Dreams of the Unfaithful Bride, Written by my Husband

  

Dreams of the Unfaithful Bride, Written by my Husband (Mel)

 A number of years ago, the Lord showed me that many churches are an unfaithful bride, and he said, “Divorce.” The Lord made it very clear that spiritual unfaithfulness to Christ without true repentance, will lead to spiritual death (divorce). The Lord spoke to me in an audible voice and said, “I am warning my children to get out!” This word was followed by a dream. I dreamed that I was in a convenience store and that nothing worked right, the gas pumps, food machines, as well as everything else within the store was malfunctioning. I then noticed that the lid was off the drink machine, and it was almost empty; there were also three, half-eaten bags of Fritos in the drink. I said, “This is nasty,” I then removed the drink machine and put it in the trash outdoors. Then an older man walked into the store, and he said that nothing worked right. The angel of the Lord then answered him and said, “The authorities are on their way.” I then saw hundreds of Law enforcement vehicles with lights flashing descending from Heaven in the sky above. The Lord refers to the harlot church system of the end times as Mystery Babylon. Babylon is a term synonymous with wickedness.

 The convenience store in my dream was symbolic of the churches who are serving up spiritual junk food. The almost empty drink machine, with three half-eaten bags of Fritos in it, is the greasy grace doctrine (Grace without true repentance) taught by most churches. The gas pumps that do not work are symbolic of an unholy spirit, which has replaced God’s Holy Spirit. It is essential that we be filled with the Holy Spirit to have the power to live a faithful life to Christ. Working gas pumps are symbolic of churches that teach people the necessity of being filled with God's true Holy Spirit, as well as sound doctrine. It is time to come out of Babylon!

(Revelation 18:4-5) And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities."

I also had a dream of four harlots and the Holy Spirit. Babylon is a biblical term that means wickedness. We read of Mystery Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18. This is a reference to an adulterous or harlot church. Many people within modern day Christianity have not been taught to be filled with the Holy Spirit, or to crucify their old carnal nature. 

I dreamed that there were four young adult girls wearing ankle length night gowns. They were running around in many directions and then each one stood still next to a gas pump. Four gas pumps with four girls. I woke from the dream as the Lord spoke the word Babylon to me four times. The interpretation is that the young girls were playing the harlot. They were running around in many directions, being tossed to and fro by many false doctrines of men. They were wearing night gowns meaning they were asleep to spiritual issues like holiness. 

The church is the bride of Christ; however, many are not faithful to Christ. They have not allowed God's Holy Spirit to teach them to walk and bear good fruit. Mystery Babylon is the end time apostasy (Great Falling Away). When the church is indistinguishable from the sinful world they are not set apart. The gas pumps within the dream were symbolic of the need for Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit which empowers them to live an overcoming life. The young harlot brides stopped running around playing the harlot, and stood Still, next to the gas pumps in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is essential for all believers. There are believers saved by Grace, who are Not filled with the Holy Spirit; however, it is God's will that they experience the fullness of his Spirit.

Come as you are to Christ, but don't stay that way. It is true that we are justified, saved, and sanctified by faith alone. Christ's finished work upon the cross paid our debts in full and his shed blood sanctified us and removed our shame and guilt! However, faith must be accompanied with repentance to be sincere. You must be born again to inherit eternal life with Christ.

Repentance means that you are not only sorry for your sins, but you are turning from your old sinful ways and pursuing God's ways (righteousness)! Without holiness no man shall see the Father. A dead, or lukewarm, church will be vomited out of God's mouth according to His Word. You cannot overcome your old nature, or bear good fruit, apart from God's Spirit. It is only possible to live an overcoming, or holy life, by surrendering your will to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out. God gives us Grace to grow in Him. We come to Him as babes on milk and learn to walk by his Spirit. 

 You must abide in the vine (Jesus Christ). Scripture teaches us that to abide in Christ is to have love in our hearts toward God and others. To truly know Christ is to love one another and forgive others their trespasses, as Christ has forgiven us. We must give others grace to live in His grace. To walk in the Spirit is to live in God's freedom and no longer to be a slave to sin. Are you a new creation in Christ? Are you born again?

