FINISH WELL

I received this in an email from a dear friend, brother-in-arms, and brother in our Lord. I thought it a fitting closer to the year two-thousand-seventeen and a brilliant opener to two-thousand-eighteen. As the Apostle Paul alluded to in his writings, U.S. Army Brigadier General Michael Ferguson brings to the present a message on the importance of FINISHING WELL:

In an age of so little perseverance I find these words are ringing in my ears like the background music on an elevator. Fight the good fight; keep the faith; finish the race.



I can't count how many times I heard Pastor Arnold Lastinger speak these words of challenge into my life. As a young man with no experience I probably rolled my eyes, but as time has passed this holy background music has become more like the soundtrack of a timeless movie. (Yes, I downloaded the Star Wars movie score in anticipation of Episode VII. Thank you, John Williams.)



On December 8th,  Pastor Lastinger went absent from the body and present with the Lord. What a soul-marking moment it was for me, as I watched him worship until the end, using his dying breath and waning strength to lift his hands to the God he longed for.



Several days later I flew to Mississippi where I spent time with another one of my heroes, John Perkins. Due to his age and health concerns his daughter makes clear that he needs boundaries on his schedule. Yet when he starts talking about Jesus and justice and the greatness of God, he just won't stop. I'm serious. One night, after hours of conversation, I had to plead with him to go home and go to bed, as it was approaching 10:00. As we finished, he invited me to be a part of the Bible study he was leading the next day. At 5:30 the next morning. I've never heard of a Bible study at 5:30 in the morning. But sure enough, there he was, long before the sun would rise, leading a room full of men through Romans 9. It was like watching a child opening a present on Christmas morning. Joy. Energy. Wonder. 85 years of age and he is still burning.



A week earlier, I listened as Pastor Lastinger described his peace and contentment and anticipation of heaven. "It's all true," he told me. "When I preached funerals in my 20's I thoughtI believed it. But 50 years later I realize, it's all true. And it works!" he explained with a peace I can't explain. But then I heard something else: his longing for his Savior. The closest comparison I have is like a bridegroom getting ready for his honeymoon. He was longing for Jesus. On his deathbed he was still burning.



I want to burn till the end.



In an age of so little perseverance these two men stand tall. Their voices have weight. And their entire life has become their message. Neither has tried to stay relevant, and that is part of what makes them so. Their transcendence is their relevance. Oh how it has fed my soul to be exposed to men whose lives carry such a rare grace. Some things can only be said after years. Or decades. Or a lifetime. And the only way you get this kind of gravitas is to persevere. To endure. To finish your race.



What a lesson for young leaders.



I've heard it said that it takes 20 years to make a man or woman of God. But I'm starting to think it takes a lifetime. In a culture that bows before the shrine of youth and worships to the tune of the latest one hit wonder, it becomes difficult to discern when timeless words are being written and the truest lives are being lived. But I long for this.



Did these men give me clues about how to persevere? Sure. Both would tell me stay curious. Keep learning. Figure out how to handle your pain. Set up accountability relationships to deal with temptation. But at the end of the day both of these men most fed me because their obsession with Jesus. I would meet with Pastor Lastinger seeking wisdom, and it was there. But in the middle of a lunch meeting he would break down in tears when he began to speak of Jesus. I flew to Mississippi seeking justice, and it was there. But what I found most was a man dripping with the Author of justice. --Army BG Michael Ferguson

Finish well, my friend.

Happy New Year dear friends – Brother Gary

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

FINISH WELL

I received this in an email from a dear friend, brother-in-arms, and brother in our Lord. I thought it a fitting closer to the year two-thousand-seventeen and a brilliant opener to two-thousand-eighteen. As the Apostle Paul alluded to in his writings, U.S. Army Brigadier General Michael Ferguson brings to the present a message on the importance of FINISHING WELL:

In an age of so little perseverance I find these words are ringing in my ears like the background music on an elevator. Fight the good fight; keep the faith; finish the race.



I can't count how many times I heard Pastor Arnold Lastinger speak these words of challenge into my life. As a young man with no experience I probably rolled my eyes, but as time has passed this holy background music has become more like the soundtrack of a timeless movie. (Yes, I downloaded the Star Wars movie score in anticipation of Episode VII. Thank you, John Williams.)



