For Our Example

Just sharing part of my own study this morning.  In the New Testament, God sets forth certain things which He says are for our examples.  These things are noted for His Church to be in remembrance of and take heed to so that we may learn from the lesson.

ensample: typos (Greek); a figure formed by a mark of a stroke or blow, print; a form; an example

ensample: hypodeigma (Greek); a sign suggestive of anything, delineation of a thing, representation, figure, copy; an example: for imitation

example: deigma (Greek); a thing shown; a specimen of any thing, example, pattern

Do Not be Overthrown in the Wilderness of Sin

We should understand the end of those who fall into unbelief, even after having experienced the salvation of God. 

"While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." Hebrews 3:15-4:11

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." I Corinthians 10:1-12

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." II Peter 2:1-9

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Jude 1:4-7


Don't Rest on Your Laurels, But Press On to the Mark

We cannot afford to take it easy or think that we have completed the race when we have really just stepped up to the starting line. Rather, we keep going with the same stamina, devotion, and commitment with which we have begun until the end.

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." Philippians 3:12-17


Let Your Life Be a Witness to All 

Everything we do/say either magnifies the glory of God or detracts from it.  Our very lives should not only attest to the new creature we have been transformed to be in Christ, the life of Christ within us will also be a draw to the unsaved to enter into relationship with Him.

"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. " I Thessalonians 1:5-8

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." I Timothy 4: 12-16

"Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." Titus 2:6-8


Follow the Pattern of Godly Men

Godly men are not depicted as those who are up on a pedestal above God's people, but are co-laborers and servants, leading by their Godly example.

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." John 13:13-15

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us." II Thessalonians 3:6-9

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. " I Peter 5:1-3

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. " James 5:7-11

A Clear Gospel Message

The following message is from Pastor Zac Poonen as he deals with explaining the gospel of salvation.  What does it mean to be born again or to be "saved"?

