Nails, Pegs, & God’s Word

*Did you know the first fire forged brass nail appeared in Egypt in 3400B.C.? Neither did I until today.  Nails are measured in length from 2d to 12d and up. The d stands for the Roman denarius, hence today we call them 2 penny, etc. There is a right nail for every carpentry job. That means there are numerous nails to choose from. To use the wrong nail can result in a weak connection.

Chapter 9 of Ezra begins with his hearing and lamenting over the unfaithfulness of the escaped remnant to follow the Lord. They had disregarded the Lord’s commandment and “mingled themselves with the people of those lands.”

When Ezra realized their unfaithfulness, he mourned their sin and went before God confessing the sin, even identifying with it. There is a lesson in unity here but that is for another day. Then in verses 8 & 9 he extols God with these words:

“And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God,

to leave us a remnant to escape,

and to give us a nail in his holy place,

that our God may lighten our eyes,

and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

For we were bondmen:

yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage,

but hath extended mercy unto us

in the sight of the kings of Persia,

to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God,

and to repair the desolations thereof,

and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.”

My question for this week, What nail for what job is Ezra speaking of? And what does it have to do with us?

Please, share your ideas in the comments. I hope to share my thoughts on Wednesday.

---

Since worship is a 24/7 lifestyle let’s take this opportunity to grow in our personal worship with the Lord, as we remember to encourage our brothers and sisters through the technology available, written word and prayer for one another. We may not be able to physically join together this weekend but we are one in Christ and God is on the throne. 

---

*Information gathered from Bob Formasano at thespruce.com

 

Advertisement

Praying Together

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers…” Eph. 1;15,16.

For three weeks we have traveled together through the knowledge of God’s will in wisdom and spiritual understanding. When we began the journey, I believed I wrote for your encouragement through life’s varied roads. On this journey with you, I found God speaking to my heart, speaking knowledge, wisdom and understanding to me, preparing me for the valley of the shadow of death that would come to my family. I didn’t know He was leading me there until I arrived. But once there, He spoke to me through the scriptures I had written, filling me with His comfort and strength and a renewed knowledge of His mercy.

I pray He has also used this journey to increase your knowledge of Him, bringing you wisdom, and spiritual understanding. Paul in Ephesians 1:17-20, along with other scriptures, express my prayer for you.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you,

the spirit of wisdom…”If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”(James 1:5).

and revelation in the knowledge of him…”For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people: A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32). “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3).

the eyes of your understanding being enlightened…”Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:” (2Tim. 2:7,8)

that ye may know what is the hope of his calling…”I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”(Phil. 3:14).

and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints…”Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.”(Prov. 8:18,19). “…if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:17,18).

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.…”That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”(Phil. 3:10,11).

“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” (Eph. 6:24).

 So, I leave this for you, along with my thanks for traveling this journey with me and the desire for God to bless your weekend as you walk with Him.

Understanding Life and Death

“Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding; I have strength.” Prov. 8:14

“Blessed is the man that heareth me…         

For whoso findeth me findeth life.”   

“But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul;                                                                   

all that hate me love death.” ( Prov. 8:34-36.)

If you gained nothing from this week’s posts, I pray the Lord Jesus opens your eyes and fills your heart with the light of understanding to the truth of today’s scriptures.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. “John 5:24,25.

 “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming,

         in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

           And shall come forth;

            they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life;

               and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28,29.

“As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Rom. 3:10-12.

            “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Rom. 3:23.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned;” Rom. 5:12

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

     “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:

           and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;

              but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

                  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

                        that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

                                  but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened[made alive] together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way nailing it to his cross.” Col. 2:13,14.

   “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.” Rev. 21:7,8.

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life?

it is even a vapour,, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away…James 4:14 

 

“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth;

            and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the                                  flood, and in Egypt;

                                    and serve ye the LORD.

            And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;

           whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood,

           or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell;

                      But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Josh. 24:14,15.

You have the knowledge of God’s will before you. Do you have the wisdom and spiritual understanding to choose life over death? These are the only options. To not choose, is death’s choice.

Praying all who read understands life and death are in the balance and chooses life through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

                         

 

 

                                                                                   

Where Do You Find Understanding?

“Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you…How sweet are thy words unto my taste…Through thy precepts I get understanding…”(See Matt. 7:7; Ps. 119:103,104.)

Retrieved from Pixabay’s free images.

Yesterday’s post answered my title’s question in two ways. One is prayer and the other is the word of God. It’s not found by osmosis but by gaining the knowledge of God’s will and applying that knowledge in wisdom. The word by itself nor prayer by itself are not enough to open your eyes to truth.

“And he[Jesus] said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled…Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said…Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance of remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem… And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (Luke 24:44-47; 1John 5:20).

Has Christ opened your eyes of understanding to who He is?

Christ did not leave us alone to muddle through His word after His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. He knew that would leave us without the means of understanding.

