John Hagee- Blood Red Moon
January 6, 2013
Today, on TBN, Pastor John Hagee finished his series on The Coming Four Blood Moons. He took his sermon text from the book of Revelation, chapter nineteen.
In this message, he looked at nations, both, in the Bible and in modern-times that have turned their backs on God. He said that the nations who turn God out of their countries are in danger.
But in a hopeful tone (for the Christian), he stated, “Shout for Joy; the King is coming!” This brought a great roar from the congregation at the home church in San Antonio, Texas.
Pastor Hagee also said, “Let there be a revival of righteousness!” I echo his sentiments. Without a change for the United States, we look to collapse economically, militarily, socially and otherwise. Let’s pray for our leaders that they will lead us back to Jesus and His precepts.
Photo: nasa.gov
A Wonderful Half-Century
December 28, 2012
Without any doubt, I have to say that I have had a great life. I have a loving wife, Lou Ann. Both of my parents are living, Gene and Marguerite. I have a great brother, Darrin, who has a wonderful family. Overall, I am blessed.
Today was the culmination of my fiftieth year on planet Earth, and I can say, with all honesty, that I have no complaints. I only have thankfulness and gratitude to God for letting me live this long and to have had so many blessings. It has been a “wonderful ride.”
Yes, there have been a few “bumps” on the road, but nothing that the Lord has not been able to steer me through. In fact, it has only been due to His mercy and grace that I have made it this far, and it will only be through His continued leading that I will “make it safely home.”
“Lord, thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus. Jesus, thank you for dying for me and saving me many years ago. God, my prayer is when I come to the end of this road, you will be there waiting for me.”
Photo: scenicreflections.com
The Truth of Christmas
December 25, 2012
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. (John 3:16-21)
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo: freechristmaswallpapers.net
Lou Ann’s Birthday
December 24, 2012
Today was my wife’s birthday, and we had a nice time together. It was a very mild day in Central Florida, and our time celebrating was memorable.
First of all, we went to a French café in downtown Winter Garden, FL for brunch. Lou Ann had a spinach quiche, and I had French toast.
This afternoon, we traveled to Celebration, FL (near Disney World) to see the “snow” show that they have during this time of year. We had pizza for dinner at a nice little NY style pizza place called “Upper Crust.”
Overall, it was a very nice day and evening together. We had coffee and hot chocolate as we watched the “blizzard” on the downtown streets of Celebration.
I thank the Lord for blessing me with Lou Ann. And I am thankful to God for giving her another birthday to celebrate with me.
Photo: bestbirthdaywishes.net
Isaiah’s Messianic Prophecy
December 24, 2012
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death[a]
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,[b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:2-7)
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo: allthingschristmas.com
Merry Xmas!
December 18, 2012
When most Christians see or hear the phrase “Merry Xmas,” it, generally, brings about a negative response. And for most of my life, I was offended when I was confronted with this slogan that takes “Christ” out of “Christmas.”
But in my last year at Asbury Theological Seminary, I took a course in Koine Greek (the ancient Greek in which the New Testament was written). And when I found out that, in the Greek, “Christ” is spelled with a “chi” or an “X,” it changed my thinking somewhat on this issue.
Maybe this slogan came, originally, from this Greek spelling, “Ἰησοῦς χριστός. ” “Jesus Christ.” And for those who are trying to remove “Christ” from “Christmas;” maybe they are in effect paying homage to the original Greek reference to Christ, and they don’t even know it. Anyhow, however it’s said, “Jesus, truly, is the reason for the season!”
Greek lettering: webanswers.com
Ten-Year Anniversary
December 17, 2012
Today marks a great day for me, spiritually. On December 17, 2002, early in the evening, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. It was the second greatest day of my life with being born again at number one.
My wife and I had bought a new home in Groveland, Florida about six months prior. I had come home from work and was having my devotional time when Jesus’ presence filled the room, and I was filled with His Spirit.
I thank the Lord for what He did a decade ago. He has been so good to me, and I could never repay Him for His goodness and mercy!