On December 8th,  Pastor Lastinger went absent from the body and present with the Lord. What a soul-marking moment it was for me, as I watched him worship until the end, using his dying breath and waning strength to lift his hands to the God he longed for.



Several days later I flew to Mississippi where I spent time with another one of my heroes, John Perkins. Due to his age and health concerns his daughter makes clear that he needs boundaries on his schedule. Yet when he starts talking about Jesus and justice and the greatness of God, he just won't stop. I'm serious. One night, after hours of conversation, I had to plead with him to go home and go to bed, as it was approaching 10:00. As we finished, he invited me to be a part of the Bible study he was leading the next day. At 5:30 the next morning. I've never heard of a Bible study at 5:30 in the morning. But sure enough, there he was, long before the sun would rise, leading a room full of men through Romans 9. It was like watching a child opening a present on Christmas morning. Joy. Energy. Wonder. 85 years of age and he is still burning.



A week earlier, I listened as Pastor Lastinger described his peace and contentment and anticipation of heaven. "It's all true," he told me. "When I preached funerals in my 20's I thought I believed it. But 50 years later I realize, it's all true. And it works!" he explained with a peace I can't explain. But then I heard something else: his longing for his Savior. The closest comparison I have is like a bridegroom getting ready for his honeymoon. He was longing for Jesus. On his deathbed he was still burning.



I want to burn till the end.



In an age of so little perseverance these two men stand tall. Their voices have weight. And their entire life has become their message. Neither has tried to stay relevant, and that is part of what makes them so. Their transcendence is their relevance. Oh how it has fed my soul to be exposed to men whose lives carry such a rare grace. Some things can only be said after years. Or decades. Or a lifetime. And the only way you get this kind of gravitas is to persevere. To endure. To finish your race.



What a lesson for young leaders.



I've heard it said that it takes 20 years to make a man or woman of God. But I'm starting to think it takes a lifetime. In a culture that bows before the shrine of youth and worships to the tune of the latest one hit wonder, it becomes difficult to discern when timeless words are being written and the truest lives are being lived. But I long for this.



Did these men give me clues about how to persevere? Sure. Both would tell me stay curious. Keep learning. Figure out how to handle your pain. Set up accountability relationships to deal with temptation. But at the end of the day both of these men most fed me because their obsession with Jesus. I would meet with Pastor Lastinger seeking wisdom, and it was there. But in the middle of a lunch meeting he would break down in tears when he began to speak of Jesus. I flew to Mississippi seeking justice, and it was there. But what I found most was a man dripping with the Author of justice. --Army BG Michael Ferguson

Finish well, my friend.

Happy New Year dear friends – Brother Gary

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

...We wish to see Jesus...

(Joh 12:21)

(Isa 26:8) Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD, We have waited for You eagerly; Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls.

As I look back on my many years, the sensation that something was missing comes back into focus. At the various times there was an awareness of an emptiness in me. Like a craving that just could not be satisfied no matter what I did. Try as I might, the hunger only became fulfilled when I met Christ. He filled my soul.

(Psa 145:18) The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

It is so very easy to be blinded to the presence of the Lord through the lustful methods and ideations generated by Satan. Lust is a powerful drug, and through it's attraction, promises and physical sensations lust easily leads many to an eternity in hell. It feels good for a minute but costs you foreverness in horrible regret and pain.

(Mat 18:20) "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

Why do you suppose that Jesus sent His disciples in pairs to share the Gospel? Partly that one might be strength to the other, and, two heads are better than one. Iron sharpens iron, you know! Actually, those two heads actually add up to three, Christ being the third! We can do nothing ourselves, zero. It is the Holy Spirit, it is the Christ, it is Almighty God that makes us a vessel to be filled by His will, or a tool in His hand to accomplish His intent. He is the Creator. We are the created. We are to share the beauty and perfection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone we encounter;

(Mat 28:20) Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

The “Them” in Matthew 28:20 are those who you normally come into contact with on a daily basis. If you have the Holy Spirit in you, others will see it. You will be different than others. Unique, peaceful, confident. You, just being yourself, become a living Bible that radiates an attraction to those who have something missing in their lives. Share with them the love that only Christ Jesus can provide.

(Heb 12:1-2) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I used to be so very empty. Although I knew I was missing something, I was arrogant enough to think that my hands, my ways would eventually satisfy that craving. I was wrong. When I began an earnest journey into the pages of the Bible, the scripture came alive and I began to learn about the personality, the will, and the ways of the Master Potter who made me. The more you know Him, the more you will want to know. I can't get enough!!

