Written on 10/24/06
DREW
There is a story that is not far away,
It’s not in a distant land, as it’s lived out today
It begins with a child who is about to turn two
He is dearly loved, and his name is Drew
October twenty-sixth in two-thousand and four
Was the day that this child, Drew, came to shore
His life has had great hardship and even greater fear
Yet Drew is a fighter as he’s proved through these years
He has been through the fire; he has been through lots of pain
And though he wanted all sunshine; he’s received mostly rain
The grey skies he’s been through, since the day he was born
Could easily discourage all, as he lives through this storm
For this very young child about one year ago
Had a surgery that was to heal him you know
After a year of healing, those who love him can see
That the surgery may not have helped his kidneys
So now comes more trials as each day brings less rest
For in November, Drew, will have many more test
These tests should reveal if his kidneys will quit
The test will reveal if this is as good as it gets
Is all this stuff trying? Is it painful to bear?
The answer is yes, as we fill with despair
But this is not the last chapter in the life of Drew’s book
Let’s stop for a moment and let’s take a look
The God of the Bible has inscribed on his hand
Every day of Drew’s life as its all part of His plan
And though we can’t see how the story will end
We can trust in Jesus; to heal and to mend
It sometimes is hard to see that Jesus really cares
When we beg him to heal Drew, as we cry out in prayer
Each trial gets harder as the night carries on
We don’t hear a thing and think Jesus is gone
But Jesus is here, at Drew’s side all day long
He is holding Drew as He sings Drew a new song
For this is God’s heart, as he works in this way
I can here the Lord speaking, this is what the Lord says
“My Child do not fear, please take My hand,
Don’t look at this trial as it is shifting sand
If you will but trust and surrender to Me
I will hold you My child in all your suffering.”
So this is our hope when all seems to fail
We can cling to the Lord as we weep and we wail
The Lord is our comfort; I hope you’ll pursue
For the Lord holds the heart of your beloved child Drew
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
The Time Has Come
The time has come for the end is at hand
We need to repent; do as the Lord commands
For the stage is set and the end is near
The Lord could return within this year
For in the Far East there is an eerie sense
That war will break out; as we wait in suspense
The pieces are moving; as war is a real threat
The players are playing as the stage is set
Israel is surrounded to her enemies delight
They all assume; she will cower; not fight
The world is now treading to places unknown
As they prepare to wage war; while the Jews stand alone
With earthquakes and famines and rumors of war
We seem to be living in Matthew twenty-four
Do not be troubled; all these things must take place
The end is not yet; there is more to embrace
The EU is growing in power as it thrives
The Roman Empire once again is alive
Now they are talking of people getting chipped
This story is unfolding as they follow God’s script
China and Russia are both part of this plan
As they deceive the U.S. and they side with Iran
The UN seems powerless as these things do occur
While North Korea has now gone nuclear
The scriptures unfolding right before our eyes
We ought to be looking for the Lord in the skies
One thing is clear, not to all, but to some
The Lord is returning; for the time has come!
-Written by Bill Scott, Sr.
We need to repent; do as the Lord commands
For the stage is set and the end is near
The Lord could return within this year
For in the Far East there is an eerie sense
That war will break out; as we wait in suspense
The pieces are moving; as war is a real threat
The players are playing as the stage is set
Israel is surrounded to her enemies delight
They all assume; she will cower; not fight
The world is now treading to places unknown
As they prepare to wage war; while the Jews stand alone
With earthquakes and famines and rumors of war
We seem to be living in Matthew twenty-four
Do not be troubled; all these things must take place
The end is not yet; there is more to embrace
The EU is growing in power as it thrives
The Roman Empire once again is alive
Now they are talking of people getting chipped
This story is unfolding as they follow God’s script
China and Russia are both part of this plan
As they deceive the U.S. and they side with Iran
The UN seems powerless as these things do occur
While North Korea has now gone nuclear
The scriptures unfolding right before our eyes
We ought to be looking for the Lord in the skies
One thing is clear, not to all, but to some
The Lord is returning; for the time has come!
-Written by Bill Scott, Sr.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Journal 10/27/06
Father,
I need you. Will you simply pour out your Spirit upon me? Please anoint me to do your work and cause me to be a light that shines brightly before man so that they can see you in me. I worship and exalt you not because I am worthy, but simply because you are worthy to be praised and worshipped. I thank you that you are worthy. I thank you that it's about you and has nothing to do with me or with where I have or have not been. You are worthy to be exalted and therefor I exalt you!
Bill
I need you. Will you simply pour out your Spirit upon me? Please anoint me to do your work and cause me to be a light that shines brightly before man so that they can see you in me. I worship and exalt you not because I am worthy, but simply because you are worthy to be praised and worshipped. I thank you that you are worthy. I thank you that it's about you and has nothing to do with me or with where I have or have not been. You are worthy to be exalted and therefor I exalt you!
Bill
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Journal 10/25/06
Father,
I am a liar, a thief, and adulterer, a murderer, I covet, Im a blasphemer, a heathen, I am rebellious and a stench of death. My heart is black; I am deceitful, full of malice and envy. I love evil and hate good and I am a mess. I want to do the right things yet I never do. I always tend to do the things that bring your name shame. I am selfish and proud. I am arrogant and have a form of spirituality yet I deny the power of it. I am a depraved and wicked man who needs his redeemer to cleanse me. Will you please forgive me for being so apathetic and complacent? Please forgive me for being all those things in the above list. I have so many issues Jesus.
Will I ever get past all these dark sins that cause me to be a man of flesh? Will I ever be a man who is truly led by your spirit? Am I even born again? Am I one of those seeds in the parable of the sower who was cast on rocky ground and when it sprout up it grew with joy until the sun burned it up because it had no depth? Am I one of your kids Lord? Or am I one who simply professes you verbally yet denies you with my actions. Will you say to me on that day, “Good job my faithful servant, come enter into your rest” or will you say, “Depart from me you worker of iniquity, for I NEVER knew you!” I hope you know me Jesus. Yet maybe you do not. Do I know you?
And repentance, I struggle repenting as I have so many issues. And then I question my repentance. Is it really repentance when I stop a specific sin just to do the same sin again the next day? Why won’t I repent? I desire to and I try yet I find myself caught up in the moment and when I look into my heart of hearts I see the man listed in the 1st paragraph of this journal entry.
AAAARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!! This is so frustrating! I have so many issues and yet I bring them all upon myself as I listen to my flesh and simply don’t take the time to OBEY You Lord. Why won’t I surrender? Will there ever come a day that I will finally get past these things? Will there ever come a day where I simply choose to pursue Jesus with all that is in me? Will I always be unclean?
According to Your words Jesus I have been declared righteous and yet my life does not resemble a life that is righteous. My life resembles a life of rebellion and blackness. I can easily spiritualize my talk and fool those who are closest to me yet I can never fool you. Who am I kidding? I have no idea what it means to be a Christian. I have no clue how to live the victorious life that I hear of so many others in the past living out. I conclude that I can’t do this. I am simply unable to move forward and live out the abundant life that I hear about.
So now what? What happens now? I want to claim the words of Peter when you asked him would he leave you like the other disciples did. Where can I go Lord? You alone have the words of eternal life. So now I have a question for you Lord. What am I doing wrong? Or what is it that I am not doing? Please speak to me Lord; although if I am being real, I probably won’t listen anyways. Why am I like this Jesus? Is there something that I am missing that will make all this stuff simply click? I am desperate Lord and yet in my heart of hearts I feel as if nothing has changed and I will still be the man I deplore.
I need to hear from you. I need the power of your gospel to shed light in the darkness of my heart so that I can see the real problem. Please forgive me Jesus for giving into my flesh and not pursuing after you like I should. I am at a loss and don’t know what else to say.
Bill
I am a liar, a thief, and adulterer, a murderer, I covet, Im a blasphemer, a heathen, I am rebellious and a stench of death. My heart is black; I am deceitful, full of malice and envy. I love evil and hate good and I am a mess. I want to do the right things yet I never do. I always tend to do the things that bring your name shame. I am selfish and proud. I am arrogant and have a form of spirituality yet I deny the power of it. I am a depraved and wicked man who needs his redeemer to cleanse me. Will you please forgive me for being so apathetic and complacent? Please forgive me for being all those things in the above list. I have so many issues Jesus.
Will I ever get past all these dark sins that cause me to be a man of flesh? Will I ever be a man who is truly led by your spirit? Am I even born again? Am I one of those seeds in the parable of the sower who was cast on rocky ground and when it sprout up it grew with joy until the sun burned it up because it had no depth? Am I one of your kids Lord? Or am I one who simply professes you verbally yet denies you with my actions. Will you say to me on that day, “Good job my faithful servant, come enter into your rest” or will you say, “Depart from me you worker of iniquity, for I NEVER knew you!” I hope you know me Jesus. Yet maybe you do not. Do I know you?
And repentance, I struggle repenting as I have so many issues. And then I question my repentance. Is it really repentance when I stop a specific sin just to do the same sin again the next day? Why won’t I repent? I desire to and I try yet I find myself caught up in the moment and when I look into my heart of hearts I see the man listed in the 1st paragraph of this journal entry.
AAAARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!! This is so frustrating! I have so many issues and yet I bring them all upon myself as I listen to my flesh and simply don’t take the time to OBEY You Lord. Why won’t I surrender? Will there ever come a day that I will finally get past these things? Will there ever come a day where I simply choose to pursue Jesus with all that is in me? Will I always be unclean?