• We live in a world where the standards of Christianity have been tremendously degraded.
• Believing in Jesus does not bring salvation if there is no repentance.
• Being born again is like laying the foundation of a building.
• Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews who led a very upright life, but he was not born again.  It is not enough to be "good" (John 3:3).
• To be born again is to be born of the Holy Spirit.
• Those who love darkness like to hide things.  If you want to be born again, you must come out of the darkness.  Come to God and be open with Him about everything.
• We are not only to come to the light, but to walk in the light.
• It is like coming into a house with many dirty rooms.  Our progress from being born again to growing up into Christ is like someone going and cleaning each dirty room one at a time until the whole house is clean.
• God chose the Apostle Paul to preach the Gospel widely in the 1st Century.  He said that he preached the same message to all people: 1) Repentance towards God; and 2) Faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:20).
• Repent & believe are the two things all people need to hear if they are to be saved.
• Man is always trying to separate what God has joined together, so now the churchworld is just left with a message to "believe", which does not lead to the new birth.
• All religions do not lead to God.  We cannot go to God except through Jesus Christ unless Jesus was a liar, deceiver, or deceived (John 14:6).
• Truth is always very narrow-minded because it is absolute.  People in the world like to be broad-minded only in the area of faith. 
• You cannot say that Jesus was a "good man" or "prophet" when you do not believe His words for you make Him out to be a liar.  Jesus was God Almighty.
• Jesus didn't come for religious people, but for sinners; and all have sinned.
• Even though God is our Father, He cannot simply overlook sin because He is also a Just Judge.  Forgiveness of a crime can only come if the debt is paid.  God not only passes a just judgment, but He also pays the price for our sin Himself; only He could because He alone is the Judge.
• This is why Jehovah's Witnesses and other cults are wrong in saying that Jesus is not God.  No created being can die for your sin, but God Himself can die for our sin because He is the Judge. 
• Further, if God was only one person and not three (as some other cults teach), then how could God come to earth and become a man yet still be God up in Heaven to whom Jesus prayed.  Denial of the Trinity is the spirit of Anti-Christ (I John 2:22).
• Hell is not primarily a geographical location, but is a God-forsaken place.
• Jesus' rising from the dead is the proof that all He said on the earth was truth.  No other religion even claims that someone died for the sins of the world and rose from the dead except for Christianity.
• The foundation of Christianity is not to do good, be kind, and don't hurt others.  It is that Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead.  Without those two points, Christianity becomes like every other religion in the world.
• Just as Jesus came to the earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to earth after He rose from the dead.  The Holy Spirit is not a force, He is a person.  However unlike Jesus, the Holy Spirit came without a human body...but in search of a human body: yours!
• It is a wonderful thing that the Holy Spirit can come into this human body and - if I respond to Him - do in this body what He did in Jesus' body.  That is why we can walk like Jesus walked, because of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will make you like Jesus.
•  The Holy Spirit may have even come in you at one time, but have since left because you didn't respond to Him.  The Holy Spirit does not stay where He is not wanted.
• The message of the Gospel is that we can turn from sin, receive Jesus Christ through His Spirit, and your body can now be the house of God.
• We must be careful how we treat out bodies for they are the house of God.
• We don't reach perfection in a day; it is like a marathon race.  Being born again is like coming to the starting line, but we must go on from there to the finishing line.
• To be born again you must: 1) Acknowledge that you are a sinner; 2) Acknowledge that the righteous judgment for your sin - even 1 sin - is Hell; 3) Hate sin because you understand that it is your sin which led to Jesus' death; 4) Ask to be born of God's Spirit as you recognize that Jesus rose from the dead to send His Spirit to men.
• Faith means committing yourself to God, not just believing in Him.  Just like in a wedding where the minister may ask the woman whether she is willing to give herself to her groom.  She agrees to change her name to reflect the groom's name.  She agrees to follow her groom wherever he leads, including away from the only home she may have known with her parents.  She no longer lives for herself, but her desire is to her husband.  You cannot be a Christian without being totally committed to Christ.
• You can be sure you are born again because the Holy Spirit will bear witness with your spirit that you are a child of God.
• Most Christians do not live like this.  Look for the few who do, and model them.

Vessels of Truth Broadcast

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

Every Tuesday evening at 8:00 pm CST, Bro. Rashid Tillis will be hosting the "Vessels of Truth" broadcast.  This is a live, streaming video forum where believers can discuss Bible topics and issues relevant to the Church today.

The goal of the channel is to open the eyes of the blind, set the captives free, restore the soul and equip the believer to succeed in warfare!

Each session is 30 minutes long, so feel free to log on whenever your time permits and share with those in your network.

The Magic Behind Disney

We have spoken before about how the "Wonderful World of Disney" uses its programs to indoctrinate children into accepting sexual perversion.  The following videos discuss this a little more.

One thing you will see below is how the name of the wizard who teaches Mickey Mouse his "magic" in the movie Fantasia was "Yen Sid".  Yen Sid is "Disney" spelled backwards.

This wizard character was even drawn to resemble Walt Disney himself.  Truly, Satan did not hide his hand in revealing Walt Disney as a high priest of the occult, a sorcerer intent on molding little "apprentices" to follow his Satanic ideals.

The second video is an excerpt from a documentary by Lenon Honor examining the life & work of Walt Disney; spelling out the agenda he has been using this platform to push.  Although I have not communicated with Lenon for quite some time, I would not recommend becoming too involved with his work in general.  One of many "truth seekers" on the Internet, he does have some info on how the media is attempting to destroy the family and program the mind, but such is of little value without knowing the Truth, who is Jesus Christ.   

Never confuse information with Truth.  Any "truth" shared apart from the light of Christ is ultimately prone to the same delusions it attempts to expose. The Disney documentary however is shared here as it does show how perversion has permeated Disney's work from the beginning, although such is branded as a "family" network.  It is really anti-family at its core.

