Wednesday, November 14, 2012

EVER WONDER WHY...?

EVER WONDER WHY the little nation of Israel has been so hated? The US used to be her greatest ally, but this administration has turned its back on her. So, even as the Bible foretold, Israel in these last days stands alone to defend herself. But actually she is not alone. God, who called out a people called Israel a few millennia ago, the One who brought those people back to its nation status in 1948 (also foretold in the Bible) is the One who will protect Israel from its enemies. And her enemies are increasing.

Why should one care what happens to Israel or the Middle East in general? Because all that is unraveling there will affect us here. And again, it was prophesied hundreds, thousands of years ago that these things would happen in the last days, so it proves that the Bible can be trusted. And if the Bible is worthy of our trust (especially in a time where so much in this world is untrustworthy) then it's worth finding out what else the Bible has to say about the times we're living in.
“For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:” —Zechariah 2:8

“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.” —Isaiah 60:12

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.” —Luke 21:20

EVER WONDER WHY the weather has been acting rather fierce lately? It's not a secret or theory that the world's weather has grown more wild and unpredictable. We just had Frankensandy, the "storm of the century" and climatologists say that we're in for more of the same in the future. Earthquakes have greatly been on the rise. There have been 6 major world quakes (above a 6 magnitude) this past seven days alone:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.html
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”  —Luke 21:25-26
The truth is, until something hits close to home we're not affected, so it's pretty much just business as usual for us. And when something does hit us (like Sandy) we quickly get over it (unless you’ve lost a loved one or a house as a result) and get on with life.


EVER WONDER WHY we don't go to God and admit our dire need for Him? We should be admitting that we in fact are not in control of this life. We don't know when calamity may strike with our name on it. I truly think that with all that is transpiring around the world that God is graciously trying to get our attention. Lovingly trying to cause us to turn to Him, seek Him with all our hearts.
“I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.”
— Proverbs 8:17
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Time is shorter than any of us think. Just keep looking at Israel, the Middle East, and the continued, unnerving natural signs around the globe. All is increasing and where things are heading will affect every one of us.

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DO YOU KNOW JESUS?  I mean really know Him. He’s more than some icon on par with Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna or the like. He is the very Son of God, the One who declared Himself to be the Great I AM. And yet He is knowable to each one of us. It is more than having some head knowledge about Him. It’s having a relationship with Him. And it begins by simply asking Him to reveal Himself to you.

If you don’t know Him personally then you don’t realize how much you need Him. You don’t know that you cannot make it out of this life without Him. It’s as if there is a veil over your eyes preventing you from seeing this truth. But that’s not His fault, it’s the fault of you or anyone that rejects Him, refuses to come to Him. It’s about this amazing thing called free will that he gave us — the ability to choose. Choose Him or reject Him. Choose life or choose death.
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” —John 17:3
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If you've been patient enough to all read this I pray you will seriously consider all that has been written here.

God so desires for us to know Him, but He won’t force Himself on us.

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Please, simply ask God, pray this simple prayer: Jesus, if you are real please let me know. If you are real as the Bible says, then I want to know you too.

If you’re sincere with that prayer He will honor it and respond. I know He will because He did for me some thirty years ago.

I'm praying for you.

—Dave

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“Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” —John 6:28-29

”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”  —Luke 21:27-28
 
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” —John 14:6 

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