Now is the day of Salvation

 

 

New Introduction: I know I have reposted this blog more than any of the others I have written, but God is calling me to publish it again. I originally wrote this blog on June 6, 2014. It has been edited several times from the original and I have removed and added a few sentences.

The world is an even more perilous place to live in now, and it will only get worse from here. I fully believe we are in the "beginning of sorrows" as mentioned in Matthew 24 & Mark 13. In fact, I am writing a novel with that same title that will be part 2 to the novel I finished a few years ago titled, "The Visionary."

(Matthew 24:7-8) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers [many various] places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. 

Hopefully this post offers some hope. I changed the titled from, "How do we survive in this world?" to the current one as I feel the main point I want to get across is that time is short, and we never know when our time is up. NOW is the day to call on Jesus Christ. Don't wait! Let's acknowledge reality: we face our own mortality 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Now is the Day of Salvation

The world is going crazy! How many of you feel this way right now? It seems we are not safe anywhere. They are even selling new “stylish” vests and backpacks that are bulletproof! Not too long ago we all experienced buying, selling, and wearing medical masks to try to stay safe from a deadly pandemic. Where we live, the stores are alarmingly bare of many common food staples and even pet food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies, or if you can find them, they are triple the price (Even still true in 2025)!

(Ecclesiastes 1:9) That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. 

Violence (and even deadly pandemics) are nothing new. Since the beginning of time there was a homicide (see Genesis 4). All of this because Adam and Eve chose their own selfish wants over fellowship with their Creator (see Genesis 3). We live in a fallen world because God chose to give us free will. Adam and Eve betrayed this gift and chose to listen to the serpent’s lies rather than God’s warnings simply because the serpent’s lies were more appealing than God’s Truth. This is why we live in a world full of death and tragedy, not because God is cruel, but because man chose to alienate us from God by using his free will out of the desire of wanting to be like God. Humans do not want fellowship with God, nor do they want His advice, protection, or correction, they want to be gods! They want to be independent. They want to use their free will to do whatever they so please, then cry out, “God save me,” when it’s convenient. Or curse at God even though they have made no effort to live a holy life and only pray when they want something. Therefore, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) not because He is cruel, but because man chose to defy God. Man caused this fallen world and the good suffer because of it.

(Luke 21:25-26) And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

It is not your imagination, this world is growing more and more ferocious, and the storms are even growing more turbulent. Fires, floods, tornados, earthquakes, etc., are being reported in "many various places" and as the fiercest in history. There have even been unprecedented plagues of locusts sweeping Africa, destroying their precious crops. So how do we endure such an aggressive environment? Are there any easy answers? No. The sad truth is you could be a young college student who dies at the hands of a crazy gunman in CA simply because he felt rejected by girls. You could be an innocent 2-year-old in NJ whose father, in a jealous rage, decides to strap a car jack to your car seat and throw you off a bridge. Loved ones die from cancer and other deadly diseases. Life is unpredictable, scary, and unfair.

So how do we survive in this world?

(Matthew 10:28) And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.

I will not say nothing bad will ever happen to you in this life. People who believe God will prevent all bad things from happening end up hating God. Christians walk around with joy in their hearts, in spite of tragic circumstances because we have a hope of eternal happiness. For no matter what “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).  We know God grieves with us and does not intend for bad things to happen. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope,” which means God does not want bad things to happen. Does that mean God does not have any control? No, this means we will never fully know why things are allowed to happen because there is a war going on we cannot comprehend.

(Ephesians 6:12) We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

(1 Corinthians 13:12) For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

This means that we cannot understand why things happen as they do because we cannot see the big, eternal picture, but when we get to heaven, it will all be crystal clear. This senseless world will make sense.

Again, I ask how do we survive in this world?

(Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8) Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

If we cry out to God, He will hear our pleas. He wants to protect us and save us. It may seem like evil is winning, and I do not believe that this world will ever improve. In fact, I know it will only get worse. Man’s desire for independence corrupts him more and more. The mentality of not wanting to be told what to do is only getting worse as laws support immoral desires, not Biblical principles. It is up to you to surrender yourself to God as well as your independence. It is up to you to choose to live right and separate yourself from this world.

