The Lord Of The Harvest

“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.

Matthew 9:38 (KJV)

I would like to take a moment to do some visualization. Imagine, if you will, a vast field of ripe wheat that stretches from horizon to horizon with no end in sight. The stalks of wheat sway in the breeze like undulating waves of the sea, their heads heavy with golden kernels bowing to the earth below. It is a unimaginable harvest of great proportions and if the sickle is not put to the straw, the kernels threaten to break loose from the heads and fall to the ground in waste.

The owner of the wheat field understands this threat for he sowed the individual seeds, watched them grow and tended them, and knows there is only a small window of opportunity that remains to gather the crop to his storehouses. He looks for laborers who will help him harvest the fruit, promising to reward them handsomely if they will. But the workers who come to him are few in number and the success of the harvest relies upon the intensity with which they toil. As the harvest continues, the bushels of grain are brought in and counted. Each basket is placed on scales and it becomes obvious to the owner they are lacking in weight. His eye searches out others with a willingness to join in the labor of securing this great harvest, but he only finds those who are wanting to enjoy the fruits of others labor instead of offering a hand to help. (John 4:34-38)

As the allotted time for the harvest draws to a close, the owner looks out over the field where he sees only dead stalks that remain standing. He knows there was great loss and that the final tally will indicate such. He closes the doors to his storehouses that hold the glistening, golden kernels and goes out to burn what remains.

Now, if you are able, put a face on the head of each stalk of wheat; a loved one, a friend, a stranger. The wheat field has become a sea of humanity, a swaying mass of souls whose roots cling to the hard-packed soil of the world and sin. The final harvest is near (Joel 3:13; Rev. 14:15), and God looks out to see who will come and help Him save some from it. It is a “plentiful” harvest, “but the workers are few.” (Luke 10:2) The majority of His children are unwilling to be sent out among the “wolves” (v3), even at the expense of knowing a soul may be lost to the flames that burn what remains.

In the original Greek, the word “send”, or “ekballo,” implies pushing forward or thrusting out. It is the same word used in Scripture for the expulsion of a demon in a possessed man, thus indicating a action with a degree of force compelling it. God does not force man to bend to His will. But He will send His Holy Spirit to compell a man to “thrust” himself into the harvest field and help Him bring souls into His storehouses for safe keeping. By doing so, the worker is reaping a harvest of righteousness that will last an eternity. Paul tells the Galatians to continue to do good, for “the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8b) He exhorts us to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (v9) By having a willingness to labor for Him and trusting God to strengthen us, we are able to help Him bring others to Christ and are also rewarded for our toil.

The sea of faces that stretches from horizon to horizon are in great peril of becoming over ripe and falling to the dust below if there is not a desire within our hearts to assist the Lord in gathering them before they do. We all know someone who does not yet know their Savior Jesus Christ and whose soul is threatened with the “winepress of God’s wrath” (Rev. 14:14-20). We should be in constant prayer that the “Lord of the harvest” will send out His workers to reap the fields that are ripe and ready. But more importantly, we should be willing workers who yield to His gentle prodding and allow Him to “thrust” us out into the fields of humanity to help gather a great harvest for Him.

C. H. Spurgeon once wrote, “Lord, it is harvest time! Put in your sickle and reap!” While there is still time, push forward into the fields and plant the seeds of God’s Word in the hearts of men. Then watch Him reap a bountiful harvest of untold proportions!

"Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends." John 15:13

Halloween

Fall is here and with it comes the celebration known as Halloween. Traditionally, Halloween is recognized on October 31st. From its introduction into American society by Irish immigrants, pumpkins are carved with ghoulish faces and children dress in costumes ranging from ghosts to goblins to pirates and princesses and travel door to door demanding candy and treats in lieu of tricks enacted upon the homeowner who is unwilling to comply. When the evening is over, a month's worth of tooth decaying candy loaded with sugar is brought home and secreted away, and parents attempt to wind down their hyped-up children who have had their hand in it the entire evening.

It all sounds pretty benign and innocent from this perspective: children engaged in fun, receiving yummy treats and participating in dress-up and games. Halloween was a time of year that even I looked forward to. I spent hours creating scary costumes for my sons and looked forward to joining my sister and her children in walking the streets of our town. The fall leaves had dropped from the elm trees that lined the streets, the air was crisp and cold, and our children ran laughing into yards that were turned into cemeteries or haunted houses with sound-effects for an added touch. The kids had a blast and we ended the evening with doughnuts and apple cider at my parent's house.