(Hebrews 12:12-16) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

(Hebrews 13:20-21) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Are you properly balanced?

 

Are you properly balanced?

You may wonder why I chose a picture of a parking lot for a blog with a title on being properly balanced. A few nights ago, I had a dream that my husband and I had arrived in a new location and were attempting to park our vehicle at a grocery store.  The parking spaces were as you see in the photo, slanted at an angle and a little longer than the ones you may use at Wal-Mart.  My husband was driving, and we pulled into a space with no car on our right, but a large truck to our left, and no vehicles behind us.  

Mel turned off the engine, but before we could exit the vehicle, a woman leaving the grocery store (heading toward us) looked at us with a disapproving expression. Her face did not show cruelty, but more like disappointment.  The best way I can think of to describe this woman is that she had an old-fashioned hairdo similar to what some legalistic religions still wear, pulled up in a less flashy bee-hive sort of style.  However, she was not dressed as the women in their churches do - only wearing dresses. Instead, she was wearing a feminine, modest top and pants.  

We were not sure why she was giving us a disapproving look, but we looked in the direction of where her gaze had fallen, to the back of the vehicle.  We realized we were parked too far backwards and it would be difficult for another vehicle pulling in to park without hitting us.  We then re-parked.

This time, we had yet to turn off the engine when a man dressed like a cowboy walked toward us as the woman had, only this time on our left.  It was his turn to give us the same expression as the woman had, not in disgust or anger, but rather disappointed that we had now parked too far forward. 

We immediately realized that the front end of our vehicle was over the line and if anyone drove the stretch of parking lot in front of us, they would risk striking us. Mel immediately reversed the vehicle, this time centering it perfectly in the middle.

At first, I just thought this was a normal dream that was not worth mentioning, but one of the first things Mel asked me that morning was if I had had any dreams from the Lord.  Initially, I said I had not, but this dream was in the back of my mind, so I asked him why he had asked me this.  Mel said he had had a vision that I was going to be given a dream by the Holy Spirit. After I shared this dream with my husband, I then told him the same thing I always say, that I am not completely sure this dream was from the Lord, but that I can easily see a spiritual message in it.

Before I get into the interpretation of this dream that Mel and I both agreed upon, I want to explain why I used the title I did, rather than using a parking term in the title.  That same evening, I was playing a word game on my Kindle, and the first round of the night was titled, "Properly Balanced."  Coincidence? Maybe, but it still fits the theme of the dream.

Here is how my husband and I interpreted the dream.

The grocery store: In spiritual dreams, stores, restaurants, or anytime you are eating with someone, symbolizes spiritual food for us to learn from and/or to share with others. 

New location: This has dual meanings. We were in a new town in this dream because we believe God will be moving us in 1-2 years (or less). Because we believe this location will be where we launch the next phase of our ministry, a new location also means getting settled spiritually where God wants us to be. 

Being in a vehicle: In spiritual dreams, vehicles  represent spiritual beliefs. The person driving is the one who is the leader. In this case, my husband is the spiritual head of our home. If it is another person and the vehicle is driving recklessly, this means that person is leading you down dangerous theological paths. 

The woman / parking too far backward: She was disappointed in us because she did not want us going backwards into legalism. Let me clarify, I am not trying to insult anyone's religion, but I am merely sharing what the Lord shared with me. She represented being too legalistic and rigid in holiness beliefs, to the point it goes beyond what the Bible teaches.  While I completely agree with modesty in women, I have also attended churches similar to the one she symbolized, and they make a woman feel unwelcome if they do not have hair to their waist, their dress does not reach her ankles, or she wears pants. This and other types of religions and others trapped in Old Testament laws have so many unbiblical rules one must follow, that they make people not want God at all.  I will not go into why they have legalistic and not Biblical beliefs, because the point of the woman in this dream was that God does not want us to be so over-the-top seeped in holiness alone, that we turn people away from Him. Whether you believe it or not, holiness does not equal legalism!  There needs to be a proper balance of grace and love added to our message. This is why she had the hairdo of the religion, but the clothes were less rigid.  In other words, TRUE HOLINESS BELIEFS ARE VERY PLEASING TO THE LORD! 