“…as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God…the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God…that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God…But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned…” (See1Cor. 2:9-12,14)

The natural man, one not born of the Spirit of God cannot know the things of God. That’s why God also gives us teachers.

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual thing with spiritual…1Cor. 2:13;Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran…to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him…Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Acts. 8:29-31,35.

Do you have someone with whom you can study God’s word and explain the things of the Spirit of God?

Understanding begins as we hear the word and the Father draws us through the Spirit convincing us of our need to repent, turning us to the only One who can cleanse us from the guilt, power, and ultimately the presence of sin. Once born of the Spirit, understanding grows as we grow in the knowledge of God in wisdom, asking, seeking and knocking.

Understanding is a gift of God for any who will come to Him. Have you come to the right source for understanding?

Father, thank you, for giving us your Holy Spirit and giving us faithful teachers to guide us in your truth. May we, “Trust in you, with all our heart; and lean not on our own understanding. But acknowledge you in all our ways, understanding you will direct our paths.” (My paraphrase of Prov. 3:5,6). Amen.

 

 

The Answer to Why

“Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” Matt. 7:7.

Paul asks the Lord to fill the Colossians with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  Knowledge teaches us the will of God. Wisdom chooses to follow God’s will, and understanding answers the most often asked question of “Why?” follow God’s will. Understanding, knowing how things work together, becomes our motivator.

How do you gain understanding?

“Ask, and it shall be given you…Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart… Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works… I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies… The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding.” (Ps.119:33,34;27;125; 144).

“…seek, and ye shall find…How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way… Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways… incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Ps.119:103,104; Ps. 119;2,3; Prov. 2:2-6)

“…knock,and it shall be opened unto you…Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually…And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint… Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints… Pray without ceasing.” (1Chron. 16:11; Luke 18:1; Eph. 6:18;1Thess. 5:17).

What is understanding? “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding…Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.” (Prov. 9:10; 1Pet. 1:16).

What spiritual understanding are you needing today? Come to the One who understands and freely gives to those who ask. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need… If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him… Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (Heb. 4:15,16. Matt. 7:1; James 1:17a).

All that’s left is to ask. The Father will meet you at your need.

Coming to the End

“And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace…we desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…” (John 1:16; Col. 1:9).

If you have stayed with me through the month of January, you may remember we started walking together seeking to be filled with the fullness of Christ. We walked through His comfort and compassion, goodness and mercy, joy and hope, and His abundance. The past couple of weeks we traveled through being filled with His knowledge and wisdom, which brings us to our destination for today, spiritual understanding.

“…we desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”

“…the knowledge of his will…” This carries us beyond the facts of who God is to experiencing who God is. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…” Col. 1:10a.

“…in all wisdom…” The next step is applying to our lives what we know, choosing to live it out. “…being fruitful in every good work…” Col. 1:10b.

“…and spiritual understanding…” This, Lord willing, is our route for tomorrow and probably the week.

As we walked through this prayer as our guide to knowledge and wisdom, it has not only been my prayer for you but me, also. Coming to the end of this path, I give God thanks for answering that prayer in you to the extent you have heard his voice. And I thank Him for answering it in me. Through the scriptures He has spoken to my heart, giving me understanding for this, unexpected to us but known to Him, hard road we travel with our loved ones. Verses of comfort and compassion, hope and mercy echo in my mind, filling me with the goodness of my Heavenly Father. What He gives to me, He offers to you.

Since our Father, has brought you to walk with me through his word, I believe He did so to strengthen you and bring forth in you the abundance of fruitfulness in patience, longsuffering and joy, preparing  you for the trials of life you face now or will face. Cling to truth and you will know His will, walk in wisdom and spiritual understanding.

As we walk to the end of this path of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, not that what I have shared even begins to complete this path but at least, gives you a place to start, I encourage you to review some of the posts from January. Which one has God used to speak to you? Answer a need in your life?

Praying, in thanksgiving, for you, who walk this way with me for your prayers and encouragement. May you continually grow in the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of our Lord.

 

 

He Knows My Name!

“…the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out…I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” John 10:3,14.

“Oh LORD, thou hast searched me…If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart… Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.” (Ps. 139:1a; 44:20-21;139:23).

“Oh LORD, thou hast … known me…The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him… the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity…(Ps. 139: 1b; Nahum 1:7;2Tim. 2:19).

“Thou knowest my downsitting…thou understandest my thought afar off…Thou compassest my path and…art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue,

 but lo, O LORD, thou knowest it all together..Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do… The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good… For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.” (Ps. 139:2-4; Heb. 4:13; Prov. 15:3; 2Chron. 16:9; Job 34:21).

”Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it…Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings…with thee is the fountain of life…continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee.. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! FOR WHO HATH KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD? OR WHO HATH BEEN HIS COUNSELLOR…For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Ps. 139:6; Ps. 36:5-10;Rom. 11:33,34, 36).

If Jesus is known to you as Lord and Savior, then He knows you, calls you by name and leads you. Now it is time to do two things.

Pray: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139;23,24.

