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    DANIEL NINE ELEVEN

    FAITH SIN AND FORGIVENESS

    Originally posted October 2, 2025. Reposted November 24, 2025, with no changes made.

    Nebuchadnezzar

    In God’s sacred Word, the Holy Bible, dreams and divine signs serve as beacons, guiding us toward repentance, God's judgment, mercy, and promise of restoration. This blog explores a deeply personal Spiritual journey—My husband’s mental health struggles, a recurring numerical sign, and a divine dream directing me to Daniel 9:11, as well as my continued prayers for patience. Our journey begins in 2019, with my husband’s dream of Nebuchadnezzar as a “beast in the field” Daniel 4:25-33, his repeated sightings of 9:11 on clocks over the past six years, and the events of his arrest on 9/10, release on 9/11, and hospitalization on 9/12/25. In these signs, we see a modern reflection of biblical themes of conviction, judgment, grace, and hope for redemption, especially as the seventh year of his mental health struggles approaches in 2026. Grounded in Scripture, this reflection invites us to trust God’s merciful plan amid life’s trials.


    In 2019, my husband dreamed of Nebuchadnezzar as a “beast in the field,” a vivid image from Daniel 4:25–33: “They shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field… until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.” In this account, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride led to a seven-year humbling, living as a beast until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty and was restored: “I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever” (Daniel 4:34). My husband’s dream was followed by a moment of conviction after a phone conversation with his brother in 2019, when he subsequently looked in a mirror and saw himself as a “beast,” a stark recognition of his own sinfulness.


    This dream marked the beginning of his battle with PTSD and mental health challenges, leading to his first hospitalization soon after. Like Nebuchadnezzar’s seven-year trial, this moment initiated a season of spiritual refining, aligning with the biblical truth that God uses affliction to draw us closer: “That the trial of your faith… might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). As 2026 nears, the seventh year since 2019, the parallel to Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration offers hope for divine completion, a theme signified by the number seven in Scripture: "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all work which God created and made." Genesis 2:2-3


    Since that 2019 Nebuchadnezzar dream, my husband has repeatedly noticed the time of 9:11 on clocks, a recurring sign that feels divinely orchestrated. My own dream, received only recently, directed me to Daniel 9:11, amplifying its significance. Daniel 9:11 reads:


    “Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.”


    In Daniel 9:11, the prophet confesses Israel’s disobedience, acknowledging that their transgression brought the “curse” and “oath” of judgment foretold in the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 28:15–68), such as exile and suffering. Yet, this verse is nestled within Daniel’s fervent prayer for mercy: “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do” (Daniel 9:19). My dream pointing me to Daniel 9:11, and my husband’s 9:11 clock sightings point to a divine call for him to recognize sin, seek repentance, and trust in God’s mercy, mirroring Daniel’s intercession. The verse speaks of consequences but also opens the door to restoration, as God’s judgments are often redemptive: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6).


    My husband’s recent experiences align strikingly with Daniel 9:10–12, with each verse corresponding to a specific day in his journey, reflecting the progression from disobedience to consequences to divine restoration, centered on the call of Daniel 9:11.


    Daniel 9:10 and My Husband's Arrest on 9/10: “Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.” On September 10, 2025, my husband was arrested after an altercation with a police officer. This event aligns with Daniel 9:10’s focus on disobedience, as his actions—whether influenced by illness or personal failing—strayed from God’s standards of peace and self-control: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23). The numerical match (9:10 with 9/10) reflects a moment of conviction, echoing his 2019 recognition of his sins, calling him to return to God’s path.


    Daniel 9:11 and My Husband's Release from Jail on 9/11: “Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.” On September 11, 2025, my husband was released from jail on his own recognizance, a moment of grace that directly aligns with Daniel 9:11's repentance ("because we have sinned against him."). The numerical alignment (9:11 with 9/11), reinforced by my dream of Daniel 9:11, and his 9:11 clock sightings, marks this release as a divine reprieve, reflecting the mercy Daniel seeks within the context of acknowledging sin and its consequences. The “curse” of the arrest gives way to an opportunity for repentance: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).


    Daniel 9:12 and the Hospitalization on 9/12: “And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: . . .” On September 12, 2025, my husband was hospitalized, his fifth admission since 2019. This event aligns with Daniel 9:12’s confirmation of God’s judgment through a “great evil” (calamity), such as the consequences of his ongoing struggles. The “judges that judged us” connects to the police officer’s role in the arrest, while the hospitalization reflects both a trial and a provision for care, pointing to God’s redemptive purpose.


    My recent dream directing me to Daniel 9:11, rather than another verse like Daniel 9:18, also carries profound significance related to my continued prayers for patience: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2–3). Daniel 9:11 is the heart of Daniel’s confession, where he acknowledges Israel’s sin and the resulting “curse” while setting the stage for his plea for mercy. Daniel 9:11 directly confronts the reality of transgression and its consequences, making it a fitting call for my husband’s situation. His struggles—marked by his 2019 conviction, the recurring 9:11 clock sightings, and his recent arrest and hospitalization—mirror the cycle of sin and consequence in Daniel 9:11. Yet, the verse’s place within a greater prayer for restoration points to hope, aligning with his release from jail on 9/11 as a sign of God’s grace.