According to Your words Jesus I have been declared righteous and yet my life does not resemble a life that is righteous. My life resembles a life of rebellion and blackness. I can easily spiritualize my talk and fool those who are closest to me yet I can never fool you. Who am I kidding? I have no idea what it means to be a Christian. I have no clue how to live the victorious life that I hear of so many others in the past living out. I conclude that I can’t do this. I am simply unable to move forward and live out the abundant life that I hear about.
So now what? What happens now? I want to claim the words of Peter when you asked him would he leave you like the other disciples did. Where can I go Lord? You alone have the words of eternal life. So now I have a question for you Lord. What am I doing wrong? Or what is it that I am not doing? Please speak to me Lord; although if I am being real, I probably won’t listen anyways. Why am I like this Jesus? Is there something that I am missing that will make all this stuff simply click? I am desperate Lord and yet in my heart of hearts I feel as if nothing has changed and I will still be the man I deplore.
I need to hear from you. I need the power of your gospel to shed light in the darkness of my heart so that I can see the real problem. Please forgive me Jesus for giving into my flesh and not pursuing after you like I should. I am at a loss and don’t know what else to say.
Bill
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Journal 10/24/06
Father,
Am I even one of your kids? I feel like I am not even a Christian. I feel like my words proclaim your goodness and your truths but my actions deny you. Am I even born again? I don’t even know anymore. If I am born again, then why is it that I won’t walk the walk in Romans 6 where it says that I have been delivered from my sins? Why is it that I still choose to walk in the works of the flesh? I am a mess.
Have I truly repented from my sins Jesus? Or am I so deceived that I am going to be one of those who try to defend myself when I stand before your judgment seat? Will I be one who says, “I did this in your name and I did that in your name. I prophesied and I cast out demons in your name!” I fear that I will hear the words from you Jesus, “I never knew you Bill, depart from me you worker of iniquity!”
That scares me Lord. And if I am not one of yours how do I get into that place where I am yours? And if I am one of your kids, how do I get into that place where I walk in righteousness? Can I once for all be delivered from my sins? And how can I say I am born again if I constantly choose to willfully sin? How do I surrender to you?
Your word tells me that your sheep hear your voice and yet I have not heard your voice and if I have it has been a very long time. I need your help Lord. I know that you love me and are passionate for me, but I truly need you to help me as I am so unrighteous. I am so depraved and every part of my life is tainted in sin. My will is sinful, my thoughts, my heart, my actions, my motives, all of me is tainted with sin. Please cleanse me of this filthy unrighteousness Jesus. I need to be declared clean from all my uncleanness. Will you please pour your Spirit’s fire into my life and consume me Jesus?
Desperately seeking your grace,
Bill
Am I even one of your kids? I feel like I am not even a Christian. I feel like my words proclaim your goodness and your truths but my actions deny you. Am I even born again? I don’t even know anymore. If I am born again, then why is it that I won’t walk the walk in Romans 6 where it says that I have been delivered from my sins? Why is it that I still choose to walk in the works of the flesh? I am a mess.
Have I truly repented from my sins Jesus? Or am I so deceived that I am going to be one of those who try to defend myself when I stand before your judgment seat? Will I be one who says, “I did this in your name and I did that in your name. I prophesied and I cast out demons in your name!” I fear that I will hear the words from you Jesus, “I never knew you Bill, depart from me you worker of iniquity!”
That scares me Lord. And if I am not one of yours how do I get into that place where I am yours? And if I am one of your kids, how do I get into that place where I walk in righteousness? Can I once for all be delivered from my sins? And how can I say I am born again if I constantly choose to willfully sin? How do I surrender to you?
Your word tells me that your sheep hear your voice and yet I have not heard your voice and if I have it has been a very long time. I need your help Lord. I know that you love me and are passionate for me, but I truly need you to help me as I am so unrighteous. I am so depraved and every part of my life is tainted in sin. My will is sinful, my thoughts, my heart, my actions, my motives, all of me is tainted with sin. Please cleanse me of this filthy unrighteousness Jesus. I need to be declared clean from all my uncleanness. Will you please pour your Spirit’s fire into my life and consume me Jesus?
Desperately seeking your grace,
Bill
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Journal 10/12/06
Father,
It is gonna be worth it all one day. And though my flesh wants to dominate me and I desire so often to give into the desires of my flesh, if I will but surrender all that I am to You, it will be worth it one day. And I ask for your forgiveness Lord for appeasing my flesh and lying down and not fighting or wrestling against my flesh. Will you forgive me Lord for not resisting the flesh and will You help me to move forward, not looking back as I place my hand upon the plow. I want to do what is right in Your eyes and I need Your help in doing so.
In Jesus name I pray…..Amen
It is gonna be worth it all one day. And though my flesh wants to dominate me and I desire so often to give into the desires of my flesh, if I will but surrender all that I am to You, it will be worth it one day. And I ask for your forgiveness Lord for appeasing my flesh and lying down and not fighting or wrestling against my flesh. Will you forgive me Lord for not resisting the flesh and will You help me to move forward, not looking back as I place my hand upon the plow. I want to do what is right in Your eyes and I need Your help in doing so.
In Jesus name I pray…..Amen
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Journal 10/11/06
Father,
My heart has been so anxious these last couple of days. And I am not sure why. Please help me to be anxious for nothing but with everything by prayer and supplication help me to present my requests to You O Lord. I feel like such a failure when it comes to my walk with You. And the truth is that I am a failure and yet I know that You are ok with that. You love me and You can and will work through my broken life. And that is what I long for. I want to be so intimately acquainted with You. I want us to be one as You are one with Jesus and Jesus is one with You. Will You help me Father?
I feel like all I do is sin. I mean, I struggle with internal feelings of anger or frustration. I struggle with being in the flesh and I look forward to the day when You complete my salvation. I look forward to the day when You glorify and deliver me fully from the flesh that I live in. Am I doing things wrong Lord? Am I trying to do Your work in my flesh? I am so confused on what to do and where to go. And when I feel like you are laying things on my heart, it seems like when I pursue those things that the doors close. And that is ok, it really is Lord, I just wish I could hear from you more clearly.
Sometimes I want to just roll up into a ball and weep and sob Lord. I say this and I am not even depressed. I just feel so inconsistent and I am struggling with hearing from You right now. I desire to be godly Lord. And I know that the desire alone will bring persecution for You have said through your human pens, “those who desire to live a godly live will suffer persecution”.
I have this burning to lead Your people into Your presence father, and yet I feel so unable to do so. I am not talking about playing music. How do I lead others to You through worship? How do I bring them to that place where you can minister to them? And I want to be able to teach and pastor Your people Lord, but I am so unqualified. I lack your anointing and my heart breaks as I am so incompetent. But the desire doesn’t leave me. Is this my flesh Lord? Or is this something that You are placing in my heart? Help me to sort through this. I need Your wisdom and Your counsel.
Also Lord, my heart condemns me. It really does. But You say in Your word, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” You know my heart Lord. Please use me. I want to be a light that shines; I desire to be a Lamp that brings Your light to the people of this world whether they are believers or not. Are you willing to take my broken messed up sin-filled life and use me for Your glory? Please do Jesus. Please use me.
Please give me a heart of compassion and tenderness towards you and towards people. I am so heartless most of the time and I want to invest in people with genuine love towards them. I want to love people with an Agape love and I can’t do that. You are the only one who can supply that sort of love. Please burden me to purse You until Your love permeates out of me.
Love always,
Your struggling child,
Bill
My heart has been so anxious these last couple of days. And I am not sure why. Please help me to be anxious for nothing but with everything by prayer and supplication help me to present my requests to You O Lord. I feel like such a failure when it comes to my walk with You. And the truth is that I am a failure and yet I know that You are ok with that. You love me and You can and will work through my broken life. And that is what I long for. I want to be so intimately acquainted with You. I want us to be one as You are one with Jesus and Jesus is one with You. Will You help me Father?
I feel like all I do is sin. I mean, I struggle with internal feelings of anger or frustration. I struggle with being in the flesh and I look forward to the day when You complete my salvation. I look forward to the day when You glorify and deliver me fully from the flesh that I live in. Am I doing things wrong Lord? Am I trying to do Your work in my flesh? I am so confused on what to do and where to go. And when I feel like you are laying things on my heart, it seems like when I pursue those things that the doors close. And that is ok, it really is Lord, I just wish I could hear from you more clearly.
Sometimes I want to just roll up into a ball and weep and sob Lord. I say this and I am not even depressed. I just feel so inconsistent and I am struggling with hearing from You right now. I desire to be godly Lord. And I know that the desire alone will bring persecution for You have said through your human pens, “those who desire to live a godly live will suffer persecution”.
I have this burning to lead Your people into Your presence father, and yet I feel so unable to do so. I am not talking about playing music. How do I lead others to You through worship? How do I bring them to that place where you can minister to them? And I want to be able to teach and pastor Your people Lord, but I am so unqualified. I lack your anointing and my heart breaks as I am so incompetent. But the desire doesn’t leave me. Is this my flesh Lord? Or is this something that You are placing in my heart? Help me to sort through this. I need Your wisdom and Your counsel.