Photo: accord1.wordpress.com
The Coming Four Blood Moons
December 16, 2012
When it comes to eschatology (the study of end times), there are many skeptics. But sadly, many of these “scoffers” come from within the Church. They believe that preaching about the things that would happen before Christ’s return shouldn’t be done, and that it “plays” only to people’s fears.
I beg to differ. Talking about Jesus’ rapturing away of believers and of His Second Coming are encouraging things to speak of. Yes, there are going to be “terrible times,” (2 Timothy 3:1) but Jesus told us to “stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).
On the subject of end times, Pastor John Hagee continued his sermon series, The Coming Four Blood Moons (part two). His Scripture text came from Joel’s prophecy, “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31).
Pastor Hagee related that two of these blood red moons will fall on Passover in 2014 and 2015. He also referred to the heavens as “God’s billboard.” He did not, however, make any kind of prediction (as in setting a date) regarding the Lord’s return.
This second part, in a three-part series, was an amazing sermon in which Pastor Hagee said, “Israel is the only nation created by a sovereign move of God.” I would encourage everyone who reads this blog to watch this sermon series. It was eye-opening!
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo: nasa.gov
The Wrath of God
December 15, 2012
Generally, we, as bloggers, like to create compositions that are uplifting and encouraging for our readers. And most of the time that is what I do. I was watching a preacher last night, however, who mentioned the sermon that was preached by Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Today, I took the time to read it for the first time. This sermon is not really not one in which you feel “warm and fuzzy” while reading; the “heat” of hell is something that is a repeated theme.
Jonathan Edwards was one of the leaders of the First Great Awakening in 18th century America, and his sermon has stood the test of time. Although some poke fun at this “scary” message, it, nonetheless, contains nothing but the truth.
In today’s modern church we rarely hear such sermons as this one that was put forth on a Summer day in Enfield, Connecticut. I believe, however, that it is time for our preachers to start preaching these kinds of sermons again. Jesus, himself, spoke more of hell than heaven when He was on Earth. God’s wrath awaits those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here is an excerpt from Edwards’ sermon:
And let every one that is yet out of Christ, and hanging over the pit of hell, whether they be old men and women, or middle aged, or young people, or little children, now harken to the loud calls of God’s word and providence. This acceptable year of the Lord, a day of such great favours to some, will doubtless be a day of as remarkable vengeance to others. Men’s hearts harden, and their guilt increases apace at such a day as this, if they neglect their souls; and never was there so great danger of such persons being given up to hardness of heart and blindness of mind. God seems now to be hastily gathering in his elect in all parts of the land; and probably the greater part of adult persons that ever shall be saved, will be brought in now in a little time, and that it will be as it was on the great out-pouring of the Spirit upon the Jews in the apostles’ days; the election will obtain, and the rest will be blinded. If this should be the case with you, you will eternally curse this day, and will curse the day that ever you was born, to see such a season of the pouring out of God’s Spirit, and will wish that you had died and gone to hell before you had seen it. Now undoubtedly it is, as it was in the days of John the Baptist, the axe is in an extraordinary manner laid at the root of the trees, that every tree which brings not forth good fruit, may be hewn down and cast into the fire. Jonathan Edwards, July 8, 1741
Photo: en.wikipedia.org
Letter From Prison
December 14, 2012
Imagine that you’ve been thrown into a prison but not like our modern-day ones. This one has no hot meals, televisions, medical care, etc. It is cramp, cold and filthy.
Imagine, also, you have been “rounded up” and arrested simply because of your faith (you are Christian, by the way). Your faith in Jesus has made you an enemy of the state.
Lastly, your fate will be execution by crucifixion, burning or beheading. Even though you have the rights of a citizen and have done no wrong, you are simply awaiting sentence (which could happen at any moment).
These are the circumstances which Paul wrote the Second Letter to Timothy, his swan song. His attitude and outlook, however, were amazingly optimistic. It is incredible to read this epistle, when you know the terrible conditions he was living under, and realize how hopeful he was.
Listen to his words, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18). Yes, Paul did speak about his hardships and all that he had been through, but, in the final analysis, he knew that his eternal destiny was secure. He says, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
My prayer is that if this scenario should come to our country, that I would be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). If I can say that, my life will have been a success.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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