    My dream of Daniel 9:11 underscores my need for, and prayer for, personal patience, sustaining me through my husband's ongoing mental health issues and reinforcing my prayers with the assurance that "tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Romans 5:3-4). I pray for God's continued strength, and thank Him for His patience, while we wait on the Lord, trusting His mercy to renew us both: "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him." (Psalm 37:7). “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do” (Daniel 9:19). This divine focus on Daniel 9:11 highlights God’s desire to redeem through conviction and grace, offering a path forward.


    As 2026 marks the seventh year since my husband’s struggles began, the parallel to Nebuchadnezzar’s seven-year trial carries profound hope. After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar was restored: “Mine understanding returned unto me… and my kingdom was restored” (Daniel 4:36). The number seven signifies divine completion in Scripture (Genesis 2:2–3), suggesting that this season of affliction may lead to spiritual and emotional renewal, and God-willing, divine patience: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).


    Dreaming of Daniel 9:11 casts me as an intercessor, like Daniel, who prayed for Israel’s restoration. Daniel 9:11’s focus on confession and the hope of mercy calls me to have patience beyond human capability, to pray fervently for my husband’s healing, repentance, and deliverance from mental health struggles, trusting that God hears: “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). This divine prompting encourages steadfast prayer, believing in God’s redemptive power.


    Daniel 9:11, “Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws”—reflects the root of my husband’s trials, seen in his 2019 conviction and recent arrest, urging a return to obedience. Daniel 9:12—“And he hath confirmed his words… by bringing upon us a great evil”—speaks of fulfilled consequences, like the hospitalization, yet points to God’s faithfulness in both judgment and mercy. These verses frame Daniel 9:11’s call to repentance, reinforcing the hope of restoration.


    This journey—marked by my husband’s Nebuchadnezzar dream, the 9:11 clock signs, the events of 9/10, 9/11, and 9/12, and followed by my recent dream of Daniel 9:11—reflects the heart of Daniel 9:11: a call to acknowledge sin, embrace God’s mercy, and trust in His redemptive plan. As the seventh year approaches, I hold fast to God’s promise: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).


    God works in mysterious ways that we may not fully understand:


    Isaiah 55


    8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.


    9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."


    “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do.” (Daniel 9:19)


    In Jesus's Mighty Name. Amen.


    


  • Published on

    THE ROAD TO JESUS

    FAITH LOVE SIN AND FORGIVENESS

    Originally posted September 30, 2025. Reposted November 24, 2025, with no changes made.

    Image description

    In the sacred pages of the Bible, the Book of Ruth shines as a beacon of hope and faithfulness amidst the dark and tumultuous days of the Judges. Set during a time when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6, 21:25), Ruth’s story stands in stark contrast to the moral and spiritual chaos of its era. This brief yet profound narrative, nestled between the apostasy of Judges and the rise of Israel’s monarchy in 1 Samuel, is far more than an historical account. It is a divine tapestry woven with threads of loyalty, redemption, and God’s sovereign grace, pointing us toward the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Ruth’s unwavering commitment to Naomi and her embrace of the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-17) serve as a beautiful analogy for the believer’s call to follow Christ, reflecting the heart of discipleship in the gospel.


    The Book of Ruth opens with a somber note: “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). The Book of Judges paints a grim picture of Israel’s spiritual decline. The people repeatedly turned to idolatry, worshiping Baal and Ashtaroth (Judges 2:11-13), provoking God’s judgment through oppression by foreign nations. Yet, in His mercy, God raised up judges—deliverers like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson—to rescue His people when they cried out in repentance (Judges 2:16-18). This cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance underscores Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s enduring faithfulness.


    Against this backdrop of rebellion and chaos, the Book of Ruth emerges as a story of hope. While Judges depicts a nation adrift, Ruth’s narrative reveals God’s grace at work through the faithfulness of individuals. It is a reminder that even in the darkest times, God is preparing the way for His redemptive purposes, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.


    At the heart of Ruth’s story is her remarkable declaration to Naomi, her mother-in-law, after the tragic loss of their husbands: “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). These words, steeped in loyalty and love, echo far beyond their immediate context, resonating with the call to follow Jesus Christ.


    Ruth, a Moabite widow and a foreigner to Israel, chooses to leave her homeland, her people, and her pagan gods to follow Naomi and embrace the God of Israel. Her decision mirrors the cost of discipleship described by Jesus: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Ruth’s commitment to Naomi, and by extension to Naomi’s God, reflects the heart of a disciple who forsakes all to follow the Lord. Her words, “thy God my God,” signify a profound spiritual transformation, akin to the believer’s turning from sin to worship the one true God. ". . . and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;" 1 Thessalonians 1:9


    Ruth’s journey leads her to Boaz, a “mighty man of wealth” (Ruth 2:1) who becomes her kinsman-redeemer. Under God’s providential guidance, Ruth gleans in Boaz’s field (Ruth 2:3) and finds favor in his eyes. Boaz, in his kindness and righteousness, redeems Naomi’s inheritance and marries Ruth, securing their family’s future (Ruth 4:9-10). This act of redemption foreshadows the greater work of Jesus Christ, our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, who “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).


