Are You Dead in Your Sin or Alive Through Christ?

If you're answer to the title of this post is "I'm not sure," I have good news! You can be alive with Jesus Christ by confessing your sins and making an effort to change who you've become. It's like getting a clean slate to re-write your life on! 

"For all have sinned & fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

For those who answered,"I am alive through Christ," good for you. Try to stay on the good side, but don't despair if you find it difficult to do so. God gives us unlimited "Mulligan's," or "do over's."

For those of us who believe, we can begin again every hour, minute, second, of every day. Lamentations 3:23 says, "For His mercies are new every morning. Blessed be the name of the Lord." God will listen to our prayers and will forgive us. 1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness!"

If you're not a Christian, all you need to do is go to God, confess that you're a sinner and ask Him to forgive you of your sin, and make Jesus the Lord of your life. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, so that whoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." 

So get right with God! Find a church and start attending. Start reading His word daily, and try to stay on the right side of His word. You don't have to do that "read the bible in a year" thing to stay in His good graces. Reading just one verse, every day and meditating on what it means and how it relates to your life, is actually better and it will help you grow immensely!

I start the day with a prayer to ask for forgiveness for my sins, to help me remember that Jesus is my only hope for having a good day! John 15:5 says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing." 

So the "Good News" is, if you don't know the Lord Jesus on a personal basis, you now know that He wants a relationship with you! The world is spinning out of control right now, which a lot of people don't realize. Prophecies have happened that Jesus told us of in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Things in the Old Testament, prophesied by Isaiah are very close to happening and Ezekiel 38 is in full swing in the Middle East. Iran is building 10 bases in Syria as are the Russians. They are 18 miles from the Syria/Israeli border and have already launched missiles into Israel! 

The end is near folks! Don't miss the rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ out of pride or spite! Get right with the Lord before it's too late! He loves you and He died on a cross to prove it, so take Him up on His offer of salvation and do it today! The Gospel of Jesus Christ isn't just "Good News!" 

It's the Best News EVER!

Jesus loves you and so do I, so please? Come and join us in celebration of the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" (John 1:29).

Christmas Light Shows Extradonaire!

Where I live, in California, you'd think all the grinch's would live here, but in our little town, nestled in between San Francisco and Sacramento, we love the military, our President and we sure do love Christmas!

We Have a tree lighting ceremony every year, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and this year they outdid themselves! The tree is one of the tallest I've ever seen and we've lived her 25 years as of Dec 15th! On top of that, we have two streets "Candy Cane Lane," and "Lollipop Lane" where every house is decorated with a TON of lights!

We enjoy going and watching all the different lights they put up every year and we're never disappointed, so I thought I would share some of the best Christmas light video's I could find on YouTube, with all of you, and I was not disappointed! (Psst....I especially like the last video!)

Warning: Brite lights! You might want to wear your sunglasses!

We start the light show off with something
 really unique from "The Piano Guys."

Here's a video I know Rock and Rollers will enjoy!

Check this one out! Set to the

song "Let it Go," from "Frozen! Fantastic!

Love some of the music these folks use

for their Christmas Light Displays. Again
Rock and Rollers will most definitely approve!

I found this one and my heart strings went "schwing!" I love this one most of all because it's Patriotic, and well, because one of my Favorite President's is featured in the display! I'd like to dedicate the Christmas Light video below to our 
troops who just came home from Syria
and to all of our troops all over the world!

Merry Christmas Everyone & God Bless!

Lawlessness In the Days Of Noah

When Jesus was approached by the disciples in Matthew 24, they asked him "What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age (of grace)? Jesus answered:

"Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation (race) will rise against Nation and Kingdom (Country) against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death and you will be hated by all the nations because of Me. 

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, (lawlessness), the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come."

Jesus also warned the disciples that it shall be like "the days of Noah," which were so lawless, God flooded the earth to wipe out humanity.  I'd say we're pretty darn close to those days again right now. "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth and His heart was deeply troubled." (Genesis 6:5-6).  

Do you know Jesus? Let me ask this another way, because intellectual belief isn't going to be enough to save you or anybody else. If Jesus was pushing a wheel barrow over Niagra Falls on a tightrope, and asked for a volunteer to get into the wheelbarrow,  would you get in it? He died for you and I have no doubt that if He had to, He'd do it again! He died once for all! He doesn't hate you. He loves you! The devil will use your emotions to keep you from an individual relationship with Jesus. He's scared to death that he'll lose you! I hate to say it this way, but you WILL live forever. It's up to you where you will spend it.