Also Lord, my heart condemns me. It really does. But You say in Your word, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” You know my heart Lord. Please use me. I want to be a light that shines; I desire to be a Lamp that brings Your light to the people of this world whether they are believers or not. Are you willing to take my broken messed up sin-filled life and use me for Your glory? Please do Jesus. Please use me.
Please give me a heart of compassion and tenderness towards you and towards people. I am so heartless most of the time and I want to invest in people with genuine love towards them. I want to love people with an Agape love and I can’t do that. You are the only one who can supply that sort of love. Please burden me to purse You until Your love permeates out of me.
Love always,
Your struggling child,
Bill
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Journal 10/10/06
As I look upon this road that the Lord has placed me upon I tend to wonder what is gazing upon the horizon? Will there be another trial? Will there be a time of rest? Maybe peace? Or will turmoil and blackness by lying there awaiting to pounce upon my wretched soul like a lion waiting for its prey?
And as I look to where I have been and where I have come from, I wonder how many times I took myself off the road that the Lord was leading me onto and turned to myself or to my sin as I blindly trusted in the things of the flesh and this world.
I am so blessed to be Your child Lord and I hope that I am not a child that you constantly have to rebuke and correct. Although, I would rather be rebuked and corrected than left to myself. You love me Jesus and I am thankful for the journey that you have placed me upon. I am thankful for the valleys now because they have given me an appreciation for the times when things are simple and beautiful in my life. Thank you.
Father,
I long to see Your glory and I desire to be a tool used in Your hands. You are so wonderful and I pray that if You choose to do so, that You would use me in any way that You desire. Please lead me by Your Spirit and help me to know when You are prompting me to move to the left or the right. Please give me wisdom Lord as You have said that you will give wisdom liberally to all who ask you for it. So Father, I am asking for wisdom. Help me to see what’s beyond the horizon in my life and in my family's life. And help me to prepare as I trust in You alone to sustain me.
In Jesus name I ask these things......So be it.....
Bill
And as I look to where I have been and where I have come from, I wonder how many times I took myself off the road that the Lord was leading me onto and turned to myself or to my sin as I blindly trusted in the things of the flesh and this world.
I am so blessed to be Your child Lord and I hope that I am not a child that you constantly have to rebuke and correct. Although, I would rather be rebuked and corrected than left to myself. You love me Jesus and I am thankful for the journey that you have placed me upon. I am thankful for the valleys now because they have given me an appreciation for the times when things are simple and beautiful in my life. Thank you.
Father,
I long to see Your glory and I desire to be a tool used in Your hands. You are so wonderful and I pray that if You choose to do so, that You would use me in any way that You desire. Please lead me by Your Spirit and help me to know when You are prompting me to move to the left or the right. Please give me wisdom Lord as You have said that you will give wisdom liberally to all who ask you for it. So Father, I am asking for wisdom. Help me to see what’s beyond the horizon in my life and in my family's life. And help me to prepare as I trust in You alone to sustain me.
In Jesus name I ask these things......So be it.....
Bill
Thursday, October 05, 2006
The Purpose of Man - Emeal Zwayne
The purpose of man it to know his Maker
Be known by his Maker
And make his Maker known
So that others may know his Maker as their Maker
Be known by his Maker as their Maker
And make the Maker of him who made his Maker known to them as
their Maker
Known as the Maker of others
So that others may know the Maker of him who made his Maker known
As the Maker of the ones
Who made the Maker of the one
Who made his Maker known to them as their Maker, known as their Maker
As their Maker
And that they may also be known by Him
And make Him known to others
Who will in turn know Him
Be known by Him
And in multiplicity to the degree of infinitude
Make Him known
Be known by his Maker
And make his Maker known
So that others may know his Maker as their Maker
Be known by his Maker as their Maker
And make the Maker of him who made his Maker known to them as
their Maker
Known as the Maker of others
So that others may know the Maker of him who made his Maker known
As the Maker of the ones
Who made the Maker of the one
Who made his Maker known to them as their Maker, known as their Maker
As their Maker
And that they may also be known by Him
And make Him known to others
Who will in turn know Him
Be known by Him
And in multiplicity to the degree of infinitude
Make Him known
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Why is there suffering? That proves that there is no 'loving' God.
Study the soil for a moment. It naturally produces weeds. Nobody plants them; nobody waters them. They even stubbornly push through cracks of a dry sidewalk. Millions of useless weeds sprout like there's no tomorrow, strangling our crops and ruining our lawns. Pull them out by the roots, and there will be more tomorrow. They are nothing but a curse!
Look at how much of the earth is uninhabitable. There are millions upon millions of square miles of nothing but barren deserts in Africa and in different parts of the world. Most of Australia is desert. There is nothing but miles and miles of useless desolate land.
Not only that, but the earth is constantly shaken with massive earthquakes. Its shores are lashed with hurricanes, tornadoes rip through creation with incredible fury. Floods of biblical proportions soak the land, and terrible droughts parch the soil. Sharks, tigers, lions, snakes, spiders and disease-ridden mosquitoes attack humanity and suck its life's blood. The earth's inhabitants are afflicted with disease, pain, suffering and death.
Think of how many people are plagued with cancer, Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, heart disease, emphysema, Parkinson's disease and a mass of other debilitating diseases. Think of all the kids with leukemia, or people born with crippling diseases or without the mental capability to even feed themselves. All these things should convince thinking minds that something is radically wrong. Did God blow it when He created humanity? What sort of tyrant must our Creator be if this was His master plan?
Sadly, many use the issue of suffering as an excuse to reject any thought of God, when its existence is the very reason we should accept Him. Suffering stands as terrible testimony to the truth of the explanation given by the Word of God.
But how can we know that the Bible is true?
Simply by studying the prophecies of Matthew 24, Luke 21, and 2 Timothy 3. A few minutes of openhearted inspection will convince any honest skeptic that this is no ordinary book. It is the supernatural testament of our Creator as to why there is suffering . . . and what we can do about it.
The Bible tells us that God cursed the earth because of Adam's transgression. Weeds are a curse. So is disease. Sin and suffering cannot be separated. The Scriptures inform us that we live in a fallen creation. In the beginning, God created man perfect and he lived in a perfect world, without suffering. It was Heaven on earth. When sin came into the world, death and misery came with it.
Those who understand the message of Holy Scripture eagerly await a new Heaven and a new earth "wherein dwells righteousness." In that coming Kingdom there will be no more pain, suffering, disease or death. We are told that no eye has ever seen, nor has any ear heard, neither has any man's mind ever imagined the wonderful things that God has in store for those that love Him. Think for a moment of what it would be like if food grew with the fervor of weeds. Think how wonderful it would be if the deserts became incredibly fertile, if creation stopped devouring humanity. Imagine if the weather worked for us instead of against us, if disease completely disappeared, if pain was a thing of the past . . . if death was no more.
There is a wise saying: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." That is solid advice for when you are dealing with sinful mankind. But the promise of a new Heaven and a new earth come from a faithful Creator, and there is no greater insult to God than not to believe His promises. When a nation repents and finds peace with God through trusting in the Savior, God promises to forgive their sins and heal their land.
The dilemma is that we are like a small child whose insatiable appetite for chocolate has caused his face to break out. He looks in the mirror and sees a sight that makes him depressed. His face is nothing but ugly sores. But instead of stopping eating his beloved chocolate, he takes solace by stuffing more into his mouth. Yet, his very joy is actually the cause of his suffering.
The whole face of the earth is nothing but ugly sores of suffering. Everywhere we look, we see unspeakable pain. But instead of believing God's explanation and asking Him to forgive us and change our appetite, we run deeper into sin's sweet embrace. There we find solace in its temporal pleasures; thus intensifying our pain, both in this life, and in the life to come.
Look at how much of the earth is uninhabitable. There are millions upon millions of square miles of nothing but barren deserts in Africa and in different parts of the world. Most of Australia is desert. There is nothing but miles and miles of useless desolate land.
Not only that, but the earth is constantly shaken with massive earthquakes. Its shores are lashed with hurricanes, tornadoes rip through creation with incredible fury. Floods of biblical proportions soak the land, and terrible droughts parch the soil. Sharks, tigers, lions, snakes, spiders and disease-ridden mosquitoes attack humanity and suck its life's blood. The earth's inhabitants are afflicted with disease, pain, suffering and death.
Think of how many people are plagued with cancer, Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, heart disease, emphysema, Parkinson's disease and a mass of other debilitating diseases. Think of all the kids with leukemia, or people born with crippling diseases or without the mental capability to even feed themselves. All these things should convince thinking minds that something is radically wrong. Did God blow it when He created humanity? What sort of tyrant must our Creator be if this was His master plan?
Sadly, many use the issue of suffering as an excuse to reject any thought of God, when its existence is the very reason we should accept Him. Suffering stands as terrible testimony to the truth of the explanation given by the Word of God.
But how can we know that the Bible is true?
Simply by studying the prophecies of Matthew 24, Luke 21, and 2 Timothy 3. A few minutes of openhearted inspection will convince any honest skeptic that this is no ordinary book. It is the supernatural testament of our Creator as to why there is suffering . . . and what we can do about it.
The Bible tells us that God cursed the earth because of Adam's transgression. Weeds are a curse. So is disease. Sin and suffering cannot be separated. The Scriptures inform us that we live in a fallen creation. In the beginning, God created man perfect and he lived in a perfect world, without suffering. It was Heaven on earth. When sin came into the world, death and misery came with it.