    Just as Boaz, a near kinsman, redeems Ruth and Naomi from destitution, Christ, through His death and resurrection, redeems His people from the bondage of sin and death. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1:18-19). Ruth’s humble acceptance of Boaz’s provision mirrors the believer’s trust in Christ’s atoning work, receiving salvation by grace through faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9


    One of the most remarkable aspects of Ruth’s story is her inclusion in the genealogy of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. The Book of Ruth concludes with a genealogy tracing from Pharez (son of Judah and Tamar) to Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David (Ruth 4:18-22). This lineage is reiterated in the New Testament, confirming Ruth’s place in the ancestry of Christ (Matthew 1:5-6, 16). The blessing given to Boaz and Ruth at their marriage, “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman” (Ruth 4:12), draws a deliberate connection to the story of Tamar, Judah, and Pharez in Genesis 38, highlighting profound parallels that enrich the Messianic narrative.


    In Genesis 38, Tamar, likely a Canaanite, finds herself widowed and childless, facing a precarious future. When Judah, the patriarch of the tribe bearing his name, fails to fulfill the Levirate custom through his surviving son, Tamar takes bold action. Disguising herself as a harlot, she conceives by Judah, giving birth to twins, Pharez and Zarah (Genesis 38:27-30). Despite the morally complex circumstances, Tamar’s determination to secure her place in Judah’s family ensures the continuation of his lineage, through which the Messiah would come. Pharez, her son, becomes a key ancestor in the tribe of Judah, leading to David and ultimately to Christ (Matthew 1:3).


    The connection to Ruth is striking. Like Tamar, Ruth is a Gentile widow, an outsider to Israel (a Moabite, a people often despised by Israel, Deuteronomy 23:3). Both women face vulnerability and uncertainty yet act with faith and resolve to align themselves with God’s covenant people. Tamar’s unconventional union with Judah and Ruth’s marriage to Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, result in their inclusion in the Messianic line. The blessing in Ruth 4:12 invokes Pharez’s name to signify fruitfulness and prominence, as Pharez’s descendants became a numerous and significant clan within Judah (1 Chronicles 2:4-5). Similarly, Ruth’s son, Obed, becomes the grandfather of David, cementing her role in God’s redemptive plan.


    The stories of Tamar and Ruth share key themes: God’s providence in using unlikely individuals, the inclusion of Gentiles in His covenant, and the preservation of the Messianic lineage through unexpected means. Both women, though outsiders, demonstrate faith and initiative, becoming vessels of God’s grace. Their inclusion foreshadows the gospel’s universal call, where “there is neither Jew nor Greek… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Just as Tamar’s bold action and Ruth’s loyal devotion secure their places in the lineage of David, they point to the greater reality of Christ, who welcomes all who come to Him in faith, regardless of their background (Revelation 7:9). The comparison in Ruth 4:12 underscores God’s sovereignty in weaving these women’s stories into the tapestry of salvation history, preparing the way for the Messiah.


    The contrast between Ruth and the Book of Judges is striking. While Judges recounts Israel’s repeated idolatry and moral chaos—culminating in the horrific accounts of idolatry in Dan (Judges 17-18) and civil war involving Benjamin (Judges 19-21)—Ruth’s story radiates faithfulness, humility, and divine providence. Her loyalty to Naomi, her diligence in gleaning (Ruth 2:2), and her submission to God’s will stand as a testament to the power of individual obedience in a rebellious age. Ruth’s story assures us that God’s grace is at work, even when His people falter, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.


    Ruth’s declaration, “whither thou goest, I will go,” resonates as a timeless call to discipleship. Just as Ruth bound herself to Naomi and her God, believers are called to follow Jesus, saying, in effect, “Where You go, I will go; Your people will be my people; Your Father will be my God.” This requires leaving behind the old life—whether it be sin, self-reliance, or worldly attachments—and trusting in Christ’s redemptive work. As Ruth found provision and a future through Boaz, we find eternal life and purpose through Jesus, who declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).


    The Book of Ruth, though brief, is a pivotal link in the chain of God’s redemptive history. From the chaos of Judges to the establishment of David’s throne in 1 Samuel, Ruth’s story bridges the gap, showing how God uses the faithfulness of a Moabite widow to advance His Messianic plan. Her journey from outsider to ancestor of Christ reflects the gospel’s power to transform and include all who come to God in faith. As we read Ruth’s words and trace her legacy, may we be inspired to echo her commitment, following Jesus with unwavering devotion, trusting Him as our Redeemer, and rejoicing in His grace that welcomes us into His eternal family.


    The books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel, in their vivid portrayal of Israel’s spiritual cycles, resonate deeply with the times we are now living in, as they echo humanity’s struggle with faithlessness and the hope of redemption through Christ’s return. In Judges, we see a world marked by moral chaos and idolatry, where “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6), mirroring today’s relativistic culture that often rejects God’s truth for personal desires. Yet, amidst this darkness, Ruth’s story shines as a testament to God’s grace, as her faithfulness and inclusion in the Messianic line foreshadow the gospel’s call to all nations, reminding us that even in a rebellious age, God is gathering His people through faith in Christ (Romans 10:12-13). The transition to 1 Samuel, with the rise of David’s kingdom, points to the establishment of God’s anointed king, prefiguring Jesus, the ultimate King, whose imminent return will bring final deliverance from sin and death, fulfilling the promise that “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Just as these books trace God’s redemptive plan through a turbulent era, they encourage us today to remain steadfast in faith, trusting in Christ’s return to restore all things.