(1Co 13:12) For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

(Php 1:23) But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.

I so strongly desire to be in His presence, to see Him as He truly is. When the time comes, when it is His will, this desire will be fulfilled beyond anything my mind can conceive.

(1Jn 3:2-3) Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Call His name. Invite Him into your heart. Let Him welcome you into the family as a child of God!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

...We wish to see Jesus...

(Joh 12:21)

(Isa 26:8) Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD, We have waited for You eagerly; Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls.

As I look back on my many years, the sensation that something was missing comes back into focus. At the various times there was an awareness of an emptiness in me. Like a craving that just could not be satisfied no matter what I did. Try as I might, the hunger only became fulfilled when I met Christ. He filled my soul.

(Psa 145:18) The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

It is so very easy to be blinded to the presence of the Lord through the lustful methods and ideations generated by Satan. Lust is a powerful drug, and through it's attraction, promises and physical sensations lust easily leads many to an eternity in hell. It feels good for a minute but costs you foreverness in horrible regret and pain.

(Mat 18:20) "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

Why do you suppose that Jesus sent His disciples in pairs to share the Gospel? Partly that one might be strength to the other, and, two heads are better than one. Iron sharpens iron, you know! Actually, those two heads actually add up to three, Christ being the third! We can do nothing ourselves, zero. It is the Holy Spirit, it is the Christ, it is Almighty God that makes us a vessel to be filled by His will, or a tool in His hand to accomplish His intent. He is the Creator. We are the created. We are to share the beauty and perfection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone we encounter;

(Mat 28:20) Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

The “Them” in Matthew 28:20 are those who you normally come into contact with on a daily basis. If you have the Holy Spirit in you, others will see it. You will be different than others. Unique, peaceful, confident. You, just being yourself, become a living Bible that radiates an attraction to those who have something missing in their lives. Share with them the love that only Christ Jesus can provide.

(Heb 12:1-2) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I used to be so very empty. Although I knew I was missing something, I was arrogant enough to think that my hands, my ways would eventually satisfy that craving. I was wrong. When I began an earnest journey into the pages of the Bible, the scripture came alive and I began to learn about the personality, the will, and the ways of the Master Potter who made me. The more you know Him, the more you will want to know. I can't get enough!!

(1Co 13:12) For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

(Php 1:23) But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.

I so strongly desire to be in His presence, to see Him as He truly is. When the time comes, when it is His will, this desire will be fulfilled beyond anything my mind can conceive.

(1Jn 3:2-3) Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Call His name. Invite Him into your heart. Let Him welcome you into the family as a child of God!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

ALL FLESH WILL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD

(Luk 3:6)

(Luk 3:7) So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

John the Baptist, a cousin of the Savior Jesus, worked very hard preparing the way for the arrival of the LIGHT of Christ. He would soon be rewarded.

(Luk 3:15-16) Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

(Mat 3:13-17) Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he *permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

Jesus had to be baptized. Setting the example of perfect compliance to the law. Jesus would be sorely tested but would remain perfect and sinless. It was this perfection that would afford Him to be seen by the Father as the full atonement sacrifice. Through His death and the shedding of His blood thus releasing those, who would believe on Him, from their perpetual sentence of eternal death.

God, in His infinite wisdom would give His only begotten Son to the hands of torture and death to satisfy the sin that Adam foisted upon us through his seed. Thus Jesus is known as the Second Adam, the propitiation for our salvation. In Him, we are saved from eternal death and suffering. We are Born Again.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

ALL FLESH WILL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD

(Luk 3:6)

(Luk 3:7) So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

John the Baptist, a cousin of the Savior Jesus, worked very hard preparing the way for the arrival of the LIGHT of Christ. He would soon be rewarded.

(Luk 3:15-16) Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

(Mat 3:13-17) Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he *permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

Jesus had to be baptized. Setting the example of perfect compliance to the law. Jesus would be sorely tested but would remain perfect and sinless. It was this perfection that would afford Him to be seen by the Father as the full atonement sacrifice. Through His death and the shedding of His blood thus releasing those, who would believe on Him, from their perpetual sentence of eternal death.