Those who understand the message of Holy Scripture eagerly await a new Heaven and a new earth "wherein dwells righteousness." In that coming Kingdom there will be no more pain, suffering, disease or death. We are told that no eye has ever seen, nor has any ear heard, neither has any man's mind ever imagined the wonderful things that God has in store for those that love Him. Think for a moment of what it would be like if food grew with the fervor of weeds. Think how wonderful it would be if the deserts became incredibly fertile, if creation stopped devouring humanity. Imagine if the weather worked for us instead of against us, if disease completely disappeared, if pain was a thing of the past . . . if death was no more.
There is a wise saying: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." That is solid advice for when you are dealing with sinful mankind. But the promise of a new Heaven and a new earth come from a faithful Creator, and there is no greater insult to God than not to believe His promises. When a nation repents and finds peace with God through trusting in the Savior, God promises to forgive their sins and heal their land.
The dilemma is that we are like a small child whose insatiable appetite for chocolate has caused his face to break out. He looks in the mirror and sees a sight that makes him depressed. His face is nothing but ugly sores. But instead of stopping eating his beloved chocolate, he takes solace by stuffing more into his mouth. Yet, his very joy is actually the cause of his suffering.
The whole face of the earth is nothing but ugly sores of suffering. Everywhere we look, we see unspeakable pain. But instead of believing God's explanation and asking Him to forgive us and change our appetite, we run deeper into sin's sweet embrace. There we find solace in its temporal pleasures; thus intensifying our pain, both in this life, and in the life to come.
Journal 10/4/06
Father,
I ask that you would burn the fire of your Spirit upon the alter of my heart. Help me to become more and more radical in my dependency upon you. Help me to remove the worldly garments and help me to put on the clothes of Your righteousness. Teach me what it means to be intimately acquainted with You.
You are so Holy and pure and I am so wicked and depraved, please cleanse me from my apathy and my complacency. Cure me from being mediocre and give me a passion for you and then for the nations. Give me a love for the people of my city and use me to reach out and share the wonderful news of the gospel to my neighbors. You are so wonderful Master and I am so glad that you love me as you do. Please do a work in my heart.
In Jesus name and on His merits alone I ask this……so be it!
I ask that you would burn the fire of your Spirit upon the alter of my heart. Help me to become more and more radical in my dependency upon you. Help me to remove the worldly garments and help me to put on the clothes of Your righteousness. Teach me what it means to be intimately acquainted with You.
You are so Holy and pure and I am so wicked and depraved, please cleanse me from my apathy and my complacency. Cure me from being mediocre and give me a passion for you and then for the nations. Give me a love for the people of my city and use me to reach out and share the wonderful news of the gospel to my neighbors. You are so wonderful Master and I am so glad that you love me as you do. Please do a work in my heart.
In Jesus name and on His merits alone I ask this……so be it!
Monday, October 02, 2006
How To Engage In Passionate Worship
Worship isn't staring at the band, it's not staring at words, it's not seeing how nice you can sing, it is about giving thanks and focusing on Jesus. And for that reason, I choose to close my eyes. Because when I look at other people, I think about them. And since worship is about Jesus, I want to close my eyes and remember what He did for me, and remember who He is.
Secondly, we worship for one reason... God is worthy. For that reason, it doesn't matter what is going on in our lives, sins, problems, etc... God is still worthy, even when we just sinned and for that reason we should worship as worship is based solely upon the Lord. Its about the Lord and it's to the Lord.
Third, emulate the worship yourself. Choose to worship yourself during worship, close your eyes, emulate Godly worship! And if we want people to do what is Biblical in worship... stand up, fall on your face, cry out, lift up hands...Worship the Lord with all that is in you.
Fourth, if you are leading worship then pick good songs. Don't pick songs about Jesus... ie: Jesus is good, Jesus is nice... Instead pick songs that are too Jesus. ie: I love you so much, thank you Jesus, etc...
Finally, worship is contagious, we were created for it, and if people start hearing that there is passionate worship going on, they will want to come out.
The Father desires those that... worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
It's His heart, and step out, and be ready to let God open up the floodgates of worship.
Secondly, we worship for one reason... God is worthy. For that reason, it doesn't matter what is going on in our lives, sins, problems, etc... God is still worthy, even when we just sinned and for that reason we should worship as worship is based solely upon the Lord. Its about the Lord and it's to the Lord.
Third, emulate the worship yourself. Choose to worship yourself during worship, close your eyes, emulate Godly worship! And if we want people to do what is Biblical in worship... stand up, fall on your face, cry out, lift up hands...Worship the Lord with all that is in you.
Fourth, if you are leading worship then pick good songs. Don't pick songs about Jesus... ie: Jesus is good, Jesus is nice... Instead pick songs that are too Jesus. ie: I love you so much, thank you Jesus, etc...
Finally, worship is contagious, we were created for it, and if people start hearing that there is passionate worship going on, they will want to come out.
The Father desires those that... worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
It's His heart, and step out, and be ready to let God open up the floodgates of worship.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Journal 9/28/06
I have been in this place where my heart has been so hard and though I keep wavering back and forth, I pray that finally I am in a place of full on surrender to the Lord. I am so tired of my flesh, it's like I am bound by it and it controls every move I make. I hate it.
Father,
you love me and I thank you for showering mercy upon me. Please keep me 100% fully in tune and dependant upon you. Please teach me to crucify my flesh and to pick up my cross daily and follow after you.
In Jesus name I ask this....Amen.
Father,
you love me and I thank you for showering mercy upon me. Please keep me 100% fully in tune and dependant upon you. Please teach me to crucify my flesh and to pick up my cross daily and follow after you.
In Jesus name I ask this....Amen.
Friday, September 15, 2006
The Acceleration of Life
Here's a great article that I have been hanging onto: KEEP IN MIND -- THIS WAS WRITTEN 10 YEARS AGO!!!
The Acceleration of Life
Is it a Signal that Jesus is Returning Soon?
by Dr. David R. Reagan
Have you noticed how almost everything in life seems to be accelerating in growth? Knowledge has exploded. We are traveling faster and farther than ever before. Instant, world wide communication has become common place. And the power at our disposal is mind boggling.
A Sign of the Times
The Bible teaches that this acceleration of technology which we are experiencing will be a sign of the end times — a sign that will signal the soon return of the Lord.
Consider Daniel 12:4. In this verse the Lord tells Daniel that one of the signs of the end times will be an acceleration of travel and knowledge. Here's how the verse reads in the Living Bible paraphrase:
Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret . . . Seal it up so that it will not be understood until the end times when travel and education shall be vastly increased.
The same concept of end time acceleration is found in the New Testament. Jesus spoke about it when He talked with His disciples about the signs of the end times that would herald His return (Matthew 24:5ff). He mentioned a great variety of signs — spiritual, natural, societal, and world political — and then He said these signs would be like "birth pangs" (Matthew 24:8).
As the birth of a baby approaches, the birth pangs increase two ways. They increase in frequency and intensity. Thus, Jesus was saying that the closer we get to the time of His return, the more frequent and intense the signs will become. There will be more earthquakes and more intense ones. Likewise things like famine, pestilence and war will increase in frequency and intensity.
The Mathematical Concept
In mathematics this acceleration is called an "exponential curve." This term comes from what happens when rapid growth is plotted on a chart. When graphing the growth of something, the growth is considered to be on an exponential curve when the plot line starts moving vertically because the growth is so rapid. You can see a classic example of this principle in the illustration on this page of the growth of the Internet company, America Online.
Now, the point is that the Bible indicates that the exponential curve will be one of the signs of the end times, and my thesis is that we are living in the midst of the exponential curve. Therefore, we are living in the end times.
Examples of the Curve
The 20th Century has been the century of the exponential curve. Let's consider some examples.
1) Population — Demographers estimate that the population of the world at the time of Christ was only 200 million. It took 1,650 years for the world's population to double! But thereafter it began to double very rapidly because the Industrial Revolution produced modern medicine, which, in turn, reduced infant mortality rates and increased longevity. As the statistics below indicate, the rate of doubling has now reached exponential proportions.
Time of Christ -- -- 200 million
1,650 years 1650 AD 500 million
200 years 1850 AD 1.3 billion
100 years 1950 AD 2.5 billion
30 years 1980 AD 4.5 billion
2) Power — Throughout most of recorded history, the maximum power at man's disposal consisted of bows and arrows, spears, and catapults. Even at the beginning of this century, war was still primitive. World War I turned into a stagnant war of attrition because neither side had sufficient power to break out of the trenches.
Eighty years later, we have air power, armored power, nuclear weapons, and sophisticated bacteriological and chemical weapons. We have ICBM's that can deliver a nuclear payload half way around the world. We have laser guided missiles that can guide a bomb down a smoke stack. And we have nuclear submarines that can circle the globe without surfacing. Incredibly, just one of those subs today has more firepower than all the bombs dropped in World War II! It is no wonder the Bible says that in the end times "men will faint with fear" over the expectation of "the things which are coming upon the world" (Luke 21:26).
3) Transportation — In 1900 the major means of transportation was what it had always been throughout history — namely, walking and riding a horse. Bicycles had been invented, and the steam engine had been applied to ships and trains. But steam powered transportation was too expensive for most people.