    

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the testimony of Ruth, whose faith and loyalty shine as a light in a dark world. May her example inspire us to follow Thy Son, Jesus Christ, with all our heart, trusting in His redemption and walking in His truth. Guide us, as Thou didst guide Ruth, to be vessels of Thy grace in our generation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


  • Published on

    A NEW HEART

    SIN AND FORGIVENESS THE HOLY SPIRIT god-is-speaking-are-you-listening God's Plan Revelations from God

    Heavenly Father, let all men turn from evil, seek God's righteousness, and believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

    Recently, I had a discussion with someone on X.com (Twitter), who said that God must "regenerate" us, or give us a new heart, before we can believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. He used 1 Corinthians 2:14 below to support his claim:

    "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

    His supposition was that all men are "natural" men, born into sin, which is true: we are all sinners. Therefore, he said that we cannot see past our darkened hearts, to believe in and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, unless God first regenerates our heart, or gives us a "new heart."

    When asked to quote scripture that says God first regenerates our heart before we can accept Jesus, he could not, but kept quoting the same scripture, 1 Corinthians 2:14, and debating his understanding of it. 

    First, is his understanding of 1 Corinthians 2:14 flawed?

    We should read 1 Corinthians 2, in its entirety, to understand the context of what Apostle Paul is talking about. Here, Paul is preaching to the sinners at Corinth, of which many confessed belief in Christ, but practiced all manner of immorality. They blindly followed the misguided men of Corinth, and believed that their behavior was normal and acceptable to the Lord.

    In verse 5, Paul tells them that their faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. So, he is telling these sinners at Corinth that until they put their faith in God, instead of the world, they will remain "natural" men, unable to discern God's Word.

    The Bible further tells us that God wants ALL men to be saved, not just the ones He picks and chooses to give a "new heart": 

    "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

    "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

    All men. Whosoever believes.

    Now, the "knowledge of the truth" mentioned in 1 Timothy 2:4 above was promised by Jesus, after His death and resurrection, just before He ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven. Jesus told His disciples that He would pray the Father to send the Comforter to guide believers  John 14:16-17. "The knowledge of the truth" comes from the Spirit of God (the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, all one in the same Spirit of God):

    "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." John 16:13

    Although the twitter poster's understanding of 1 Corinthians 2:14 may be flawed, is it entirely inaccurate? The short answer is, Yes, it is entirely inaccurate. We can only receive the "knowledge of the truth," or God's Spirit, spoken of in 1 Timothy 2:4 above after accepting and believing in Jesus Christ, not before.

    Let's look at the specific scripture that tells us about man's new heart, Ezekiel 36:25-26:

    25 "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

    26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."

    We can see, when taking verses 25 and 26, in context, that God will indeed "regenerate," or give us a new heart, but not before sprinkling us with clean water. Jesus is the water of life referred to in Ezekiel 36:25:

    John 4

    13 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

    14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

    The key, however, to understanding 1 Corinthians 2:14 is knowing that we must first seek God's righteousness: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

    ​Seek God's righteousness. Be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind:

    Romans 12

    2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

    3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

    Draw close to God (seek God's goodness), and He will draw close to you:

    "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." James 4:7

    Some men will never repent of the sin in their lives. Their hearts are dark and evil, and full of every abomination. The Light of Jesus, and the Word of God, hurts their eyes and ears. It offends them. It is foolishness to them. 1 Corinthians 2:14. These "natural" men are drawn to evil because they have submitted themselves to it:

    Romans 6 

    16 "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

    17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you."

    "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

    The children of God. And, children of the devil: 

    1 John 3

    10 "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

    11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."

    God sent Jesus to save all men who believe, and all men have a choice to seek God's goodness, and be called the "children of God," or live in darkness, and be called the "children of the devil."

    God searches the heart and tries the reins (He allows us to be tested [by Satan]), and gives us the faith of which we are worthy (Romans 12:3 above):

    Jeremiah 17

    9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

    10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

    11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool."

    Again, God wants All Men, Whosoever Believe, to be saved. To prove this, His Word tells us that, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14

    Some men may never repent of the sin in their lives, but we will all have a chance to be saved. We can all hear the gospel preached, if we seek the goodness of God.

    Let's look at the example of Cain and Abel, the intrinsically evil man versus the intrinsically good man (read more about Cain and Abel here):

    "The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart." Luke 6:45 AMP

    Cain was an intrinsically evil man, a child of the devil: "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." 1 John 3:12 

    Even though Cain was wicked, he also had God's Word stored in his heart, or at least knew right from wrong, as shown in Genesis 4:7, when God says to Cain, "If you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. . ." So, he knew to do well, and what the consequences were. He was, however, of that "wicked one," or a child of the devil. 

    God wants all men to be saved, even Cain. And, what does God tell him to do to be accepted? Do well (or seek goodness)!

    Now, the day after this conversation on twitter about 1 Corinthians 2:14, God was not yet finished with this lesson, and I saw a "random" post on twitter that said basically the same thing as the previous poster, that no one can come to Jesus except God draw him near, and he posted John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

    Now, when I first read John 6:44, I thought to myself, Was I wrong? Was I listening to myself and not God? 

    Then, I read John 6, the entire chapter, especially verses 44 and 45:

    John 6

    44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 

    45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."

