Tag Christianity

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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No Record- by Julie Arduini

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

 

This post is by quest author Julie Arduini a fellow writer at Faithwriters.com. Take some time to stop by the website and read the thousands of posts by fellow travelers. And now for No Record by Julie Arduini.

 

Psalm 130:3: “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?” NIV

1Corinthians 13: 4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” NIV

MacDonalds sign in Times Square, New York

Image via Wikipedia

 

We went out to dinner as a family moment before my husband left for a work trip. Of all the places to go, we chose McDonalds. I know, big shock with small kids, right? My order is standard, always the chicken wrap with barbeque sauce. Problem is,they don’t agree with me.

 

Case in point: last month I took the kids there for dinner and while talking along I let out a sound that I can’t even define as a burp because the humiliating act had an echo that turned heads. The kids cackled and cackled. They bring it up often, even during this most recent Golden Arches meal.

As our trip to the airport progressed, we paid tolls. I wasn’t even in my husband’s life then and even I recall the same story his older children told from years ago: he went to pay the automatic toll and missed the catch, dropping his money. After all this time, no one forgot.

Same for when we needed an elevator to get my husband to the correct gate. Even our oldest says, “remember when” and tells the tale of when my husband’s older children used to sit on elevator floors. My elevator recollection is from a few years ago when I was in a performance of “Heaven’s Gates and Hell‘s Flames”. My character perished in an elevator accident. If I ever hear the music that accompanied my dramatic death scene, I can assure you I’m off that real elevator!

Embarrassing sounds. Clumsy actions. Uncomfortable moments. Our kids don’t forget those times and most likely, spouses don’t either.

I’m so thankful to serve a God who does not keep a record of our wrongs. It isn’t because He’s ditsy and He forgot, it’s because He loves us so much He chooses not to. As Psalm 130 states, who could stand under such a recollection if the Lord did such a thing?

I’ve been watching online evenings on God.TV. services out of Lakeland, Florida. God is using a man the world would never think of because his record of shame is etched in his skin with colored ink. Todd Bentley by his own account was saved in his drug dealer‘s trailer. He used to cut himself and was an alcoholic.

Then Jesus came.

I blush over a traffic stopping burp. Todd Bentley remembers the smells and sounds of artificial highs. Perhaps your account of deeds lie somewhere in the middle. No matter what you’ve done, are doing, or are even tempted to do, you can live a true clean slate free of shame.

Call on the Lord today. The Lord who forgives. The Lord who is Love.

The Lord who keeps no record of wrongs.

Julie Arduini, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/, is devoted to writing for Christ in ways that encourage and inspire. Happily married to Tom, they have two children: Brian and Hannah.

@2008 by Julie Arduini

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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Behind the Scenes: All Access Pass

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

 

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

“…[W]e have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.” (Hebrews 10:19-20, NIV)

 

I used to be on the stage crew of my local high school. The stage crew was responsible for all the behind the scenes events that took place. The actors and performers on stage where dependent upon what went on behind the scenes. Movies, plays, music events, television shows, news broadcasts, TV preachers. All these people are dependent on what goes on behind the scenes. The things you can not see makes what you can see look better if done right.

The important things about those who work behind the scenes is to do the job in such a way as to not be noticed. In fact many times we were required to wear dark clothing so that we could move about the stage unseen when the lights were dimmed. Sneaking around behind the curtain was a talent we all learned early in our training. Using the catwalks and sky walks above and behind the stage were our way of getting around from place to place without anyone noticing. We were like mice in the rafters moving about sight unseen.

To this day I enjoy knowing how things are done. I want to know how they do that? I like those television shows that show you how it is done. In fact I really like those ‘making of’ features on DVD’s that show how the different stunts and effects in the movie were done.

On certain days the ‘Millennium Theater’ in Lancaster, PA has a behind the scenes tour of the current play they are presenting. During these behind the scenes tours you are taken behind the curtain to see the drama backstage. All the props and make-up and special effects are shown from an entirely new perspective, that of the insider, the crew who put it all together.

Jesus gave us a way to go behind the scenes when he died on the cross. Now we have an ‘all access pass to heaven’ through the blood of Jesus Christ and we can “see behind the curtain”. We can watch the drama unfold from an insiders’ view. We are now permitted to venture behind the scenes as God works out his program on earth’s stage. We are part of the stage crew working together with Jesus and the Holy Spirit to bring to life the kingdom of heaven.


One of the things Jesus did for us on the cross, was to open our access to God’s presence. Have you considered the significance of the tearing of the veil in the temple when Jesus was on the cross (Matt. 27:51)? What once was forbidden has now been made available!