Several years ago, a local church pastor wrote a letter to the Editor of our small paper following the celebration of that year's Halloween. It left an indelible imprint on my memory and caused me to question just what we were allowing our children to participate in. He recounted memories from his own childhood in his Scandinavian homeland where Halloween had a totally different meaning. The details have faded, but I do remember him recalling child sacrifice and dark rituals. He concluded that if we had experienced what he had, we would eliminate the practice of celebrating Halloween from our lives. So, let us take a very brief look (for the information is plentiful if one takes the time to Google it) into the history and practice of what we are now touting as a "holiday." Also, bear in mind that I am not condoning or condemning the practice of trick or treating, only providing food for thought so parents can make their own determinations.

Halloween began with the pre-Christian pagan Celtic people in Ireland. It was known as the festival of "Samhain" (pronounced "sow" like the female pig, and "en") - also known as the Celtic New Year - and was to mark the passing of harvest into winter by slaughtering livestock and stockpiling provisions to see them through the cold months ahead. They believed that October 31st signified a day where the boundary between the living and dead dissolved, and that the deceased were allowed that one 24-hour period to wreak havoc, sickness, crop failure, and death upon the living. The Celtic pagans would build bonfires into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown, dress in costumes and don masks to copy or placate the evil spirits, and even carve faces into turnips or rutabagas. They clung to the belief that the "head" was the most powerful part of the body and by using the head of the vegetable it would frighten off the embodiment of spirits and superstitions. This brought about the emergence of the jack-o-lantern, which is derived from a legend of a "greedy, gambling, hard-drinking farmer" who "tricked the devil into climbing a tree and trapped him by carving a cross in the tree trunk." The farmer was cursed by the devil and made to wander the earth by night with only the light of a candle inside the turnip to guide him.

The Celtic people also participated in games that were often in the form of divination, such as blindfolding a person and making them choose from among several saucers placed in front of them. The contents of the saucer, whether good or bad, determined the person's life in the year to come. Another game, one that has survived and is continued today among Irish and Scottish households, is one where a long strip of apple peel is tossed over the shoulder and believed to land in the shape of the first letter of the person's future spouse. Unmarried women were told if they gazed into a mirror on Halloween night, the face of their future husband would appear. However, if they were going to die before marriage, a face of a skull would hover in there. It is reported that this custom continued even on greeting cards into the 19th and 20th centuries.

Samhain became "All Hollows Eve" when the Catholic Church began to "Christianize" the pagan Celts. Rather than eliminate the practice, the Catholic Church chose to combine it with their celebration of "All Saints Day." It was moved from May 13th by Popes Gregory the III and IV (which, according to sources I found, was the date of a pagan holiday, the "Feast of Lemures", whereby the ancient Romans performed exorcisms to rid their homes of the "malevolent and fearful ghosts of the dead") to November 1st. They believed that by uniting the two celebrations the Celts would embrace theirs.

We all know that Satanists and Wiccans have taken Halloween as their own "holiday." I found one particular website that admonished anyone who believed their "rites" and "practices" on this day were anything but innocuous and harmless. In fact, it was not long ago that a group of Wiccans were making noise about children dressing up as "evil witches" and giving them a "bad name." They wanted the practice stopped and one such town (I believe it was Salem, Massachusetts) caved in to their demands and banned children from donning witch costumes on Halloween.

We have also seen an increase in troubled and unlawful behavior arise during the Halloween season. Instead of harmless pranks being played out in one night upon households that do not participate, some youths have embraced "Hell Week" which involves several days of destructive and often violent behavior upon many aspects of society. It has become acceptable to get involved and excused away as "kids having fun."

