According to Acts 13:46 and Romans 1:16, it is believed the Dispensation of Grace, which extended grace to the whole world through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, started with Paul. Consequently, with the rejection of the gospel message by the Jews, Paul’s ministry was primarily to the Gentiles. Even so, during this grace dispensation, there are Jews who accepted Jesus as their Savior, but the majority of them are still awaiting their Messiah.
In Israel, the religious Jews want to erect a temple and offer sacrifices as of old; however, the continuous conflict with the nations and people that hate Israel has hindered them from carrying out their desires. Notably, this war with Hamas has fueled more animosity against Israel, and her enemies are rejoicing over it. And although the events of this last month in Israel have been disturbing, believers who understand end-time events realize these atrocities must happen.
Why do I say this? As the world turns its back on Israel, in the future, they will welcome an ally, and they will willingly sign a treaty with the antichrist. We can expect this to occur after the rapture of believers and the man of sin, the son of perdition, who is the antichrist, is revealed (1 Thessalonians 2:3).
As we watch and experience this dispensation coming to a close, and God’s attention and focus is on His chosen nation, don’t be alarmed over what you see or hear. God, who controls all, has a plan that existed from the beginning. Just remember all things work for the good of those who love God.
In everything, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Thessalonians 5:18
This week, I celebrated my seventy-sixth Thanksgiving. Most of my Thanksgivings was celebrated with my parents and siblings, but now my parents are no longer living; I celebrate Thanksgiving with my children and grandchildren.
My seventy-six years on earth represent a time in which I had many experiences. God has always been with me, whether the experience was good or bad. Plus, according to Psalm 91:11, God has given His angel charge over me to keep me in the way.
Here are some of the things for which I am thankful:
I am thankful that I was born in a family who had a relationship with God.
I am thankful that my mother taught me to read the Word as a child and instilled in me a fear of God.
I am thankful I accepted Jesus as my Savior at age ten.
I am thankful that I loved participating in religious activities as a youth.
I am thankful I was able to graduate high school and enroll in nursing school.
I am thankful I married a person of like faith.
I am thankful my husband and I raised our two children to believe in God and His Word.
I am thankful that I received grants and favors that paid for most of my undergraduate and graduate education.
I am thankful that all five of the surgeries that I’ve had were successful and without complications.
I am thankful that I have worked in ministry with my husband.
I am thankful that the Spirit of Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding, Might, Counsel, Fear of the Lord operate in my life.
I am thankful that God hears and answers my prayers.
I am thankful for the daily provisions that God has provided.
I am thankful I know and understand every moment I live; God has been kind and merciful to me.
Finally, I am thankful that I have been able to consistently post blogs since January 2, 2012.
This is what we see with the children of Israel. According to Exodus 12:40, the children of Israel sojourned in Egypt for 430 years. When they first arrived their relative Joseph the son of Jacob was Pharoah’s viceroy/prime minister and he took care of them. However, after Joseph died and the Israelites grew into a great nation the new Egyptian dynasty put them in bondage and enslaved them.
Showing Himself strong and displaying His love and concern for them God used Moses and a series of plagues to deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians. Under God’s direction, the Israelites exited Egypt and went into the wilderness. It was there that God began to speak directly to them and Israel pledged their allegiance to Him.
Unfortunately, throughout their wilderness journey when they experienced hunger, thirst, and the absence of Moses’ presence they quickly forgot about the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God. They complained, rebelled, and even wished to be back in Egypt. God allowed them to suffer for their disloyalty and forgetfulness and surely He will do the same to us when we quickly forget.
People around the world are suffering from some of the following issues: poverty, food insecurity, pandemic aftermath, lack of healthcare, mental health issues, disability rights, personal freedoms, unemployment, homelessness, debt crises, lawlessness, bullying, addictions, relationships issues, losses, coping with grief, self-esteem issues and refugee mistreatment. Assuredly, this list could go on and on.
Not knowing where to turn many including believers have become depressed and suicidal. However, believers are not standing alone for we have God on our side; therefore, we have hope.
Since I am aware that using the Hebrew calendar this decade of “pey” believers are to continually speak, decree, and declare the Word over situations. Plus seeing all the turmoil in the world and being cognizant of Satan’s devices I‘ve devoted this blog to scriptures on hope that readers can utilize to bring encouragement into their lives.