(2 Chronicles 7:14) If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

The key words there are “if,” and “humble themselves.”

(Psalm 34:18) The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. 

Humble yourself and admit you have done wrong. Salvation begins with repentance and admittance of sin. If you were to die right after you say the sinner's prayer, you would go to Heaven, however, most of us live on, and not losing your salvation is a daily decision. Saying a one time prayer to ask Jesus in your heart is not an excuse to live however you want because you are a “Christian.”  

(Romans 6:1-2, 6 & 11) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Read all of Romans 6)

You must have a desire to please your Creator and live a truly Christian lifestyle. There must be self-evaluation and repentance any time you sin.

(Luke 9:23) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow Me. 

(1 Corinthians 15:31) I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die DAILY. 

Daily very simply means we must crucify our flesh every day not just once. Psalm 139: 23-24 should be a daily prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Do we wait until some crazy gunman is at our door (so to speak) before we choose to make the decision to live a holy life, or wait until we have the symptoms of potentially deadly disease? Of course not. "There are no atheists in foxholes," so the saying goes. And it is also true that God will have mercy on your soul if you wait until you are on your deathbed to call upon God and repent of your sins. Yet, why would you wait until then? If everyone died at the age of 99, most would wait until they were 98 ¾ to start living right. But no one ever knows when their time on this world is coming to an end. Nobody is invincible. Let's acknowledge reality, we face our own mortality 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Age, race, wealth, none of it matters when you’re on a highway full of reckless drivers or the day to decide to go to the courthouse to renew your driver’s license just happens to be the same day a man with bombs storms in and blows the place up.

(2 Corinthians 6:2) For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

That is my answer on how to we survive in this world. You must repent to Jesus and ask him to save your soul and daily evaluate your life and walk with God and make sure you are still living a pure life. This will never guarantee a life of sunshine and roses, but when you have as sincere walk with God (not just one of convenience), angels will protect you more than the average person. 

(Psalm 91:11 ) For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. (See all of this Psalm posted at the end.)

I know this is a heavy subject, so I will end by leaving you with a few scriptures to help encourage you in this strange and scary time that will only get stranger and scarier.

(Hebrews 13:6) The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 

(Luke 12:7) Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 

(Romans 8:14-16) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. 

(2 Timothy 1:7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

(Psalm 91:1-16) 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High 

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust."
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.

Are you sensitive?

 

 

Are you sensitive?

I am always in prayer asking what God wants me to write about next. Sometimes the topics come to me in unusual ways, such as this one.  I was preparing to brush my teeth and had the medicine cabinet open when the box of toothpaste with the huge "Sensitive" on the front captured my attention.  I then noticed in smaller letters the word "Extreme."  Although this is a new box of toothpaste, it is not the first time I have seen that box, but it is the first time it inspired a blog topic!  It was as if the Lord was telling me how important it was to be extremely sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Maybe this whole idea is solely from my mind alone and not inspired by God, but I will still do my best to address the subject that is on my heart today.

When I think of the word "sensitive" the first thing that comes to my mind is being too sensitive to the opinions of other people. This is something I struggle with, but God has been training me to let go of my ego and only care about what He thinks.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

The next thing I think of is being sensitive to the needs of others.  It is very important to care about what other people go through.  If you do not care and can only see flaws, you need to pray that God will help you be more sensitive to the cries of his children.

While I was preparing to write this blog I had the video I just posted to the Facebook page playing titled, "Question Answer Panel On The Life Of Leonard Ravenhill,"  ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUx9v0CRZ_Y ), and this phrase said by Paul Washer jumped out at me:

 "You don't have the right to preach like a [Leonard] Ravenhill unless you are weeping with a broken heart over the souls you are preaching to." 

That one sentence says so much about the hearts we should have toward all people and it is permanently sealed in my memory banks.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15 

As important as it not to be overly sensitive about our own ego and to be sensitive to the needs of others, as I stated above, the issue I felt I wanted to write about today was more about being sensitive to the Holy Spirit. In fact, if we are to thrive and grow in our walk with the Lord, our sensitivity needs to be extreme.