I don't care if you remember me or this blog or even this post, but I do want you to remember this: Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me." (John 14;6). 

It's time to get right with the Lord. Jesus is coming very soon and I wouldn't want anybody left here to face the 7 Year Tribulation.

"Jesus" is the only name that can save you. It's the only name you need to remember because, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13).

I Am Who God Says I Am

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves." (Ephesians 1:4-6).

Knowing who you are in Christ is a pretty big deal. I'd been chasing my tail for years to obtain that information & while I've walked on mountain peaks with the Lord before, back in 2012, God pulled me back from a precipice to say, "I'm not done with you yet." This blog was started that very day.

If you're a Christian and are confused and don't know who you are in Christ Jesus, please see paragraph 1 of today's blog post. It says who you are right there. You belong to God. You are His child! We are co-heirs with Jesus Christ and He's coming back to take His Bride, the Church away with Him to Heaven and He's coming quickly! Personally, I can't wait because I'm just flat out homesick! 

I don't care what other people think about me, but I do care what God thinks of me, so I'm trying to live a life that would make Him welcome me with open arms when I arrive there. All I want to hear is "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest."

When you hear those other "voices" lying to you about you or others, just remember Jesus is right there, ready and willing to put on a cape and save you!  'Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee." (James 4:7). The devil uses these whispers to destroy us where we sit/stand, etc. Our sins are played over and over like a bad mixed tape that needs to be changed! How do you overcome it? Read the next verse! "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8).

I believe what the bible says about me, but sometimes it's hard to remember that. Every time the devil attacks me in my head, and I start hearing lies about myself, I immediately ask God's forgiveness, (submitting), I then ask God to remove the spirit that is bothering me, (the devil), and he does! The act of saying the name of "Jesus" out loud has that effect on the evil one and all of his demons! (Sometimes I imagine him being slapped and responding like a little girl, running away in tears).

It can be difficult not to allow our emotions to rule our lives, but it's pretty easy to put them aside when you need to if you're aware of the devil's tricks, and you have to fight back just to have some sanity. It pays endless dividends to know your enemy and to know him well.  

This one, I now know very well. And while it was very difficult to get to where I am now, I'm just glad I've made it this far.

And tomorrow? Well that's another day! 

Are You 'Asleep in the Light?'

Are you asleep in the light? All Christians go through a time of being "asleep." We tend to sleep walk through our days without even asking God to bless our families and keep them safe from harm.

A.W. Tozer said in one of his books, that "complacency is the death to all spiritual growth." I don't know why, but that one stuck in my memory with super glue! 

Are you complacent? Do you feel the Holy Spirit calling out to you to make a change? Afraid to do so? Yes, you probably are. These days, you mention the name of "Jesus" and you lose your job, your means of supporting your families, etc., but we shouldn't worry! God will stand up for you and take care of you! The Bible even says so, so there's really nothing to fear!

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink, nor for your body, as to what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (Matthew 6:25-27).

Sometimes it is very hard to step out in faith, telling your friends, even your parents that you're a born again Christian. It's especially hard to witness in this political climate. They'll eventually outlaw any kind of witnessing at all.

I heard Billy Graham say at age 95, "I'm a wretched sinner who needs the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, every day." I'll never forget those very humble words. I felt slapped awake when I heard him say that. It's one of the reasons that Lamentations 3:23 is one of my all time favorite verses. "His mercies are new every morning. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

It's time to WAKE UP church! Jesus will not tarry much longer and if you're not expecting Him? You're probably not going with Him!

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man commeth to the Father but by me." (John 14:6).

God bless you as you consider eternity & how you can be an agent of change in someone elses life. (Read Matthew 6:20-21). 

Where do you keep your treasure?
                 

God Help Me

There is one scripture that I've heard over the years that didn't really help me. That is, until I heard it in a different way from a different teacher. I'm just so grateful I took that course at my church, or I never would've heard it! 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, let your mind dwell on these things!" (Philippians 4:8).

I then heard Kay Arthur of Precept Ministrires say something that changed my life forever at that bible study. 

