They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
Revelation 9:4
Recommended Reading
Revelation 13:16-17
Things that no one needed permission for years ago--entering or leaving the country, taking money out of the country, building a structure on one's own property--these and other things now require permission from authorities. Arguments can be made pro and con for any of these regulations, but the big picture is more important: Today's regulations are setting the stage for life-or-death regulations to come.
The Bible says that during the Tribulation the Antichrist will require every human on earth to receive a physical mark on his or her body, without which it will be impossible to buy or sell. One's ability to purchase food will depend on having "the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:17). But there is another mark that some will have: the seal of God on their foreheads. These will be protected from the judgments God sends upon the earth, upon those who have the mark of the beast.
Experience the seal of the Spirit in your heart and live through faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:22).
Faith is the identifying mark of the Christian.
Ronald Dunn
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Do you have eternal security ?
I can't take credit for this, but I agree with Dr. Jeremiah completely:
In the April 23, 2010, edition of his "Turning Point" daily devotional, David Jeremiah wrote: "It would be nice to be told, when we leave on a long car trip, something like this: 'I want you to know that you are going to reach your destination safely and on schedule. Regardless of what happens en route--you may get lost, you may encounter a fierce rainstorm, and you may have a flat tire--don't worry. I am here to promise you that you will arrive.'
"We have been given such a promise by God concerning our spiritual journey. The promise comes in the form of a seal--the seal of the Holy Spirit. Paul uses language common to the ancient world. A seal affixed to documents by kings and authorities made them official and inviolable upon pain of death or punishment. No one dared to violate the terms of a document that bore an official seal. No one in the spiritual realm would dare violate the plan God has for those He has sealed. As Paul wrote, 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?' (Rom. 8:35) The Holy Spirit, dwelling in every Christian, is God's seal that we will make it to heaven.
"Don't let obstacles along the road to eternity shake your confidence in God's promise. The Holy Spirit is God's seal that you will arrive."
In the April 23, 2010, edition of his "Turning Point" daily devotional, David Jeremiah wrote: "It would be nice to be told, when we leave on a long car trip, something like this: 'I want you to know that you are going to reach your destination safely and on schedule. Regardless of what happens en route--you may get lost, you may encounter a fierce rainstorm, and you may have a flat tire--don't worry. I am here to promise you that you will arrive.'
"We have been given such a promise by God concerning our spiritual journey. The promise comes in the form of a seal--the seal of the Holy Spirit. Paul uses language common to the ancient world. A seal affixed to documents by kings and authorities made them official and inviolable upon pain of death or punishment. No one dared to violate the terms of a document that bore an official seal. No one in the spiritual realm would dare violate the plan God has for those He has sealed. As Paul wrote, 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?' (Rom. 8:35) The Holy Spirit, dwelling in every Christian, is God's seal that we will make it to heaven.
"Don't let obstacles along the road to eternity shake your confidence in God's promise. The Holy Spirit is God's seal that you will arrive."
Are you comfortable in a strange land ?
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8
Recommended Reading
1 Peter 1:13-16
Most people have heard the "boiling frog" metaphor: Drop a frog in a pot of boiling water and it will frantically try to climb out. But place the frog in a pot of room-temperature water, then slowly heat the water, and the frog will get used to the change in temperature and slowly succumb to the boiling water. While factually incorrect, the metaphor is useful for pointing out the danger of complacency and inattention.
This metaphor could well be used to warn residents of planet earth about the slow rise to power of the one the Bible calls the Antichrist. Seen first as a savior by brokering peace between Israel and her enemies, this Man of Sin will ultimately consolidate world power and authority by threatening to punish those who do not acquiesce to his demands. By the time he is established on the world stage, it will be too late. Jesus spoke often of signs of the times (Matthew 16:3; 24:3; Mark 13:28). It behooves us to be alert and watchful as God's end-time plans take shape.
The best way to avoid the terrible reign of the Antichrist is to be absent from earth, safely at home with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
A wandering heart needs a watchful eye.
Thomas Watson
1 Peter 5:8
Recommended Reading
1 Peter 1:13-16
Most people have heard the "boiling frog" metaphor: Drop a frog in a pot of boiling water and it will frantically try to climb out. But place the frog in a pot of room-temperature water, then slowly heat the water, and the frog will get used to the change in temperature and slowly succumb to the boiling water. While factually incorrect, the metaphor is useful for pointing out the danger of complacency and inattention.
This metaphor could well be used to warn residents of planet earth about the slow rise to power of the one the Bible calls the Antichrist. Seen first as a savior by brokering peace between Israel and her enemies, this Man of Sin will ultimately consolidate world power and authority by threatening to punish those who do not acquiesce to his demands. By the time he is established on the world stage, it will be too late. Jesus spoke often of signs of the times (Matthew 16:3; 24:3; Mark 13:28). It behooves us to be alert and watchful as God's end-time plans take shape.
The best way to avoid the terrible reign of the Antichrist is to be absent from earth, safely at home with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
A wandering heart needs a watchful eye.
Thomas Watson
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tithing
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Matthew 25:21 - “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A man spoke to his pastor one day and said, “I don’t know what’s wrong, but God is not real to me anymore.” The wise pastor asked, “Is there any sin in your life?” In a moment of honesty the man responded, “Years ago I was tithing regularly to God, but one day I thought, 'God doesn’t need the money as much as I do,' so I stopped.” The pastor said, “Will God say, ‘My child has disobeyed Me. He cannot trust Me with his resources, so I think I’ll bless him with even more financial resources.’ Will God do this?” Absolutely not. If you’re not faithful with little, He won’t bless you with any more.
ACTION POINT:
Are you faithfully tithing your income to the work of the Lord? If not, it’s time to.
Matthew 25:21 - “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A man spoke to his pastor one day and said, “I don’t know what’s wrong, but God is not real to me anymore.” The wise pastor asked, “Is there any sin in your life?” In a moment of honesty the man responded, “Years ago I was tithing regularly to God, but one day I thought, 'God doesn’t need the money as much as I do,' so I stopped.” The pastor said, “Will God say, ‘My child has disobeyed Me. He cannot trust Me with his resources, so I think I’ll bless him with even more financial resources.’ Will God do this?” Absolutely not. If you’re not faithful with little, He won’t bless you with any more.
ACTION POINT:
Are you faithfully tithing your income to the work of the Lord? If not, it’s time to.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
How is your Witnessing ?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Matthew 4:16 - “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are two witnesses for the existence of God to all people. One is the objective witness of creation. The other is the subjective witness of conscience. God speaks to a man and the man responds, “God, I want to know You and I need to know You. I do believe that You exist.” That’s faith, and he goes from faith to faith as he steps in the light until he comes to the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe with all my heart there’s never been a man or woman who ever lived on the face of this earth who died without some opportunity to have received Christ, had they lived up to the light God gave them.
ACTION POINT:
Is there someone in your life that claims to be an agnostic or an atheist? Try to engage them in a conversation about creation this week
Matthew 4:16 - “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are two witnesses for the existence of God to all people. One is the objective witness of creation. The other is the subjective witness of conscience. God speaks to a man and the man responds, “God, I want to know You and I need to know You. I do believe that You exist.” That’s faith, and he goes from faith to faith as he steps in the light until he comes to the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe with all my heart there’s never been a man or woman who ever lived on the face of this earth who died without some opportunity to have received Christ, had they lived up to the light God gave them.
ACTION POINT:
Is there someone in your life that claims to be an agnostic or an atheist? Try to engage them in a conversation about creation this week
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