I could not specifically find any scripture verses in the King James Version using the word "sensitive," but this verse in 2 Kings fits this topic quite well:

Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake... and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. 2 Kings 22:19 

Being sensitive can easily mean softening our hard-hearted will by being tender toward the Holy Spirit's correction and obeying the principles of the Bible. Only then will we be able to clearly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Do not harden your hearts because you refuse to give up what you know goes against the Bible, but be sensitive to what He is calling you to do or not do.  

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation... Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. Hebrews 3:6-10

Do not resist the gentle corrections of the Holy Spirit, but be sensitive to what He is saying to you and be willing to change.  

"Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." Acts 7:51

When you read in Acts where the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, notice this verse:

Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38

And then in in chapter 5:

"...the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." Acts 5:32

In other words, in order to receive and later be directed by the Holy Spirit, we must first repent of our sins and continually walk in obedience to Jesus Christ. 

The Holy Spirit is not just here for our correction and spiritual growth, but in order to be comforted and led by Him, we must first surrender our will so we can feel His peace and understand His directions. Then, when we are spiritually ready, the Holy Spirit will fill us with joy unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8) and a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).  He will help you get through the tough times in your life.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

When you allow your heart to be thoroughly cleaned and become sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He will be your teacher and guide:

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14

Notice in verse 14 that when you see spiritual things as "foolishness" you will not have the guidance and direction in your life that can lead you down paths of safety and joy.

There is so much more I could say on this subject and in the future I will write more about the Holy Spirit, but for now I will wrap this up.  

The Holy Spirit comforts, guides, and corrects in order to give us a more fulfilling life. When we allow ourselves to be taught, He will break our chains of sin and lead us to a life of joy and freedom found only in the complete trinity of God the Father, Jesus Christ the son, and the Holy Spirit. I will leave you with these beautiful words said by Jesus. Let His words be your strength as you pray about being more sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach you this week. (Notice how Jesus reminds us that if we say we love Him, we will obey Him.)

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:16-18, 21, 23-24, 26-27

Is the Bible the Inspired Word of God?

Is the Bible the Inspired Word of God?

Originally written in 2015, With New Edits

This blog was motivated by an older cousin of mine.  He made some statements a few days ago that I am sure go through a lot of people's heads.  He does not believe the Bible is really the inspired Word of God, but a mass of confused stories all put together by ordinary men.

It is easy to be confused by the Bible if you do not understand how to read it.

First of all, let me just say that I have no theology degrees, nor do I consider myself an expert in any way, shape, or form.  What I have is 43 years of experience either listening to or having the bible read to me (as of September 11, 2025, it will be 53 years). I was a preacher's kid for the first 12 years of my life, and my Dad has always been a spiritual influence on me (my Dad lost his battle with cancer in 2022 and is now in perfect peace with Jesus).  Since getting married in 2012, my husband became my greatest spiritual influence as well as my fellow student in the Lord's School of Holiness.  I study the Bible almost every day as well as read commentaries and devotionals by others who practice what they preach and do not try to pervert God's Word for gain.  I particularly like to focus on those with a clear understanding of the history of Biblical times, not those trying to promote a specific religion, but whose only goal is to glorify God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

One of the things my cousin pointed out has confused many.  In Exodus 20:13, God clearly commands the Israelites not to kill.  And yet, God expects them to kill their enemies to defend their territory.  Is this contradictory? 

In order to understand this (and most areas of the Bible) we must take a look at history.  There are a lot of wars throughout the Old Testament.  The reason why is because people were not much different then than they are today.  They were very territorial and constantly in a state of claiming land.  It was truly an era of "kill or be killed" or be made into slaves.  In most cases, the wars of Biblical times were a matter of survival since they could not all live peacefully in separate countries.  One nation wanted to rule them all.  God still hated the killing, but also hated to see those serving Him enslaved or tortured if captured,

If you are wondering why God seemed to choose one race over the other, it was not a race issue, it was a holiness issue.  (The Israelites chose to follow the ways of God's commands, while to others chose to spit in God's face and live demented and perverted lives.  They were extremely brutal and loved to torture others.  Some even believed in live human sacrifices, particularly of babies and children.  And remember, the Israelites were not exempt from their own punishments when they sinned.  God punished the Israelites within their own communities as well whenever they recklessly rebelled. 

