Wednesday's Word - Are We There Yet?

Hello All,
       You know, I actually have spent a fair amount of time teaching Christians the importance of knowing and not shying away from end time stuff (Eschatology). It usually depends on the audience as to how deep I get because I recognize tendencies for people to walk away a little more confused, not knowing exactly what to do with the info. But in light of the recent Wednesday’s Word, Trumpet Lessons, I feel compelled to share in that area.
       Now, let me preface today's word by saying this: Prophecy should neither make you sit and wait nor scared to act, to set a date or get off track (I had to :) ). Prophecy should inspire you to realize that your redemption draws near, and that spreading the message of the gospel is of utmost importance.

Here’s the Word;

1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brethren(Christians), are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

We’re supposed to be aware of, but not surprised by the events surrounding the end times. And though we may not know how long we have left (especially since today wasn’t promised to any of us), ever since May of 1948, in the fulfillment of prophecies found in Amos 9:14-15, Ezekiel 34:13 & 37:21-22 and others, we’ve been in that time.

Here are a few things that are happening right now that further underscore what time it is:

Matthew 24:7 Famines – Silent famine sweeping the globe: Food riots in Morocco, Senegal and Cameroon. Rice rationing in Mountain view, California, flour and oil limits in Queens, NY.

Matthew 24:24 False Christs – in Miami, FL - Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is not your typical minister. De Jesus, or "Daddy" as his thousands of followers call him, does not merely pray to God: He says he is God. (from CNN website)

Romans 1:29-32 and 2 Timothy 3:1-7 - You gotta see this one for yourself.
So, if you're waiting for the perfect time to jump in and get serious about your Father's business, we're there.

In Him,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - Mass Confusion

Hello All,

     Today’s message is not intended to be a scathing discourse on ills of Catholicism. But because the Pope is in DC at this very moment, and it seems that whole world is watching, I just wanted to focus some attention in that direction and help us to pray for and share truth with those caught up in this religion.
     As a teaching point, I once handed out a two page test in a Sunday school lesson. One of the questions dealt with the Immaculate Conception. Several people didn’t know (or just didn’t remember) that this is a Catholic term by which Catholics believe that Mary was conceived and born without original sin giving her an exemption in light of Romans 3:23. This is why Catholics seem to deify Mary. Catholicism is also confused when it comes to justification.


Here’s the Word:
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

     I once heard a wonderful explanation as to the differences between most religions and Christianity; it’s as simple as the difference between “Do” and “Done”. Catholics believe that in addition to God’s Grace, there’s still things that one must ‘Do’ to be (or stay) saved. For those of us who walk in Truth, we know that there’s nothing we can do to add to what’s already been ‘Done’.
     Tomorrow, close to 50,000 people will attend Mass and the Eucharist with the pontiff at National Stadium. Catholics believe that the wafer and wine “substantially” become the body and blood of Christ though transubstantiation; another bit of mass confusion. Pray for them.

In Him,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - Trumpet Lessons

     Most people know about “Reveille”. It’s the morning bugle call that awakens soldiers at the start of the day. Although the bugle is the preferred instrument for blowing reveille, trumpets are also used.

Here’s the Word:

Ezekiel 33:4-6 Then whosoever hears the sound of the trumpet, and doesn’t take warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that takes warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.


     This is such a profound lesson that we should really take to heart. When I thought about reveille from the point of view of the trumpeter, I realized that his concern isn’t how comfortable my bed is, or how annoyed I’ll be for being awakened by such a loud, harsh sound. Fact of the matter is that the trumpeter has a job to do, pure and simple. As Christians, we’re called to “redeem the time, because the days are evil” Ephesians 5:16. I’d be comfortable in saying that everyday needs to start out with an understanding of that warning, but more so communicating the gospel the unsaved. We know the Scriptures: We’re the watchmen and we have to be about warning people and delivering souls. It’s up to us to blow the trumpet; it’s up to them to learn the lesson. Now they may of course choose to stay in bed, but they can’t claim they didn’t here reveille.


In Him,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - Think Fast

Here's the Word:
Matthew 9:14-15 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Now I know how much of a touchy subject this can be but it looks to me like fasting was an assumed part of the lifestyle just as much as prayer. So what is this whole fasting thing about anyway? Why do we fast? Is there a right way? Is there a wrong way?

Isaiah 58:2 – 10 gives direction on these questions;

Why?
To make your voice to be heard on high. To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke.

Is there a right way?
When you fast, consider people in need and help them. (verse 7 & 10)

58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.

Is there a wrong way?
Fasting continues in the same context as praying. Actually from what I’ve seen biblically, you can pray without fasting, but you can’t fast without praying. Simply ‘skipping a meal or two” is not fasting. The idea is a spiritual struggle where eating kinda seems like an inconvenience to the earnest manner in which you’re seeking to hear from Heaven. Just as prayers made in disobedience are pretty much useless, the same goes with fasting. It’s a matter of motives. Fasting is done secretly and in humility. One can only wonder what could become of our lives, our communities, and our nation if even the small amount of ‘Biblical World View’ Christians would consider some of our common problems and go to God in prayer and fasting. Just something to think about.

In Him,
Cros