I have photos that were taken in my home town of Waco, Texas in 1912, and they clearly show that most people were still getting around in horse drawn wagons and carriages.
Today we have automobiles (usually two or more to a family!) and airplanes. We have bullet trains that travel 150 miles per hour and planes that travel faster than the speed of sound. And then, of course, there are rocket ships that take people into orbit around the earth.
In 1866 Mark Twain traveled to the Holy Land. It took him three months to get there. Today, a group can get on a jet plane in New York and be in Tel Aviv in 13 hours (and most will complain about how long the trip took!).
In 1900 the average number of miles traveled per year by a person inside the United States was 1,000. Today it is 25,000 miles per year, and many of us put twice that much mileage on an automobile in a year's time.
4) Communications — At the beginning of this century the telegraph had speeded up communications considerably, but the fundamental means which most people used to get information was still the newspaper.
Today our communication resources are overwhelming. We have telephones, radio, and television. We have exotic devices like fax machines, pagers, and cellular phones. And we can communicate world wide through satellites.
I never cease to be amazed when I see someone use a credit card in an Arab shop in the Old City of Jerusalem. The shop may be nothing but a primitive hole in the wall, but over in some dark corner there will be a machine where the merchant can swipe the card. A few moments later he receives an authorization. During those few moments, the card number has been transmitted to Tel Aviv, from Tel Aviv to New York by satellite, from New York to the credit card processing center somewhere in the States, and then back to the Arab shop in Jerusalem!
I am equally amazed at the way I can sit down at a computer at my home or office and use the Internet to send a letter in seconds to almost any place in the world.
5) Computers — Computer technology has contributed to the rapid acceleration of many aspects of life, but it is interesting to note that the exponential curve applies to the development of computers as well. Anyone who tries to stay on the cutting edge of what is new in computer equipment knows that it is a never ending battle that requires a lot of money. Advances are so rapid that equipment is out of date within a few months.
In 1970 I was a professor at a college where we bought an IBM computer for $100,000. The computer filled a room and generated so much heat that we had to have the room equipped with additional air conditioning. The computer's memory was 64K!
Now, if you are not a computer buff, that may not mean much to you, but keep reading because I'm going to make it understandable; and in the process, I'm going to illustrate how rapidly computer technology has developed.
Ten years later in 1980, this ministry bought one of the first desk top computers made. It was a Tandy TRS 80, Model II. It cost $4,800. When I turned it on, I was astounded by the first thing that appeared on the screen: "64K Memory." In ten years time we had gone from a computer that weighed more than a ton to one that sat on a desk top, and the price had dropped 95%. But the memory was the same!
Ten years later in 1990, I went to Radio Shack and bought an electronic Rolodex small enough to fit into the palm of my hand. It cost $90. And when I turned it on, guess what? The first message that appeared on the screen was "64K Memory."
The first floppy disk that we used in the TRS 80 was 8" in size. It held 300,000 bytes of information. A few years later the 5¼" disk appeared. It would hold 700,000 bytes. Then came the 3½" disk. Its capacity was 1.4 million bytes! Now the hottest thing going is the CD Rom disk. I recently read an advertisement for a CD Rom disc that contained 134,000 pages of theological documents, the equivalent of 1,400 pounds of books!
6) Knowledge — The prophet Daniel was specifically told that knowledge would vastly increase in the end times, and it has. In fact, we have become so overwhelmed with the flood of new information that it is difficult to find wisdom anymore, because wisdom comes from reflection on knowledge.
When I was in graduate school in the early ‘60s, there were only two or three major academic journals in each field of study. Today there are dozens in each field, and they cannot begin to publish all the academic articles that are being written. Many have to limit the articles to one page abstracts, and even then most articles are rejected for a lack of space.
Encyclopedias are out of date before they can be printed. And I read recently where a research organization had determined that one Sunday issue of the New York Times contains more information than the normal person in the 19th Century was exposed to in a lifetime!
The most amazing thing to me in the area of information is the World Wide Web that can be accessed through the Internet. Using it, I can access the documents of the Vatican in seconds, and then in a matter of moments, I can go to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, or I can dart back to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. In short, I can access information all over the world without ever leaving my office.
7) Violence — I don't think I have to emphasize that violence and lawlessness have been increasing. But it is hard to comprehend how rapid the increase has been in this century.
It is estimated by experts that the number of people killed in all the wars fought from the time of Christ until 1939 totals 50 million. In the next six years (1939 through 1945), 57 million people died in World War II. Since that time, almost 60 million have died in armed conflicts, either in wars between nations or civil wars within nations. This has been a century of unparalleled carnage.
Within the United States, violent crime has increased 500% since 1960. During the same period, the country's population increased only 41%.
8) Society — The disintegration of society has multiplied in speed as violence, wickedness, and immorality have increased exponentially. Jesus prophesied this would happen when He said that end time society would be like it was in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39).
I have witnessed the decaying of society with my own eyes. I was born in 1938. When I was born, abortionists were sent to prison. Pregnancy out of wedlock was thought of as scandalous. Homosexuals were considered queer. Pornography was despised as a sickness. Marriage was sacred. Living together was taboo. Divorce was a disgrace. Homemaking was honored, and day care was provided by mothers in their homes. Child abuse was unheard of. Ladies did not curse or smoke. "Damn" was considered flagrant language in a movie. (A recent film featuring Jack Lemon had the "f-word" in it 170 times in 120 minutes!)
I could go on and on about the many ways in which our society (and societies around the world) have decided to "call evil good and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). But the most dramatic way I can think of to illustrate how rapid the deterioration of society has become in America is to consider the results of a poll concerning public school discipline problems. Consider the differing results between the ‘40s and the ‘80s (and weep!):
The Top Public School Discipline Problems
Mid-'40s
1) Talking
2) Chewing gum
3) Making noise
4) Running in the halls
5) Getting out of turn in line
6) Wearing improper clothing
7) Not putting paper in wastebaskets
Mid-'80s
1) Drug Abuse
2) Alcohol Abuse
3) Pregnancy
4) Suicide
5) Rape
6) Robbery
7) Assault
(Source: Time Magazine, February 1, 1988)
9) The Gospel —But not all the exponential curves are bad. Modern technology has made it possible for the Gospel to be preached to billions of people through the use of such media as short wave radio, motion pictures, and satellite television.
Billy Graham's recent broadcast from Puerto Rico was carried by satellite to 185 countries and territories in a total of 116 different languages!
In 1800 the Bible was available in 71 languages. By 1930 the count had risen dramatically to 900. Today, the Bible has been published in 1,700 languages, with 1,000 more in progress. Computer technology has greatly speeded up the translation process.
10) World Politics — The exponential curve also applies to world events. Habakkuk 1:5 is as relevant today as if it were written yesterday: "The Lord replied, ‘Look, and be amazed! You will be astounded at what I am about to do! For I am going to do something in your own lifetime that you will have to see to believe.'"
I took a Sabbatical in 1987 and wrote a book called Trusting God. Seven years later, in 1994, I took another Sabbatical and completely rewrote that book. The exercise gave me an opportunity to reflect back over the seven years between the two Sabbaticals. I was astounded — even overwhelmed — by the rapidity and "stupendity" of world events.
Who could have dreamed in 1987 that within the next seven years any of the following events would have occurred? —
The tearing down of the Berlin Wall
The peaceful liberation of Eastern Europe from Communism
The collapse of the Soviet Union
The reunification of Germany
The resurgence of Islam and its emergence as the greatest threat to world peace
The sending of 500,000 American troops to the other side of the world to defend a country most Americans had never heard of (Kuwait)
The handshake between Rabin and Arafat that has led to Israel surrendering its heartland to the PLO
In 1987 if you had predicted any of these developments, you would have been written off as "nuts." The rapidity of these events and their radical nature is breathtaking. They underscore the possibility of the impossible. And they certainly reveal that man is not in control.
The Significance of the Curve
So, what does all this mean to you and me? I would mention at least three things.
First, the exponential curve is proof positive that Bible prophecy is true. The Lord has told us what He is going to do in the end times, and we had better pay attention to it.
Second, the fulfillment of prophecy related to the exponential curve shows that God is in control. Even when it appears that everything on this earth is out of control, we can be assured that God is orchestrating all the chaos to the ultimate triumph of His Son in history (Psalm 2).
Third, the exponential curve is very strong evidence that we are living on borrowed time. It points to the fact that Jesus is at the very gates of Heaven, waiting for the command of His Father to return.
A Warning
I want to conclude by issuing a strong warning against taking time for granted.
Many people are doing that today. They are saying, "I'm going to get serious about the Lord when I get out of school;" or "after I get a job;" or "after I'm established in my job;" or "after I get married;" or "after I get my children raised." Time is precious. There is very little left. Now is the time to get serious about the Lord.
Let me illustrate how critical the timing is by returning to the exponential curve. Suppose you put one bacterium in a jar, and assume it doubles every second. How many bacteria do you think would exist in the jar at the end of 30 seconds? The answer, incredibly, is 1,073,741,824. That's more than a billion in thirty seconds! That's the ferocity of the exponential curve.
Now, let's carry the illustration a step further. If at the end of 30 seconds the jar is half full, how much longer will it take for the jar to become full? The answer is one second (because it will double in the next second). That is the suddenness of the exponential curve.