(Acts 10:34-35) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him."

(Colossians 3:11) There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Which brings me to another point.  There are a lot of laws and regulations in the Old Testament that seem to have ridiculously harsh punishments.  Not all these laws were created by God.  A lot of them were man-made.  Read through the New Testament and you will continually read Jesus' own words condemning the man-made laws.  You can read more about that issues of Jesus' New Covenant in my blogs "Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy:  Jesus Made a Surety of a Better Testament" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/06/leviticus-numbers-deuteronomy-jesus.html   & "Matthew 5: Jesus Teaches us a Better Way" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/01/matthew-5-jesus-teaches-us-better-way.html  as well as  this blog by my husband "Understanding  The New Covenant" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2015/12/understanding-new-covenant-written-by.html

There are other issues in the Old Testament that may seem contradictory to God's 10 commandments.  In Genesis 38, Jacob's son Judah promised his daughter-in-law in marriage to his youngest son (after her first 2 husbands, his sons, died).  He later changes his mind.  Tamar tricks him by pretending to be a prostitute, Judah sleeps with her, she steals his signet, bracelets, and staff to later use as blackmail, and she becomes pregnant.  Judah was going to have Tamar murdered for her sin, but she shows him his belongings, and realizes he is the baby's father.  The hypocrite then changes his mind.  My point is that this is just one example of very bad behavior.  Many mistakenly believe that just because a story is in the bible that it is saying the behavior is justified.  Of course not!  The bible is a history book and it is telling us the history of those that lived during those times, the good, bad, and despicable behavior is all included.  It is merely a statement of the facts, not a justification of sin!
  
Now let's explore some of the New Testament that confuses people. 

One of the ways people love to try and discredit the Bible is by saying that it is inconsistent.  One example is that Matthew 27 says that Judas Iscariot (the man that betrayed Jesus) hanged himself out of guilt.  But Acts 1 (written by Luke), says that Judas died when he fell and his bowels gushed out.  Big difference.  
  
Consider this:  Neither Matthew nor Luke were present when Judas died.  What they are writing about was based on someone else's account.  They were both told two different stories, and there were probably many legends going around concerning the man that betrayed the King of Kings.  This does not mean one of them was a liar, or that we can disprove the whole Bible, it simply means one of them unknowingly received the account of Judas' death from a false witness.

And, no, not all four gospels tell the exact same story the exact same way.

Now consider this:  I worked as a civilian in law enforcement for more than 7 years.  Talk to any police officer who receives four different witness statements at a crime scene, and they will receive four different accounts.  One will say the suspect had blonde hair and was short, while another will swear he was tall with brown hair.  No two people see or experience the same incidents exactly the same way.  That does not make one of them a liar.  My husband and I often see colors differently.  He sees blue where I see green.  He sees pink where I see orange.  In our eyes, neither one is wrong, it is purely based on perception.

Consider this as well:  Ever play the game telephone?  It's where you sit in a circle of say a dozen people.  One person whispers, "Bees live in trees" to the person on his left, but by the time person #12 repeats the message he received, he will probably say something like, "Don't put cheese on my keys."  The bible has been re-written and re-translated many, many times.  Not every translation is going to be perfect.  Even the original words hand-written on scrolls were often written by a scribe, not the actual writer.  We will never know this side of heaven what the 100% exact translation should be.  

Also, oftentimes some religions try to tell you the entire Bible was written in Hebrew, and you need to consider the Hebrew meaning only to understand the Bible.  However, most of the New Testament books were originally written in Koine Greek or Aramaic. If you stick with the King James Version, this is historically proven to be the most accurate of them all, and you can pretty much take it as face value without trying to interpret it from a different language or try to find "secret codes" in between the words.  