(Titus 2:11-14) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

The cowboy / parking too far forward: Just as the woman represented the proper balance of holiness beliefs, the man symbolized not being unequally yoked with worldly beliefs. I'm not saying dressing like a cowboy is worldly, of course, but he represented the everyday man, sort of like a universal religion without any real convictions of the Holy Spirt. One who drinks, curses, goes to bars, is okay with violence, etc.  He was disappointed in us because he did not want us to be too involved with the world. By parking too far forward, we would have gotten too close to the world. This not only meant getting too intertwined with the unsaved or backslidden people in our lives, but also not getting involved in the liberal grace message of eternal security. Quickly PULLING AWAY FROM the line where OTHER VEHICLES (people, WORLDY BELIEFS/ACTIONS, or false religions) could have caused us harm, WAS ALSO PLEASING TO THE LORD! 

 (2 Corinthians 6:14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  

(Romans 12:2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The parking lot: Where we had settled in our belief systems. This is why the dream ended with us parked properly balanced where God has been training us to be. This dream was encouraging us to stay properly balanced and not park either too far forward or backward.  It can be very tricky to find the right balance of holiness and grace and not lean too far either way. Reading the Bible, prayer, and asking the Holy Spirit to correct you are the best ways to learn to be properly balanced. 

(Isaiah 30:21) This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. 

Psalm 77:1-14: I Call to Remembrance my Song in the Night

 

Psalm 77:1-14: I Call to Remembrance my Song in the Night

Note: Somehow this was still saved as a draft and never got posted.  So, it is a bit late from when I posted the book of Psalms, but here it is:

Psalm 77:1-14 shows how we can start off full of despair, " I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed," (Verse 3), but when we bring to memory all the good things God has done for us " I call to remembrance my song in the night:," (verse 6) and "remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings" (verses 10-11).  Then we can be at peace as we recall how often God's great hand is on our lives.

It is very easy to feel overwhelmed with the cares and hurts of this life.  But if we remember all the times that God pulled us through and start focusing on all the blessings in our lives, the hard times become more bearable.  

We can find peace in the memories of God's hand on our own personal timeline and see how He is always in control.  

It is easy to complain when things seem hopeless, but God goes before and behind us to make our paths straight.

(Romans 8:26-28 & 34) Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died , yea rather, that is risen again , who is even at the right hand of God , who also maketh intercession for us.

It is difficult to put into words just how amazing those verses in Romans are. We see here how the blessed trinity work together on our behalf. Jesus himself prays for us with the aid of the Holy Spirit based on God's will for our lives. Who knows better the perfect will for our lives than the Almighty Creator of the Universe? No one!

When life feels overwhelming, allow your wounded thoughts to focus on the goodness of God and know that when you are serving God, He is always on your side!

(Psalm 77:1-14) I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. / In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. / I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. / Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak... / I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search... / And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. / I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings... / Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

Questions and Answers about the Rapture

 

Questions and Answers about the Rapture

**Fellow believers, please let's not divide on this issue. Prayerfully study God's Word and love one another whether you agree or disagree.**

This is a shortened version of chapter 15 from my (unpublished) novel, "The Visionary." 

Chapter #15

Answers

Jubilee had brought out a Bible as he had requested and held it in her lap.

“You asked for a King James Bible, but I only have NIV,” she said as she rubbed her fingers over the smooth maroon leather cover. She suddenly felt self-conscious that, in spite of her having owned it for at least twenty years, this Bible still looked new.

“King James is proven to be more historically accurate, and the newer versions of the Bible leave out important verses, but I digress,” he said before getting off on a tangent, “The NIV will do for now.”

“We could just use our phones to look up verses,” she pointed out.

“I thought of that,” he admitted, “but I’m too comfortable to even stand up to get my phone out of my pocket.” He again petted Dakota’s head and Jubilee laughed.

