Sunday Prayertime

Dear God, Today I feel led to pray for Christians to stand up for their beliefs when confronted with moral issues. I pray that we will know when, where, and what to say and do to let our voices be heard. I pray that we will be involved in our communities, schools, governments as possible. I pray that we will have the courage and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to do what is right, what is biblical, and what honors you. Thank you for the guidelines you have given us through the Holy Bible. Thank you for the leaders you have provided to inspire, teach, and guide us. Thank you for all of your provisions and blessings. With love and appreciation I come to you, Father. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

[ Starting tomorrow, you will be musing over the Read Through the Old Testament in a year format - starting at the December 8 date. These daily musings will be the basis of a new book release coming in 2016. It is my prayer that you find them helpful. Pray as I am writing this daily devotional study.]

Saturday Prayertime

Dear God, We all make mistakes, all humans that is. We all pay consequences, often not easy to deal with. Some mistakes affect our health, our jobs, our rights, our futures, our comfort, our ministries. They usually touch other people's lives, not just our own. All mistakes give opportunity for life-changing lessons. I pray for anyone and everyone who is spending time with your through this devotional, and for their family members, who have made mistakes and are facing the consequences. May the result be a life that is more dedicated to you, one that is pleasing to you, and a clarity of purpose and calling in the lives that are affected. I pray for mercy, grace, and help in any way needed. May you be glorified. May new ministries and opportunities for witness be evident...and may each one of us be yielded and in tune with your will. Please help us all to become what you have planned for us. Thank you, Father, for your work in our lives and for your protection and blessing. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Short Time - Today is the Day

2 Corinthians 6: 2 (ESV) - "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

The last two musings were upon the time being short. Short until Christ's return for His church, and possibly short for America. We are looking for that glorious appearing of Jesus, but also being fearful that America will soon fall completely under the judging hand of God.

That is why as believers we need to be reignited with the commission that has been given to us - the commission from our Lord to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19 - 20 NASB).

If we truly caught the picture that time is short, if we truly cared about others, if we truly realized the need others have, if we truly realized that God has saved us to share with others - we would be praying, talking, and seeking to share the one true answer with everyone God places in our paths.

Today, ponder (but not for long) how you can make a difference in this "day of salvation" for someone else. Why did I say "but not for long?" Ponder and then GO!

Short Time - American Warning

1 Peter 4:17 (NLT) - "For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?"

Yesterday, I mused over Christ's soon return. It is my belief that I will be alive when He comes to take His saints home. However, there is no guarantee that America will still be here when He comes.

Growing up I often wondered why there is no mention of America in the end time prophecies. Where does this nation fit into the picture of the study of last days. Lately, as I study and watch the unveiling events around us, I am beginning to believe that America may not be on the scene as America.

God is a patient, loving God - but He does have His limits. Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:17 (NLT) - "For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?" Now I know that this is written directly to the saints, and particularly Jesus' church. But, we can glean from this that if God is going to judge those who are in the family of Believers, He will judge those who reject Him also. As we look at the way things have been going in this country since the 1950's, we see a gradual decline away from the God of the Bible. We have changed morality (according to us), we have removed God from our secular (by the way, the concept of a divided religious/secular world is man-made, not Scriptural at all) lives, we have come to the point where we see bad as good and good as bad.

The move to a one-world religion is rapidly taking place in America. We do this under the stance of tolerance and plurality. But, we need to open our eyes and see that the only religious belief that is not tolerated is Christianity.

Today, ponder over the what is happening in the world - and particularly America - when it comes to belief systems. And muse over God's warning of bringing judgment upon those who claim to be His. I pray that it may not be too late for America to return to the God of our fathers. I pray that our children and grandchildren will have to freedom to worship the one true God.

The Time is Short - His Return

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NLT) - "For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night."

Revelation 22:20 (NLT) - "He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"

It seems like the many devotions, studies, and reading I have been doing over the past couple of weeks all deal with the soon return of Jesus Christ. You might say that this is a strange topic to muse over in the Christmas season. Yet, His return is prophesied the same as His first Coming to Earth.

If you are watching for the signs of His return, we can see that everything man says needs to be in place - is. Howbeit, the return to take His people out before the Tribulation (yes, I am Pre-Trib, Pre- Millennial) does not require any signs. In fact, many scholars believe that even Paul was anticipating the soon return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:17, he speaks of "we who are alive" apparently including himself in this statement). 

Peter in his first letter (chapter 3 verse 3) says, "I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires." There are those who say it has been over 2000 years since Jesus walked on this earth. If He was coming back, He already would have done so. 2000+ years is hardly soon. Yet, in God's economy of time, the Bible states that "But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day." (2 Peter 3:8 NLT). So, one could be safe to say in God's economy, it has only been a little over 2 days since He went away.

Even considering the time that has elapsed here on earth, each day we live brings us one day closer to His return. Each day is a day of Grace for someone to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to share with all we can - because the time is short - and we have a commission to fulfill.