And remember there are many "religious" leaders who like to change translations of the Bible and add or subtract words to suit their beliefs and to get more money in the offering plate.  Please always read the Bible on your own apart from church. 

(2 Timothy 3:13-16) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

    
Another thing that so clearly confuses people is so-called Christian entertainment.  The popular trend of the past several years has been making so-called Biblical movies.  They are so way far off base, that it is disgusting.  There is nothing wrong with trying to fill in the gaps, but these movies go beyond mere gap-filling, they are blasphemous and confuse those that have never read the bible.  My word of advice: read the book (The Bible), and always, always skip the movie!  

I hope some of this helps clear up a few things.  Asking questions is a great way to better understand the Bible.  Don't take man's word for it (not even mine), do your own homework and really seek the Truth!  Keep reading, keep studying, and pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit!   He will help you understand.   

For more on the Word of God, you can read my blogs "The Power of the Word of God" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-power-of-word-of-god.html  & "The Armor of God, Part 6: The Sword of the Spirit" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-armor-of-god-part-6-sword-of-spirit.html

The Reason why God's Judgements are Falling, Written by my Husband

 

The Reason why God's Judgements are Falling, Written by my Husband (Mel)

We live in dark times, and most people are very cold hearted and self-centered. God desires for his children to be a set apart people full of love and good works. While most of the world is selfish and consumed with the desire to obtain worldly goods, power, and fame, we should be selfless and desire to meet the needs of others. The Law and the prophets are fulfilled when we love God, as well as others as ourselves. God is the potter, and we are the clay. If you are filled with God's Holy Spirit, you will be transformed into a new creation (born again). However, you must knock, ask, as well as seek after God for His Spirit as Christ taught (Luke 11:9-13). We must yield our will to the Holy Spirit by walking in obedience to the holy scriptures (1 John 2 1-12). Unless we are a set apart people (new creation in Christ) we will be consumed by God's judgments along with the rest of those who also live in darkness. Live and walk in the light and God will both protect you, as well as receive you.

(Luke 11:9-13) And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? 

(1 John 2: 1-12) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

(Ephesians 5:-14) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 1And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

(Galatians 5:19-25) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

If we Only Love God When He Answers our Prayers, we are Missing the Point

If we Only Love God When He Answers our Prayers, we are Missing the Point

I originally wrote this on February 5, 2022, but due to a conversation with my husband Mel today, I was inspired to post it again.

When we go through difficult times, such as the death of a loved one or an illness, it is easy to fall into the trap of being angry with God because He did not answer our prayers the way we expected Him to.  If we only love God when He answers our prayers, we are missing the point of what it truly means to be a Christian. There is an old saying that states God will always answer your prayers; sometimes it is "yes," sometimes it is "no," other times it is "wait."  This is a basic concept, but still true.  What is most important to remember is that God will only answer according to what is best for us, according to His perfect will, not ours.  I know it sometimes takes more faith to believe than our bruised and wounded hearts can muster, but it is true, nonetheless. If all we have is faith the size of a mustard seed to believe, it is enough (see Matthew 17:20). 

1 John 4:19, sums up all I will to say so very simply, "We love Him, because He first loved us." Combined with John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," we really need no other reason to love and serve God! 

We love Him because only He created the universe and all that is in it, and only He is worthy of all power and praise. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11 & And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:9 & 12 

I know that the simplest of ideas can become very complicated when we are suffering.  We make it so by our unbelief. We overcomplicate God's love because we cannot see around our own hurt. The deeper and fresher the pain, the harder it is to remember that God's love is enough to sustain us.  

Bad things happen because Adam and Eve chose their own selfish wants over fellowship with their Creator (see Genesis 3).  We live in a fallen world because God chose to give us free will.  Adam and Eve betrayed this gift and chose to listen to the serpent’s lies rather than God’s warnings simply because the serpent’s lies were more appealing than God’s Truth.  This is why we live in a world full of death and tragedy, not because God is cruel, but because man chose to alienate us from God by using his free will out of the desire of wanting to be like God.  Humans do not want fellowship with God, nor do they want His advice, protection, or correction, they want to be gods!  They want to be independent.  They want to use their free will to do whatever they so please, then cry out, “God save me,” when it’s convenient.  Or curse at God even though they have made no effort to live a holy life and only pray when they want something. Therefore, “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45) not because He is cruel, but because man chose to defy God.  Man caused this fallen world and wel all suffer because of it. 

