~ "Be prepared..."

For I have five brothers; that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. (Luke 16:28-29)

Some of us receive messages from God throughout our lives; many with more frequency than others could imagine. We are thought by some to be a little crazy when we witness about these "messages". Let me assure you, they do occur and they are real - but they come to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I was taught as a child to pray to and for dead people. Maybe it was to comfort me in their absence, maybe it was out of ignorance on the part of the teacher (which would then bring into question all the teachings they taught). If you read John's entire account of the "Rich Man and Lazarus", it will put to rest those teachings.

Jesus tells us to pray only to the Father, through him! He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us as we walk the path laid before us. What more do we need? Why are we so obsessed with "knowing" our future? Why do some reach out for communication with the dead? What is it that we want them to tell us? And when we do believe that they have "spoken" to us, why is that not enough? (I so love it when the Lord turns on the light...)

Our loved ones are one of two places: heaven or hell - period. There's no middle ground, there's no "praying them into heaven from purgatory", they were either "known" or "not known" to God when they stood before him. There is no hope for them if they were not saved ~ but their life on earth should serve as a lesson to those left behind. Christ tells us, he begs us, he commands us to follow HIM - no one else! Satan's realm is on earth. His deceptive powers are greater (much greater and more cunning) than you could possibly imagine! The trickery he uses is sometimes so sweet and so tasty that we, too, bite into that apple. Trust in what Jesus has told us, trust in the Holy Spirit to lead you, because the antichrist is real, and he will tell you that he is the Christ...open your eyes and focus on the Word of God - then you will know!

2 John 1: 7-11 tells us this: "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have worked, but that we receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses, and stays not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that stays in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. If there come any to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

Be prepared...

~ "I think this would look better over there..."

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil; Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Heb 6:18-20)

The promise lies in the cross! Through baptism we repent of our sins, through Jesus' death and resurrection we are offered salvation! The sacrifice offered for our souls is not one to be taken lightly. The living God, himself, came to earth and paid for something he did not commit - sin!

Every one of us is born to sin. Our eyes were opened long before we were conceived. Whether we tell a lie, set a fire, cause the death of another - it's all sin. Our gossip, our sick humor, our insensitivity towards others - sin! Every moment of every day is an opportunity to ask for forgiveness. But remember, the clock continues to tick...

There is nothing that God cannot forgive! There is nothing that is impossible for him! He reminds us of that many times over. He caused the entire planet to be covered with water and destroyed the multitudes. He caused the Pharaoh's army to be swallowed up in the Red Sea. He tested Abraham's devotion to him by suggesting he offer his son as a sacrifice. He came to earth in human form to open the gates of heaven by allowing the crucifixion to take place. He raised men dead in tombs, he walked on the water and he moves mountains!

Many of the "mountains" that he moves are not realized by anyone other than the individual he moved it for. He orchestrates his symphony of life for us with such attention to detail, that it is almost impossible to not see his hand at work. The "coincidences" we see in our lives are "confirmations" of a greater purpose, a brighter tomorrow granted us through Christ! When we set our focus on God's plan for us, we will see those mountains move. Sometimes they move slowly, sometimes rapidly - but in either instance, they do move!!!

To walk in the shadow of greatness is a blessing. There is a peacefulness that surrounds you when you know that God's design cannot be measured, nor can it be touched. Know what you know!!! The pieces fall into place like the scattered notes on a sheet of music. Each note by itself creates only one sound - put them together and you have a masterpiece! So is the life he has laid before each of us. Let him do what he needs to do in you and those around you. Do what he commands you to do and you will be the person who when you put your feet on the floor in the morning, causes the enemy to tremble! Let him move mountains for you ~ he moves them for me!