A Look Ahead
Dear friends, the days ahead look bleak indeed in the face of the global terrorist threat and numerous prophecies circulating from reputable sources on-line. The prophecies that have been crossing my computer e-mail speak of chains of earthquakes, cities being devastated, volcanoes erupting and general chaos. It isn't a pretty picture by any means, and it seems to be for the very near future. I was thrilled to have been given such an [Eschatology]message of the end-times myself just this past week.
If left to our own (mortal) devices, many of us are liable to face depression, fear and overwhelming feelings of stress on every front imaginable. Sad news, when what we'd REALLY like to be doing is preparing for another peaceful Christmas of exchanging presents and watching the little ones play beneath a gaily-decorated tree with new presents we've chosen with care.
My forecast for the future? Widespread despair by Christmas!
BUT...
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY!
Christ conquered sin, terror and evil two millenia ago - and those who have put their faith in Him MAY REST ON HIS PROMISES even today, no matter how black circumstances may look from 'our' perspective. The only eyes that count are His, because He has known the end since the beginning! It is only as we succumb to the lies of the devil (and I know how skilfully he can paint a terribly black picture using circumstances in our own lives) that we sink into the abyss of despair. Don't believe him! Instead, put your full faith, hope and trust - and every THOUGHT - onto Jesus, and leave them there. As the Lord impressed upon my heart some months ago,
Never, never, NEVER
look at Life
at 'SEE' level!
HE doesn't need to tip His hand by dropping hints of what He is up to in our lives; He can simply change our situation *completely* for the better in an instant IF we will trust Him and leave matters in His hands. And even if He DOESN'T change our circumstances or appear to come to our rescue as quickly as we feel He absolutely must - KEEP TRUSTING HIM! As the Bible tells us,
* Psalm 91:7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
* Isaiah 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.
* Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
* Psalm 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
* Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
* Psalm 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
* Psalm 118:5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
* Psalm 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
* Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
* Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Precious friends, we have learned over the years to trust Him, you and I; and HE NEVER CHANGES, okay? He is still our omnipotent, omnipresent Saviour and loving Father, and we're still His responsibility. He bought us with His blood and is NOT about to drop us just because the world is in a state of chaos. Thank You, Jesus!!!
Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
In the last days there will be a scarcity of the word of the Lord. It is for just such times as these that we have been prepared, that we may give comfort to those around us. You KNOW He isn't going to leave us high and dry trying to comfort others without having a really, REALLY strong sense of His presence within US... so the worse things get, the closer He will be, wrapping His arms around us and whispering in our ear. Hallelujah!!!
Consider Christ, the greatest blessing ever.
Let’s reflect on some of the things that Christ is said to have given in John’s Gospel.
a. Eternal.
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall
give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
b. Exemplary
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
c. Extraordinary
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
d. Enjoyment.
John 14:27 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.
e. Enduring.
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
What a friend we have in Jesus, do we not need to count our blessings?
A love that can never be fathomed.
A life that can never die.
A righteousness that can never be tarnished.
A peace that cannot be understood.
A rest that cannot be disturbed.
A joy that can never be diminished.
A hope that cannot be disappointed.
A glory that cannot be clouded.
A light that can never be darkened.
A happiness that can never be interrupted.
A strength that can never be enfeebled.
A purity that can never be defiled.
A beauty that can never be marred.
A wisdom that never can be baffled.
Resources that never can be exhausted.
When you have nothing left but Christ then for the first time you become aware that he is enough.
Let us look back and count our blessings.
1. Looking forward to the continuing battle.
Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
Now Joshua was old, some estimate about one hundred. Here is an old man in bad health, perhaps there is an old person reading this message, old and stricken in years, perhaps thinking, " Who cares about me?"
Perhaps no one visits you, no one calls any more, perhaps just a token visit.
Do you feel lonely, isolated and rejected?
Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
Notice that the Lord spoke to this old man. In spite of your age, your health, and your position in life the Lord has a word for you dear old saint of God.
Isaiah 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
The Lord will not forsake the elderly, the Lord can still use you.
Psalm 92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
I wonder how much the churches owe to the prayers of our dear elderly friends?
Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
Yes there is still much to do.
"There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed"
Yes we need to look back and count our blessings, and we need to look forward and see the continuing battle.
Let me mention two areas where we still have much to possess.
How much of this territory have you possessed? How much of this book have you travelled over?
As we consider the scriptures, could we not say that there remaineth yet very much to be possessed?
How much we will lose out on through ignorance of this great book.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This is why we were saved, that we might become more and more like our Saviour.
As we gaze upon our own lives and then look upon our Lord, how much of his character do we possess?
How much of our Saviour’s character do we bear?
How well do we know him? How well do we show him?
There remaineth yet much to be possessed.
Consider the following.
His holiness.
Acts 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
How much of our life is marked by holy living?
His obedience.
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
His meekness.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
His mercifulness.
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
His restraint.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
His longsuffering.
1 Tim. 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
His compassion.
Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
His goodness.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
His selflessness.
2 Cor. 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
His humility.
Philip. 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
His forgiveness.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
His love.
John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
How much of him do we possess in our daily living?