Jesus said in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." He honestly tells His disciples they, and us too, we will all have hard times.  But He gives us the good news that we can find perfect peace in Him, and that He has overcome the world! In the light of eternity, this life won't matter much.  What matters is that Jesus freely died for our sins.  When we make Jesus the Lord of all our actions and choose to walk down paths of righteousness, we can live with Him eternally in Paradise. Amen, that is more than enough!

People who believe God will prevent bad things from happening end up hating God.  Christians can walk around with joy in their hearts, in spite of tragic circumstances because we have a hope of eternal happiness. For no matter what “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)   We know God grieves with us and does not intend for bad things to happen.  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) states, “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  Does that mean God does not have any control? No, this means we will never fully know why things are allowed to happen because there is a war going on we cannot comprehend.  “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

My favorite verse is 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." This means that we cannot understand why things happen as they do because we cannot see the big, eternal picture, but when we get to heaven, it will all be crystal clear.  This senseless world will make sense.

My message s brief today, but just a reminder to you, as well as to myself, that loving God only when things go our way is not truly loving the Lord. Remember that God does not stop loving you when you do not do what He expects. Romans 5:8 says, " that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Yes, our actions can absolutely keep us out of the kingdom of Heaven (see Galatians 5:16-21 & Revelation 21:8), but God's love for us will never wane.  It is His profound love that sets rules because He does not want any of to go to Hell (The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9)  Romans 8:38-39 reminds us "that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Since God will not stop loving us, how dare we be so arrogant as to say we will stop loving or serving Him when we face loss, illness, or other tragedy? 

Awake, you sleeping giants!

 

Awake, you sleeping giants!

A dream my husband had in 2014 inspired the artwork I made for this blog.  The dream was as follows: As far as Mel could see, giants slept in ditches spanning the vast landscape (the giants represent today’s churches).  A large lion soon appeared and began approaching each of the giants.  He threw his head back and roared an ear-shattering rumble.  Yet, no matter how loud The Lion of Judah (Jesus Christ, see Revelation 5:5) roared, the giants would not wake.  A few sleepily opened their eyes, but none of them arose from their ditches.  A group of people dressed as construction workers then appeared.  They were impatient for the giants to awaken because they had a lot of work to do.  The angels in Mel’s dream did not have wings as I drew, but the angels in his dreams are often dressed as builders, police, firefighters, etc., so it was easy to interpret that these construction workers ready to build for the Kingdom of God, were angels.  The angels long for genuine followers of God’s Truths to join them and work side by side, not lukewarm Christians asleep in their sins.

Although Mel did not see a pile of secular items surrounding the giants in his dream, I added those to my drawing because the churches no longer teach such things are immoral.  Watching and reading items infused with witchcraft will separate you from the Lord, as well as addictions to pornography, alcohol, and cigarettes or other drugs.  In other words, if you refuse to give up such vices, you are sleeping to the will of God.      

In our dreams God often shows both Mel and me people we know sleeping, and one or both of us is trying to wake them.  They are asleep to the Truths God so desperately wishes to share with all His children.  They are shown to us as sleeping with their backs to us and refusing to wake up, just as the giants refused to wake. Some sleep in lazy ignorance because they refuse to study the Bible on their own, but most choose to sleep to the Truths of what the Bible teaches because they are filled with stubborn pride. I know that sounds harsh, but it is what God wanted me to write. 