She said we should Philippians 4:8 everything that comes into our minds. She said If the thought doesn't meet the tenant of that scripture, that we should "DUMP IT IN THE WASTE BASKET!" We're suppossed to "take all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ!" (2 Corinthians 10:5), anyway!

God doesn't want us to be negative, scared, worried, upset, or to feel some other emotion the devil wants to throw at us to see if he can get us lowly little fish to bite on his hook! Once we do? He's back in control, so be very wary of your thoughts and the things you say! 

I've been suffering severe back pain/spasms since August 2007. I've lived in fear of surgery ever since due to a staph infection that keeps coming back. I nearly died of infections while admitted to the hospital after my last 2 children and another surgery I had to have. Each time, I was in the hospital for at least 18 days. I was fine afterward all three times, but I never gave God any credit! 

I was praying recently about my fear of the 3 spine surgeries I need and I heard Him say, "I got you through the first 3 infections. What makes you think I couldn't do it a 4th?"

The very first thought I had after hearing God say that was this: "Oh no! I've been LIMITING GOD!"

I know I've asked God to heal me about a million times, but I'm still not getting anywhere. Probably because I'm too stubborn and full of fear to do what I know I need to do in order to get better.

God? Please help me?
                                                      

Sweet and Simple

There is a simple sweetness about the Lord Jesus. All we must do to be saved is to call out His Name. (Romans 10:13). Accepting Jesus as Savior is key to eternal life! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

We know "grace" as we are all sinners saved by grace. (See Ephesians 2:8-9). We are given grace every day. Lamentations 3:23 states, "His mercies are new every morning. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." 

Jesus gave us what I call "Mega Grace" because I always seem to need it so much! Jesus also sent us the Holy Spirit to comfort us in times of trouble, sickness, disease, etc. Jesus had to do His Father's will, showing obedience unto death. Jesus took our place to pay for our sins. We should want to start living for Him, like I haven't been lately, and tell the world that He's the only way into heaven. John 14:6 makes that very clear. (Sorry Oprah fans).

It's disheartening to see so many people turning away from the faith. I am burdened for the lost, who need to meet Jesus. God placed that burden on my heart on 4/29/12, and I'm not going to stop sharing my faith, my testimony, etc., on this blog,

Thank You for your grace Lord Jesus. Your Amazing Grace has shaken the chains right off of me! God Bless and have a terrific day!

The Power of the Tongue

We've all done it, whether we know it or not, and should repent and ask God's forgiveness and ask Him to show us when we're being unkind, pushy, disrespectful, etc., with our words! It requires a Godly "attitude adjustment." We're going to be judged on every idle word we say! (Hint, hint: I think that's why we have 2 ears and only one mouth?).

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Proverbs 18:31). How about this one? "By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37). 

There's just one thing we all need to remember.

Words DO matter so please?

SPEAK LIFE!

God's Not Done With Me Yet!

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6).

Everything is beginning to change, and the inertia is unstoppable. It's like going full bore at a brick wall and your brakes are out!

I was greatly encouraged by President Trump recently. I've also begun to see people going back to work and continuing to rebuild their lives after 8 years of redistribution of wealth. 

What really lit me up was how he spoke of our Creator. He was modest, reverent and respectful. I've heard several scholars say that every prophecy about the return of Jesus from Matthew 24 and Mark 21, have all occurred already, so the rapture could happen in the next minute! Time to get on our faces, pray and humble ourselves, seek Him and you will find Him! Pray to be found worthy!

As Billy Graham says "I'm a wretched sinner, who needs Jesus' forgiveness every day." I feel exactly the same way. It's time to get right with God because His son, who died for our sins, is coming soon to snatch the church right off the face of the earth!

I know I've been away, but there's a very good reason for that. I've been having severe short term memory issues & I also sometimes start a sentence and then forget what I was going to say. It's begun to happen a lot more. It's not just "writer's block"  anymore.

It happens so often now, I never even try anymore, so please forgive and pray for me? I know God's still at work on me. He's working on all of us. 

We're just Unfinished!                                                             

Merry Christmas to Me!

I'm done with pain so I'm giving myself a wonderful Christmas present! I've got an appointment to see a neurosurgeon on December 21st, to schedule a surgery that could get me back up and walking!