Take care what you allow to enter your home and enter-tain your children.




If you encounter a problem loading the video below, you can watch it from its main page by clicking here.

Early Works of Walt Disney from Christian Soldier on Vimeo.

Yom Kippur

Just a Little Perversion is Okay, Right?

"Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." I Corinthians 5:6-8

"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Galatians 5:7-9

My family just finished participating in an awesome weekend of fellowship with the saints via an Omega Church & Ministry Center conference.  The night before the final day of the conference, God gave me a dream featuring the words "Yom Kippur."  I knew this was a Jewish holiday, but didn't know more than that.

The following was found on the Jewish FAQ site (emphasis added by me):

Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri [September or October]. The holiday is instituted at Leviticus 23:26 et seq.

The name “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement,” and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to “afflict the soul,” to atone for the sins of the past year. In Days of Awe, I mentioned the “books” in which G-d inscribes all of our names. On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed. This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends.

...It is customary to wear white on the holiday, which symbolizes purity and calls to mind the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow (Is. 1:18).

...It is interesting to note that these confessions do not specifically address the kinds of ritual sins that some people think are the be-all-and-end-all of Judaism. There is no “for the sin we have sinned before you by eating pork, and for the sin we have sinned against you by driving on Shabbat” (though obviously these are implicitly included in the catch-all). The vast majority of the sins enumerated involve mistreatment of other people, most of them by speech (offensive speech, scoffing, slander, talebearing, and swearing falsely, to name a few). These all come into the category of sin known as “lashon ha-ra” (lit: the evil tongue), which is considered a very serious sin in Judaism.

The concluding service of Yom Kippur, known as Ne'ilah, is one unique to the day. It usually runs about 1 hour long. The ark (a cabinet where the scrolls of the Torah are kept) is kept open throughout this service, thus you must stand throughout the service. There is a tone of desperation in the prayers of this service. The service is sometimes referred to as the closing of the gates; think of it as the “last chance” to get in a good word before the holiday ends. The service ends with a very long blast of the shofar.

As part of the rituals associated with Yom Kippur, the high priest would take two goats.  One would be sacrificed as a sin offering while the other would be a "scapegoat" sent out into the wilderness bearing the sins of the people.

We know that in the New Testament, Jesus became our scapegoat by shedding His blood for the remission of our sins once and for all (Hebrews 9:6-28).  As a result, those who believe in Him and await His Second Coming are being prepared to be clothed in pure white linen representing the righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:8).  Yet, part of this preparation is our being cleansed within from that which defiles.


Last night, I had another dream.  In it, a piece of pornography had infiltrated our home unbeknownst to us.  However, it had been brought in by the enemy via sins of omission (not what we "did", but what we "failed to do").  Each believer has a responsibility to guard against that which is not of the Lord.  In the dream, God allowed me to see how - if left unchecked - sin would quickly spread and morph until it had corrupted everything in the home.  When I awoke from the dream wondering what it meant, I heard, "Even just a little perversion is not okay."

All sin is an affront to God, for He is holy.  Just as we would seek to protect our homes from invaders in the natural, we must be vigilant against what is attempting to invade our own souls.  We must go on the offensive spiritually against that which seeks to defile us, whether it is inordinate relationships, desires, thoughts, etc.  After all, we desire for God to make His "home" in us, and He will not fill that which is unclean (John 14:23; I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19).

Sin LIVES.  It waits, it lurks, it desires, it rules, it has a "body", it slays, it wages war against us (Genesis 4:7; Romans 6:6-7, 7:11, 23).  If we do not kill sin, then sin will assuredly snuff out the life of God in us over time.  In these last days, we are either growing in righteousness or growing in sin.  There is no in-between.