As you read the Word, declare and decree it, I pray it will strengthen, renew, and bless you in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.
Psalm 33:22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Psalm 38:15 For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
Psalm 71:14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
Psalm 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.
Psalm 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
Psalm 119:81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Psalm 147:11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Lamentations 3:24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Lamentations 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
God wants believers to trust and rely on Him in every area of our lives, He allows us to be in unmatched situations where we would be defeated but for His intervention. Such is the story recorded in I Samuel 17 of David and Goliath who was unmatched for their battle.
David the youngest son of Jesse was a youth when he encountered Goliath who was an infamous giant and champion of the Philistines. As the story goes David was sent by his father to the battlefield where the Philistine’s armies were gathered to fight against King Saul and the Israelite army. Jesse gave David food for his brothers and the Israelite soldiers and told him to bring back information on how his brothers were doing.
When David got to the battlefield he saw and heard Goliath’s suggestion for a one-man battle with these results, “If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.” Seeing his size and hearing his taunting no Israelite soldier accepted the challenge but David was not scared. David told the king, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”.
Though unmatched in size and experience David accepting the challenge ran toward Goliath. With one of the five stones he had taken out of the brook David slang it, and struck Goliath’s forehead causing him to fall to the ground. Then David ran and took Goliath’s sword, and cut off his head.
While others quaked in fear David confessed the God that helped him in the past would help him in the present. On his own, he knew Goliath could kill him but with God, he knew he would be victorious. David thought and confessed as he ran to his dangerous foe, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.”
Whenever you are in trouble, feeling overwhelmed, and facing possible defeat follow the example of David and confess the battle is the Lords’ and He will deliver you out of your troublesome situation and make you victorious. Additionally, those around you will know it was God who assisted you and caused you to be victorious.
John 10:1-5, 7-8,14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
According to John 10 while talking to a multitude of Jews Jesus shared insight into the relationship of a shepherd and his sheep. This discourse happened after Jesus had healed on the Sabbath a man who was blind from birth. Instead of being excited over this miracle, it made the religious leaders very angry; therefore, Jesus wanted to point out the difference between Him the good shepherd, and them the false, robbing shepherds.
Knowing the multitude understood the maintenance of the sheepfold in His day Jesus used it in a parable for them. In the evening the shepherds would lead their sheep to the central walled-in fold where the flock gathered. This fold had one entrance and was guarded by a porter or doorkeeper throughout the night. While in the fold the sheep were able to mingle with sheep that were not part of their flock. In the morning when their shepherd came for them, he would stand at the entrance and call the sheep by name, and they responded by coming to him. Each sheep had developed a relationship with their shepherd, and it was his voice they followed without hesitation. If an unknown shepherd called a sheep, it would not respond but rather flee in another direction. In ending this communication Jesus informed the multitude He was the good shepherd, and His sheep’s ears were closed to those that would do them harm for He and His sheep were intimate with each other.
Many believers struggle with knowing the voice of Jesus but this discourse that He had with the multitude gives us the solution. Spend time praying and becoming intimate with Him and you will be able to distinguish His voice from that of a perpetrator; there will be no mistaken identity.
During the month of September, I had the privilege of teaching the Book of Revelation for a Powerhouse Bible study. Midway through my presentation of the last class, I stopped and invited people who had not accepted Jesus as their Savior to do so. I did this due to the information I shared about the twenty-one judgments that would occur during the tribulation. If people understood what was going to happen prayerfully, they would make the right decision.
I am one of the individuals who believe the church’s rapture is imminent. As far as I can see, things are in place, and the signs of the times verify this to me. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24:4-7 “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul also told Timothy, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” The events and attitude of people, as stated by Jesus and Paul, is readily seen in today’s society; therefore, people do not have time to lollygag.
At the White Throne’s judgment, everyone, small and great, will become immortal, and the question of where they will spend eternity will be determined. According to Revelation 20:15, if a person’s name is not found in the Book of Life, they will be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone in which the antichrist, false prophet, and devil that deceived people from the beginning of time were already cast (Revelation 19:20; 20:10). Some have stated that an unbeliever’s spirit would be placed in the lake of fire and not an actual live person; however, the Bible repudiates this notion in Revelation 19:20.
As revealed in Revelation 20:10 and Matthew 24:51, 25:30, 46, the lake of fire is a place of torment day and night forever. I don’t want to go there, and I suspect others feel the same; thus, I close this blog doing what I did midway through my presentation. If you haven’t done so already, I invite you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. This is the greatest decision you will make in your life; the choice is yours, and it will determine where you will live forever.