    "Every man therefore that has heard and has learned of the Father, comes unto me." Therefore, any regeneration of man's heart before believing in Jesus comes from seeking God's goodness, hearing God's Word preached, or reading it, which things "prepare" man to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ,  and to receive God's Spirit.

    Following, see Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers on John 6:44:

    Quote: (44) No man can come to me.—The subject is still the mystery of the varying effects of His revelation on the minds of men. These depend upon their present mental state, which is itself the result of acceptance of, or rejection of, divine influence. The Father which sent Him had, by law, and prophets, and worship, been preparing them. The history of each individual life had been a succession, in every conscious hour, of influences for good or for evil. The mind stood between these, and willed for one or other. He who day by day, with all his light and strength, however little that all might have been, had sought the pure, and true, and good—had sought really to know God—was drawn of God, and he only it was who could now come to Him whom God sent. Others were drawn of evil, because they had submitted themselves to its power. They had chosen darkness, and could not now see the light; they had bound themselves in the silken cords of sin, which had hardened into fetters of iron; they had lost themselves in the labyrinths of what they thought wisdom, and did not recognise the true and living way which was opened for them." End Quote.

    https://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/6-44.htm

    As explained in Ellicott's commentary, "The Father which sent Him [Jesus] had, by law, and prophets, and worship, been preparing them" [to believe in His Son]. John 6:45 "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."

    Seeking the righteousness of God, and hearing His Word, "prepares" us to believe in Jesus Christ, who was sent by God, the Father, to save us from our sins, even with eternal life. This is why Jesus' last instruction to His followers after His death and resurrection, before ascending into heaven, was: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

    The hardened heart of the "natural" man referred to in 1 Corinthians 2:14 cannot be softened unto salvation, which is Jesus Christ, unless he first seeks the goodness of God and the gospel.

    In one of my first testimonies about "My Walk With God (part 1)," I tell the story of my daughter, and how all odds were against her becoming a Christian, and, yet, she came to Christ before I ever returned to Him. We were chatting the other day, my daughter and I, and I mentioned how she found God without any guidance, at least from me or her dad, and she told me something I never knew. She said she was introduced to the love of Jesus when she went to a youth group with one of her friends from school. Plant the seed, and God will do the rest.

    Finally, let's look at the Bible story of an Ethiopian man (Egyptian), who sought God, and sought to understand His Word, and found salvation, through the preaching of the Word by a stranger, an Evangelist. Acts 8:1-40

    Philip, the Evangelist, and the Ethiopian Stranger (biblehub.com) Acts 8

    Quote: "In obedience to a Divine summons, Philip had betaken himself to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem to Gaza. And if at first he may have wondered why he should have been called upon to leave his rapidly progressing work in Samaria for a desert road, he was not for long left in doubt as to what was required of him. For as he walked along he was overtaken by an Ethiopian stranger returning in his chariot from Jerusalem. This man, who was the chamberlain or treasurer of Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians, had heard somehow in his distant home, of the Jewish religion, and had undertaken this long journey to make further inquiries regarding it. We are not told how he had been impressed; very possibly the actual fruits that he witnessed were very different from what he had expected. But one treasure at least he had found, a Greek copy of the prophecies of Isaiah, and this he was eagerly searching on his return journey, to see if he could find further light there. One passage specially arrested his attention, the touching passage in which the prophet draws out his great portraiture of the Man of Sorrows. But, then, how reconcile the thought of this Messiah, suffering, wounded, dying, with the great King and Conqueror whom the Jews at Jerusalem had been expecting! Could it be that he had anything to do with our Jesus of Nazareth, of whom he had also heard, and whom, because of the Messianic claims He had put forward, the Jewish leaders had crucified on a cross? Oh, for some one to help him! Help was nearer than he thought. Prompted by the Spirit, Philip ran forward to the chariot; and no sooner had he learned the royal chamberlain's difficulties than he "opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, preached unto him Jesus" (Acts viii.35).

    We are not told on what particulars Philip dwelt; but, doubtless, starting from the prophetic description of the Man of Sorrows, "despised and rejected of men," he would show how that description held true of the earthly life of Jesus. And then he would go on to show the meaning and bearing of these sufferings. They arose from no fault on the part of Jesus; but, "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities." And yet that was not the end. The life which had thus ended in shame had begun again in glory: the cross had led on to the crown. And as thus he unfolded the first great principles of the Christian faith, Philip would press home on the eunuch's awakened conscience that they had a vital meaning for him. "Repent," can we not imagine him pleading as Peter had pleaded before, "and be baptised . . . in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts ii.38). The eunuch's heart was touched, and he asked that he might be baptized. Satisfied that he was in earnest, Philip agreed to his request. And when they came to a certain water, "they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." Thus "the Ethiopian changed his skin," and "went on his way rejoicing" to his distant home, to declare in his turn to his countrymen the tidings of great joy." End Quote.

    Seek God's Goodness: The Eunuch sought God: ". . .     had heard somehow in his distant home, of the Jewish religion, and had undertaken this long journey to make further inquiries regarding it."

    Hear the Gospel Preached:     "...and no sooner had he learned the royal chamberlain's difficulties than he "opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, preached unto him Jesus."

    Then, "The eunuch's heart was touched, and he asked that he might be baptized."