God, in His infinite wisdom would give His only begotten Son to the hands of torture and death to satisfy the sin that Adam foisted upon us through his seed. Thus Jesus is known as the Second Adam, the propitiation for our salvation. In Him, we are saved from eternal death and suffering. We are Born Again.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

LIGHT CAME INTO THE WORLD

(Isa 7:14) "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

[God with us]

The above prophesy was declared by Isaiah 734 years before the birth of the Christ child, Jesus of Nazareth. The Old Testament is lined with a road map regarding the coming of the Son of God. In the Hebrew text, an allusion to Christ appears in the very first sentence of Genesis 1:1. The Aleph and the Tav, the first and the last. [see John 1:1-4, Rev 22:13]

When my sister and I were growing up, Christmas Eve included our mother sitting in a darkened living room, the family Bible open in her lap. Sis and I would listen quietly as mom would read the story of the birth of Jesus to us. I can hear her voice yet today.

(Luk 2:1-7) Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth,

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The night of Christ's birth, the very first public announcement of this momentous and Holy event was not to some potentate, governor or king. God saw fit to announce the coming of the Savior to the lowly and poor shepherds of the sheep. It was through the shepherd that the world first learned that the promised King had arrived.

(Luk 2:8-20) In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

As you prepare to celebrate this Christmas Eve, won't you surround yourself with those who you love and read this beautiful scripture to them. Take time to quietly meditate on the scriptural truth, and keep Jesus Christ on your mind and in your heart and praise Him every second of every hour for the balance of your days on this earth.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE LIGHT IN YOUR BIBLE?

LIGHT CAME INTO THE WORLD

(Isa 7:14) "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

[God with us]

The above prophesy was declared by Isaiah 734 years before the birth of the Christ child, Jesus of Nazareth. The Old Testament is lined with a road map regarding the coming of the Son of God. In the Hebrew text, an allusion to Christ appears in the very first sentence of Genesis 1:1. The Aleph and the Tav, the first and the last. [see John 1:1-4, Rev 22:13]

When my sister and I were growing up, Christmas Eve included our mother sitting in a darkened living room, the family Bible open in her lap. Sis and I would listen quietly as mom would read the story of the birth of Jesus to us. I can hear her voice yet today.

(Luk 2:1-7) Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth,

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The night of Christ's birth, the very first public announcement of this momentous and Holy event was not to some potentate, governor or king. God saw fit to announce the coming of the Savior to the lowly and poor shepherds of the sheep. It was through the shepherd that the world first learned that the promised King had arrived.

(Luk 2:8-20) In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

As you prepare to celebrate this Christmas Eve, won't you surround yourself with those who you love and read this beautiful scripture to them. Take time to quietly meditate on the scriptural truth, and keep Jesus Christ on your mind and in your heart and praise Him every second of every hour for the balance of your days on this earth.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE LIGHT IN YOUR BIBLE?

HIS OWN DID NOT RECEIVE HIM

(Joh 1:11)

(Luk 18:8) ...When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

He will in my house, in my family, and in those to whom I and my bride associate, yes. Among my neighbors, or in places where I shop, or in the ministry where I serve, the presence of Godly faith is not widely found. Sad but true. Faith in our Lord is often replaced by myth, lust, folly, or material wealth and success. They become the worshiped idols of our day.

(Joh 1:11) He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.

This verse, (Joh 1:11), breaks my heart. I sit here sighing and shaking my head in frustration that the work of His very hands, the people, could not, or would not recognize Him or believe that the Father of all that is, all that was, and all that will ever be... sent Him to us. It is a horrible thing to be in the very presence of your God, and deny Him.

This is especially damning in that the entire Old Testament is filled with the prophesy of His arrival, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and His return. He did not look nor act like the warrior David. Therefore, He must not be. Certainly the expectation of how the Savior might be imagined varied from tribe to tribe, but His own people, the Jew, missed it by a mile. Many continue to miss Him yet today.

The road has not been smooth even for the believer. Persecution, falling away, apostasy, X-Box, the Internet, the Media, the NFL and NASCAR all play a role in diverting our attention away from the Saving Grace to the Shiny Place. That which sparkles or provides quality 4G service.

(1Ti 4:1) But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.

Some will fall away? SOME? I have never been that great in math, but I will tell you that it is absolutely more than SOME! There are flocks and gaggles and parliaments out there with huge numbers of folks that are in direct danger of perishing, suffering the darkness of the second death. [Hell]

How do we fight this trend? How do we even hope to turn the secular tide toward  believing in our King, our Master, our Lord Jesus Christ? We learn the TRUTH and share the TRUTH. That is how we make a difference. The road map is in our is in our Bible.