Some evangelical churches have moved to eliminate the practice of celebrating Halloween from within their congregations. Their belief is that it invites participation in a Satanic and pagan ritual that has no place in the lives of Christians. Because I, too, am a Christian, I deeply respect their decision to remove the practice. However, I am somewhat disturbed by what has replaced it and the possibility of the hypocrisy behind it. Children are encouraged to participate in "Harvest Festivals" that are held at churches on Halloween night. They can even "dress up," although I am sure a ghoul or devil costume is out of the question. They play "games" and receive candy and "treats". In other words, they are involved in everything that a child who goes out into his neighborhood on Halloween is doing. The only difference is the location. I must, however, add that some churches encourage Scriptural themes and prayer during this time and are attempting to provide an alternative to the Halloween celebration. But the question that plagues me is, "What is so different about their celebration as opposed to the pagan one?" (Read a former witch turned Christian's perspective on "Harvest Parties" http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/halloween.html#harvestparties)

The Celts celebrated their own "Harvest Festival" in Samhain, which signified the end of one season passing to another. They "dressed up", played "games" and placated the evil spirits with "treats." The parallel between Halloween and "Harvest Festivals" is just a little too close to make me comfortable. I would rather see the churches do nothing than attempt to provide an event that is riddled with similarities to ancient pagan practices. As is mentioned in the above article, the beginning of trouble is in the "fun" that is being had. If their congregants are firmly grounded in the Word of God they will make the proper choices for their children and for themselves.

As I am writing this, my daughter-in-law, Rachel, is scouring the local thrift shop for items to create my grandchildrens costumes for this up-coming Halloween. The kids are excited and looking forward to filling their bags with treats, even if it snows, which it more than likely will. And I am sure the boys will want to look as garish and gruesome as they possibly can. A few years ago Rachel and I had a conversation about whether or not to allow the children to participate. Her logic and reasoning placated my concerns. She is a Godly woman with common sense and I deeply respect her methods in raising my grandchildren with Christian values. Her response was that as long as her children were taught it was just another night to have fun, then she had no concerns. But if there ever came a time when it became something else, she would stop the practice. It is a choice every Christian parent must make for their children. I have Christian nieces and nephews who allow their children to participate in Halloween and others who do not. My oldest son's children participate at church functions instead of trick or treating. I respect both side's opinions and viewpoints on the matter and believe it is a personal choice that must be made by them.

However, several years have passed and Rachel and I recently had the same conversation. She breathed a deep sigh and said she also has been troubled about allowing the kids to participate in Halloween. Our viewpoints have changed - or should I say we are experiencing conviction - simply because we know that to partake in anything that is not ordained of God is wrong. We spoke at length, tossing about the pros and cons, and always ended in the same place: neither one of us could defend it because it is clearly a Satanic-based ritual that is full of paganism and unGodly practice. In other words, a sow is still a sow, no matter how well you dress it. Facing the up-coming Halloween and the kids' participation, we miserably failed to justify it in any sense - and believe me, we tried! - even by using the excuse that it is merely "fun" for the kids. When I concluded by asking her what then should be done, she frankly stated that we know the answer and to try and continue to justify it would always bring us back to the same answer. Although the kids will participate this year, Rachel feels the children are mature enough to understand why they most likely will not in the years to come. It is a disturbing thing to cling to "traditions" and not want to see them go, especially when they appear to be harmless but are, in truth, something we should turn our backs on.

It was not until after I accepted Christ that the practice of Halloween began to trouble me and make me wonder if, as a parent, I did the right thing. I still have a tendency to toss it around in my head looking for the right answer. I don't want to believe that something I did that appeared so innocent may have been offensive to my God. Nor do I want others I know and love to be plagued with making their decision. Part of me wants to merely look back on the experience I had with my children on Halloween - the anticipation of a night of fun with them and building good memories with my family - and be content with my decisions. The other part of me wants to eliminate the "holiday" from my past and my grandchildren's future.

Earlier I mentioned that I would neither condone or condemn Halloween. The musings I have written here are for my own conscience and to try and sort out right from wrong. It is the best I can do for me, and I know you will also do the best you can for yourself and your children.

Part 2: A Fool's Errand and Iran Update

I borrowed this from Joel Rosenberg's website. It further endorses the danger behind the Russia/Iran alliance and what we can expect in the near future if our President does not stop his foolishly dangerous behavior. I hope you take just a moment to read it.

http://www.nypost.com/f/print/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/putin_iran_plan_mEFNeSqaoqYqnBjUL4PRKP

Also, the following is a AFP article on the latest news covering Iran's nuclear capabilities.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091004/pl_afp/usirannuclearweapons

The Condensed Version

In the book of Jeremiah, thirty-sixth chapter, verses one through thirty-two, (Jeremiah 36:1-32) we read that God instructed Jeremiah to “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the other nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah till now.” (v2) It was God’s intention that the people be warned about His wrath to come if they did not turn from their wicked and sinful ways and seek His forgiveness (v3). Jeremiah did as God commanded him and had his scribe, Baruch, take the scroll to the Lord’s temple and read it to the people (v8-10). Upon hearing God’s Word to Jeremiah, the temple officials “looked at each other in fear” (v16), knowing the Lord had spoken through the prophet, and they warned Baruch to hide with Jeremiah from the king because of what the scroll contained.