This blog was inspired by a message I heard preached this week by Bishop Fred Jackson. Toward the end of his message, he gave the example of the actions of King Hezekiah when he received a threatening letter from the Sennacherib king of Assyria in 2 Kings 19:14. After reading this undesirable letter, the king went to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord and prayed. In his prayer he first acknowledges God as creator and sovereign ruler in the earth. Then, he requested God’s attention to the words of Sennacherib. He spoke of Sennacherib’s conquest of other nations. Finally, he said, “Now, O Lord our God, please, save us from his hand so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know [without any doubt] that You alone, O Lord, are God.” Subsequently, after his prayer, God sent him a word via Isaiah the prophet that his enemy would not come into Jerusalem and conquer it, for God would defend and save it.
Most of us have experienced getting a letter incorrectly delivered to our home address. Then there are times we receive mail, but, due to its content, we wish we had not received it; this is the case of King Hezekiah. The king knew seeking outside intervention would be useless, for the arms of flesh would fail. He knew complaining to people would not resolve the issue; his answer was to take this undesirable letter to God, the ultimate fixer.
The example of King Hezekiah is one that all believers should follow. When bad news is sent to you, please take it to the one who can remedy the situation. Acknowledge God for who He is in your life and world. Since God is omniscient, he knows how you are feeling and your thoughts, so be forthcoming in sharing the problem. Let God know your problem is His problem, and you’re requesting His intervention. The mail addressed to you is being forwarded to Him because you are not accepting it. Finally put your faith into action and trust and believe God to handle this mail.
We are living at a time when men are genuinely being deceived. Many read and misconstrue the scriptures, but God has the last say. Regrettably, one of the areas being falsely interpreted has to do with where people will spend eternity.
Some declare that, in the end, everyone will be saved from eternal damnation. Some individuals who hear this and believe it are living ungodly lives. They assume at the end of their earthly existence, God will automatically forgive them and welcome them as kingdom citizens. Despite man’s assumption, the Word clearly states who will not be part of God’s kingdom.
In the last two chapters of Revelation, which is the final book in the Bible, Jesus shared this information with John. First, in Revelation 21:5-8, 27 He said, “Behold, I make all things new. Write: for these words are true and faithful. It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Then, I believe for emphasis in Revelation 22:12-15, Jesus repeats portions of the list a second time. He said, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
These two groups of verses are a warning for all of us not to fall into the category of the fearful, unbelieving, abomination workers, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, liars, defilers, idolaters, and dogs. If we are found in these categories, our eternal destination will not be with Jesus but rather in the lake of fire because the Word of God has the last say.
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Revelation, Jesus repeatedly uses these words: “Ears to hear, let him hear,” and “He that hath an ear, let him hear.”
Commentators believe Jesus used these words to admonish people to listen carefully and comprehend the message He intended to convey. After hearing the message, they should conform their ways, thus yielding a positive outcome. It was also used as a warning to the unrepented, hardhearted, and unhearing that consequences would occur for their negative actions.
In Matthew 11:15, Jesus used the phrase, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” concerning John the Baptist while talking to the people who lived in Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon, and Capernaum.
In Matthew 13:43, while talking to his disciples in a house, Jesus used the phrase, “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear, “concerning the parable of wheat and tares.
In Matthew 13:9, Mark 4:9, and Luke 8:8, while sitting in a ship teaching a great multitude, Jesus used the phrase, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,” concerning the sower’s seeds distribution.
In Mark 4:23, talking to his disciples, Jesus used the phrase, “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear,” concerning the manifestation of hidden things.
In Mark 7:16, Jesus called all the people to him and used the phrase, “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear,” concerning that which defiles a man.
In Luke 14:35, as He traveled from one area to another, Jesus said to the multitude following Him, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” concerning the purpose of salt.
In Revelation 2:7, 11,17, 29, 3:6, 13, and 22, Jesus sent a message to the churches at Ephesus. Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. He addressed each of them concerning that which would allow them to be overcomers, and He used the phrase, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
As in the days of old, Jesus is yet speaking to us. It behooves all believers who have ears to listen, lest we are labeled like those found in Ezekiel 12:2, which states, “Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.”
The Teacher's Pick 