Most people are so steeped in their religious boxes and misinformed theories that it is a struggle to attempt to wake them.  I used to have a deaf roommate whose alarm clock would go off for an hour or longer before she would hear it and get ready for work.  Because she had some hearing left, she would eventually hear the alarm, rise, and go to work.  We must be like an alarm clock for those who are spiritually deaf.  Somewhere deep down they can still hear what we say and want to know the Truth.  It will eventually sink in, and they will be ready to rise and go to work for the Lord.  We must not cease praying for God to open their eyes and soften their hearts, so they are receptive to hearing the Truth. 

It is very difficult for anyone to swallow their pride and admit they have been wrong for many years, especially if this person sees him or herself as a leader or expert.  We must pray for patience and understanding for these people.  As a former preacher’s kid, I was once one of those too stubborn to listen to alternate theories.  I thought I knew it all.  Ultimately, my daily Bible study opened my eyes to the many contradictions taught in most churches.  I was at a point in my life where I was spiritually sensitive enough to hear God’s voice and accept correction.  My Bible studies continue to keep my eyes wide open to the Truths in the Bible rather than sleeping in man's so-called wisdom.  A typical prayer for me is that God will reveal any errors in my theologies so I may adjust them.  I pray you will also have an open heart to hear all that God wishes to teach you. 

In today's modern church, pastors have quit preaching lessons of repentance and holiness.  I am not saying every single pastor out there is preaching a lukewarm message, but sadly, the majority are. 

They are preaching feel-good sermons that are putting the church to sleep.  I am going to briefly touch on some of the dangerous, but common messages taught.

Even the once on-fire holiness preachers have begun speaking less on righteousness and more on praying and feeling blessed.  While prayer is vital to our walk with God, our actions outside of the prayer closet matters even more.   

(Ephesians 5:8-14) For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light… finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore, He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” 

The first topic I would like to touch on is the issue of the rapture.  My husband, Mel, has pretty much said what I would have said in his blog, "The Truth About the Second Coming of Christ." https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-truth-about-second-coming-of-christ.html   Here is an excerpt from that blog, but I encourage you to read the entire blog:

"There is much controversy as to the timing of the rapture, but God’s Word is very clear on this subject and we will explore what it really teaches. This is not a subject that should divide us, but it is critical that we be informed of the truth. The pre-tribulation rapture viewpoint is very dangerous because it teaches people that there is no need to prepare for the tribulation, or hard times ahead, because God is going to rapture you up to Heaven for seven years, then return again to establish His kingdom. This man-made doctrine is contrary to God’s Word, and was created by taking scripture out of context, as well as making scriptures jump through many hoops in order to bring about a man- pleasing belief.

"The Lord Jesus Christ himself told us exactly when he will return, as well as when he will send forth his angels to gather the elect. Christ said that immediately after the tribulation of those days he would return and gather his elect unto himself.

(Matthew 24:29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.  

"Christ said what he meant and was not speaking metaphorically. The pre-trib doctrine teaches that this passage is in reference to the second coming of Christ, seven years after the ingathering of the saints, but Christ said that at this time, he would send out his angels to harvest the elect. This passage alone is enough to establish that the rapture and the second coming of Christ are the same event and that this will occur immediately after the tribulation...

"God did not rapture Noah out of the earth, nor did he build the ark for him, rather he instructed him how to build the ark.  Noah was obedient to God and although it took him 120 years to build the ark, he did not give up. Because of Noah’s obedience to the Lord, we are here today. Like Noah, we need to be making preparations for the soon coming tribulation. I believe that the Lord is instructing people to prepare communities in remote wilderness areas for the time of trouble ahead. We all need to be seeking the Lord with much fasting and prayer concerning where to relocate. The cities, as well as populated areas are destined for judgment. This is not a time for fear but action. If we trust God as Noah did, then we will be obedient to him and follow his voice."

I would like to add that the church also uses Luke 17 to explain that these verses refer to a rapture.  But if you read the entire section, you will see this does not mean people are being raptured, but the opposite, they are being killed.  It was reading the book of Luke during a personal bible study in 2012 when I came to the conclusion that I had been misled all my life.  No one had to explain it to me, but daily Bible study opened my eyes.  That is why it is so important to read your Bible every day. 

I am not going to include all the verses, but please read all of Luke 17.