That's what the Bible means when it says that people will be saying, "Peace and safety!" when "sudden destruction" will come upon them (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
Are you taking time for granted? Don't do it. Non-Christian, now is the time for salvation. Christian, now is the time for holiness.
The Acceleration of Life
Is it a Signal that Jesus is Returning Soon?
by Dr. David R. Reagan
Have you noticed how almost everything in life seems to be accelerating in growth? Knowledge has exploded. We are traveling faster and farther than ever before. Instant, world wide communication has become common place. And the power at our disposal is mind boggling.
A Sign of the Times
The Bible teaches that this acceleration of technology which we are experiencing will be a sign of the end times — a sign that will signal the soon return of the Lord.
Consider Daniel 12:4. In this verse the Lord tells Daniel that one of the signs of the end times will be an acceleration of travel and knowledge. Here's how the verse reads in the Living Bible paraphrase:
Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret . . . Seal it up so that it will not be understood until the end times when travel and education shall be vastly increased.
The same concept of end time acceleration is found in the New Testament. Jesus spoke about it when He talked with His disciples about the signs of the end times that would herald His return (Matthew 24:5ff). He mentioned a great variety of signs — spiritual, natural, societal, and world political — and then He said these signs would be like "birth pangs" (Matthew 24:8).
As the birth of a baby approaches, the birth pangs increase two ways. They increase in frequency and intensity. Thus, Jesus was saying that the closer we get to the time of His return, the more frequent and intense the signs will become. There will be more earthquakes and more intense ones. Likewise things like famine, pestilence and war will increase in frequency and intensity.
The Mathematical Concept
In mathematics this acceleration is called an "exponential curve." This term comes from what happens when rapid growth is plotted on a chart. When graphing the growth of something, the growth is considered to be on an exponential curve when the plot line starts moving vertically because the growth is so rapid. You can see a classic example of this principle in the illustration on this page of the growth of the Internet company, America Online.
Now, the point is that the Bible indicates that the exponential curve will be one of the signs of the end times, and my thesis is that we are living in the midst of the exponential curve. Therefore, we are living in the end times.
Examples of the Curve
The 20th Century has been the century of the exponential curve. Let's consider some examples.
1) Population — Demographers estimate that the population of the world at the time of Christ was only 200 million. It took 1,650 years for the world's population to double! But thereafter it began to double very rapidly because the Industrial Revolution produced modern medicine, which, in turn, reduced infant mortality rates and increased longevity. As the statistics below indicate, the rate of doubling has now reached exponential proportions.
Time of Christ -- -- 200 million
1,650 years 1650 AD 500 million
200 years 1850 AD 1.3 billion
100 years 1950 AD 2.5 billion
30 years 1980 AD 4.5 billion
2) Power — Throughout most of recorded history, the maximum power at man's disposal consisted of bows and arrows, spears, and catapults. Even at the beginning of this century, war was still primitive. World War I turned into a stagnant war of attrition because neither side had sufficient power to break out of the trenches.
Eighty years later, we have air power, armored power, nuclear weapons, and sophisticated bacteriological and chemical weapons. We have ICBM's that can deliver a nuclear payload half way around the world. We have laser guided missiles that can guide a bomb down a smoke stack. And we have nuclear submarines that can circle the globe without surfacing. Incredibly, just one of those subs today has more firepower than all the bombs dropped in World War II! It is no wonder the Bible says that in the end times "men will faint with fear" over the expectation of "the things which are coming upon the world" (Luke 21:26).
3) Transportation — In 1900 the major means of transportation was what it had always been throughout history — namely, walking and riding a horse. Bicycles had been invented, and the steam engine had been applied to ships and trains. But steam powered transportation was too expensive for most people.
I have photos that were taken in my home town of Waco, Texas in 1912, and they clearly show that most people were still getting around in horse drawn wagons and carriages.
Today we have automobiles (usually two or more to a family!) and airplanes. We have bullet trains that travel 150 miles per hour and planes that travel faster than the speed of sound. And then, of course, there are rocket ships that take people into orbit around the earth.
In 1866 Mark Twain traveled to the Holy Land. It took him three months to get there. Today, a group can get on a jet plane in New York and be in Tel Aviv in 13 hours (and most will complain about how long the trip took!).
In 1900 the average number of miles traveled per year by a person inside the United States was 1,000. Today it is 25,000 miles per year, and many of us put twice that much mileage on an automobile in a year's time.
4) Communications — At the beginning of this century the telegraph had speeded up communications considerably, but the fundamental means which most people used to get information was still the newspaper.
Today our communication resources are overwhelming. We have telephones, radio, and television. We have exotic devices like fax machines, pagers, and cellular phones. And we can communicate world wide through satellites.
I never cease to be amazed when I see someone use a credit card in an Arab shop in the Old City of Jerusalem. The shop may be nothing but a primitive hole in the wall, but over in some dark corner there will be a machine where the merchant can swipe the card. A few moments later he receives an authorization. During those few moments, the card number has been transmitted to Tel Aviv, from Tel Aviv to New York by satellite, from New York to the credit card processing center somewhere in the States, and then back to the Arab shop in Jerusalem!
I am equally amazed at the way I can sit down at a computer at my home or office and use the Internet to send a letter in seconds to almost any place in the world.
5) Computers — Computer technology has contributed to the rapid acceleration of many aspects of life, but it is interesting to note that the exponential curve applies to the development of computers as well. Anyone who tries to stay on the cutting edge of what is new in computer equipment knows that it is a never ending battle that requires a lot of money. Advances are so rapid that equipment is out of date within a few months.
In 1970 I was a professor at a college where we bought an IBM computer for $100,000. The computer filled a room and generated so much heat that we had to have the room equipped with additional air conditioning. The computer's memory was 64K!
Now, if you are not a computer buff, that may not mean much to you, but keep reading because I'm going to make it understandable; and in the process, I'm going to illustrate how rapidly computer technology has developed.
Ten years later in 1980, this ministry bought one of the first desk top computers made. It was a Tandy TRS 80, Model II. It cost $4,800. When I turned it on, I was astounded by the first thing that appeared on the screen: "64K Memory." In ten years time we had gone from a computer that weighed more than a ton to one that sat on a desk top, and the price had dropped 95%. But the memory was the same!
Ten years later in 1990, I went to Radio Shack and bought an electronic Rolodex small enough to fit into the palm of my hand. It cost $90. And when I turned it on, guess what? The first message that appeared on the screen was "64K Memory."
The first floppy disk that we used in the TRS 80 was 8" in size. It held 300,000 bytes of information. A few years later the 5¼" disk appeared. It would hold 700,000 bytes. Then came the 3½" disk. Its capacity was 1.4 million bytes! Now the hottest thing going is the CD Rom disk. I recently read an advertisement for a CD Rom disc that contained 134,000 pages of theological documents, the equivalent of 1,400 pounds of books!
6) Knowledge — The prophet Daniel was specifically told that knowledge would vastly increase in the end times, and it has. In fact, we have become so overwhelmed with the flood of new information that it is difficult to find wisdom anymore, because wisdom comes from reflection on knowledge.
When I was in graduate school in the early ‘60s, there were only two or three major academic journals in each field of study. Today there are dozens in each field, and they cannot begin to publish all the academic articles that are being written. Many have to limit the articles to one page abstracts, and even then most articles are rejected for a lack of space.
Encyclopedias are out of date before they can be printed. And I read recently where a research organization had determined that one Sunday issue of the New York Times contains more information than the normal person in the 19th Century was exposed to in a lifetime!
The most amazing thing to me in the area of information is the World Wide Web that can be accessed through the Internet. Using it, I can access the documents of the Vatican in seconds, and then in a matter of moments, I can go to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, or I can dart back to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. In short, I can access information all over the world without ever leaving my office.
7) Violence — I don't think I have to emphasize that violence and lawlessness have been increasing. But it is hard to comprehend how rapid the increase has been in this century.
It is estimated by experts that the number of people killed in all the wars fought from the time of Christ until 1939 totals 50 million. In the next six years (1939 through 1945), 57 million people died in World War II. Since that time, almost 60 million have died in armed conflicts, either in wars between nations or civil wars within nations. This has been a century of unparalleled carnage.
Within the United States, violent crime has increased 500% since 1960. During the same period, the country's population increased only 41%.
8) Society — The disintegration of society has multiplied in speed as violence, wickedness, and immorality have increased exponentially. Jesus prophesied this would happen when He said that end time society would be like it was in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39).
I have witnessed the decaying of society with my own eyes. I was born in 1938. When I was born, abortionists were sent to prison. Pregnancy out of wedlock was thought of as scandalous. Homosexuals were considered queer. Pornography was despised as a sickness. Marriage was sacred. Living together was taboo. Divorce was a disgrace. Homemaking was honored, and day care was provided by mothers in their homes. Child abuse was unheard of. Ladies did not curse or smoke. "Damn" was considered flagrant language in a movie. (A recent film featuring Jack Lemon had the "f-word" in it 170 times in 120 minutes!)