I've been running scared for 9 1/2 years due to 3 infections that nearly killed me in 1990, 1993 and 1995. All of them occurred after being hospitalized but I'm hoping that if I get the surgery done at the same hospital, they'll know exactly what to do if I spike a temp! Seems I always do that when in the hospital, which is why I'm scared stiff! I've decided however, to feel the fear and do it anyway.  

This whole thing started when God whispered to me one day, "How is it that you were willing to trust Me with your daughter (who had cancer), all those years ago, but you won't trust Me with you?" 

That one hit me like a ton of bricks! So, it's time to stop running and deal with my fear. The bible says specifically that fear is associated with punishment. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18).

The devil works us constantly when we have an irrational fear such as this one? It is kind of a risky surgery so he's workin' me double time right now. I wish this wasn't happening but I know that God is in control, which does bring a certain amount of peace to my soul. 

I appreciate and pray for everyone who reads this blog and I apologize for being away for so long. Thank you for being so patient with me.

God bless you all. I hope you all have a terrific weekend!

The Final Warning!

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16).

I've never heard a preacher say it, but I believe that this is the "final warning" to us as Christians who have one foot in Christ and the other in the world. Our God is a "jealous God!" (Exodus 34:14). He wants ALL of us, not just half! I believe this verse is a WARNING & time is growing short! "Let him who has ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches." (Revelation 3:22).

God wants to be in the center of your life. There's a saying that goes, "When you put God in the center? Everything else comes together." I love that quote, though I don't know who originally said it. 

What we all deserve is death and eternal separation from God. As believers in Jesus Christ, we'll receive a Crown of Life in heaven, which we will cast at His feet as we kneel before Him. He died a horrible death to save us! God sent Him here for that one purpose alone and "God made Him who had no sin, to be sin for us so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God in Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Do you have one foot in the world and one in Christ? It's time to get rid of the "grey area's" in our lives and be fully committed to Jesus Christ! 

My prayer for all who read this post is that the Holy Spirit will convict you of your sin so so you can ask God to forgive you. There is an old saying, a quote, actually from A.W. Tozer."Complacency is the death to all Spiritual growth." So don't wait! He's waiting on you. God loves you and wants the best for you. Eternity!

You see, when we get stuck, with one foot in Christ and the other in the world? It puts us "Somewhere in the Middle."

Christian Videos of the Week!

Hope you enjoy these terrific video's and that the music melts your heart, and allows you to talk to Jesus like you never have before. He is always near. Just reach out for Him. He is with you! God Bless you all and have a terrific day/night, depending on where you are in the world and please share this post with your friends!

"Hurricane," by Natalie Grant

"The One I'm Runnin' To," by 7th Time Down

"Fix My Eyes," by for King and Country

"Always Enough," by Casting Crowns

"Through All of It," by Colton Dixon

9/11 - Never Forget

To this day, 15 years after the fact, I still break down and cry over the attacks on this country on 9/11 which killed close to 3,000 people. 

As for this photo? You may or may not remember it. They found two beams that were in the shape of the Cross in the debris of the Twin Towers.

The metal hanging on the left side made me think of a large wooden cross we used to put up at our church on Easter. We had a long purple sash that hung over each side with lilies all around it as do most churches during the Easter season.

With all the turmoil in the world, I've begun to turn to God's Word to help me figure out where we are on the timeline of Jesus coming for us, and it's going to happen at any time. All prophecies regarding Jesus and His return have happened. I urge you, if you're fallen away or have never met the Lord, get right with Him now? I wouldn't want anybody, not even a mortal enemy left behind to go through the living hell that God is about to pour out onto this earth out of His wrath. 

This song was written at the request of President George W. Bush. Michael W. Smith tells how the song came about in a video on YouTube and was asked to play it at the 2004 Republican National Convention.

I hope you will remember this great country's heritage as being the greatest country on earth and making her great, once again. 

In his speech in 1964, entitled "A Time for Choosing," Ronald Reagan said, "If we lose freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the last stand on earth." Reagan gave this speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater who was the Republican nominee for President. Every American should watch this speech!  "A Time For Choosing". It's amazing that the things he spoke of in this particular speech in 1964? Well, they're all happening again!

Please pray for our country. We're more divided than ever, and we need another "Uniter in Chief," like Reagan. I loved him, and wish he was still here running the show. I doubt that I'm the only one. We miss you Ronnie.