"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11

I understood from the combination of these dreams that I was to write about the danger that comes from being complacent with sin; especially at a time when Jesus is soon returning. While there may have been deliverance in some major areas amongst God's people, peace treaties have been signed with what some might consider the "little foxes" (Numbers 33:52-56; Song of Songs 2:15).  Often those little foxes may have the deepest roots because they have been in our souls for the longest time and have had the opportunity to grow into our very personalities (making it harder for us to detect).  As Jesus spoke to the churches in the Book of Revelation, the primary message before His coming is one of repentance before judgment; and this is what Yom Kippur represents.

I visited a blog this morning whose article seemed to echo this sentiment, and I am sharing it below.  As it states, it is not by coincidence when God begins to give the same word to different members of His Body.  I encourage the saints of God not to give up or grow weary; don't settle for coexisting with what you may consider the "little sins" in your life.  Continue to present yourselves to God for purging so that you may be part of the Bride who will be without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27).

I know this is long, but may it bless those for whom the Lord intends it.

I Strongly Concur

By Bonita Petroff

Brethren, it is crucial that we pay attention to what the Lord is saying through His people.  It is no secret that we have need of one another.  It was the Father's perfect plan from before the foundation of the earth!

I strongly concur with a word that was given through a sister in Christ, Glynda Lomax.  We are to:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God (Yhwh); because many false prophets have gone out into the world. [1Jn 4:1]

I believe the Lord is pleased when we do this because then we are acting in obedience to His written word. My heart and spirit is confident in the word spoken thru sister Glynda.  We know what the Good Shepherd is speaking to His sheep.  It is a serious time.  In fact, it is confirmation and I'm grateful.

I wrote a friend to express some concerns, ending with sister Glynda's messages from the King.  I am right there with the rest of the true brethren, paying attention and allowing the Lord to search my own heart.

It's a serious, sober time.  We all need to be so grateful for His love and His warnings NOW... because the time is coming when there will be no more warnings.  And that time is about upon us.

He is using many vessels to speak forth crucial and timely messages.  He is drawing the true Body of believers together.  The messages are flowing together harmoniously and orderly because they come from the Head, our King Y'shua.

That alone should be a high alert and a sounding alarm as to how very close we are to the Great Tribulation that is coming upon the whole world.  It is not the time to give up.  Many of us are weary, but that is also why He is calling us to intimate time alone with Him...to be strengthened.

Our King is coming!
HalleluYah!

Bonita

This will probably be one of my longer emails; hope you take time to read it because it will be written with Christ's love.  I've been trying to tell u for months now (person's name) how serious the time is we are in and how we must overcome all sin, if we want to be used in what is coming.  If not, He will pass us over (those who won't die to self/surrender all)

The 'cost' is our cross...plain and simple. 

We can be stubborn, saying we have 'needs', expecting Father to 'understand' (isnt that what the majority of believers are saying anymore?).

I know you dont want to hear it, but i have to tell you because i do not want your blood on my hands, just as u would not want mine on yours, my friend.  There is no room for compromise or excuses, sin must be laid down; flesh must be crucified.

When we love Him, we want to obey Him.  The way I see it is, we're either serious or not.  Please hear my heart in this...

We cannot be as those who give lip service but no heart service. Either Jesus (Y'shua) rules on the throne of our hearts or we ourselves (flesh) rules. Have we not talked for years about holiness?

Because it is written, Be ye holy (set apart) as I am holy.

You have quoted it many times 1Peter 1:16

We have also talked about being perfect (whole, complete, mature)  Weaned off milk and onto meat... Theres a higher calling and flesh is not invited, sin is not allowed.  Have you not often said (and its true)... We all choose; its about choices.

The Lord has said often: Choose wisely.  Choose this day whom you will serve.  (Let me get the scripture.  I want to read it carefully again myself!)

And if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  [Josh 24:15]

satan or God?

Sin and flesh or holiness and the Spirit?

Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? 

I think all of the true brethren can and will say, "I've come too far to just hand the victory over to satan!"