“I don’t want to overwhelm you by throwing too much at you at once,” Peter began.

“I’m already overwhelmed,” she returned, “So please just say whatever you want to say, and if I feel my brain can’t keep up, I’ll let you know.”

“Deal,” he agreed, and then took a deep breath as he contemplated where to begin. “To make things clear, I want to address your question about what time frame of the world’s history we have been dreaming of. Although only the Lord knows when the last day of this world will be, I strongly believe we will live to see the beginning and end of the tribulation. In other words, yes, I believe the end of this planet will come during our lifetime. In fact, I doubt most children will live to see thirty birthdays, maybe not even twenty.”

"What do you mean that we will see the ‘end of the tribulation?’ Aren’t the Christians supposed to be raptured off the earth before the tribulation?”

"Open your Bible to Luke 17:26-37. Go ahead and read it out loud if you want.”

“Alright,” Jubilee agreed. She took less time than Peter had expected to find the passage he recommended, and read, “’Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. 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..’” She finished the verses and looked at him, “See, right there it says one person will be ‘taken and the other left.’ The rapture, right?”

Peter shook his head. “That’s what the churches are teaching because they don’t read the entire passage. Notice that neither Noah nor Lot were removed from the earth, but God removed them from danger when He passed His judgements. Those passages say that the time of the Son of Man, in other words the end of the age, will be just as those times,” he explained, “Also please notice that when one of Jesus’ disciples ask him where those taken will be going, Jesus does not say, ‘raptured to heaven.’ He says those taken are going “where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.’ That means they are taken in death. The book of Revelation mentions all the many ways people will die in the end days. But now turn backwards from Luke to Matthew 24:29-31. And actually,” he paused and wriggled over on to his hip so he could reach his phone out of his pocket without disturbing Dakota, “Let’s switch to the King James Version. You’ll see I have a Bible app on my phone.”

Jubilee reached around Kailey and placed the Bible on the other side of the couch. She opened the Bible app and found the verses he mentioned, her mind already feeling more enlightened.

Again, she read aloud, “’Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.’”

“Did you notice the first seven words?”

“’Immediately after the tribulation of those days,’” she repeated, “It says “’after the tribulation,’ doesn’t it? These verses and the ones in Luke all show Jesus will return after the earth has been judged, not before. I see now that the rapture is real but will not occur until the end. The very end.”

He nodded; pleased she caught on so quickly.

“So why are the churches still teaching it backwards if it’s so clear? As you just said, I’m assuming if we continued to read, we would find the same message in other books as well.”

“Absolutely! These verses I am showing you tonight are just a small sample of how many verses in the Old and New Testaments prove that Jesus will return at the end of the tribulation, not seven years before it,” he said, “And as to the reasons why so few ministers choose to preach it wrong, I have several theories. Some are ignorant because they are lazy and refuse to do their own Bible study and just parrot all they were incorrectly taught. Others may know the truth but also know if they speak out against the lies being taught, they will lose their congregations and therefore, lose the money that pays for their necessities as well as their luxuries. Still others are afraid and in denial that we are all going to go through the terror of the tribulation period. It is, after all, going to be so terrifying that the Bible says in Luke 21:26 that ‘men's hearts’ will ‘fail them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.’”

“I dreamt about concentration camps for Christians,” Jubilee stated in a near-whisper, “I know you have too. Does that mean that those of us that refuse the Mark of the Beast are all doomed to suffer?”

Her eyes were so round and expression so fearful, Peter instinctively wanted to comfort her. “Don’t worry, J.B., there’s hope for all who follow the instructions. Right after Jesus tells His disciples that hearts will fail from fear, He goes on to say in Luke 21:27-28, ‘Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.’ If you then read Revelation 12, verse 6 mentions a woman who flees to the wilderness, ‘where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.’ The woman represents the True church and the Christians who are being persecuted by the Anti-Christ, the one referred to as the dragon in this chapter. Although Revelation is full of symbolism, we can take verse six literally. If we flee to remote locations and make certain to stockpile enough food for a minimum of 1,260 days, or roughly three and a half years, we stand a good chance of surviving to see the Lord’s return where we will be transformed and meet Him in the air. Turn now to Revelation 12 and read verses 13-17.”