How conformed to his image are we today?
Is it not true, "There remaineth yet very much to be possessed?"
More about Jesus would I know.
More of his grace to others show.
More of his saving fullness see.
More of his love who died for me.
Someone described Paul’s goal in life as follows.
You see that it's knowing Jesus Christ, gaining intimacy with him, being found secure in him, being conformed to his image. The ultimate goal, in a word, is Christlikeness. The Christian life is not about accomplishment ultimately; it's about relationship.
Look back, count your blessings
Look ahead, continuing battle.
2. Looking out considering Balaam.
In chapter thirteen we find a reference to Baalam.
Joshua 13:22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
I want to say a word to the unsaved.
We read of Baalam in Num 22-24, he is also referred to in the New Testament on three occasions.
I don’t want to go into all about Baalam this morning- just think of his privileges.
He was brought into contact with God.
Numbers 23:4 And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.
He knew how privileged God’s people were.
Numbers 23:21-22 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. [22] God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
But Baalam rejected God.
2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
He was guilty of corrupting God’s people.
Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.
Rev. 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
He couldn’t curse them, but he corrupted them by getting them involved with Moabite woman, and 24000 died as a result. [Num25]
Baalam had many mighty privileges, having come in contact with God, having known God’s word, having known how God blessed his people, he rejected this all for his love of things.
What a happy ending he could have had, but
look out consider Baalam.
Joshua 13:22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
He was slain with God’s enemies.
Dear unsaved friend, how privileged you have been, to come in contact with God, meeting after meeting, to listen to his word, to watch his people and how blessed they are, but you need to look out for Baalam rejected all this and died as an enemy of God.
You need to look out, infact you need to look up.
Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
~ ~ ~ NOTE: ~ ~ ~
WHO WANTS TO BE SAVED !
~ ~ ~ I WANT JESUS ~ ~ ~
TO PLEASE COME INTO MY HEART
AND SAVE MY SOUL,
SO I CAN MAKE HEAVEN MY HOME !
AND BE ABLE TO SMILE AGAIN !
- - - Click Here To Visit:
~ ~ ~ THE SALVATION PLAN ~ ~ ~
JUST AS GOD HAS PROMISED
SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE ! |
~ THE HEART OF THE EASTER STORY " LOVE " ~
AN OLD RUGGED CROSS, AND AN EMPTY TOMB
BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN
THE REAL STORY IS, " HE LIVETH AGAIN! "
YOU MUST CLEAN UP YOUR ACT IF YOU WANT TO HANG AROUND HERE IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS !
~ ~ ~ MATTHEW 7: 20 ~ ~ ~
" WHEREFORE BY THEIR
YE SHALL KNOW THEM "
 |
 |
~ ~ ~ THE WAY OF THE CROSS ~ ~ ~
" The ways diverge, I stand and look them over,
And hot thoughts surge about my heart, the more I look at them,
and yet I know, I must choose one by which to go. "
" Which shall it be ? This one is flower-strewn;
That one I see, is narrow and rock-strewn;
Steep and forbidding, dark and grim.
Yet Christ walked there.
" I'LL WALK WITH HIM ! "
God Bless, and I'll be praying for you, Pastor Bill
- - - Click Here To Visit:
MY PRIZE INDEX MENU
ILLUSTRATED COLLECTION
TO BLESS YOUR SOUL ! |
 - - - Click Here To Visit:
~ ~ ~ GOOD OLE COWBOY HUMOR ~ ~ ~
AT IT'S BEST, WITH LOT'S OF
BIG HORSE STORIES ! |
 - - - Click Here To Visit :
~ ~ ~ GOOD NEWS ~ ~ ~
POST OFFICE
REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES
AND FRIENDS ON SPECIAL DAYS
FREE E-MAIL GREETING CARDS |
* * * * * PLEASE * * * * *
~ TAKE NOTE OF THIS ! ~
AS THERE COULD BE A GENIUS AT WORK
ON THIS WEB PAGE ? ? ?
I'M THINKING, I'M THINKING, TRUST ME ! ! !
HOW NICE IT WOULD BE IF YOU WERE TO
THAT WOULD SURE MAKE MY DAY 
THE COMPUTER WIZARD a.k.a. THE COMPUTER GEEK
[ My Alter Ego ]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >
< ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank You, Pastor Bill
~ ~ ~ROMANS CHAPTER SEVEN ~ ~ ~
VERSE 22
"FOR I DELIGHT IN THE LAW OF GOD AFTER THE INWARD MAN:"
VERSE 23
"BUT I SEE ANOTHER LAW IN MY MEMBERS, WARRING AGAINST THE LAW OF MY MIND, AND BRINGING ME INTO CAPTIVITY TO THE LAW OF SIN WHICH IS IN MY MEMBERS."
PLEASE !
ME
* * * BUT * * *
~ ~ ~ 
~ ~ ~
Email: PastorBill1@myway.com
REFLECT AHEAD 
This is
an animated graphic. It will automatically change to a new message for you to
view. God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. Could this be the
finger of God writing a message to you ? Remember, " Nothing is
impossible for God ! "
~ ENTERTAINMENT CENTER ~ 
~
