HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

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Image result for pictures of fireworks new years eve

If it is actually possible to have a “Happy New Year”, WHO can make it happen, and HOW does one go about it?

The Psalmist gives us our answer.

“Come and see what God has done:
HE is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
HE turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in HIM, who rules by HIS might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah” Psalm 66:5-7

What does Selah mean? It is a Hebrew word meaning a musical interlude; to pause and think about what was said or sung.

“By awesome deeds YOU answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;
the one who by HIS strength established the mountains,
being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at YOUR signs.
YOU make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
YOU visit the earth and water it; YOU greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water; YOU provide their grain,
for so YOU have prepared it. YOU water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
YOU crown the year with your bounty;”

LOOK TO YOUR CREATOR, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THE ONE WHO MADE YOU IN HIS IMAGE. HE HAS PROVIDED THE WAY BACK  – JESUS PAID THE PRICE REQUIRED BY A HOLY GOD. HE DIED AND ROSE AGAIN THAT YOU AND I MAY BE BORN AGAIN INTO A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. HE ALONE MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR NOW AND FOR ETERNITY.

OUR BLESSED HOPE IS THE RETURN OF JESUS OUR KING

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ANOTHER GREAT PRESENTATION FROM NELSON WALTERS: OUR BLESSED HOPE

Christians need to understand that Jesus told His disciples (Olivet Discourse in Matthew, Mark and Luke) that six events will precede His return. You need to know what they are.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:.

  • The blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of Jesus are ONE event, not two
  • The word appearing is not one of the Greek words for rapture, but rather a word that means “appearing above or upon,” such as the appearing upon the clouds; and it always means appearance of a god
  • This word is also used in 2 Thess. 2:8 where it says Jesus will diminish the power of the Antichrist upon his appearance. This can only mean that the Antichrist is already in power prior to the appearing of Jesus
  • Our hope is Jesus no matter what persecution may intervene. We have a blessed hope even if we must endure the Tribulation period.

So rather than being a proof text for the pretrib. rapture, Titus 2:13 and the accompanying word study are actually a proof text disproving the pretrib. rapture. How can the hope of Christians be the appearing on the clouds and the diminishing of Antichrist power, if there is a pretrib. rapture. Both cannot be true. I’ll chose to believe the Bible and Titus 2:13.

So if you liked Nelson’s teaching, hit a couple of the share buttons below. This is a terribly misunderstood doctrine, and sharing it will be helpful to multitudes of brothers and sisters.

 

GET EQUIPPED FOR CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS

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Be encouraged by what God is doing through the Last Reformation movement. Church as described in the Book of Acts is what will survive and stay strong in the face of tribulation. Young people need to see the reality of God as described here. All of the gifts of the Holy Spirit will be operating in the “last days” church.

A MESSAGE FOR CHRISTIAN SENIORS.

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Fruitful Seniors

“And now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.”
Joshua 14:10-11

Like Joshua, Caleb was such a senior. The Bible says in his 85th year he was as strong as he was 45 years earlier when Moses sent him, along with Joshua and 10 other men, to spy out the land of Canaan (Numbers 13). All the men were likely fit at age 40—after all, they had just walked from Egypt through the wilderness to Kadesh. But how many were just as fit 45 years later?

Joshua and Caleb

Perhaps Caleb was inspired by Moses who died at 120 years: “His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigour diminished” (Deuteronomy 34:7).

Our senior years should be as fruitful and productive as our younger years.

Be a good steward of your health. Plan on being able to serve God faithfully, until He calls you home. Retirement is not Biblical.

God will empower you to do the work, He calls you to do. Christians; you already have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit received when you were born again. Jesus paid the price to redeem you, so your Heavenly Father could send the Holy Spirit to produce the “fruit of the Spirit” in your life, and to give you the gifts of the Holy Spirit as needed for ministry. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Is He directing your path, your steps? Notice all three persons of the Trinity were involved in your redemption.

At 81, I know in my own strength I can do nothing of eternal value. You need to come to that place of total dependence on Him then God can use you. I guess it is easier at 81, to not be concerned with worldly agendas, but it is amazing how easy it is for the enemy to get you side tracked with things that look good, even ministry focused, but not God’s call. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO JESUS SECOND COMING WITH GREAT JOY AND EXPECTATION?