She read, “’Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’” She silently reread the verses again before saying, “I see the symbolism again of the Antichrist and the woman’s child representing believers. I’m guessing that the ‘time and times and half a time’ also refers to three and a half years of safety in the wilderness areas.”

“Honestly, I’ve heard many theories about the meaning behind ‘time and times and half a time,’ but when you compare it with the above 1,260 days as you just did, logic states this also means three and a half years,” he agreed.

“What you are saying makes so much sense. You’ve cleared up a lot for me, but I still feel like I have a million more questions,” she said with a sigh.

“I know there’s a lot to discuss, but we don’t have to talk about it all in one night,” Peter reminded.

“You say seven years of the tribulation just as Revelation suggests, but why are only the last three and half years the most dangerous?” Jubilee wondered.

“The entire seven years will be fraught with danger, including the time before the official start of the tribulation. In Mark 13:8 Jesus says, ‘For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.’ So even before the beginning of the end, this world will be in great peril,” Peter answered, “I don’t know exactly when during the actual tribulation period that we’ll move, only that the last half is when the Bible mentions fleeing for safety’s sake. All I know is that God has promised to make it clear to let me know when the time is right. If I had to guess, the move will happen one and a half to three years into the tribulation so that we have time to prepare the area for the people we will help feed and protect,” Peter went on to explain, “I also believe the reason why the last half of the tribulation will be the worst part for believers is because of what those verses in Revelation 12 tell us, that the dragon will be warring his worst against us, and it will be crucial to flee before the Mark of the Beast is mandatory.”

“The earthquake and tsunami in Brazil, do you think they are what Jesus was referring to in Mark 13?” Jubilee pondered.

“Possibly.”

Jubilee leaned forward and placed the Bible on the coffee table. “I don’t think I can take any more tonight,” she confessed.

“I understand. I hope I have been able to help and not add to your confusion,” he said.

“You have helped more than you know,” she replied with a smile.

Trust

 

Trust

When you are going through a difficult time and someone says, "Just trust in the Lord," do you find yourself thinking, Easier said than done?   There are many reasons why we may find it challenging to trust that God will take care of us.  The main reason is usually because the people you love have betrayed you.  Why should you trust in an invisible God to care about your needs when everyone else that claimed they would take care of you abandoned you? Where was God when you were abused, when you got divorced, when a loved one died, when you received a frightening diagnosis?  Why should you trust God will be there for you now when He seemed so absent in the past?  I have had this same question when facing near homelessness, loss, illness, or when someone I loved endured a hard time.

To answer all of these doubts, I will take you through a journey of trust through scripture.  This may take a while, so get comfortable and be prepared to do a lot of reading!     

When I performed a search on the word "trust," I found 188 Verses!  Since there are too many to list them all here, I will focus on a handful of them.  Please do your own search on either Bible Gateway or other resource and read through all verses listed.  It will greatly encourage you!  

First, in order for you to understand why bad things happen, you should realize that we live in a fallen world.  I will quote a blog I wrote titled, "Now is the Day of Salvation":

"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... Matthew 5:45 says, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”  Not because He is cruel, but because man chose to defy God.  Man caused this fallen world and the good suffer because of it...

"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... “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.  “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. Ephesians 6:12

(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."

Now back to this blog! 

Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of the best ways to sum up what it means to trust.  We cannot rely on our own understanding as we do not have the spiritual ability to comprehend the mind or will of God (See Isaiah 55:9).  When we allow our hearts to rule over our brain, it is easier to trust.  Notice the below verse in Proverbs says, "in all thy ways acknowledge him." All means all and includes our actions not just our thought patterns.  Acknowledging God includes repenting of sins and giving up an immoral lifestyle.  When we allow God to have full control of our lives and let go of habitual sins, God will direct our paths.  And when you acknowledge God is holy and sovereign you will doubt less and trust more.     

(Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

When choosing verses for this blog, it was very difficult to narrow it down, but 2 Samuel:22:31 says so much in just 25 words. I could write a whole blog on this verse alone but I will do my best to sum it up quickly.  God's ways are perfect.  Remember that when nothing makes sense.  When life is imperfect, know that, as mentioned above in Jeremiah 29, it is not the Lord's plans wreaking havoc on our lives, but our own act of rebellion blocking God's hand.  Even when we strive to walk down paths of righteousness, we still live around unseen spiritual forces that are trying to cause us harm (see also the verse in Ephesians 6 listed above).  But rest assured, when we trust Him, when we surrender our will and say we will obey and serve Him no matter what, God will place a buckler (or a shield) about us to turn things around or to give us the strength to make it through to the other side.     

(2 Samuel 22:31) As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Now, let's look at Job.  In spite of all of Job's losses, he recognizes that God is good and just and pledges that he will trust the Lord no matter what!  Can we all say the same?  If you truly think about it, even though it is emotionally difficult to imagine losing those you love, and suffer through poor health can you honestly say you would not abandon your faith if you lost as much as Job?  Some of us have been there so you can answer you will.  More realistically, you were angry with God for a while and maybe even gave up on Him.  But God never gave up on you, and you could feel Him calling you back to Him.  Your heart cried for the loss of God even more than those who died, and you realized your heart beat to the same rhythm as Job's.  Your Creator will always call you back to Him.  Trust He loves you and your heart may not fully heal this side of Heaven, but with God, we can find peace in knowing He carries your tears in a bottle (see Psalm 56:8), which means feels compassion over ever tear we shed.

(Job 13:15) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. 

Again, it was difficult to narrow it down on which verses to use for this writing, but on the topic of trust, I could not leave out the issue of righteousness.  When you take the time on your own to read verses on trust, you will see how holiness and trust work together as a perfect team.  When you are actively choosing to live a life of sin, I am not speaking of accidental slips or ignorant sins, but of purposefully doing what you know goes against the principles of Jesus Christ, your heart will become too hard for trust to penetrate.  You will only be able to see God as a cruel judge and not as a kind, gracious, loving Father (although yes, you are being judged according got your works - Matthew 16:27).  As the below verse states, when you do not love the Lord enough to sacrifice your ungodly ways at the altar and give up all the things you know are wrong, your stubborn pride will force the trusting side of your heart to atrophy.  The fact is you cannot trust someone you do not really love.  When you love God enough to put your worldly ways behind you, holiness will become synonymous with trusting Him.

(Psalm 4:5 ) Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. 

Psalm 5:11 says we will be joyful when we learn to trust God.  This is true!  When we can go through a difficult time but know the Lord is in control, we realize we are not as stressed.  We can trust the Lord has us in the palm of His hands and we can relax even in the midst of strife.  When I was diagnosed with both ovarian and endometrial cancer in 2023, I told myself I would trust the Lord no matter what happened next.  While I waited for the results of the biopsies to declare the stage of each cancer, I was calm and was able to feel a joy even though, yes, I was fearful. (see Philippians 4:7) Fear is not a sin as Jesus Himself was so afraid he sweat drops of blood, and though it seems strange, we can still trust Him in the middle of scary times and know in the end, it will all work out just as He had planned.     

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11

I chose Psalm 20:7 & Psalm 118:8 as a reminder that we are not to put our trust in anyone except Jesus!  Politicians will not save you, famous actors and singers will not save you, not even your pastor can save you.  Yes, there are many heroic people in the world, and they can and have literally saved many lives from harm, but we are not to place any human on a pedestal.  Jesus' death on the cross is a free gift to all and He is the only one that can save your soul from hell.  As with any gift, you can reject it or receive it and you can even throw it in the garbage after you accept it.  But when you trust the Lord with your physical and spiritual life and do not rely on humanity, you are acknowledging the beautiful gift of true grace that comes with repentance and daily choosing Jesus to lead and guide your steps.   

(Psalm 20:7) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 

(Psalm 118:8) It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. 

