Category Insights on Scripture

Hear Ye Hear Ye Read All About It!

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

 

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”
A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign that you are coming again, and when will the world come to an end?” Jesus answered them, “Be careful not to let anyone deceive you. Many will come using my name. They will say, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many people. “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Don’t be alarmed! These things must happen, but they don’t mean that the end has come. Nation will fight against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All of these are only the beginning pains {of the end}. “Then they will hand you over to those who will torture and kill you. All nations will hate you because you are committed to me. Then many will lose faith. They will betray and hate each other. Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. And because there will be more and more lawlessness, most people’s love will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved. “This Good News about the kingdom will be spread throughout the world as a testimony to all nations. Then the end will come. Matt 24:3-14 (GW)



In this week’s news headlines we read about earthquakes in Japan, floods in the Midwest and southern China, uncontrolled forest fires in California and the Southeast, a bus station bomb exploding in Nepal, and suicide bomber attacks soccer fans in Baghdad.

 

We read of religious cult leaders involved in polygamy and sexual misconduct with minors, as well as those who encourage their followers to harm themselves or others in the name of god.

Famines, and starvation abound throughout the world, many innocent people are being kidnapped, killed and tortured. Christians in many lands are persecuted for what they believe. And all this is only a weeks worth of news.

Jesus was asked by his disciples to tell them when the end would come, what signs would point to the end of the age. He went on to list basically what we see happening in today’s headlines. Despite all this bad news prevalent today, there is still the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Although there is a structured attempt to stamp out anything and everything that speaks about Christ, or resembles Christian, Jesus said that the ‘good news’ about his kingdom would continue to be spread throughout the world before the end comes, as a testimony to all nations.

Though nations be at war or in peace, whether they are experiencing famine, pestilence, war, or strife, even in the midst of all this turmoil the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is still being proclaimed.

Through earthquakes, windstorms, floods, and fire, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God marches on. Even while being tortured, persecuted, murdered, or imprisoned, dear saints of God stand firm in their retelling of the ‘good news’.

Right in the middle of all this bad news, there is still a thread of ‘good news’, the goodness of God stands in stark contrast to the evil news of the world. The gospel of Christ is today, and for all time, the greatest story ever told.

Have you heard the ‘good news’? Have you read about the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? Have you ever been told the ‘good news’ of God’s love for you?

Do not let the headlines discourage you. All these things must happen and continue until the time when Jesus himself shall bring it all to an end.

Until then, have hope in God who continues to spread His word throughout the world as a testimony to the nations. This is the ‘GOOD NEWS’, — Jesus died for us so that we can live, even though we are surrounded by such death and destruction. Look up, take heart, for your redemption is drawing near.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

 

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On Eagle’s Wings

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

My verse for life is Isaiah 40:31- For those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up on wings as eagles.

An eagle soars on the updraft of wind and can glide on those air currents for miles. They wait to catch a wave so to speak and ride that wave through the sky. That is like the leading of the Lord; it is a strong UP current that takes you soaring above your problems and gives you a much higher perspective of things. There is calmness about it a soaring of your spirits, you are uplifted. Your situation may not change but you are energized internally to weather the storms you are faced with.

From this lofty position riding on the waves of the spirit of God you are able to look further into the future and see more of your surroundings. You are able to see things you may not have been able to see before while wallowing in self pity or anything else that kept you grounded. If you are actively seeking the Lord while waiting upon him He will send along a spiritual wind current to lift you up.

Choosing the Right Path

You will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way. Follow it, whether it turns to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 (GW)

So the leading of the Lord comes as a strong urging to go in a particular direction. You may not know where the road leads but you just know you are supposed to take that road. As you travel along that road you are to be watching for the signs of God’s leading and direction. He will place blessings along the way as you journey.

 

I guess the best way to describe it is like going on a treasure hunt. You have a basic idea where to go but you are not really sure what you are looking for but you will know once you find it. So it is when you journey with God. He sets you on a pathway and gives you clues and guidance along the way and as you go you find blessings in places you never would have thought to look on your own.

Continue reading “On Eagle’s Wings” →

Stop, Look and Listen

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”
A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

train2Today as I was coming down the hill into town, I almost ran into the side of a car turning left. I stopped to ask the lady who was driving the other car why she turned directly in front of me. Her response led me to this subject. She said she thought I had a stop sign so she immediately turned, assuming I would be stopping and not continue down the hill.

From her vantage point she saw the back side of a railroad crossing sign and thought it was a stop sign. From the placement of the sign at the corner of the street where she was turning left, she easily mistook the railroad crossing sign for a stop sign. Although the two signs do not look alike, in a spur of the moment, instant decision, I can see how she made the mistake of assuming it was a stop sign. That being said she did ignore the other rules of safe driving by not making sure the approaching vehicle actually stopped before attempting to turn in front of it. Had she waited patiently, she would have seen my vehicle was not going to stop and the near miss we had would have been avoided altogether.

I was thankful that my van did not have anti-lock brakes, for if it had, I doubt I would have been able to stop quickly enough to avoid hitting the rear of the turning car. As it turned out I missed hitting her completely.

It really was interesting that the sign this lady mistook for a stop sign was actuallyrr crossing signs a railroad crossing sign, indicating a railroad crossing where you better STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN for an oncoming train. If you get hit by a train it is not likely you will escape serious injury. You may even face death.

