THE STRENGTH FOR TODAY

 

THE STRENGTH FOR TODAY By Joni Eareckson Tada So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel? Especially when an unresolved problem or a season of pain saps your energy? It happens to me all the time, given the decades I’ve spent in my wheelchair. For me, perseverance can often seem like an elusive thing out ahead of me, like a dangling carrot. And as much as I try to reach for it, I can’t quite attain to it. But then, before I know it, I’m there. I’ve made it to the other side. To persevere is to endure a hard thing for a long time, leaving the length of the trial totally in God’s hands. The author of Hebrews writes, “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” And that promise is the incomparable reward of Jesus saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:23 Holy Spirit, You are the One who indwells me, closer than hands or feet, closer than my breath. Infuse me with Your perseverance, patience, and determination today. I can only run today’s race today; I can’t do anything about yesterday’s race or tomorrow’s. I ask for the strength to run well this day, this hour, in Jesus’s strong name. Taken from A Spectacle of Glory, by Joni Eareckson Tada; Copyright © 2016, Zondervan Used with Permission CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR JONI's NEWSLETTER

 

FINAL WARNING

 

FINAL WARNING Study of Revelation Continued REVELATION 14.6 I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 14.7 He said with a loud voice, “Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!” 14.8 Another, a second angel, followed, saying, “Babylon the great has fallen, which has made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality.” 14.9 Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or on his hand, 14.10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. 14.11 The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. 14.12 Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” 14.13 I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.” -WEB Bible. Three angels have a message of Hope as well as messages of Warning. They are letting people know that there's still a slim opportunity remaining, but there's no time left for delay. Procrastination is the worst you can do: the time to repent before the Lord Jesus Christ returns is: NOW. These angels are warning people: things will get so bad on planet earth that you'll be better off dead. In fact, you are blessed if you're dead and safely gathered with all the other believers in heaven: because you don't want to be on earth when God's angels pour out the full, potent, undiluted fury of God’s wrath. We don’t know how these warnings will actually be given to the people of earth, but God shows us in this passage that He will offer help and hope at every stage of the Tribulation. God is faithful, even when people are faithless. Study of Revelation will continue next Thursday IMAGE CREDIT: The Bamberg Apocalypse is an 11th century richly illuminated manuscript containing the Book of Revelation and other scripture passages.

 

WE MAY SPEAK FOR GOD

 

WE MAY SPEAK FOR GOD Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not be influenced by them.”  Jeremiah 15:19 Poor Jeremiah! But why do we say that? This man who was known as "the weeping prophet" was one of God’s most faithful servants, honored above many others in the Old Testament. Jeremiah was hated for speaking the truth to the Israelites. The word of God, which was so sweet to Jeremiah, was bitter to his listeners who didn't want to hear it! Yet Jeremiah remained faithful to God despite resistance and even persecution. God commanded Jeremiah to stand firm, and God promised to continue speaking through him. Jeremiah was told to confront the people boldly and honestly, performing God’s work of sifting the people of his time. And then God gave him this incredible promise: “You will be as my mouth.” What an honor! Shouldn’t every preacher, and indeed every believer, desire this? For God to speak through us—what a miracle! We will speak truth, and we will speak it with power. Our words will not return empty; they will be a blessing to those who receive them, and those who reject them will do so at their own risk. Our words will feed many and awaken those who are spiritually asleep. Dear friend, let’s pray that this will be true for all of God’s sent servants. By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

Thoughts on Atheism

 

Thoughts on Atheism