    ​"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

    ​Seek God and you will find Him. Seek God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

    ​Praise God. Amen.
    ​
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    GOD IS WAITING FOR US

    SIN AND FORGIVENESS god-is-speaking-are-you-listening God's Plan Revelations from God
    "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

    Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Son, Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Let Your Words flow through me, and let Your Children hear. In Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.

    "The Lord is not slack," or slow, regarding His return. He is waiting for His children to come to repentance.

    There is a lot of debate or argument on social media concerning the meaning of "repentance." Discernment [understanding God's Word] comes from Holy Spirit. Debate, arguing, conflict, strife and doubt come from Satan.

    To avoid misunderstanding, let's look at the definition of "repent" from the King James Bible Dictionary:

    Repent

    REPENT', verb intransitive [Latin re and paeniteo, from paena, pain. Gr. See Pain.]

    1. To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken; as, to repent that we have lost much time in idleness or sensual pleasure; to repent that we have injured or wounded the feelings of a friend. A person repents only of what he himself has done or said.

    2. To express sorrow for something past.

    Enobarbus did before thy face repent

    3. To change the mind in consequence of the inconvenience or injury done by past conduct.

    Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return. Exodus 13:17.

    4. Applied to the Supreme Being, to change the course of providential dealings. Genesis 6:7. Psalms 106:45.

    5. In theology, to sorrow or be pained for sin, as a violation of God's holy law, a dishonor to his character and government, and the foulest ingratitude to a Being of infinite benevolence.

    Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3. Acts 3:19. 
    End of Excerpt of Definition.

    So, "repent" means to feel sorrow and/or pain for our sins, and to "change our minds" about those sins in our lives.     If we continue to willfully sin, we repeatedly commit "the foulest ingratitude to a Being of infinite benevolence" [infinite goodness]. 

    ​    Repentance: A change of mind that leads to a change of heart that leads to a change in actions. This change involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.

    "The Lord is not slack." He is not slow. He has not changed His mind. He didn't lie. He has not forgotten about us. He has not forsaken us. He is waiting for us to repent before He executes His righteous judgment, and sends His promise: Jesus Christ. 

    Jesus said, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12

    How do we make sure now that we will receive our good "reward" when Jesus returns? By doing God's Will, seeking His Will and purpose for our lives. God's Promise: "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36

    What is the Will of God? There are several scriptures that tell us God's Will, but let's look again at  2 Peter 3:9: God is "not willing [the Will of God] that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 

    Do you not know that "God's kindness leads us to repentance," and to seek His purpose for our lives?

    Romans 2 AMP

    4 "Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?

    5 But because of your callous stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are [deliberately] storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

    6 He will pay back to each person according to his deeds [justly, as his deeds deserve]:

    7 to those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly] glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life.

    8 But for those who are selfishly ambitious and self-seeking and disobedient to the truth but responsive to wickedness, [there will be] wrath and indignation.

    9 There will be tribulation and anguish [torturing confinement] for every human soul who does [or permits] evil, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,

    10 but glory and honor and inner peace [will be given] to everyone who habitually does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 

    11 For God shows no partiality [no arbitrary favoritism; with Him one person is not more important than another]."

    So, God is waiting for us to repent, turn away from sin, and awaken to the Power of His Son, Jesus Christ. When we remember who we are in Christ, then we will receive God's promise:

    Hebrews 10 ERV

    35 "    So don’t lose the courage that you had in the past. Your courage will be rewarded richly.

    36 You must be patient. After you have done what God wants, you will get what he promised you.

    37 He says,

    'Very soon now, the one who is coming will come and will not be late.

    38 The person who is right with me will live by trusting in me. But I will not be pleased with the one who turns back in fear.'

    39 But we are not those who turn back and are lost. No, we are the people who have faith and are saved."

    In 2 Corinthians 10:6, Apostle Paul gives us a direct comparison regarding how God is waiting for us to turn to obedience [repentance] before He revenges His honour and glory only upon such as will not turn to obedience [repentance] ("the Lord is not slack"):

    "And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." 2 Corinthians 10:6

    See Matthew Poole's commentary on 2 Corinthians 10:6 following:

    Matthew Poole's Commentary (biblehub.com):

    Quote: "The apostle certainly means by this, excommunication; which was the rod which he had before mentioned, asking them if they would he should come unto them with a rod. This rod he here threateneth them with; telling them, that he had another weapon of his warfare, of a spiritual nature too, to be used against such as preferred themselves to be believers, but walked disorderly; only he at present spared them, because though a great part of them were obedient, yet there were some amongst them of whose obedience he could not yet glory; but yet he hoped well, and therefore should wait until, by the use of all fair means, (such as exhortations and arguments), he had reduced as many of them as he could unto obedience. But that being done, God had intrusted him with another weapon, with which he would, in the name and by the authority of God, revenge his glory upon the disobedience of others. Herein the apostle hath set a rule and a pattern to all churches, where are multitudes that walk disorderly; not to be too hasty in excommunicating them, but to proceed gradually; first using all fair means, and waiting with all patience, for the reducing them to their duty, who will by any gentle and fair means be reduced; and then revenging the honour and glory of God only upon such as will not be reclaimed." End Quote.

    Let's look at Hebrews 10:36 above again: "You must be patient. After you have done what God wants, you will get what he promised you."