God Bless you all and may God, once again, Bless the United States of America.

"If my people which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Ezekiel 38 Right Before Our Eyes!

Today, I wanted to share with you a few of the latest episodes of "The Hal Lindsey Report."  I've been thinking about the episode on 9/18 since I saw it, and now, I finally have what I feel is the perfect "Part II" to go along with it. 

This is from Ezekiel 38. God is speaking to "Gog" (Putin), of the land of "Magog" or Russia.

"Thus says the Lord God, 'It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan, and you will say, 'I will go up against the land of unwalled villages, (the land is Israel & unwalled refers to Israel's protection, which they will no longer have because under the nuke deal with Iran, America is required to defend Iran against Israel if they try to attack). God continued, "I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates, to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, (the establishment of Israel as a state in 1948, began a mass exodus of Jews back to Israel, which continues to this day), who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world. Sheba (an ancient Semitic civilization in parts of Ethiopia and Yemen), and Dedan, (Tyre/Lebanon), and the merchants of Tarshish (Great Britain), with all it's villages/young lions (Colonies: The United States), will say to you, "Have you come to take a plunder? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods to capture great spoil?" (Ezekiel 38:10-13). Obviously, America IS mentioned, it just points out that we will stand by and do nothing, which is EXACTLY what the US has already been doing. Nothing.

There are a lot of different countries listed in Ezekiel 38, that will make an alliance with "Gog," or Putin, the prince of "Rosh," Russia, of the kingdom of "Magog," again Russia, who is preparing to lead a great army from the north against Israel. "Meshech" is Moscow, "Tubal" is Tobolsk NE of Siberia, Tubal is also possibly a baltic state such as Ukraine? "Persia" is Iran, "Gomer" is Germany, or all of eastern Europe, all of whom could be overthrown and taken over by jihadi terrorists who are currently and have been, growing in number in their midst for decades, not to mention all the Syrian refugee's Germany is about to absorb. Continuing with our list,  "Beth-Togarmah" is Turkey, (who was just bombed by two suicide bombers last week, so they could get pulled into this thing soon. They're listed?). "Cush" is Sudan, and "Put" is Libya. 

Some of the countries listed above, have changed names and area over the centuries, so they were marked by following the sons of Noah, and where they settled. There could be more countries I missed, but we got the most important ones. Some of these names listed above, as you noticed may be in two different regions, or countries. For instance, if you do a search, you will find that the birthplace of all terrorism, "Assyria," is now located in 4 different countries. Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran. How about that one? Kinda spooky ain't it? 

Please, if you are worried about the end, don't be? If you believe in Jesus, He's got you covered! He said, "DO NOT let your hearts be troubled! You believe in God, believe also in Me. Trust in God, trust also in Me." (John 14:1). So stop worrying about your kids or family? Just remember what it says in Acts 16:29-31. Memorize it and draw on it when you need it. It's one of the greatest promises in the New Testament, especially to us mom's, because let's face it, fear of the unknown which causes anxiety and "worry?" It all comes with our job description. But, when you truly believe it, with all of your heart, your faith will grow and your worries will shrink! 

Isaiah 45:11 is such an amazing verse of scripture, a really huge promise from God to those who believe in Jesus! This verse is an amazing promise, and I believe that it is all tied in with our faith, or lack thereof? The bible says "without faith, it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6). Isaiah 45:11 says," Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, 'Ask Me about the things to come, concerning MY sons, (meaning "all of God's children"), and you shall commit to Me, the work of My hands." (In the KJV it says "Commandeth ye me."). That is my new favorite verse, because the promise itself is just such an amazing promise of protection! 

Please, watch both of these video's when you have the chance. They may help you with understanding why Russia is in Syria and what's going on with emigrating refugees too, there's just a lot of great news information, that you wouldn't see on a network like MSNBC, CNN or any other main stream media outlets. So please watch & if you agree, please share with family and friends, especially those who need Jesus, for the days are short!

May God bless you all and may we all be peaceful with and prayerful for each other, and other's outside of our circles as well?

Thanks for the reminder Hal, that not only are we close? We need to be like one, crying out in the wilderness............ 

"Prepare ye the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for Him."                               

Prepare Ye the Way!
Michael W. Smith LIVE!