Overcoming means just that ... to overcome (the flesh). To pick up our cross and truly die to self.

We have a King who is soon returning.  Just in case your clock has stopped, it's almost the MIDNIGHT HOUR.  Check the oil in your lamp (and i will check mine).  If we are low, let us get some NOW before the Bridegroom comes.  (im sure i hear His approach... )

Now I know exactly what Jeremiah meant and how he felt when he said:

Give glory to the LORD your God, before He cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, He turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.  But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and my eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive. [Jer 13:16,17]

cmon my friend, rise up!

For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.  [Prov 24:16]

Some use the above scripture as an excuse to keep on sinning.  We will all stand before a holy God (Yhwh) and be accountable and responsible.  whew! think about it!

Yep, im no fun right now (if fun means letting my flesh rule), im dead serious and i intend to keep it that way

No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please HIM who has CHOSEN HIM to be a SOLDIER [2 Tim 2:4]

Sin can go to hell where it belongs...Hes been purging me (not comfortable) and purifying; i dont want to return to the vomit or the miry clay like a dog or a pig. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling; how many truly fear the Lord anymore?  How many are trying to conform Him into their image (of Him), rather than allowing Father to conform us into Jesus' (Y'shua's) image?

I dont want a 'one size fits all' Jesus; I want the Jesus who is the narrow way...

I pray u have the same attitude towards me too...we are bought with a price!

Love tells the truth even when it's not comfortable or popular!

Love IS truth
Yhwh IS Love and Truth

I did not get to my emails until late, but tucked in amongst them all was a forward from Glynda Lomax, a sister in Christ.  Another sister in Christ sent it to me.  I would like to share it with you.

Hear what the Lord is saying in the word He spoke thru Glynda

shalom in Y'shua

bonita

Wings of Prophecy
The Time of My Chastisement
By Glynda Lomax on Aug 16, 2012 08:45 pm

I was in my morning prayer time, and I had been asking the Lord about a message He had given a preacher I knew about Him beginning to chastise the church at this time, asking Him to give us a guiding word if it was true, because my spirit bore witness with that word, when He began to speak.

The time of My chastisement is indeed upon My church, My child, for I will have a holy and a spotless bride and those who do not comply and walk in My holiness shall be excluded. (He didn't explain to me what being excluded meant)

I have given you the tools you need to walk in My holiness. I have given My son as a sacrifice for your sins, yet many of you continue to sin, expecting Me to "understand," expecting Me to accept you with blemishes. Your sin mars you with the filth of the enemy, My children, and this is unacceptable in My sight.

Would you accept your spouse if they were marked by their lovers in your sight? Could you look upon them with love and desire, seeing they were polluted by another? I desire you to stand holy before Me.

I desire the church would walk in My mighty power in these last days. I desire to demonstrate My great power in the lost and dying world in which you live, but I cannot do this through sinful vessels.

You ask for more of My anointing, more power and more blessing. I am asking for more of you. I am asking you to lay down more of your fleshly desires, more of your fleshly ways. I am calling My children to walk in more of Me and this you cannot do if you are still giving in to the desires of your flesh.

You must choose. You cannot fully serve Me if you are still also serving you. You must consider with every choice you make which path you will take.

Jeremiah 30:14-15: 14 All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased. 15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

Hebrews 12:6: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

1 Peter 1:16: Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Ephesians 5:27: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

2 Timothy 2:21: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

________________________

I would like to include the next word the Lord gave her because they go hand in hand.  Glynda Lomax's website

Wings of Prophecy

Come To Me With Your Struggles

by Glynda Lomax on Friday, August 17, 2012

Come to Me with your struggles, My children, for I hold the keys to your victory and I will give them to you if you show you truly want to be free. I will give you wisdom and revelation so you may overcome the Evil One if you will truly lay down your sin.

It is up to you to seek My holiness, to truly desire My ways and not your sin. This is where most of you stay bound - you want your sin, you want your earthly pleasures, and expect an easy way out after years of indulging your flesh.