I could go on and on about the many ways in which our society (and societies around the world) have decided to "call evil good and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). But the most dramatic way I can think of to illustrate how rapid the deterioration of society has become in America is to consider the results of a poll concerning public school discipline problems. Consider the differing results between the ‘40s and the ‘80s (and weep!):
The Top Public School Discipline Problems
Mid-'40s
1) Talking
2) Chewing gum
3) Making noise
4) Running in the halls
5) Getting out of turn in line
6) Wearing improper clothing
7) Not putting paper in wastebaskets
Mid-'80s
1) Drug Abuse
2) Alcohol Abuse
3) Pregnancy
4) Suicide
5) Rape
6) Robbery
7) Assault
(Source: Time Magazine, February 1, 1988)
9) The Gospel —But not all the exponential curves are bad. Modern technology has made it possible for the Gospel to be preached to billions of people through the use of such media as short wave radio, motion pictures, and satellite television.
Billy Graham's recent broadcast from Puerto Rico was carried by satellite to 185 countries and territories in a total of 116 different languages!
In 1800 the Bible was available in 71 languages. By 1930 the count had risen dramatically to 900. Today, the Bible has been published in 1,700 languages, with 1,000 more in progress. Computer technology has greatly speeded up the translation process.
10) World Politics — The exponential curve also applies to world events. Habakkuk 1:5 is as relevant today as if it were written yesterday: "The Lord replied, ‘Look, and be amazed! You will be astounded at what I am about to do! For I am going to do something in your own lifetime that you will have to see to believe.'"
I took a Sabbatical in 1987 and wrote a book called Trusting God. Seven years later, in 1994, I took another Sabbatical and completely rewrote that book. The exercise gave me an opportunity to reflect back over the seven years between the two Sabbaticals. I was astounded — even overwhelmed — by the rapidity and "stupendity" of world events.
Who could have dreamed in 1987 that within the next seven years any of the following events would have occurred? —
The tearing down of the Berlin Wall
The peaceful liberation of Eastern Europe from Communism
The collapse of the Soviet Union
The reunification of Germany
The resurgence of Islam and its emergence as the greatest threat to world peace
The sending of 500,000 American troops to the other side of the world to defend a country most Americans had never heard of (Kuwait)
The handshake between Rabin and Arafat that has led to Israel surrendering its heartland to the PLO
In 1987 if you had predicted any of these developments, you would have been written off as "nuts." The rapidity of these events and their radical nature is breathtaking. They underscore the possibility of the impossible. And they certainly reveal that man is not in control.
The Significance of the Curve
So, what does all this mean to you and me? I would mention at least three things.
First, the exponential curve is proof positive that Bible prophecy is true. The Lord has told us what He is going to do in the end times, and we had better pay attention to it.
Second, the fulfillment of prophecy related to the exponential curve shows that God is in control. Even when it appears that everything on this earth is out of control, we can be assured that God is orchestrating all the chaos to the ultimate triumph of His Son in history (Psalm 2).
Third, the exponential curve is very strong evidence that we are living on borrowed time. It points to the fact that Jesus is at the very gates of Heaven, waiting for the command of His Father to return.
A Warning
I want to conclude by issuing a strong warning against taking time for granted.
Many people are doing that today. They are saying, "I'm going to get serious about the Lord when I get out of school;" or "after I get a job;" or "after I'm established in my job;" or "after I get married;" or "after I get my children raised." Time is precious. There is very little left. Now is the time to get serious about the Lord.
Let me illustrate how critical the timing is by returning to the exponential curve. Suppose you put one bacterium in a jar, and assume it doubles every second. How many bacteria do you think would exist in the jar at the end of 30 seconds? The answer, incredibly, is 1,073,741,824. That's more than a billion in thirty seconds! That's the ferocity of the exponential curve.
Now, let's carry the illustration a step further. If at the end of 30 seconds the jar is half full, how much longer will it take for the jar to become full? The answer is one second (because it will double in the next second). That is the suddenness of the exponential curve.
That's what the Bible means when it says that people will be saying, "Peace and safety!" when "sudden destruction" will come upon them (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
Are you taking time for granted? Don't do it. Non-Christian, now is the time for salvation. Christian, now is the time for holiness.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Time is running out
I believe that our generation will be forced to make a decision to deny the Lord or face death. When my wife was pregnant with our 1st child (He is now 4 years old) I was journaling when I felt the Lord speak to me. The Lord said, that my child would be a martyr and that my child would be born at 7 lbs. 4 oz. So I journaled it three months before he was born.
I asked the doctor when the time came for my wife to give birth what he thought the weight would be. He said 8 pounds. He asked me and I told him, my son will be born at 7 lbs 4 oz.
Guess what? My son was born at 7lbs. 4 oz.
So I have wondered why the Lord would tell me this. I mean he could make my son be a martyr and never let me know. But because of the times we live in I believe that he told me this for many reasons. One is to prepare my heart for what is to come. 2. To prepare my son for his calling.
And as I have struggled with the idea that my son will most likely die as a martyr, I take joy in knowing that in order for him to die as a witness, he has to be saved. So this causes me to embrace an eternal perspective. My son is not saved yet, and I know that when the day comes it will come with mixed feelings for me. I will rejoice like I have never rejoiced in all of my life yet at the same time this will sober me up to the reality of what is yet to come.
I believe that suffering is the best place we as Christians could be because in that lonely and despairing place is where we realize what matters and what doesn’t matter. And I don’t say this ignorantly. My 2nd son Tobias (His name means God is Good) has almost died 3 different times. He was born as a micro preemie and was given a 2 1/2% change of surviving. Through all the suffering that my wife and I had to endure we learned that the Lord is faithful. Through the 5 different surgeries that my son Tobias had to endure (He is now 3 years old) we have learned that God is faithful.
I asked the Lord, what was the purpose of this trial with Tobias? And though he did not answer audibly, I felt the Lord say that he wanted to show me His faithfulness because when the time comes and my 4 year old becomes a martyr; I will need to look back and see the faithfulness of God.
Friends, the time is short, and it is high time to awaken from our sleep and to even become a little radical for the Lord. Because whether we want to believe this or not, either we will or our children will have to face persecution in such a way that we will have to make a decision for Christ. And that decision will be a life or death decision.
We are going to suffer, that is inevitable (and this coming from a pre-tribber…lol). My prayer is that when these things happen that we would not throw out everything that we know to be true about the Lord out the window, but that we would fall onto his faithfulness and look back at his track record in our personal lives. Things are accelerating its time to refocus, and regroup and pursue the One who has pursued us with all of our hearts. May the Lord return quickly.....so be it!
_________________
Until the nets are full,
Bill
I asked the doctor when the time came for my wife to give birth what he thought the weight would be. He said 8 pounds. He asked me and I told him, my son will be born at 7 lbs 4 oz.
Guess what? My son was born at 7lbs. 4 oz.
So I have wondered why the Lord would tell me this. I mean he could make my son be a martyr and never let me know. But because of the times we live in I believe that he told me this for many reasons. One is to prepare my heart for what is to come. 2. To prepare my son for his calling.
And as I have struggled with the idea that my son will most likely die as a martyr, I take joy in knowing that in order for him to die as a witness, he has to be saved. So this causes me to embrace an eternal perspective. My son is not saved yet, and I know that when the day comes it will come with mixed feelings for me. I will rejoice like I have never rejoiced in all of my life yet at the same time this will sober me up to the reality of what is yet to come.
I believe that suffering is the best place we as Christians could be because in that lonely and despairing place is where we realize what matters and what doesn’t matter. And I don’t say this ignorantly. My 2nd son Tobias (His name means God is Good) has almost died 3 different times. He was born as a micro preemie and was given a 2 1/2% change of surviving. Through all the suffering that my wife and I had to endure we learned that the Lord is faithful. Through the 5 different surgeries that my son Tobias had to endure (He is now 3 years old) we have learned that God is faithful.
I asked the Lord, what was the purpose of this trial with Tobias? And though he did not answer audibly, I felt the Lord say that he wanted to show me His faithfulness because when the time comes and my 4 year old becomes a martyr; I will need to look back and see the faithfulness of God.
Friends, the time is short, and it is high time to awaken from our sleep and to even become a little radical for the Lord. Because whether we want to believe this or not, either we will or our children will have to face persecution in such a way that we will have to make a decision for Christ. And that decision will be a life or death decision.
We are going to suffer, that is inevitable (and this coming from a pre-tribber…lol). My prayer is that when these things happen that we would not throw out everything that we know to be true about the Lord out the window, but that we would fall onto his faithfulness and look back at his track record in our personal lives. Things are accelerating its time to refocus, and regroup and pursue the One who has pursued us with all of our hearts. May the Lord return quickly.....so be it!
_________________
Until the nets are full,
Bill
Monday, September 11, 2006
Devotion - Charles Spurgeon
"Be ye separate." —2 Corinthians 6:17
The Christian, while in the world, is not to be of the world. He should be distinguished from it in the great object of his life. To him, "to live," should be "Christ." Whether he eats, or drinks, or whatever he does, he should do all to God's glory. You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves break not through nor steal. You may strive to be rich; but be it your ambition to be "rich in faith," and good works. You may have pleasure; but when you are merry, sing psalms and make melody in your hearts to the Lord. In your spirit, as well as in your aim, you should differ from the world. Waiting humbly before God, always conscious of His presence, delighting in communion with Him, and seeking to know His will, you will prove that you are of heavenly race. And you should be separate from the world in your actions. If a thing be right, though you lose by it, it must be done; if it be wrong, though you would gain by it, you must scorn the sin for your Master's sake. You must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Walk worthy of your high calling and dignity. Remember, O Christian, that thou art a son of the King of kings. Therefore, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Soil not the fingers which are soon to sweep celestial strings; let not these eyes become the windows of lust which are soon to see the King in His beauty—let not those feet be defiled in miry places, which are soon to walk the golden streets—let not those hearts be filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long to be filled with heaven, and to overflow with ecstatic joy.