And:

“…to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night…For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep…thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.” Ps. 92:1,2,4,5,8).

If you do not come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, one day you will hear these words, “…Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels…and these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”  Matt. 24:41,46.

He pleads with you to come, repent from your sin, turn to him and know life eternal. He is the only way to the Father, the only name whereby you can be saved.

“Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

Does Jesus know your name? How does your answer affect your present and your future? As always I welcome your comments and questions. May you praise Him in the knowledge of truth throughout the weekend.

 

 

 

Have You Heard & Do You Know

“…for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” John 4:42.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Have you heard?  “…hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” 1John 2:3-5.

Have you heard? “…it is the last time; and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”1John 2:18.

Have you heard? “…ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I  have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and no lie is of the truth.” 1John 2:20,21.

Have you heard? “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” 1John 2:29.

Have you heard? “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1John 3:2.

Have you heard? “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1John 3:4-6.

Have you heard? “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”1John 3:14,15.

Have you heard?  “Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren…And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him…Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”( 1John 3:16; 4:16; 5:1-3).

Have you heard? “…he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us…Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1John 3:24; 4:13,14).

Have you heard? “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God…We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”1John 4:1,2,6.

Have you heard? “…this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1John 5:11-13.

Have you heard? “…this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1John 5:14,15.

Have you heard? “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1John 5:18-20.

Have you heard? A blessing waits for you if you take the time to list all the Father has made available for you to know. You can be filled with the knowledge of Christ and what you see here is from only one of the sixty-six books of the bible. Think of what you will hear and know studying the other sixty-five books.

What have you heard? What do you know?

I Have Made Known

“…when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 21:31.

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:15.

The Old and New Testament repeats many times the ushering in of the kingdom of God. Moses spoke of the latter days. David often speaks of the coming King. The major and minor prophets all speak of the coming of the Lord and the things that precede and accompany the setting up of His kingdom. Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John testify to the knowledge of what is to come and the hostility the world has toward those who embrace the gospel.

“…I have made known unto you…Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God…If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you…they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts…I will give you a mouth and wisdom…But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” (Acts 14:22;John 15:18,19;Luke 21:12-14; John 15:21)

And as if these things were not enough, there’s more to come.

“…I have made known unto you… then shall be great tribulation…there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that , if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect… there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great…every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven…the plague thereof was exceeding great…Behold I have told you before…(Matt. 24:21,24; Rev. 16:18,20,21; Matt. 24:25).

Why has Jesus made known these things to us before they happen?

“…I have made known unto you… Take heed that no man deceive you… when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors… Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matt. 24:4;33;44).

Moses shows us what action to take in the time of tribulation whether it be such as in the world today or that which is to come.

“When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice…he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them…Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him…Know therefore this day and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.” Deut. 4:30,31,35,39.

In the passages detailing the end times and the sign of the coming of Christ, we are reminded the one thing we don’t know: “…the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”  But we can know:  “…When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand…And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:31,34-36.

Yes, I write often of the coming of the Lord for His word tells us to be ever ready. It’s too easy to settle into life as usual and forget the end is always one day nearer than the day before.

Are you ready? If so, are you sounding the Good News that one day evil will no longer dwell among us? If you are not ready, Christ pleads with you not to wait until it’s too late.

 

If Only I Had Known

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…”Hosea 4:14.

courtesy of Pixabay free images

“Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge; and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure…”Isa. 5:13,14a.

Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem for the last time of His earthly journey, “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes…thine enemies shall lay thee even with the ground…they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:41-44.

You have heard it said, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.” The above scriptures reveal the truth.

What you don’t know can hurt you.

• It can leave you without excuse before a righteous God. “For the wrath of God is revealed…against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse; “ Rom. 1:18-20.
• It can make you a captive of the enemy. “The enemy…is the devil…Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are… whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness…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.” (Matt. 13:39; Rom. 6:16; 7:23).
• It can rob you of peace with God. “The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace…There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God…Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known; There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Isa. 59:8; Rom. 3:11, 16-18).
• It can cause you to miss the day of the Lord’s visitation. “…at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him…the bridegroom came and those that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered…I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 25:6-13.

What you do know can set you free from all you don’t know. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believe on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31,31;

• Knowing the truth frees you from shame before God. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed…Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”(Rom. 10:9,11; Matt. 10:32).
• Knowing the truth frees you from the power of the enemy. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life… Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (Rom 6:22; 1John 4:4).
• Knowing the truth frees you from separation with God and gives you peace. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God….But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Rom. 5:1,2; Eph. 2:13).
• Knowing truth prepares you for the last days, the day of the Lord’s visitation. “Knowing this…there shall come in the last days scoffers…willingly …ignorant…But the heavens and the earth…are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise…but is longsuffering…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance…the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…Watch therefore…” (2Peter 3:3-10; Matt. 25:13).

The truth is before you. You do not have to believe it, but your disbelief will not change it.

What does it mean to you to know the truth of God’s word? To know Jesus is the truth?  If  you do not believe God’s truth, where do you find it?