Now we can look behind the scenes into the very throne room of God himself and fellowship directly with the Father because of Jesus’ death on the cross. The curtain has now been lifted.

We now have an all access pass into the holy of holies seven days a week 365 days a year.

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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10 Signs you Need a Faith Lift

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

  1. When genuine joy is dependent on the state of your circumstances.
  2. When you begin to lose the distinct aroma of the fragrance of Christ in your life.
  3. When you begin to feel or act as if self-worth and acceptance is dependent on how well you perform.
  4. When victory or success depends on you and your ability rather than on the adequacy of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
  5. When you place undue emphasis on programming and planning to the exclusion of His direction, leading and guidance.
  6. When more time is spent in the “activities arena” than in the prayer closet.
  7. When the praises of men and women become more important than the approval of God.
  8. When relating to and caring for people is less important than programs, planning, meetings, and budgets.
  9. When you assume responsibility to worry and fret over things and people that God in His sovereignty and power would take charge of (if you would allow Him to do so).
  10. When your rights become more important than God’s will and way.
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Between a River and the Deep Red Sea

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (GW)

Who heard God and rebelled? All those whom Moses led out of Egypt rebelled. With whom was God angry for 40 years? He was angry with those who sinned and died in the desert. Who did God swear would never enter his place of rest? He was talking about those who didn’t obey him. So we see that they couldn’t enter his place of rest because they didn’t believe. Hebrews 3:16-19 (GW)

Location of the Red Sea

Image via Wikipedia

 

They say the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But sometimes that straight line can end up being a very long trip when you reach the land of indecision. It is the place were fears are birthed. Given time these fears can paralyze an individual for a lifetime. Rendering them unable to move from the status quo.

 

Israel had a hard time getting to where God intended for them to be. The plans and purposes he had in store for them were far greater than where they had already been. The place God was taking them was beyond their ability to comprehend. Not being able to see the end from the beginning left them to wander in the wilderness for a generation. They were unable to move beyond their own fears, doubts, and eventually unbelief.

Egyptian bondage had taken its toil. The people had lost their ability to be free and independent. They felt secure in their bondage, even though it meant daily persecution. The familiar and safe seemed far better than embracing the freedom the Lord offered.

It became a mindset. Get up, do the same thing over and over and look forward to much of the same (day after day) Although they cried out to God for relief, I am not sure they really knew nor wanted what God had in store. It seemed that the more God provided the more they complained, even to the point of refusing to follow into the promised land.

They remembered the stories of the promises God had made. They read about it in the books of their prophets. They longed for a time of autonomy. They were looking for a time when they would no longer be oppressed. God heard their cry and came to their rescue. But what happened? They refused the help.

Jesus came unto his own to rescue them from the bondage of sin and to offer a new kingdom. They crucified the Savior. They rejected the offer. They much preferred the way things were, to the way things ought to be. How many times do we miss out on the best God has to offer because we refuse to change? A state of mediocrity seems far better than pristine paradise. We much rather remain in the morass in which we find ourselves then to be redeemed for the life abundant Jesus taught about.

I know first hand how difficult transition can be. We become accustomed to being looked after by those who are not seeking our welfare but rather seeking to enslave us for their own selfish ambitions. Rather than being a free and independent individual we find ourselves compromising our values and beliefs for a loaf of bread.

Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now. “Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. Gen 25:29-34 (ESV)

Esau sold his rightful birthright for a pot of stew. Many today are doing much the same thing. Instead of reaching for the promises of God set before us, we sell out to the lowest bidder, not even the highest, for a pot of stew. When you think about it, that is how many live their lives, eating from a pot of stew, convinced that is all there is  never realizing their fullest potential in Christ.

 

After leaving Egypt and crossing over the Red Sea, beholding the miracle that God wrought before them, Israel was still unable to enter into the land of promise. Their biggest challenge was behind them. The Red Sea was far harder to cross over than the Jordan river would be. Having seen the miraculous it is hard to believe that they could not believe once again for a miracle. Oh do not kid yourselves into thinking you would have done anything different. I find in this day and age not many who are able to cross a small stream let alone a raging river.

I do not want to be too harsh on the Israelites because I too am faced with insurmountable obstacles as I try to step out and follow hard after God. I want to emphasize the word HARD in the preceding sentence. Following after God is not easy. It is not impossible but it certainly is not for the faint of heart. Take heart, be not afraid, He promised He would always be with us, even unto the end of the earth. Take a step of faith, be like Peter and get out of the boat of indecision and attempt to walk on the water of opportunity. Cross over to the place where you totally trust in God and you will be far happier and fulfilled than if you remain in the land of indecision.

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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