Then rise my soul! and soar away,
Above the thoughtless crowd;
Above the pleasures of the gay,
And splendours of the proud;
Up where eternal beauties bloom,
And pleasures all divine;
Where wealth, that never can consume,
And endless glories shine.
The Christian, while in the world, is not to be of the world. He should be distinguished from it in the great object of his life. To him, "to live," should be "Christ." Whether he eats, or drinks, or whatever he does, he should do all to God's glory. You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves break not through nor steal. You may strive to be rich; but be it your ambition to be "rich in faith," and good works. You may have pleasure; but when you are merry, sing psalms and make melody in your hearts to the Lord. In your spirit, as well as in your aim, you should differ from the world. Waiting humbly before God, always conscious of His presence, delighting in communion with Him, and seeking to know His will, you will prove that you are of heavenly race. And you should be separate from the world in your actions. If a thing be right, though you lose by it, it must be done; if it be wrong, though you would gain by it, you must scorn the sin for your Master's sake. You must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Walk worthy of your high calling and dignity. Remember, O Christian, that thou art a son of the King of kings. Therefore, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Soil not the fingers which are soon to sweep celestial strings; let not these eyes become the windows of lust which are soon to see the King in His beauty—let not those feet be defiled in miry places, which are soon to walk the golden streets—let not those hearts be filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long to be filled with heaven, and to overflow with ecstatic joy.
Then rise my soul! and soar away,
Above the thoughtless crowd;
Above the pleasures of the gay,
And splendours of the proud;
Up where eternal beauties bloom,
And pleasures all divine;
Where wealth, that never can consume,
And endless glories shine.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
The Lord is returning
Look up because the Lord will be returning sooner than we all think. Don't get me wrong, I do not have any new inside information, but in my heart of hearts I feel the Lord is coming back for us; his bride. So I want to encourage all of us to look up.....His return is eminent.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Journal 8/17/06
Father,
There is an eerie feeling in the air. It feels like the calm before the storm. I know you are doing something behind the scenes right now with the EU and Israel, the West, the East, Al Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Javier Solana, the earth quakes, the floods, the death, etc. So I pray for wisdom Lord. I ask in the name of your son for wisdom to manage my affairs and to do the right things in these times that we live in.
I have heard that Iran may have nuclear weapons. And I have heard that the president of Iran believes that he will be the one who ushers in his (false) messiah through chaos and destruction. Most believe that August 22nd of this year is significant; is it? Lord, I have heard that there is a potential for a major war from Teheran. I have heard that there is a high probability that Iran will attack Israel with nukes within days. Is this true Lord? If it is, what do I do in light of this? How do I function as your child and as your ambassador to the world?
I have heard that this year on the night of 8/22/06 that the Muslims will be celebrating the journey of their (false) prophet Mohammed to Jerusalem and his ascension into heaven. I have heard that these followers have the perfect opportunity to enrich their celebration by throwing a nuclear attack on Israel. I don’t know if this is true Lord, but you do. And its you alone that I cling to Father. In Jesus name I pray….amen.
Here is a list of earthquakes listed in three columns. The 1st column is the year. The 2nd column are earth quakes above 6.0 and the third column is total earthquakes for the that year. So the 1st line reads in 1970 there were 130 earthquakes above 6.0 and there were a total of 4139 earth quakes in 1970.
USGS 6.0+ TOTAL
1970 - 130 - 4139
1971 - 132 - 4507
1972 - 125 - 4548
1973 - 108 - 5175
1974 - 113 - 4996
1975 - 122 - 5318
1976 - 131 - 6308
1977 - 102 - 5775
1978 - 109 - 6428
1979 - 113 - 7161
1980 - 119 - 7348
1981 - 103 - 6829
1982 - 95 - 7747
1983 - 140 - 9842
1984 - 99 - 10493
1985 - 124 - 13115
1986 - 95 - 12718
1987 - 123 - 11290
1988 - 101 - 12711
1989 - 86 - 14585
1990 - 126 - 16612
1991 - 116 - 16516
1992 - 127 - 19548
1993 - 157 - 21476
1994 - 176 - 19371
1995 - 210 - 21007
1996 - 182 - 19938
1997 - 145 - 19872
1998 - 129 - 21688
1999 - 146 - 20832
2000 - 175 - 22309
2001 - 142 - 23534
2002 - 143 - 27454
2003 - 155 - 31419
2004 - 152 - 29140
There is an eerie feeling in the air. It feels like the calm before the storm. I know you are doing something behind the scenes right now with the EU and Israel, the West, the East, Al Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Javier Solana, the earth quakes, the floods, the death, etc. So I pray for wisdom Lord. I ask in the name of your son for wisdom to manage my affairs and to do the right things in these times that we live in.
I have heard that Iran may have nuclear weapons. And I have heard that the president of Iran believes that he will be the one who ushers in his (false) messiah through chaos and destruction. Most believe that August 22nd of this year is significant; is it? Lord, I have heard that there is a potential for a major war from Teheran. I have heard that there is a high probability that Iran will attack Israel with nukes within days. Is this true Lord? If it is, what do I do in light of this? How do I function as your child and as your ambassador to the world?
I have heard that this year on the night of 8/22/06 that the Muslims will be celebrating the journey of their (false) prophet Mohammed to Jerusalem and his ascension into heaven. I have heard that these followers have the perfect opportunity to enrich their celebration by throwing a nuclear attack on Israel. I don’t know if this is true Lord, but you do. And its you alone that I cling to Father. In Jesus name I pray….amen.
Here is a list of earthquakes listed in three columns. The 1st column is the year. The 2nd column are earth quakes above 6.0 and the third column is total earthquakes for the that year. So the 1st line reads in 1970 there were 130 earthquakes above 6.0 and there were a total of 4139 earth quakes in 1970.
USGS 6.0+ TOTAL
1970 - 130 - 4139
1971 - 132 - 4507
1972 - 125 - 4548
1973 - 108 - 5175
1974 - 113 - 4996
1975 - 122 - 5318
1976 - 131 - 6308
1977 - 102 - 5775
1978 - 109 - 6428
1979 - 113 - 7161
1980 - 119 - 7348
1981 - 103 - 6829
1982 - 95 - 7747
1983 - 140 - 9842
1984 - 99 - 10493
1985 - 124 - 13115
1986 - 95 - 12718
1987 - 123 - 11290
1988 - 101 - 12711
1989 - 86 - 14585
1990 - 126 - 16612
1991 - 116 - 16516
1992 - 127 - 19548
1993 - 157 - 21476
1994 - 176 - 19371
1995 - 210 - 21007
1996 - 182 - 19938
1997 - 145 - 19872
1998 - 129 - 21688
1999 - 146 - 20832
2000 - 175 - 22309
2001 - 142 - 23534
2002 - 143 - 27454
2003 - 155 - 31419
2004 - 152 - 29140
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Journal 8/9/06
Why do people say they are Christians and then say that they don't believe in the bible. Someone told me today that they don't believe what the Bible says about certain things and then they tell me that they are a Christian. And when someone says that, what they are really saying is that they know more about a certain topic than God does. This breaks my heart but I am sure that this breaks the heart of God even more. It reminds me of the words of Jesus when he was looking over the city of Israel, "How I long to gather you to myself as a hen gathers her chicks, but you are unwilling".
Father I pray for this person at work that thinks she is a believer and yet rejects pretty much the entire bible. She only believes in the parts that she wants to and has created a god in her own image. Please Lord, break down the walls in her heart and allow her to see you for who you really are. In Jesus name I pray; Amen.
Father I pray for this person at work that thinks she is a believer and yet rejects pretty much the entire bible. She only believes in the parts that she wants to and has created a god in her own image. Please Lord, break down the walls in her heart and allow her to see you for who you really are. In Jesus name I pray; Amen.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Journal 8/8/06
Father,
You are so good and so faithful. You are mighty and holy and I am thankful that you love me. Thank you for my family and friends. Thank you for my wonderful children. I pray that you would save all my kids, all four of them. I pray that you would use me as an instrument to lead them to you. I pray that they would love you and walk with you all the days of their lives and I pray that you would use them for your glory.
I pray for my wife and I ask that you would be her comfort and joy. I ask that you would lead her as she begins to homeschool soon. Give her insight and wisdom. Help her to faithful teach our kids to read and write and to memorize your word. Minister to my wife Lord.
And I pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Please bring peace to your people. In Jesus name I pray....Amen.
You are so good and so faithful. You are mighty and holy and I am thankful that you love me. Thank you for my family and friends. Thank you for my wonderful children. I pray that you would save all my kids, all four of them. I pray that you would use me as an instrument to lead them to you. I pray that they would love you and walk with you all the days of their lives and I pray that you would use them for your glory.
I pray for my wife and I ask that you would be her comfort and joy. I ask that you would lead her as she begins to homeschool soon. Give her insight and wisdom. Help her to faithful teach our kids to read and write and to memorize your word. Minister to my wife Lord.
And I pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Please bring peace to your people. In Jesus name I pray....Amen.
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