How many actually take the time to stop, look, and listen? I mean today with the red flashing lights at most railroad crossings, we cross the tracks without hardly a look to one side let alone both sides. Remember when we were young and our mothers would tell us to look both ways before crossing the street? Do you still do that today with those crossing lights flashing on the city street corners? Have we taken the signs for granted? Are we too much in a hurry to actually take time to stop, look, and listen?

How many times have we made snap decisions that have come back to cause us harm? How many times can you recall mistaking a sign to mean one thing when in reality it meant something entirely different? Have you, like me, ever had one of those times when you totally misunderstood something someone was trying to say?

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It is not hard to misinterpret signs, and intent of others when we are not fully cognizant of our surroundings. We see but we do not comprehend, we hear but do not fully listen to the intent and meaning behind what we hear and we are too busy or too stressed to relax enough to respond with other than a knee-jerk reaction. We do not take the time to fully listen before we respond. Continue reading “Stop, Look and Listen” →

Permanent Records

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12 (NKJV)

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Heb 8:12 (NKJV)

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How many of us remember our school days and the permanent record? How many times have you, like me, been threatened with the words, “it is going into your permanent record”. It was the duty of the school to keep a permanent record of our activities both good and bad during our tenure. This permanent record was a history of who we were, when we were in that institution of higher learning. Ideally this permanent record would have been kept spotless and only list accomplishments, not the exploits of a wayward teen.

School discipline was something we feared as children. Being sent to the principals office was not a school trip we looked forward to taking. We feared the permanent record almost as much as we feared failing a class.

Some miscreants enjoyed the permanent record of misdeeds and foibles. To them it was a badge of honor, a written record of their misdeeds. They were proud of these outlandish acts that others thought were not so noteworthy. To them a trip to detention was an admirable goal. For me however it was something to be avoided at all costs.

image002Law enforcement has a record of all the lawbreakers in their data base as well. I wonder how many miscreants from high school found themselves with a permanent record of lawlessness? I wonder how many have permanent criminal records to coincide with their high school permanent records? I wonder how many of them spent time in a detention center of a different sort?

Truth be told we are all lawbreakers when it comes to the ways of God. The bible teaches clearly that no one is righteous. Romans 3:10 None of us seeks after what is true and right, we all like sheep have gone astray, each one following after our own way of doing things. Isaiah 53:6 We all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. Romans 3:23 We all have a record of wrongdoing so to speak. In the end we must stand before the principal and give an account of what we have done with our life. Revelation 20:12

Unlike the school district’s and law enforcement’s permanent records God does not keep a permanent record of wrongs. They are not written with a permanent marker. God made a way to erase all those permanent mistakes without having to endure detention. God’s way was to send someone else to detention in our place. God sent an advocate, a substitute, a scapegoat who would take our punishment for us. Jesus would take all our misdeeds with him to the cross of Calvary where they are forever engraved on his hands.

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If we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and acknowledge that he died for our sins, and if we repent of our sins, then Jesus will go to work on our permanent records to blot them out of God’s record book and replace them with forgiveness.

Therefore the only permanent marks in heaven are the marks in the hands, feet and side of Jesus. They are permanent reminders of the price he paid for our sins. A permanent mark of the sacrifice offered for our forgiveness. These scars are a permanent record of His love for us.

God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16 (GW)

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

A Fresh Look at Ol’ 23

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Insight for your “Journey Across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

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Lets take a look at this a little deeper shall we?

THE LORD… defining singularity and exclusivity. HE IS THE ONE AND ONLY.. He is not a wannabe LORD.. he is not trying to find himself or make a place for himself. HE IS THE LORD

THE LORD IS……. Now we are not Clinton here that we need to define what the meaning of IS IS do we?? IS means present-NOW happening… IT is not WAS LORD.. it is not GOING TO BE LORD.. HE IS LORD! HE IS THE NOW LORD….

MY… possessive pronoun taking ownership of.. HE Is not ONLY THE LORD, HE IS NOT ONLY LORD NOW, HE is MY LORD… I acknowledge and accept HIM and HIM ONLY.. HE can not be MY Lord along with others either. HE IS THE LORD OF ALL or HE is not LORD AT ALL..

AND IF HE IS MY LORD then HE is also

MY SHEPHERD….. A shepherd leads the flock… Heads up, looks out for, stands watch over, protects, guides and directs.. HE IS not only a SHEPHERD but HE is the GOOD SHEPHERD.. He is a good shepherd able to take good care of that little flock..

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 (KJV)

It is GOD’S DESIRE to give you heaven.. HE WANTS to take you there.. HE desires to have you there with him.. HE IS MY SHEPHERD

Now then if all of the above are true, then and only then can we state affirmatively to the rest of this scripture…

BECAUSE THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I WILL NOT BE IN WANT…

LACKING ANY GOOD THING

BEING IN need of that which is needful

Finding myself lost and alone…

Wanting something we do not have leads us to that place I like to call the land of discontentment.. IT IS there, that we find ourselves feeling lack and fearful and empty.. Keeping our focus on who HE IS and WHOSE we are, should free us from the desire for more, FOR HE IS ALL I NEED and HE is all I am ever going to need.. THAT has to be settled in order to live out the rest of this psalm Continue reading “A Fresh Look at Ol’ 23” →