Though I could easily make this writing much, much longer, I will end with these two verses in Psalms. The Lord will not forsake us when we seek His face and do our utmost best to walk in ways of holiness.  We can absolutely trust this is true because the Bible repeatedly says so.  But let's take it even one step further.  Psalm 71:1 does not say we will never be confused, but when we ask for assistance, we will have more clarity.  It is easy to feel confused by the worldly advice and confused by even so-called Godly advice.  People contradict each other, but even worse, they go against what the Bible says.  When you trust in what the Lord says and rely only on scripture, not on any human's words, you will not be confused as to the will of the Lord and how you are supposed to act. You can trust that by living as God intended, your mind will be clear, and your heart will be wide open to loving and trusting the Lord Jesus Christ!    

(Psalm 9:10) And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 

(Psalm 71:1) In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. 

No, trusting God is not an easy process, but trusting the Lord leads to joy, repentance, holy living, clarity, and peace! 

Will you stand against pedophilia in Hollywood?

Will you stand against pedophilia in Hollywood?

It is all over the Internet that Hollywood is full of pedophiles (which includes other rich and powerful people not directly connected to the entertainment industry). Why is this a surprise to anyone?  Have you not been watching the movies and television shows full of underage girls dressed provocative and even simulating sex?  Who do you think writes the scripts for these movies?  Who do you think the adult actors are abusing the children all for the sake of entertainment? Yes, I meant "abusing." If these actions were not performed in front of a movie camera, they would be in jail for their actions! These children sometimes are seen kissing (or worse) adult actors.  I’m not talking about the adult actors that look like teenagers, but actual minors under the age of 18; sometimes way under the age of 18!

No one has stood up for the children dressing and acting sexual and yet people are shocked that the adults coaching the kids to act in such a disturbing fashion are being revealed as pedophiles? Just because one has not gone to a secret island to harm a child does not mean he/she is innocent. How many shows have you seen where young girls (and even boys) are exploited all for the sake of selling movie tickets?  The parents allowing their children to dress at least half naked and/or simulate sex acts, are not blameless. It is a parent’s job to protect their children from all kinds of harm including pedophiles.  Do you really think those creeps stay away from the theatres and/or only watch shows with adult actors? Or do you think they specifically choose the movies with the oversexualized child actors?

Do you think these same people full of perversion are failing to leer at your proactively dressed child because they (or you) want to emulate Hollywood?  I will say it again, parents need to protect their children, which includes making better choices on how they dress and act around adults! It is not as if all pedophiles have a large "P" on their forehead. You do not know who is happily titillated that you dressed your child in so little clothing! Or have him/her dancing to secular music and post the very adult movements all over social media. You know I am not talking about innocent kids' dances such as "I'm a Little Tea Pot." Kids 2 years and younger are paraded all over social media dancing to proactive song lyrics and imitating the sexual movements while the adults laugh. God is not laughing! In fact, He weeps for this loss of innocence. Make no mistake, all violators of children will be held accountable!

(Matthew 8:6-7) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 

None of the writers, producers, or adult actors are blameless.  How many do you think intentionally choose roles where they are paid to act with half naked children and maybe even get to hug and/or kiss that child? Neither are those who watch these shows blameless and perhaps need to do some serious repenting on their knees after he/she realizes he/she was also titillated. Be honest with yourselves now, God knows what is in your heart! Even if you are not so, but just watching makes you uncomfortable, then why keep watching?

(Philippians 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  

Therefore, if the opposite is true, if it is not pure, TURN IT OFF!

Just because it is labeled as entertainment, or even put in cartoon form, that does not make it any less immoral than illegal child pornography or any less harmful to a child’s psyche than those not being paid to act and dress shamelessly on camera. Just because the children are part of the Hollywood system does not make them any less of a victim.  They are coerced, brainwashed, and even given drugs and alcohol to act in lustful ways.  This is not a conspiracy theory, but reality, do your research as I did and look it up. It has been a known fact for quite a long time that child actors are given alcohol/drugs and even expected to attend adult parties where they are violated by well-known adults.  Just because they are famous it does not make it okay to wink and nod and turn a blind eye.  God is no respecter of people, and He does not care who you are when you commit a heinous sin against anyone innocent. 