The scroll was then taken to King Jehoiakim who was “sitting in the winter apartment, with a fire burning in the firepot in front of him (v22). Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire.” (v23) However, it is the reaction of those who were present that revealed how wicked and sinful the people truly were. Verse twenty-four states, “The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.”

Undeterred, God once again had Jeremiah dictate His Word to Baruch, only this time He reminded Jehoiakim of his guilt in burning the scroll and His condemnation for doing so (v27-31). The king was taken captive by the Babylonians, dying on his way to Babylon (2Chronicles 36:5-6), and his son, Jehoiachin, only served as king for three months before being taken captive.

There is a disturbing parallel between Jehoiakim’s actions and what we see happening today within many churches. The tendency to condense God’s Word to suit social issues has permeated the Church. In the form of “tolerance” to lifestyles God finds abominable and the minimization of sinful behavior, there are those within the Church who would, without provocation or fear, “cut” certain passages from His Word to draw and appease sinners. Instead of preaching the Word of God in its entirety and purity, some “emerging” Church leaders prefer to omit Scripture that would clearly and explicitly condemn their congregation because they want to be seen as open-minded and tolerant of others and their self-preferences. Like Jehoiakim, many of today's pastors take portions of God's Word and "(burn them) in the fire” because to preach them would “offend” and perhaps cause the same fear within their congregation the temple officials experienced when they heard God speak through Jeremiah. To fail to do so, the “feel good” church of today would be seen as “hateful” and full of “self-righteousness”, and they certainly would not want that.

God is not politically correct, nor is He socially adaptable. He is the eternal God and is unchanging despite the changes we see within the world today and man's attempt to make Him “fit“ those changes. To take His Word and condense it to adapt to certain social and political platforms is nothing short of wrong. The Bible is replete with instances where man disregarded God’s warnings and suffered the consequences. Much of today’s society dwells in the sewers of sin and wickedness and there is hardly a moment that passes when one does not hear of someone breaking God’s moral and civil laws. They snip and cut away at His Word until there is nothing left of its original content, and they are smugly satisfied with the results.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Timothy 3:16-17) There is not one word written within Scripture that is not inspired by God Almighty to instruct us in the way we should act and lead our lives. We should read it and apply it to everything we do and say, not pick and choose only what we think suits the moment. Nor should we add to His Word and falsely claim He has amended it to fit today’s lifestyles or whims. That makes Him to be a liar and we all know God does not and can not lie.

God’s Word is our only true source of guidance in a world ripe with sin. It is dependable and reliable because His Word is holy, eternal, and just. If we remain true to not just part of it but all of it, God will increase our knowledge and give us His wisdom in how our lives should be led. And if we take His Word as trustworthy and give it to others with love, we are fulfilling God’s command to spread His Gospel and helping Him save others from eternal death.

We must refuse to condense the Word of God by keeping Scripture pure and unadulterated. We must take the initiative and examine what we are being taught in church by faithfully going into His Word in order to prevent being deceived. If we do, it will save us from reaping what Jehoiakim sowed.

A Fool's Errand

"The president said that Iran's promise during the talks to transfer some of its low-enriched uranium to another country for processing is an example of such a step. The uranium would be used in a medical-research reactor." (AP)

Now that you have read the above quote, read it again. Then, if you have not already heard, ask yourself who the "other country" is. For those who do not yet know, it is Russia. Now that you know the "other country" is Russia, consider just what Russia has done for Iran in the last ten years:

1. Russia has helped fund Iran to build their nuclear power plants.

2. Russia has placed nuclear scientists in Iran to help them move Iran's program forward.

3. Russia has given Iran nuclear technology.

4. Russia (and China) have been adamantly opposed to any sanctions being placed by the UN on Iran.

Now consider what God tells us about Russia and Iran in end-times prophecy:

5. Russia is one of the "Kings of the North" - Magog - spoken of in Biblical prophecy. There is only one nation to the extreme north of Israel - "Rosh", or Russia (Ezekiel 38:1-6; Daniel 11:28-32).

