GOD’S PROTECTION – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

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“The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8
Sometimes Christians ask, ‘Given the Bible’s promises about God’s protection, why do Christians still experience hurtful, even evil, events?’ Psalm 121:7-8, quoted above is a good example of such promises.

This psalm has four stanzas—the first states that our help comes from God; the last three make illustrative promises about how God helps us (verses 3-4, 5-6, 7-8). These promises, taken literally, suggest that nothing bad will ever happen to God’s people. But that’s not the psalmist’s point. Rather, he says that God will watch over His people wherever they go and whatever they do; God will not ‘slumber nor sleep’ (verse 4). David expressed God’s watchfulness in detail in Psalm 139:1-12. And Paul summarized God’s care in Romans 8:39: Nothing ‘shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord‘.

God is with you today—right now—watching over you and your whole life. Nothing passes through the filter of His will and awareness, ‘even forevermore.’ Nevertheless, we need to be like David and say:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24

Look what God says to His end times church. The church that He raptures to heaven so they will not experience the wrath of God poured out with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. They have come through the prophesied tribulation, even great tribulation for six years of the last seven years prior to Jesus’ return to set up His Millennial Kingdom. Look also at what He says to the church that is left behind to face the wrath of God.

Each seal of the seven seals that Jesus opens represents what transpires during each year of the last seven years and the first six match the six signs that Jesus gives us in the Olivet Discourse. It is at the sixth seal that John sees the celestial signs that precede the Rapture and the Wrath of God poured out with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements.

THE SIXTH SEAL

“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:12-17

Each of the seven churches represents the state of the church in each of the seven years. It is the sixth church, the Church of Philadelphia that is raptured and it is the Laodicean church that is left behind to face the wrath of God but God still calls them to be zealous and repent.

THE SIXTH CHURCH – CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA (Philadelphos – love for a brother. What remains of the faithful church will be bound by brotherly love)

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name... Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” Revelation 3:8, 10-11

THE SEVENTH CHURCH – CHURCH OF LAODICEA (Laodicea is a combination of two Greek words (LAO, meaning “God’s people”; and DIKE, meaning “justice or judgment”) Judgement of God’s people

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.“ Revelation 3:15-19

“God watches and weeds us, and continues His labour upon us, till he brings us to the end of his promise.“
Richard Sibbes

BLESSINGS AND CURSES ON NATIONS

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Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin wound up the last day of his trip to Australia on Wednesday with a meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Parliament House in Canberra.

Rivlin thanked Morrison for “Australia’s friendship and commitment to the State of Israel and to the Australian Jewish community,” stressing that relations with Australia were among “the cornerstones of Israeli diplomacy.”

Australia Israel
Australia Stands with Israel: ‘There is No State of Palestine’

Australia is adamant that the ICC has no jurisdiction to investigate alleged war crimes in Judea and Samaria, and Gaza, since it does not “recognise a so-called ‘State of Palestine’” and does not “recognise that there is such a State Party to the ICC’s Rome Statute,” an Australian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated.

Morrison told Rivlin that “Australia is happy to stand with Israel in the international arena,” stressing the “important” relations between the states and its people.

It seems as if Scott Morrison understands that God’s covenant to bless those nations that bless Israel and to curse those nations that curse Israel is still operative and will be until Jesus returns and rules the nations from Jerusalem in the Millennium. Smart move Scott (Australia’s friendship and commitment to the State of Israel and to the Australian Jewish community), you will bring further blessing on this nation. We are extremely thankful to God for the recent rains to break the drought in NSW.

ONCE AGAIN PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GOD’S MAN TO ACHIEVE HIS PURPOSES

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North Korea released three hostages on Wednesday, including a pastor, in a good will gesture after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Franklin Graham recognised who was responsible for this miracle.

I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health. Also, good meeting with Kim Jong Un. Date & Place set. 7:18 am – 9 May 2018
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is greeted by Korean officials.
ABC News reports the hostages Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak Song and Kim Sang Duk, who is also known as Tony Kim, have been detained in North Korea for more than a year.

Kim’s family issued a statement through their lawyer, Randall Brandt, after his release was made public.

“We want to thank all of those who have worked toward and contributed to his return home. We also want to thank the president for engaging directly with North Korea. Mostly, we thank God for Tony’s safe return,” the statement said. “We appreciate all of the support and prayers of friends and even strangers during this challenging year. You are dear to our hearts. We ask that you continue to pray for the people of North Korea and for the release of all who are still being held.”

The move brought praises from around the globe, but especially within the Christian community. Some commented on U.S. President Donald Trump’s firm hand toward the dictatorship.

CHURCH IN EGYPT GROWS DESPITE JIHADIST SLAUGHTER

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“The mood is very, very good amongst Christians who are living in Egypt. Not because the situation is good or bad—that is not the reason,” Sameh Hanna, pastor of an evangelical church in Cairo, told Premier. “We have two kinds of news—earthly news, which is very ugly, very discouraging and I think in the West, you get only the earthly news—a bombing here or there.” “But there is heavenly news,” added Hanna. “We know what is going on spiritually. We see things that not everybody is seeing. We see things you are not hearing. We see the multitude coming to the knowledge of Christ from every background, so this brings joy to us.”