( Luke 17:34-37) I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left. “Where, Lord?” they asked.

He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” 

If you want more info, you can read more on this subject from my blog "Questions & Answers about the Rapture" here: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/07/questions-and-answers-about-rapture.html

The bible warns against not preaching about holiness. Spiritual leaders have a responsibility to make sure their followers are striving to live holy lives. Paul even predicted that there would be a time when people would refuse to listen to the Truth.  Pastors, wanting to be popular, have begun to tell the people what they want to hear so they do not lose their offerings.  It is not about souls being saved, it is all about the amount of money that goes in the plate.

(II Timothy 4:1-5) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

Another popular message of the church is that there is grace for everything, without ever repenting of your sins. (Romans 6:1-2)  Yes, God is full of mercy, love, and grace, but we must ask for forgiveness, repent of our sins, give up habitual sins, and make the daily decision to continue to walk down paths of righteousness (Luke 9:23).  Salvation is more than a simple sinner’s prayer.  It is the beginning of a wonderful walk with the Lord, but, as with any relationship, we must nurture it and work at producing good fruit.  We must continually make the effort to put down our sinful nature until we cross the finish line at the end of this life. (Philippians 2:12)

Some people may never set foot in a church, but they will listen to Christian music or at least attend a concert.  Therefore, Christian artists (as well as authors who market themselves as “Christian”) have the same responsibility as pastors to preach sound doctrine in their songs. There are many Christian artists I enjoy; they are talented singers and songwriters with what appears to be a genuine desire to serve the Lord.  However, very few songs are about holiness.  The word “grace” is more likely to appear in their songs than the word, “repentance.”  They also care more about being popular and making money than convicting people of their sins.  

The theory of eternal security is a lie of the devil in order to put Christians to sleep.  When we think there is grace for everything, and that our actions suffer no consequences because our salvation is guaranteed with one simple prayer, we can easily slip into a life of sin and comfortably stay there.

It is very true that Christ accepts us as we are and He gave His life on the cross for our sins so we can have eternal life.  Yet it is also very true that, though we may come just as we are with all our faults, God expects us to change.  Jesus is a loving Father who readily forgives our sins as long as our repentance is sincere and we do not continue to live in sin. He is holy and it is His desire that we live holy lives if we are to follow Him.  That does not mean we have to be perfect, but we must seek out to destroy our sinful nature.

Let's be honest, the devil loves it that the church has been spiritually put to sleep.  He loves that they are teaching that there is no devil and/or Hell.  Therefore, and this goes along great with the greasy grace message, there are no consequences for your actions

There are too many references in the bible on Hell to list them all, but reading all of Revelation 20 reveals a lot.  Please read the entire chapter.

There are several more topics that come to mind as far as what the church is teaching to put people asleep.  However, as I am writing this, I feel God is telling me, that instead of listing all the areas in one blog, I am to write about these issues individually in separate blogs.  Therefore, I will do my best to continue to write God's Truths as they are laid upon my heart.  These are not my self-righteous theories, but topics inspired by God by reading His Holy Word.

So how do we arise from our sleep?  As I mentioned above, studying God's Word daily is a wonderful start, or at least once a week.  Really devouring what you read and making sure you understand it will help you avoid falling for false teachings.  When you know what the Bible says on a certain subject, then you are less apt to fall for man's doctrines. 

(II Timothy 2:15) Be diligent [work hard] to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  

I never want you to take my word for anything.  Study on your own.  I am overly logical and highly skeptical on most subjects; I always want second and third opinions on everything.  There are a lot of very cunning and manipulative people that will try to force you to believe their way is the only way.  I am not one of those people.  God's way is the only way, so read His words and really let them sink in. Pray before and/or after you read the Bible that God will reveal His Truths to you.  Also, if you attend church, do the same.  God has revealed to both my husband and me when there are false doctrines being taught by spiritual leaders as well as individual people in our lives.  Although Mel is more gifted in prophecy that I am, God speaks to both of us through dreams and visions.  If your heart is pure (you don’t have to be perfect) and you are humble and willing, God may speak to you as well, so be willing to listen.