My children, after years of giving in, you no longer desire freedom, your desire is not to be holy like Me. You must cultivate a desire for holiness in your hearts by feasting on My Word. My Word renews you, renews your desire to be more like Me.

Show yourselves truly willing. Show Me you are willing to fight against sin and I will help you to be free.

1 Peter 1:16:  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

2 Timothy 2:21: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Mark 9:23: Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

_____________________________

There is one more item that I would like to draw your attention to.  One of our sisters in Christ sent it to me.  It is regarding the increasing persecution of believers in the United States, particularly of the 'watchmen'.  It is a most interesting article.

It is too lengthy to post the content here, so I will provide the link. Before you read it, I encourage you to patiently read the following scriptures because we must prepare our minds and hearts to understand that they are pertinent for the time we are living in.

Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them you shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall you scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [Mat 23:34]

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.[Lk 21:12]

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If theyhave persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. [Mat 15:20]

I am not sure why some believers are surprised that persecution is occurring in ‘our’ countries now.  I understand that initially, to see the word of God coming true before our very eyes is indeedeye-opening (at least one would hope so), because it is amazing that we are alive in these days, but it is going to get worse, just as our Master and King prophesied. 

Pic from Doug Hagmann's site

It is called: Christianity and Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed.  It is written Friday, August 17, 2012 by Doug Hagmann and taken from the Canada Free Press

Doug Hagmann (along with his son Joe Hagmann) is the host for ‘The Hagmann and Hagmann Report’.  It is a live internet radio program.  He is founder and director of ‘Northeast Intelligence Network’, as well as a multi-state licensed private investigative agency.

Doug Hagmann:  http://www.homelandsecurityus.com/   

Brace up warriors, hold fast to your faith and when you have done all… stand!

for His glory

BC Petroff

Believe God

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Last year, I wrote what I called a no-brainer entitled, "Don't Believe the Devil."  I called it a no-brainer because who in their right mind would willingly believe the devil?  Yet in spite of that, we often find ourselves believing his lies & deceptions more than God's truths.

Now I have another no-brainer for you:  Believe God!

Ask any Christian, "Do you believe God?" and the answer will assuredly be, "Yes!"  We even call ourselves believers after all. But are we really believing God the way He commands us to? 

I have had areas where my faith has been tested before and I have seen God prevail every time.  God has always shown Himself faithful, even when He didn't answer in the ways I thought He should/would.  Knowing this has emboldened me to stand up straighter & stronger in subsequent trials, but has also shown me how much more I have to learn about this area called "faith."

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:22-24

Cast any mountains into the sea lately?  I mean really.  Do we think Jesus was just joking here?

How do we believe?  How do we change our hearts to remove all doubts?  How do we adjust our eyes to see the way that God does?  How does faith in God go from being a mere proclamation into becoming a matter of substance?  How does our faith extend beyond our inner hope into becoming the evidence of even what is not seen?

evidence: a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested

I am not trying to be flippant here; however Jesus never spoke of faith as being this ethereal, wispy, notion that we must simply grasp unto.  He spoke of faith as a living reality that had power to tangibly impact the very world in which we live.

Are we walking in that type of faith?  Are we praying with that type of faith?  I tell you, I have exercised the most faith when I simply was too ignorant of other things to know any better.  I wasn't "smart enough" to know why such and such wouldn't work; I just believed God.  Or sometimes you come by such faith only when you have exhausted every other option and failed.  Being too wise in the things of the world doesn't build faith; it just breeds fear and frustration.  We don't need to know a lot of stuff, we just need to know God.  If you want to increase in faith, then spend more time in God's word.

We must have the faith of a little child - who doesn't know how Dad will do a certain thing - but believes nonetheless because He has said that He would.  That is how we need to come to God and what it is to rest in Him.  Not running around scurrying trying to make sure we figure and work it all out, but having a knowing in our inner man that God is in control and every word He says is true.  Yet doing this will often require us to turn away from all that we think we know.