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The phrase, “come like a thief,” occurs only 5 times and always refers to the return of Jesus at the arrival of the Day of the Lord. Check them out – 1 Thes. 5:2, 4; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 3:3; Rev. 16:15. The use of this term originated based on the parable Jesus taught: 

“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. “For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect it.”( Matt. 24:43-44)

This exhortation and warning follows upon His teaching that when you see the “signs” of the great tribulation, you will know that His coming is right at the door, just like we know that summer is near when we see leaves on the trees. (Luke 21:29).

But He immediately tells us that no one knows the day or hour of His coming. In other words, we can know the “season” of His coming, when He will be “right at the door,” but we cannot know the exact day of His coming. Thus the exhortation for watchfulness so we might be prepared when God brings that arrival of Jesus “in His own timing” (1 Tim. 6:15).

Jesus did not teach imminence here. He taught that the events of the tribulation would precede His coming and that once those events transpire, we should know that He is right at the door and we should “be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming,” (Mat. 24:42).

But our watchfulness should not be out of fear or sorrow, but out of great joy and expectation, knowing that at His arrival He will take us to Himself so that then we shall ever be with the Lord. That is why Paul calls this “the blessed hope” (Lit: the HAPPY confidence, Titus 2:13)).

King is Coming

He will come like a thief, only to those who are unprepared. But for the believer, walking in fellowship with God, they “are not in darkness that the day should overtake you like a thief,” (1 Thes. 5:4). Accordingly, Paul immediately follows that up with an exhortation to all believers including himself, to “not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and balanced,” (2 Thes. 5:6).

The exhortation then is to watchfulness and preparedness, not in view of an “any moment” coming of Jesus, but in view of the DANGER of not being ready when “the signs” come on the scene.

All the words used to encourage our watchfulness communicate the attitude of “expectation” and the strong emotion of longing, in view of His promised arrival, not in view of an “any moment” arrival.

No, Jesus did not teach imminence at Matthew 24. Instead, He taught that specific events had to occur first. Peter knew and understood this. And he even knew that the Lord would not come during his lifetime.

Thus, he exhorts the recipients of his letter, to be diligent to maintain holy conduct and godliness (2 Pet. 3:11) and to be found in Him, in peace, spotless and blameless,” (v.14) so that just like John warns, “we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming,” (1 John 2:28).

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him {be} the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Pet. 3:17-18)

Peter did not teach imminence in chapter three. He taught the need for growth, preparation and watchfulness,

“looking for and promoting the coming of the day of God,”

Imminence is only a valid concept once the SEASON that Jesus taught about arrives. Once that season is here; once the events of the tribulation have begun, it is then and only then, that He can come as a thief at some unknown day and hour. Accordingly, the promises for watchfulness teach that the Lord could come in ANY generation as long as the prerequisite “signs of summer” occur.

Pretribbers fail to separate the arrival of Jesus TO the earth in the clouds of the sky, which IS the second coming, from the descent of Jesus ONTO the earth sometime later after the wrath of God is poured out in the trumpet and bowl judgements, which is NOT the second coming, but an event that occurs DURING the second advent.

And what we are looking for is the GLORIOUS appearing of Jesus, which is the SECOND COMING. The second coming and the rapture are NOT two different “events” – unless one wants to list the various things that happen after Jesus arrives in the clouds of the sky as several different events. But then, one must recognise that the second coming is the ONE ARRIVAL of Jesus, which begins a time period known as His parousia or His presence in this earthly arena, which is also known as The Day of The Lord. And that during that parousia, there are several events that will occur. The first event is the rapture and his return with the Saints to win the battle of Armageddon is an event down the list, and not even the final event, for the separation of the sheep and the goats is the final event prior to the official start of the millennial kingdom.

THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEE’S OF OUR DAY

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Let’s Trade Our Titles for True Humility

Jesus didn’t play the religious game, especially when he was around the grand poobahs of His day—the long-robed, nose-in-the-air scribes and Pharisees. After accusing them of loving the best seats in the synagogues, He pointed out that they loved to be called “Rabbi” by men (see Matt. 23:7).

Then Jesus  warned them: “But do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brothers … For he who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:8,12). People have quibbled over these words for centuries, insisting that pride is what Jesus was rebuking, not titles. I would agree that Jesus was going to the root sin. But He was also asking these guys if they’d be willing to ditch their labels and act like normal people.

This is an important message by J Lee Grady of The Mordecai Project:

Last week when I( J Lee Grady) was preaching in the nation of Iceland, I befriended three young foreign students from Africa who were visiting our conference near Reykjavik. I noticed these guys were sitting in the back of the auditorium, so I invited them to sit with me up front. They later admitted to me that I was the first preacher they’d ever met who greeted people before a service.