What about movies that speak out against sex trafficking or other child abuse? Are they okay to watch because they expose secrets? Think about this: the young actors in these movies are very much exploited as they act out scenes the real children went through.  Even if the movie does not show any child being sexually violated but shows (for example) a young girl being groomed for future unpardonable acts, these scenes should make you feel sick to watch.  Think of how this makes the young people feel acting these roles out with adults shoving a camera in their face while they act out disturbing scenes and dialog?  Don't you think the children know what the disturbing movie topics are about and how that must make them feel? Would you want to act out being a victim sexual violence using either dialog or actions?  Using such a disturbing topic to make money is disgusting.  Using a child to show child abuse is wrong and hypocritical as they are abusing the child actor.  Telling a child to pretend they have been victimized is victimizing the child.  Many child actors have come forward saying playing the victim of abuse traumatized them for years to where they had frequent nightmares and ended up taking drugs and eventually had to seek therapy.  See again Philippians 4:8 above as well as consider this:    

(Ephesians 5:11-12) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

I will plead with you again, give up Hollywood!  Even if you do not do it for Jesus' sake, do it for the sake of innocence being stolen from children. Movies and television shows are full of corrupt people intentionally harming children.  Do you really need another reason to turn off the TV and quit buying movie tickets or streaming them over your Internet? What if it was your child being exploited?  Would you still watch what you are watching?  Would you watch it if Jesus was sitting beside you?    

The Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, Written by my Husband

 

The Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, Written by my Husband (Mel)

Many claim that Jesus Christ was a prophet, a great teacher, or just a good man. However, who do you say that He is?

There is one God, who is revealed in three distinct persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father sent the son, to bring redemption to fallen mankind. Through the death of Christ upon the cross the free gift of salvation has been provided to all who will put their faith in him.

Christ said, that before Abraham was, I AM. Christ declared himself to be the Great I AM, by making this statement.

Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:57-58

The prophet Isaiah wrote that the future Messiah would be called, the Mighty God and Everlasting Father!

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

John chapter one, as well as Colossians one, reveal that Christ is indeed God, the creator of all things visible and invisible. He is the image of the invisible God. All things were created through him and for him.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-5 & 10-14

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:15-18

Still Journeying Through the Bible

 

Still Journeying Through the Bible

Now that I have finished posting most of my artwork from my entire Bible journal along with either the commentary written in the journal or additional writings (I had started with Matthew-Revelation before adding Genesis-Malachi), I will now simply post whatever God lays on my heart, and not specifically in the order of the books of the Bible.   This will include poems.  I am also considering branching out into other areas and possibly starting a new blog or two and I will include links to those pages if I do so.  I will also be working more on my books, so I may or may not be posting less on this site.

However, you can simply scroll through these pages or use the search bar at the top of this blog if you want to see a read all that has been written about a certain book of the Bible - photo above shows where the search bar is on this blog.  It is also a good tool if you are looking for a specific topic.   I'm sure you know how a search bar works, but just in case, here is how it works on this blog site: You could type in the word, "Matthew" and hit search to see all articles mentioning the book of Matthew.  Or you could type in a word or phrase such as "Good Shepherd" to read all articles with that phrase. 

Also, as far as the Facebook page goes, I will be posting more than just writings by my me and/or my husband, but also share memes, sermons, and songs as they inspire me. (Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/juliesbiblejourney

Thank you for journeying through the Bible with me!  May we continue to grow through God's Word together!

Zechariah 4:10, 14:9,11, 20-21, Malachi 1:11 & 3:16-18

 (Zechariah 4:10) The eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

 (Zechariah 14:9,11 & 20-21) And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction. In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness Unto The Lord; and the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts.

(Malachi 1:11) For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great..." saith the Lord of hosts.

(Malachi 3:16-18) Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. 

"And they shall be mine," saith the Lord of hosts, "in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."