In a trial, the world around you may be saying you will fail.  Their reports say things are getting worse, not better.  The tangible things you see, touch, hear, feel tell you there is no hope.  The devil may be literally bombarding you with his reports of defeat.  Yet, as I told my husband recently, "Faith is not just about believing in what is as of yet unseen.  It is also believing in the midst of and against ALL that speaks to the contrary."  We have to actually look at what some may call the "reality" of our situation, deny it, and believe instead what the Lord has said...because we know that HIS truth is actual reality and not the mirages & lies of the devil.

reality: the state or quality of being real; a fact; something that exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive.

Even the world defines "reality" as something that exists independently of all other things.  My friends, there is only one who fits that bill and such is God Himself.  Please take a moment to consider that.  Reality is not what we see, hear, touch, smell, feel each day as we live in this world; that which is real is only that which comes from the Father.  This is why we are to walk by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7).  If we understand this, then it will help to keep us in the peace of Christ when we face the storms of this life.

While in the world, we are walking in one of the biggest Fun Houses of all time.  It is filled with smoke & mirrors.  Everything is distorted.  Nothing of the world (including much of the churchworld) is ever as it seems.  Yet, the problem can come in because we are also in the world (albeit, not of the world).

How do we walk in the midst of this and yet put no trust in it and not be deceived by it?  Our mind must stay on things above and not below so that we can be empowered supernaturally to fight the good fight of faith.  It takes the Holy Spirit of God. 

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:24

Like the man seeking deliverance for his child, we need to be honest with God.  Don't walk in religious posturing boldly proclaiming how the devil is under your feet if you are still bound by sin or you melt into a puddle of flesh when hard times begin to come.  Even in your weakness, ask God for mercy and grace to help in the time of need.  He doesn't expect us to be supermen or superwomen; He only expects us to depend upon Him.  There are times when I have had to tell the Lord, "Jesus, I have believed as much as I can.  Please help thou my unbelief!  I am having doubts.  I am fearful.  I am worried.  I need the gift of supernatural faith from your Holy Spirit to believe in spite of what I see."  Did you realize that even faith is a gift of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:9)?

I am mentioning this because many are going through trials where the stark "reality" of what we "see" is enough to overwhelm if we let it.  Yet, I want to encourage you to ask God for eyes to see as He does.  I want to remind you that what's real is what God has to say in a matter, not the world.  This is not about "naming it & claiming it" or pretending that a situation does not exist.  I am speaking about trusting God for the outcome in any situation.  Hold on to His words and do not be deterred by what is stirred up by the devil.  But again, doing so may require you to look past what is happening around you and instead trust God's words.

When Jesus commanded Peter to walk on water, He was asking Peter to set aside everything he knew in life and about life.  Jesus didn't command Peter to do some task around which Peter was unfamiliar.  Peter had been a fisherman; he knew about the seas.  Peter had to lay aside everything he knew from his own experience in order to obey Jesus and step outside of that boat.

But then the Scriptures say that Peter saw the "the wind boisterous" and began to sink.  Isn't that always the way the devil is?  He is boisterous, loud, forceful, a blow hard, a wind bag.  He will stir up a hurricane around us if he thinks it will distract us from Jesus and fill us with fear so that we begin to seek to save our own lives (Matthew 16:25).  Jesus' response? "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:31)

Notice though, Satan had no power to stop Peter or make him sink.  Satan had no power to take Peter's life!  If he had such power, he would have done so.  Satan's only resort was attempting to get Peter's focus off of Jesus so that Peter would sink by his own faltering faith.  This is why Jesus later said to Peter that He hoped his faith would not fail (Luke 22:31-32).  That is an important lesson for us.  Satan may stir up a bunch of raucous around us; he may try to make it seem that the way is impossible and we will never make it, but he has no power to stop us as long as we keep our focus on Jesus Christ.  God is more than able to uphold us through any storm and keep us if our eyes are stayed on Him.  Peter only began to sink when he gave heed to the boisterous wind. 

