picture of our lives right now, but God is sustaining us. 

One of my goals, set by the Holy Spirit, is to encourage people to rid themselves of bondages from their history. Fear, trauma, unbelief, and rejection are encumbrances we must get past to have freedom in Christ. Freedom is not a one-and-done process; it's systematic, like our family sorting through issues and belongings. We may not be the ones who created the problems, but we are responsible for dealing with them. You must take control of your thoughts one by one with the help of the Holy Spirit; it's an excellent way to gain complete freedom. 

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4

March 16, 2022

We have victory in Jesus! It almost makes me sad to conclude Revelation; the blessings I’ve received from this study are overwhelming and have changed my perspective on what the future holds. I don’t know how many times he must tell us that he will bring justice and repay the wicked for what they have done before we take him at his word, but it’s coming soon because he’s on his way! I suppose that if we look back at Job, we might see the similarities in what God has planned. Like Job, we are beaten down and overrun by the forces of evil. Still, God’s plan will bring about compensation, and we will flourish beyond what we can hope or imagine. 

Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. Revelation 22:11-1

March 15, 2022

What makes a city a city? Streets? Tall buildings? No, it’s the people. However, God shows us a beautiful city with streets of gold with jeweled gates that are never closed, but the best part is that no evil will be allowed in; it will be full of love and the glory of God’s presence. When do we get to the point that we long for his presence rather than his presents? It has taken me a long time, but I think I may be there. All the beautiful things I’ve collected over my years seem excessive, and I feel like ridding myself of the abundance. Maybe that’s it; he wants us to strip ourselves of the need for physical possessions and become content with him. Then, we will overflow with joy at the thought of him and become overwhelmed with the unimaginable beauty as he describes in Revelation 21, the new Jerusalem, beauty for our eyes to behold, and the radiance of our Lord shining on us forever. 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

March 14, 2022

After the thousand years of peace, somewhere between Revelation 20 and 21 is when we are taken into heaven or raptured. It doesn't specifically say; however, Revelation 21:2 says this: 

"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

I've read this verse quite a few times, but until today, I pictured heaven and earth connected by a city, but that's not what it says. The new Jerusalem is us, God's holy people, the bride of Jesus! To be coming out of heaven, somehow, we had to get there. Now, if you inject the picture of Paul's account in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the vision becomes more apparent. If you have time, read this whole section in your Bible.

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Revelation 19:17-18 also matches up to Jesus's account in Matthew 24:29-31; first tribulation and the death of the bad guys, then the vultures gather to eat.

"Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather." Matthew 24:28

And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:31

The timeline makes more sense to me now; I hope this clarifies it for you too. 

March 13, 2022

No one can bring on justice like our Father in Heaven. If the mischievousness of man has hurt you, you don’t have anything to worry about, nor reason to seek revenge; there is nothing we can do to them that can compare to what they have coming. After the thousand years of peace on earth comes judgment; this is terrible news for those who lived a life of evil. God will open the books, and he will judge their evil deeds. The dead, those who died without Jesus, will come back to life and face him. They will die the second death in the lake of fire. 

And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Revelation 20:13

What comes next is exciting! God will create a new heaven, assuming it was sullied by the devil who was thrown to earth and create a new earth; there is no need for me to explain this one; we know how evil has destroyed the beauty it once had. For those crushed by what’s going on in the world, chin up! What God has in store for us is better than we can ever imagine. 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Revelation 21:1

March 12, 2022

My hope lies in Jesus returning to rule and reign, where he sleighs the beast, seizes Satan, and binds him, and then for the dead in Christ to come to life and reign with him for a thousand years. We will have peace on earth. It’s going to be good! That’s what I’m waiting for; Jesus to come riding in on his white horse, and the villains crushed and defeated.

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; Revelation 19:7

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. Revelation 19:11

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4

March 11, 2022

 

If you want to call me heretic, go ahead, it won’t hurt my feelings!

God already knows who will come to salvation in Jesus. Revelation is about justice for the children, the chosen of God. Why does he tell us about all of this if we will be raptured? I don’t need to know what happens after I’m gone. Where in Revelation does it speak of the rapture? I can’t find it. The only verse that I’ve found that might support the idea of rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:17. In this section of scripture, Paul encourages the Thessalonians not to worry if they die before Jesus returns because they will get to see him first. The Old Testament doesn’t support this idea, nor anywhere else in the New Testament.

I’ve looked into the verses that people use to support their view, and I’m still not convinced and I believe the verses are taken out of context or the writer gives the verse new meaning. 

The hope of rapture is that we will not face God’s wrath; listen to me, we will not face God’s wrath even if we live through tribulation. His wrath is for those who choose Satan. 

I’m not saying that it can’t or won’t happen; I’m just saying it’s a weak idea and the Bible doesn’t support it. 

Study this for yourself, and if you are convinced of the rapture, that’s fine; there’s no harm done, just make sure you don’t leave the fight because you “won’t be here!”

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15