“In my country, most preachers come into the auditorium after the worship, and they don’t speak to anyone,” one of the brothers told me.

When I told these brothers they could call me Lee, they were shocked. They expected me to demand a long-winded ecclesiastical title.

I’m often asked if I have a title, and my answer doesn’t satisfy some people. I don’t consider myself a pastor because I travel so much. All kinds of labels have been pinned on me: reverend, prophet, apostle, even bishop.

Once I was introduced to a church as “Dr. Grady,” and I almost crawled under my seat. I only have a college degree. There are no letters after my name.

Today it seems we’ve developed a title fetish. For a while everyone in charismatic circles was becoming a bishop, and some were installed into this office with rings, robes and funny-looking hats. Then the same guys with the pointy hats started calling themselves apostles. Then the prophets got jealous and started calling themselves apostles too! I knew one lady who, not to be outdone, required people to call her “exalted prophetess.”

Now the latest fad is requiring church folks to address certain people as apostles. As in, “When apostle Holy Moly arrives, please only address him as, ‘apostle,’ and then make sure he is seated in a private room while his two ‘armor bearers,’ wearing dark glasses, guard his door.” I know of one popular preacher who sends his hosts a letter explaining that he must be called “apostle” anytime his name is used from the stage!

Some of these title-seekers have even invented an elaborate theology to go along with their ridiculous rule. They say you can’t receive the true anointing from a man of God if you don’t honor him with his right title.

Sounds so very oooh-oooh spiritual to the naive. But it’s charismatic garbage.

When I was in China several years ago, I met some amazing leaders who had planted thousands of congregations. They had also spent a lot of time in jail for their faith, and they’d been beaten with iron rods for preaching the gospel. They were the bravest apostles I’ve ever met.

But when I asked them if they used “apostle” as a title, one guy said: “We believe in those roles in the church. But we prefer to call each other ‘brother’ or ‘sister.'”

That settled the issue for me. If these Chinese giants of the faith—and true apostles—don’t require to be addressed with titles, then Your Worshipful Grand Master Rev. Dr. Bishop Big Deal Jones who claims oversight of maybe four churches shouldn’t wear his ministry role around his neck like a tacky neon name badge.

If people can’t see the anointing on your life through your character, then don’t cheapen the gospel by wearing a title you don’t deserve.

I’m not saying people shouldn’t use reverend, minister or even bishop to identify their roles in the church. One of my mentors is a bishop, and he is one of the most humble men I know. But can we please dispense with the insecurity and the childish “I’m more important than you” appellations and get back to the simplicity of the gospel? Let’s get over ourselves!

Jesus is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Son of David, the Prince of Peace and the Apostle of our Confession. Yet when He came into this world, He laid aside His heavenly glory and took on the lowly name of Jesus. He wore no fancy robes. He demanded no titles. He had no “armor bearers.” He even bore His own cross until He was too weak to drag it to Calvary.

If we want to serve Jesus honourably, we must forsake our need for fame and cast our crowns at His feet.

CHURCH AS GOD INTENDED: MINISTERING IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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‘7 Days Adventure with God’ is a powerful movie that gives you a glimpse behind the scenes of a seven day trip in Brazil.

Experience first hand how the Holy Spirit is leading and how God is changing people’s lives on the streets, in the homes and at the “kickstart” meetings.

This documentary is meant to challenge you to discover what it truly means to live out the life we read about in the book of Acts – a life that is so much more than just going to church. This life is an incredible adventure with God.

 

 

TRUMP SAID, “WE DON’T WORSHIP GOV’T, WE WORSHIP GOD

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“As long as I am your president, no one is ever going to stop you from practising your faith,” Trump said at the evangelical Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia, before a crowd of about 50,000 people

“America has always been the land of dreams because America is a nation of true believers,” the president continued. “When the pilgrims landed at Plymouth, they prayed. When the founders wrote the Declaration of Independence, they invoked our Creator four times. Because in America, we don’t worship government, we worship God.”
Trump added that for the same reason elected officials in the U.S. put their hands on the Bible and say, “So help me God,” while taking the oath of office. “It is why our currency proudly declares, ‘In God we trust,’ and it’s why we proudly proclaim that we are one nation under God every time we say the pledge of allegiance.”
The story of America, he continued, is the “story of an adventure that began with deep faith, big dreams and humble beginnings.”