(2Ti 4:2-4) Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

If you are a believer, if you are saved, you have an absolute obligation to learn the TRUTH and then share the TRUTH. That is your Biblical job. That is your purpose. Look to the clouds, the time is very near. Share God's TRUTH with everyone you can. Know your Bible, share God's words. Lean on the Spirit.

(Luk 12:37) "Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.

(Tit 2:13) looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Soon, we will celebrate the day that the Light came into the world. The birth of Jesus the Christ, Son of Almighty God. Help us fuel that Light and sustain it throughout the year, and throughout every beating heart who hears the Word.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HIS OWN DID NOT RECEIVE HIM

(Joh 1:11)

(Luk 18:8) ...When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

He will in my house, in my family, and in those to whom I and my bride associate, yes. Among my neighbors, or in places where I shop, or in the ministry where I serve, the presence of Godly faith is not widely found. Sad but true. Faith in our Lord is often replaced by myth, lust, folly, or material wealth and success. They become the worshiped idols of our day.

(Joh 1:11) He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.

This verse, (Joh 1:11), breaks my heart. I sit here sighing and shaking my head in frustration that the work of His very hands, the people, could not, or would not recognize Him or believe that the Father of all that is, all that was, and all that will ever be... sent Him to us. It is a horrible thing to be in the very presence of your God, and deny Him.

This is especially damning in that the entire Old Testament is filled with the prophesy of His arrival, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and His return. He did not look nor act like the warrior David. Therefore, He must not be. Certainly the expectation of how the Savior might be imagined varied from tribe to tribe, but His own people, the Jew, missed it by a mile. Many continue to miss Him yet today.

The road has not been smooth even for the believer. Persecution, falling away, apostasy, X-Box, the Internet, the Media, the NFL and NASCAR all play a role in diverting our attention away from the Saving Grace to the Shiny Place. That which sparkles or provides quality 4G service.

(1Ti 4:1) But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.

Some will fall away? SOME? I have never been that great in math, but I will tell you that it is absolutely more than SOME! There are flocks and gaggles and parliaments out there with huge numbers of folks that are in direct danger of perishing, suffering the darkness of the second death. [Hell]

How do we fight this trend? How do we even hope to turn the secular tide toward  believing in our King, our Master, our Lord Jesus Christ? We learn the TRUTH and share the TRUTH. That is how we make a difference. The road map is in our is in our Bible.

(2Ti 4:2-4) Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

If you are a believer, if you are saved, you have an absolute obligation to learn the TRUTH and then share the TRUTH. That is your Biblical job. That is your purpose. Look to the clouds, the time is very near. Share God's TRUTH with everyone you can. Know your Bible, share God's words. Lean on the Spirit.

(Luk 12:37) "Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.

(Tit 2:13) looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Soon, we will celebrate the day that the Light came into the world. The birth of Jesus the Christ, Son of Almighty God. Help us fuel that Light and sustain it throughout the year, and throughout every beating heart who hears the Word.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

...The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst...

(Zep 3:15)

(Isa 41:10) 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

(Isa 35:3-4) Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."

(Zep 3:17) "The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

(Psa 27:14) Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

(Rev 21:3-4) And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

...The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst...

(Zep 3:15)

(Isa 41:10) 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

(Isa 35:3-4) Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."

(Zep 3:17) "The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

(Psa 27:14) Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

(Rev 21:3-4) And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

...Adonai-shalom... [God send Peace]

(Jdg 6:24)

Today we study scripture from the Jewish Tree of Life Bible, the Tanakh, including a portion from the New Covenant of Messianic Writings.[The New Testament]

We enter this reading in heartfelt anticipation of our celebration of the earthly arriving of the Light of the Messiah, the Christ. It is His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection from the dead that is the reason for this season. As each year goes by, we fall deeper and deeper into the Pagan influences of Santa Clause, reindeer and material worship of gifts under a decorated tree. We fall headlong into Satan's trap of relegating Jesus and His birth to the bottom shelf of a Walmart aisle. We instead make the parties, the gifts, the money, the sales into the Gods that are worshiped. How horribly sad. How utterly wrong!