Egypt has the largest Christian community in the Middle East. Officially, Coptic Christians comprise about 10 percent of Egypt’s 96 million population. About one million are members of the evangelical community. According to Open Doors, Christians are facing “unprecedented” levels of persecution.

Egyptian Christians shout slogans as ambulances transport the bodies of victims killed in the bombing of Cairo's main Coptic cathedral after the funeral.

Egyptian Christians shout slogans as ambulances transport the bodies of victims killed in the bombing of Cairo’s main Coptic cathedral. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

“The rise of radical Islamist groups has only exacerbated Christian persecution, affecting believers in their villages, neighborhoods and workplaces,” said Open Doors on its website.

Each year, Open Doors publishes a list of countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian. Egypt ranked 17th on this year’s list.

“Believers from a Muslim background, as in many countries, bear the brunt of persecution, often from their families who may punish them for abandoning the Islamic faith,” said Open Doors in a statement. “However, the Coptic church, which in the past has been tolerated because of its size and historical presence, is now being targeted, too.”

Some experts say that since Egypt’s president Abdel-Fattah el Sisi came to power in 2014, the conditions for Coptic Christians have improved.

“He has done some things that no leader in Egypt has ever done in all 1,400 years of Islamic rule in Egypt,” claimed Dr. Michael Youssef, founder of Leading the Way ministry. Michael Youssef and several other prominent American evangelical leaders met with Egypt’s president last year in what was described by some attendees as a historic  meeting.

“He [Sisi] has warmed up to Christians,” Youssef told CBN News. “He has appeared for Christmas celebrations at the Coptic Cathedral and in every way, he has reached out to the Christian community.”

Earlier this year, Sisi told Coptic Christians that Egypt would prevail over Islamic extremism. “You are our family, you are from us, we are one and no one will divide us,” the president said.

Four Islamic jihadists were killed on Sunday in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula as part of the government’s ongoing campaign to rid the region of terrorists. In addition to targeting Egyptian soldiers, police officers and civilians.  jihadists have also killed scores of Christians in church bombings and shootings.

Facing little contest, president Sisi won a second term in office this month after winning 97 percent of the vote in a presidential contest. Many Coptic Christians, who remember what life was like under the Muslim Brotherhood,  voted for him.

Youssef told CBN News that he believes Sisi is the best man to rule Egypt at the moment. “He literally is trying to break down all these barriers that were created through the years,” said Youssef, author of the new book, The Hidden Enemy. “I really believe he is God’s man, God raised him up {because} people will say that if it wasn’t for Sisi, you would have had 15 million Christian refugees from Egypt and they look at the neighbouring countries and they would say, ‘Thank God for Sisi’ and the Christians particularly are very grateful.”

extract from article in Charisma Magazine by George Thomas/CBN News

 

 

 

PREPARE FOR PERSECUTION AS YOU STAND ON THE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD

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Paul provides the model of how to behave in the dark days ahead and how to finish strongly. Jesus told us that in the “last days” the love of many will grow cold. There will be a great falling away in the church (Apostasy), even the elect deceived.

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Note many friends will leave you as they did Paul, “Demas in love with this present world has deserted me.” If you are doing God’s will, many will harm you as they did Paul “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm”. In fact, Paul says, “no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me.” BUT Paul also says, “the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the (GOSPEL) message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles might hear it. 

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.
Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defence no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:6-18

PROTECTION & HEALING FROM GOD IS CONDITIONAL

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‘If you diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will not afflict you with any of the diseases with which I have afflicted the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you'” (Ex. 15:26).

There is a condition attached to healing and health. It is obedience. In Deuteronomy we find the same condition.

“Now it will be, if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I am commanding you today, then the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come on you and overtake you if you listen to the voice of the Lord your God” (Deut. 28:1-2).

Although the blessings of God encompasses the totality of our lives, two of the main areas it covers are divine health and financial/material provision and prosperity. And this chapter also outlines the curses that will come upon God’s people if they do not hearken to the Lord’s voice and obey Him.

“But it will happen, if you will not listen to the voice of the Lord your God, by being careful to do all His commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you” (Deut. 28:15).

This is what I wanted you to see. There is a condition attached to the blessings of God that is not only seen throughout the old covenant but carries over into the new covenant as well. This is where many modern day Charismatics and word of faith people have missed it. The Lord showed me that it’s a mindset. To them, it sounds like works. In other words, if we do everything just right, we will be healed. No, that’s not it. The issue is walking in the light that you possess. The issue is obedience to what you know to do or not to do—obedience to both His written word and what He says to you by His Spirit.

“For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, then we have confidence before God. And whatever we ask, we will receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us” (1 John 3:20-23).

Here’s the bottom line: If your heart condemns you you cannot have confidence toward God (1 John 3:21). You cannot come boldly before the throne of God. You cannot believe and receive what you ask for. You cannot resist the devil and take hold of the promises of God. You cannot exercise your God given authority unless you have confidence toward God. Condemnation kills that confidence.

Disobedience results in condemnation and condemnation causes your faith to shrivel. Confess and quote the Word all you want. Without obedience your faith won’t work.

Obey the written Word of God, especially concerning your love walk. Obey what His Spirit is saying to your heart. Walk in the light of what He’s revealed to you, and the blessings of God shall be fully manifest in your life.

Great article by Bert M. Farias, revivalist and founder of Holy Fire Ministries,