6. Iran, or Persia as it is was formerly known, forms an alliance with Magog in Biblical prophecy

7. Iran, along with the other Arab nations, unites with Magog and the Kings of the North, comprising an army of 200 million, and gathers in the Valley of Megido to attempt to destroy Israel (Ezekiel 39:1-6; Revelation 20:7-9). This is known as the Battle of Armageddon.

The outcome? God wins. But not until after the last three and one half years of the seven years of Tribulation - and absolute destruction, death, and terror.

However, at this juncture, there is jubilation that our President has successfully defied the naysayers and "dialogued" with one of the world's greatest enemies. While listening to Fox News in the car, one would think he had just united the world in a common goal, cured cancer, and solved all of the world's crises. One gentleman even went so far as to applaud the fact that Iran was seemingly willing to have their "low-enriched uranium" (enriched to 20%) that is meant for medical purposes shipped and inspected by Russia. Well, if you were handed a tasty morsel on a silver platter like Iran was, you would be agreeable, too. What better "other country" than Russia, one of Iran's staunchest allies, to "inspect" your uranium and report back to the UN?

The fly in the ointment is that Iran probably doesn't have the centrifuges that are necessary to purify the uranium to a weapon grade, which is 90%, but Russia does. There is no doubt in my mind that Iran has attempted to secure the centrifuges. In fact, there is speculation that as recent as this summer a ship that disappeared off the radar, and one Russia is mute about, may have had what Iran needed in its cargo. It is insane, beyond any logical and reasonable explanation, why anyone would think this is such a great idea! Or are there only a few of us who see the severe danger in this agreement and something more sinister arising from its development?

I have not decided if Obama is just proud, arrogant, altruistic and ignorant, or if he is extremely dangerous. At this point, I am leaning toward the latter. At the very least, he is a fool on a fool's errand. The trouble is the world sees him as someone with the ability to unite even the worst of enemies and blur the borders of hatred. Much to their shame, he is touted as the "world's President", a "messiah", a "savior of all mankind and the earth." Even more disturbing is that I believe Obama also sees himself as some form of "god". But whatever he is or believes he is, he places Americans and the rest of the world in the precarious position of being innocent spectators to his whim and making us wait to see what kind of horror is created out of his actions.

We are on a downward spiral, folks. And Obama is creating the vortex. It is time to open your eyes and your ears to the implications behind his actions. To sit idly by and do nothing serves no one. Silence will only bring what we deserve by remaining silent.

If you do not yet know your God, your Savior Jesus Christ, NOW is the time to make that change in your life. Ask Him to come into your heart, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and accept the free gift of pardon Jesus Christ secured for you on the cross...before it is too late.

All My Tears - Selah

Did You Flinch?

It does not matter how many times I watch this, I still flinch at the thunder clap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjjn4Ktc9gc

If you have questions about the "rapture" of Christ's Church, we will be more than happy to answer any of them. You can begin by studying God's Word in the following passages:

1 Corinthians 15:22-24

1 Corinthians 15:51-54

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

2 Thessalonians 2:1

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4

Ah Ha!

I do not believe in coincidence. I do not believe in chance, or fate, or any other secular or mystical explanation for giving things credence or explaining things away. I do, however, believe God engineers certain events and circumstances for His own purpose. And I also believe He can use the best and the worst of mankind to accomplish it.

It is true that we all too often question God’s purpose and will behind certain events. We are too human in that regard, especially when they directly affect us. A range of emotions are apt to spill over us when they do: anger, sadness, fear, or asking the question “why”, to name a few. It is within our human nature to want to be in complete control of our lives and the things that affect them. But that very attitude is what got mankind into trouble in the first place and continues to hinder the relationship God desires to have with us today.