Jesus was a Jew. It is only fitting, in my mind, that this message flow in the timbre and style of the Jewish mind, from a Jewish perspective. I pray that you will receive it in the spirit intended.

(1Ch 22:9) Behold, a son will be born to you who will be a man at rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon and I will confer shalom [peace] and quietness on Israel in his days. {TLV}

(Mat 12:42) The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, something greater than Solomon is here. {TLV}

(Isa 9:5-6) For to us a child is born, a son will be given to us, and the government will be upon His shoulder. His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God My Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and shalom there will be no end—on the throne of David and over His kingdom—to establish it and uphold it through justice and righteousness from now until forevermore. The zeal of Adonai-Tzva’ot [Lord of Hosts] will accomplish this. {TLV}

(Isa 32:18-19) My people will live in a peaceful place, in secure dwellings, quiet resting places. Then hail will flatten the forest; and the city will be utterly laid low. {TLV}

(Eph 2:14) For He is our shalom, the One who made the two into one and broke down the middle wall of separation. Within His flesh He made powerless the hostility. {TLV}

(Mic 5:5) They will devastate the land of Assyria with the sword—even Nimrod’s land with a drawn blade. He will deliver us from Assyria, when he invades our land, when he tramples on our territory. {TLV}

(Rev 17:14) They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them—because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.” {TLV}

(Joh 14:27) “Shalom I leave you, My shalom I give to you; but not as the world gives! Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid. {TLV}

This CHRISTmas, won't you turn your full contemplation to the wondrous gift Almighty God gave us when Jesus came into the world, and through His life and the blood of His death on the cross, we, all creations of God's mighty hand, can be saved unto salvation and to share in the promise of eternal life. Believe on Him, be released from your sentence of death and live. The Savior Lives forever.

Where will you spend eternity? 

 In the Kingdom of God.............or in Hell?

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

...Adonai-shalom... [God send Peace]

(Jdg 6:24)

Today we study scripture from the Jewish Tree of Life Bible, the Tanakh, including a portion from the New Covenant of Messianic Writings.[The New Testament]

We enter this reading in heartfelt anticipation of our celebration of the earthly arriving of the Light of the Messiah, the Christ. It is His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection from the dead that is the reason for this season. As each year goes by, we fall deeper and deeper into the Pagan influences of Santa Clause, reindeer and material worship of gifts under a decorated tree. We fall headlong into Satan's trap of relegating Jesus and His birth to the bottom shelf of a Walmart aisle. We instead make the parties, the gifts, the money, the sales into the Gods that are worshiped. How horribly sad. How utterly wrong!

Jesus was a Jew. It is only fitting, in my mind, that this message flow in the timbre and style of the Jewish mind, from a Jewish perspective. I pray that you will receive it in the spirit intended.

(1Ch 22:9) Behold, a son will be born to you who will be a man at rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon and I will confer shalom [peace] and quietness on Israel in his days. {TLV}

(Mat 12:42) The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, something greater than Solomon is here. {TLV}

(Isa 9:5-6) For to us a child is born, a son will be given to us, and the government will be upon His shoulder. His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God My Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and shalom there will be no end—on the throne of David and over His kingdom—to establish it and uphold it through justice and righteousness from now until forevermore. The zeal of Adonai-Tzva’ot [Lord of Hosts] will accomplish this. {TLV}

(Isa 32:18-19) My people will live in a peaceful place, in secure dwellings, quiet resting places. Then hail will flatten the forest; and the city will be utterly laid low. {TLV}

(Eph 2:14) For He is our shalom, the One who made the two into one and broke down the middle wall of separation. Within His flesh He made powerless the hostility. {TLV}

(Mic 5:5) They will devastate the land of Assyria with the sword—even Nimrod’s land with a drawn blade. He will deliver us from Assyria, when he invades our land, when he tramples on our territory. {TLV}

(Rev 17:14) They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them—because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.” {TLV}

(Joh 14:27) “Shalom I leave you, My shalom I give to you; but not as the world gives! Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid. {TLV}

This CHRISTmas, won't you turn your full contemplation to the wondrous gift Almighty God gave us when Jesus came into the world, and through His life and the blood of His death on the cross, we, all creations of God's mighty hand, can be saved unto salvation and to share in the promise of eternal life. Believe on Him, be released from your sentence of death and live. The Savior Lives forever.

Where will you spend eternity? 

 In the Kingdom of God.............or in Hell?

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?