Trump also spoke about Liberty’s founder, the Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. “In this beautiful campus and in your smiling faces, but it all began with a vision. That vision was of a world class university for evangelical Christians. … No doubt many people told him his vision was impossible, and I am sure they continued to say that so long after he started, at the beginning with just 154 students, but the fact is no one has ever achieved anything significant without a chorus of critics standing on the sidelines explaining why it can’t be done.”
He continued, “Nothing is easier or more pathetic than being a critic. … The future belongs to the people who follow their heart no matter what the critics say because they truly believe in their vision. … A small group of failed voices who think they know everything and understand everyone want to tell everybody else how to live and what to do and how to think, but you aren’t going to let other people tell you what you believe, especially when you know that you’re right.”

WAKE UP CHURCH – END TIMES PERSECUTION UPON US

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JESUS gave His disciples, and us, plenty of signs of His second coming and they are unfolding now just as prophesied. The mainline church in the west is asleep, also as prophesied “as in the days of Noah, they were eating and drinking etc.”? What is your church preoccupied with at the moment? Is it with the latest building programme, or paying off the debt from the last building programme? Is your pastor preaching about the coming judgement and the lost souls in your street? Is he preparing you for the coming persecution?

Franklin Graham is aware and doing his best to alert the church. Take a look at the following video.

Franklin Graham: It’s Barbaric, Evil and Time for Us to Get up and Do something.

PERSECUTION IN THE “LAST DAYS” FOR PROCLAIMING TRUTH

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Three Christian street evangelists are standing trial on Thursday (February 23rd, 2017) at the Bristol Magistrates’ Court in the U.K., facing public order offences for preaching the “uniqueness of Jesus Christ” and challenging homosexuality and the teachings of Islam.

Isis beheading 21 coptic Christians

Note the three issues: I contend they are clearly issues Jesus spoke of as “end times” indicators. 1. uniqueness of Jesus Christ, 2. challenging homosexuality and 3. Islam (greatest Antichrist religion – God has no Father, God has no Son, Ishmael is the heir of Abraham).

Are we preparing for Jesus return? Is the church prepared for increasing persecution?  “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” Matthew 24:9. The beheading of Christians by ISIS in the Middle East and elsewhere, “all these are the beginning of sorrows”. Matthew 24:8.

Christian Concern has reported that Michael Overd, Adrian Clark and Michael Stockwell were accused by police of “challenging Islam” and “challenging homosexuality” for their preaching at a Bristol shopping area in July 2016.

The evangelists reportedly engaged with the crowd and pointed out the differences between Islam and Christianity, using references from the Bible and the Quran to speak of “God’s love, and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.”

persecution-in-these-last-daysMike Overd, a street evangelist and client of the British group Christian Legal Centre in the U.K. (seen in this undated photo), has been charged under Section 5 of the Public Order Act with “causing offence” for public remarks where he drew a comparison between Jesus Christ and Muhammad, September 2014.

Overd was also charged in 2014 for “causing offence” when he publicly denounced the Islamic  prophet Muhammad for marrying a 9-year-old girl, and was subsequently interrupted by a police officer and forcefully removed from the area.

The officer at the scene accused Overd and his friends of purposefully trying to agitate the crowd, arguing that the preacher has “gone over the top” and “he’s just wound up people.”

The evangelists were taken to Patchway Custody Center in Bristol and held for several hours, after which they were charged under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Public Order Act 1986.

The three men are arguing that their freedom of speech and freedom of religion are being violated, and insisted that all they were doing was sharing the teachings of the Bible and responding to questions from the crowd.

“Mr Overd and his friends are motivated by love. They want to share the Good News of Jesus with people who might not otherwise hear it. Sometimes that means addressing the false claims of other religions or ideologies,” said Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre. “Robust debate is sometimes necessary, especially when objections are being raised or abuse hurled. We shouldn’t be afraid of it,” Williams added. “The aggressive treatment of Overd and his friends by the police and prosecution is shocking. The police should be defending freedom of speech, not clamping down on it.” Williams further argued that being “offensive” is a subjective accusation, as it goes down to people’s individual viewpoints. “This was not just an attack on freedom of speech but an abuse of power. We will not only be seeking the acquittal of these Christian men but seeking an apology from the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset police, compensation and assurances that officers are better trained to protect freedom of expression,” she continued.
“We cannot allow the Gospel to be shut out of public debate. Please pray for a successful outcome to this important case,” she added.