    What does God want us to do in order to receive His promise? Believe in His Son, have faith in God, repent (regret the sin in our lives, turn away from it, and turn to God):

    Believe: "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31

    Have Faith: "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." Mark 11:22

    Repent: Jesus said, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3

    Again, scripture even tells us that God's goodness leads us to repentance: 

    "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Romans 2:4

    Believe. Have Faith. Repent.

    This is also why some of Jesus' final words after His death and resurrection, right before He ascended into heaven, were, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. Because God's children must awaken and repent, awaken from our sleep of Spiritual complacency, before God will give mankind what He promised: 

    Romans 13 AMP
    ​
    11 "Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ].

    12 The night [this present evil age] is almost gone and the day [of Christ’s return] is almost here. So let us fling away the works of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light.

    13 Let us conduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy.

    14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for [nor even think about gratifying] the flesh in regard to its improper desires."

    Of course, Satan does not want us to awaken. Satan can only control us when we are asleep, or in the dark about God's Power.

    “And he [Jesus] cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” Matthew 26:40

    God did not leave us stranded in the darkness with Satan. He gave us His Son, His Word, and His Holy Spirit, so we can overcome this world, as Jesus overcame it, and walk in His Light. “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14

    "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." Matthew 4:16

    God also gave us a way to escape the temptations Satan puts in our path. God wants us to overcome and endure until the end, like Jesus did:

    1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

    God makes a way for us to escape temptation.

    "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:36

    Let God's goodness change your heart. "The Lord is not slack." He is waiting for us!
    ​
    May God watch over and protect you. May He shine His Light upon you. May His Holy Spirit guide you. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

    ​God bless you. Jesus loves you.
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    GOD'S LETTERS

    SIN AND FORGIVENESS god-is-speaking-are-you-listening God's Plan Revelations from God
    God's Letters Through Jesus Christ to the Angels of the Seven Churches of Asia

    God has been putting this on my heart for a few days now, but just this morning, I realized what He was showing me. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your sacrifice. Amen.

    Revelation 2 and 3 are letters from God, as given to Jesus Christ, and shown to John by Jesus' angel in a revelation. Rev. 1:1. These seven letters from God through Jesus are directed to the angels of the seven churches of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (see map above). 

    We know from scripture that the "church" is the spirit over the people (Eph. 5:23,25,27,29; Heb. 12:23, or how the people are being ministered unto by the seven Spirits of God [seven angels]. Isa. 11:1-2.

    “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14

    The Holy Bible, as a whole, is written specifically for man, as an example and admonition (warning), upon whom the ends of the world have come. 1 Cor. 10:11. It is our instruction manual for life. Also, with prayer, it is our direct line of communication to and from God. It is written because God wants us all to come to repentance and be saved 2 Pet. 3:9. He promised man eternal life before the world began Titus 1:2.

    So, although the letters are directed to the angels of the seven churches, they clearly describe what God expects from His people. When reading the letters, it is likely we will, and we should at some point, see our relationship with God, and His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, in one of these letters.

    The Good News is that the letters tell us exactly how to overcome and endure our trials, so that we may receive of the tree of life Rev. 22:14, which is eternal life Gen. 3:22.

    In these letters, only two of the angels of the seven churches were seen worthy, or rich in spirit, and were not instructed to repent: the angel of the church of Smyrna Rev. 2:8-11, and the angel of the church of Philadelphia Rev. 3:7-13.

    The other five angels of the churches were praised for their right-doings, and rebuked and told to repent for various disobediences. I will cover in this blog only the first two angels told to repent, the angel of the church of Ephesus Rev. 2:1-7, and the angel of the church of Pergamos Rev. 2:12:17:

    God praised the angel of the church of Ephesus for the following good deeds:

    • Good works and labor Rev. 2:2
    • Patience
    • Could not bear those who are evil
    • Tried, and found false apostles, as liars
    • Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which God also hates (Sexual immorality, idolatry. See description below.)
    • Labored for God's Name, and did not faint Rev. 2:3

    Nevertheless, God had somewhat against them, because they left their "first love," Jesus Christ Rev. 2:4, and the letter tells them to:

    • Remember from where they fell (remember their creator) Rev. 2:5
    • Do the first works of Jesus Christ (love God and love your neighbor as yourself Matt. 22:36-40, which means doing and being like Christ, serving)
    • Repent (confess sorrow for their actions, turn from sin to God)

    If not, He will come quickly and remove the candlestick from their church, except they repent. Rev. 2:5.

    Now, scripture tells us that the seven [candlesticks] are the seven churches. Rev. 1:20 

    If God removed the candlestick, or the church (the spirit of the people), because of disobedience and lack of repentance, that would separate the people from God, and would lead to blotting out their names from the book of life:

    Rev. 3

    5 "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

    6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

    It should be noted that the church of Ephesus did not practice sexual immorality and idolatry, and God still found them imperfect before Him, because they turned from Jesus.

    Let's look at the letter to the angel of the church of Pergamos. God praised them for the following:

    • Holding fast His name
    • Not denying His faith (Jesus Christ)

    But, He also had the following against them:

    • Idolatry
    • Fornication, sexual immorality, immorality

    And, He told them to repent.