As I watched unsettling events unfold this week in our nation, it dawned on me there may just be other things going on behind the scenes that perplex those who have no clear understanding of prophetic Scripture. Unbelievers, or those who have not fully given themselves to Jesus Christ, may either ignore or attempt to put another label on them. Even more troubling, the Christian community are often not taught the Biblical Truths within prophecy. We see this happening every day in the media with which we are pummeled. There is certainly no shortage of talking heads with opinions, no matter how misguided or misinformed they may be. I must admit, we all have opinions. My frustration lies in the fact they are generally secular with little or no knowledge of Biblical Truths. There is no desire by the media to look beyond the worldly explanation for the things that are occurring. If - and I stress “IF” - an attempt is made to bring in a guest whom they believe is an "authority" on Christianity, it usually leaves me sighing and rolling my eyes towards the ceiling and wanting to tell the person perhaps they should go back to their Bible. Either that, or the one with Biblical answers is minimized, ridiculed, or ignored.

The world believes they have an explanation for everything. Even worse, they believe they have the solutions for the problems. History is replete with men who thought they knew what was best for society and ignored God's guidance. We know all too well the outcome of such thinking. Take our President, for example. His altruistic and misguided belief that he can appease and dialogue with America’s enemies will ultimately lead our nation to ruin. The pride and arrogance that oozes from him causes him to think he has the ability to convince a despot to “play nice”. The fact, however, is that they see him for what he is: weak, ineffective, and easy to defeat. Although the events to come have already been written in heaven, we must wait to see them played out here.

There is no mystery left to be told by God. He has clearly revealed everything to us, from the beginning to the end. Oh, there are a few little details He has shrouded for His own purpose in regard to end-time prophecy. He did this because He knows us all too well. But I cannot count the number of times I have been in His Word, reading passages I have read multiple times, and suddenly exclaiming, “Ah ha!” The proverbial light bulb dangles brightly above my head, illuminating my understanding and providing me with the answers I am seeking. God is faithful that way. If we ask, He will turn on the light bulb.

There will be a day not too far into the future when we will all respond with, “Ah ha!” But it will be for different reasons and with varying emotions that we do so; some with jubilation and some with fear. I believe the events being played out this week in our nation and around the world will all lead to a conclusion that many will wish never came. It will not be by chance or fate that causes this conclusion. Within God’s plan for mankind, an ending has also been written. And He made most of the details available to us to warn us and prepare us for His return.

There are many who find it impossible to understand why anyone in their right mind would want to see the events unfold that bring about the return of Jesus Christ. Indeed, when one reads the Book of Revelation and the horrors that are contained within it, these events would make even the most valiant of men tremble in terror. However, for the benefit of those who do not understand, and in defense of my brothers and sisters in Christ, let me just say that no true Christian wants to see any of their loved ones left behind to suffer God’s judgment upon this earth. Every one of us is in constant prayer for our families and our friends who do not yet know their Savior in the truest sense of the word. However, we also know that God is a Just God, His timing is His own, and when He is ready, the end will begin. We wait in watchfulness to be “caught up” in the clouds with Him because from that moment on, we will forever be in His presence (1Thessalonians 4:13-18). That is what we hope for, and our hope is not something which we have not already gained. We know we are saved. We long for His return. And we will rejoice when He does. It is bitter-sweet. Bitter, because we know there will be people we love who have refused to believe the Truth and are left behind to suffer God’s wrath. Sweet, because we will at last be with our God and our King Jesus Christ for all of eternity.

If you are one that is full of dread by what is to come, it is possible you do not know Jesus Christ. Perhaps you have been deceived by a false gospel, or led astray by one that gives just enough of the Truth to make you believe it is not false (Matthew 24:4-35; Galatians 1:6-9). Or, like all of us at one point in our lives, you continue to run from Him, thinking you have plenty of time for “religion”. It is for you this is written, that you may come to know your Savior Jesus Christ and understand what He did for you on the cross of Calvary. Your sins - past, present, and future - were nailed to the cross with Him. He took all mankind’s sin upon Himself, suffered the wrath of God that was meant for us, and rose gloriously the third day to take His rightful place on His throne. And all that He did was in order for pitiful man to be given eternal life through Him. All it takes for your fears to be swept away is by believing this simple Truth and trusting the One Who bridged the chasm between you and God. Nothing more need be done. His sacrifice was sufficient and nothing you can do will equal it or satisfy God’s holy justice. It was a free gift and is available to all who open their hearts and receive it. But it is also imperative that you are taught all of His Truths, not just a few that leave you questioning the final outcome. These are those that give us abounding peace in spite of what the near future holds.