    These are just two examples:
    ​
    • The church of Ephesus, which had good deeds, but had turned from Christ; and,
    • The church of Pergamos, which had not turned from Christ, but had bad deeds: sexual immorality, immorality, fornication, idolatry

    Both are found imperfect before God. We must consider our lives and how we live them. Are we living for God and His Son, Jesus Christ? If not, "Produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. Matt. 3:8 AMP

    Just a few of the things we learn from these letters:

    • Do the first works of Jesus Christ (love God and love your neighbor as yourself Matt. 22:36-40, which means doing and being like Christ, serving)
    • Remember our creator, who we are, and from where we fell. In other words, turn from sin to God.
    • Turn from evil, idolatry, fornication, adultery, sexual immorality, immorality (lying, cheating, stealing, murder), etc., for all are against God 
    • Repent (confess sorrow for our actions, turn from sin to God)

    God hates the acts of the Nicolaitans Rev. 2:6. What are those acts?

    Excerpt from biblegateway.com Encyclopedia: Nicolaitans: "Followers of Nicolaus of Antioch, a proselyte who was among the seven men chosen to serve the Jerusalem congregation (Acts 6:5), who had forsaken true Christian doctrine; he said they lived in unrestrained indulgence. Hippolytus confirmed this by noting that Nicolaus left correct doctrine and had the habit of indifference as to what a man ate and as to how he lived. The Apostolic Constitutions (6:8) described them as “shameless in uncleanness.” Although Clement of Alexandria defended Nicolaus by insisting that his followers had misunderstood him, he observed that the Nicolaitans abandoned themselves to pleasures like goats in a life of shameless self-indulgence." End excerpt.

    And, the acts of Balaam, which are also called out in the letters to the angels of the churches, are similar to the acts of the Nicolaitans, eating meat sacrificed to idols (idolatry) and fornication (sexual immorality).

    Conclusion: God says, Neither believing in Christ without living like Christ, nor living like Christ without believing in Christ, will save us. We must believe in, and live like, Christ (God's Letters, Rev. 2,3)

    We must remember our Creator, who we are, and from where we fell:

    Ecc. 12 AMP

    6 "Earnestly remember your Creator before the silver cord [of life] is broken, or the golden bowl is crushed, or the pitcher at the fountain is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed;

    7 then the dust [out of which God made man’s body] will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 

    8 'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher. 'All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity (futility).'"

    The book of Revelation, the final chapter of the Bible, describes the final chapter of man in his sinful body, and the heavens and the earth to come. Please spend some time studying the book of Revelation, especially God's letters to the angels of the seven churches, detailing what he expects from His church (His people).

    God will not overlook evil in man's heart. He's looking for a church that is spotless and blameless. "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." 2 Peter 3:14

    "Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17

    Pray that all of God's children earnestly remember Him, their Creator, before the silver cord of life is cut. In Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen and God Bless.

    For an in-depth look at the heart of Jesus, watch the "Jesus" movie from 1979 below.

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    21st CENTURY IDOLATRY

    SIN AND FORGIVENESS god-is-speaking-are-you-listening God's Plan Revelations from God
    Revelation 22

    ​    12 "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

    13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

    14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

    15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

    ​16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."

    Something God has been putting on my heart now for some time is 21st Century Idolatry. If you are like I was, when you read about idolatry in the Bible, or hear about it, it sounds like something literally from Biblical times, worshipping statues and images, et cetera, not something that is happening in the 21st Century, not something relevant to my life. Certainly, not something that I do! The fact is that Biblical idolatry is not that different from 21st Century idolatry.

    Roman 6:16 "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

    After all, Jesus warns us not to love this world or the things in it. And, further, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John 2:15-16 

    What are we worshipping or idolizing in our daily lives? What are we watching on television, or listening to on the radio? Witchcraft, sorcery, magic, enchanting, fornication, sexual immorality, spiritual wickedness.

    Galatians 5

    19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

    20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

    21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

    Isaiah 47

    12 "Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

    13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.

    14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it."

    Revelation 9

    20 "And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

    21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts."

    I know many of you are saying to yourselves, It's just a movie, or just a TV show, just a poster, just a t-shirt, just a book. I too said those things, but to the demons they were created to represent, they will always be a sound of victory against God and His children.

    Much the same as the popular saying, You are what you eat, it is also true that, You are what you watch. You are what you read. You are what you listen to. You are that with which you fill your soul.

    With what do you fill your soul? Fill it with God's Love.

    "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

    We are what we let into our souls! Do we let in darkness, or do we let in light? And, if the light in us is darkness, how great is that darkness?

    Matthew 6

    22 "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

    23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"

    If your eye be single, focused on God, your whole body shall be full of light. Turn off the television! Read the Bible. Listen to Christian music. Bring into captivity even your very thoughts to the obedience of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:5

    Fill your soul with God.

    Just after His resurrection, before He ascended to the Father's right hand, Jesus prayed for God to send us the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, all one and the same Spirit. So, after accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, we receive the Spirit of Truth, which guides our path towards righteousness. Man still has free will, but through believing in Jesus, we receive Faith, which leads to obedience to God.

    Galatians 5

    ​    22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

    23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

    24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

    25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

    26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."

    There is only One God man should be worshipping.     "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:10 

    Only One God who can provide miracles, and "wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:" Acts 2:19

    Only One God who will judge the earth. He comes quickly and His reward is with Him. Revelation 22:12. Many will say to me in that day, Lord Lord. . . "    And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:22-23

    Will Jesus know you in that day? Does He know you to-day? Accept Jesus today, believe in Him, and obey God. ​

    God wants all men to be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 

    Praise God. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.