I pray that SOON you will also say, “Ah ha!” Time is short, my friends, because the signs we are seeing are pointing to His imminent return. I promise when you do, your own light bulb will illuminate your understanding of God’s will and purpose for mankind. It will also soothe any fears or dread you may be experiencing because the peace He brings is incomprehensible.

Who knows? As you are reading this, perhaps God has engineered this moment just for you. If so, pause, open your heart, and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He is faithful to do it if you will only allow Him.

Binyamin Netanyahu

I awoke today with a feeling of anticipation that something great was going to happen. It was not an overwhelming feeling; just one that whispered in the back of my mind to be alert and to be watchful. I went about my morning routine: coffee, devotion, contemplation. But my mind was preoccupied and I was unable to keep my focus centered on the tasks I daily perform. I turned on my computer, signed into Facebook, and it was there that I saw what would be a pivotal point not only in my day, but in my lifetime.

Binyamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, was preparing to speak before the United Nations Assembly. I quickly turned on the television set to FOX News and waited. Within fifteen minutes, I was listening to the most profoundly eloquent speech I personally have ever witnessed. It rivaled those of Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, and other notable men of history. But it was different, for I believe that today GOD spoke through Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The passion with which Mr. Netanyahu spoke reached into the very depths of my soul. I felt his people’s sorrow for the atrocities committed against them. I shared their desire to have respect from the world-wide community. I stood beside him in expressing Israel’s right to defend herself, the oldest nation on the face of the earth, and the one blessed by GOD. I applauded his condemnation of the United Nations and their own self-righteous and self-serving condemnation of Israel. And when he began to recite passages from the prophet Isaiah and the book of Joshua, my heart soared and drew me even deeper into a relationship with and understanding of GOD’s chosen people.

But it was Mr. Netanyahu’s conclusion to his speech that found me one foot from my television screen and tears streaming down my cheeks. It was the prayer he invoked. I didn’t need to know the Hebrew language to understand it. Only two words were needed to interpret the entire message behind this prayer: “Adonai” and “Shalom”. It was his intimate call before the whole world to Adonai, the sovereign GOD of all creation. It was a plea to those present and to GOD Almighty to bring peace, “shalom,” to his nation, Israel, that brought the tears and my own plea to the LORD to return and make everything right.

GOD spoke through Binyamin Netanyahu, whether he knew it or not. The Prime Minister's speech was given with boldness, never wavering, and his message was clear and precise. It was reminiscent of the Word of GOD coming to Israel’s prophets and their fearlessness in taking it to the people. Today was a day that all Christians should rejoice over. For today, GOD warned the world that this people, this nation, and the city of Jerusalem belonged to HIM and would always remain HIS, and to continue to malign and attempt to destroy Israel would bring their own destruction. I believe it was a call from GOD to all the nations of the world to turn from wickedness and sin and repent - and to turn to the One Living God for salvation.

Some may say my emotions got hold of me, causing this reaction. Others may say my over-active imagination was the cause, or call me a religious fanatic. Call it what you will, but I know this is not the case. I believe GOD has raised up a warrior for these times, and I believe he is Prime Minister Netanyahu. Although there are groups within his nation who believe concessions should be made to bring the much sought-after peace they all long for, I greatly admire Mr. Netanyahu’s fearless stand against those, like our own President, who are making unrealistic demands on his nation. Obama and the rest of the world’s leaders have met their match and unlike Israel’s leaders in the past, are dealing with a man of conviction and determination. No longer will Israel be cast from her homeland. No longer will Israelis succumb to the suffering and brutality inflicted upon them in the past. No longer will weak and ineffective leaders bow down to the outrageous demands made by the nations who hate them. Israel belongs to GOD, He has given it to the Jews, and the proof is in their history. Yahweh made that very clear today.

I have been watching Binyamin Netanyahu for over ten years now. I will continue to watch him because I believe he is a king in the manner of David who will lead his people by allowing GOD to lead him. I deeply admire and respect this man and his devotion to his nation and its people. I only wish America had a leader half as admirable and trustworthy.

I encourage everyone to keep their eyes focused on Israel - it is where it all started and it is where it will all end. Continue to lift Israel up in prayer. The “shalom” we all long for will only come about when our LORD and their long-awaited Messiah returns. And that day is not too far away.