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3

Jesus is also bidding us to come.  Come closer to Him, being upheld by faith in God's words.  All Satan can do is stir up trouble around us, but those troubles do not have the power to touch us...and he knows that. They only work if we start giving heed to them; if we start believing the false reality he projects versus letting our reality be shaped by God's words.  When we come to God, we must believe that He is able and willing to do all that He has promised for He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Seek the Lord today, for He alone has the answer to your situation and the path for you to get through it unto victory.

"...Be not afraid, only believe." Mark 5:36b

The God of Love

For God So Loved the World

Someone recently submitted a comment saying in part,  "God is love PERIOD...Are you sure YOU know God?"

I had to admit, as I read the person's comment that it was abundantly clear we did not serve the same God.  The idol god they endorsed was someone completely alien to the Father, because their perversion of "love" does not involve obedience to God's commands.  In this erroneous perspective, sin is of no consequence because God is love.  Holding to God's truths are merely academics in "biblical knowledge" which has nothing to do with a Christian's call to "show love."  Somehow, I don't think this is what God meant when He said that love covers a multitude of sins.  God is love, but God is also Truth.  You cannot separate the two without perverting who God is.

Christianity itself is being redefined to be about tolerance (of sin), diversity (of sin), and unity (with those willfully in sin).  Anyone who speaks about sin is therefore "judging" and "unloving."  The hatred coming against those who speak against sin has indeed become palatable.

Let me say unequivocally that I am not a servant of this idol "god of love" promoted by many in the churchworld which shies away from addressing sin and uses the grace of God to promote lasciviousness.  If that makes me your enemy, so be it.   

In the following messages from Min. David Pawson entitled, "What About John 3:16?" he reviews these issues via an in-depth study of John 3:16.

Studying God's word takes time; there is nothing cursory about it.  If we don't want to take the time to study God's word so that we might have understanding, then we have no right to quote it.  Let us be "more noble" in our pursuit of truth and not just flaunters of Scripture (Acts 17:11).  With that said, I do recommend the following teachings by Min. Pawson as they will surely enlighten on common misconceptions about that text.

GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT JOHN 3:16

• John 3:16 is one of most mistranslated, misunderstood, and misapplied verses of the Bible
• It is a major mistake to focus the preaching of the Gospel on the love of God
• Nowhere in Scripture does it say that God's love is "unconditional".  Such gives the wrong impression that God does not judge people.
• The very first step for man in coming to God is to repent, but such is done away in preaching an unconditional love to unbelievers.
• Every mention of the love of God in Scripture is addressed to those who have already been redeemed by God.
• Neither Jesus nor any of the Apostles ever preached about the love of God to unbelievers in their public ministry.
• Jesus said not to cast pearls before swine.  This is what is done when we talk about the love of God to those who have not been redeemed.  They will inevitably turn around and rend you with that news, questioning that a loving God would not allow suffering in this life or the next. 
• Jesus never taught that God is the Father of all people.  
• John 3:16 does not say that God loves everyone and neither does any other Scripture.
• In terms of preaching, our focus should be on the righteousness of God.  The very first response to this will engender repentance.
• According to Scripture, God loves those who fear Him, who keep His commands, etc.  There are many conditions attached to the love of God.
• You cannot properly understand John 3:16 without also understanding verses 15 and 17.

EXAMINING THE WORDS IN JOHN 3:16

• The word "God" referenced in John 3:16 references God the Father.
• The word "loved" in that text is agape, which is the love of action.  It is not centered in the heart, or mind, but the will.  It is a response to the need in someone; not a response to their attractiveness or interest.
• Because agape is centered in the will, it can be commanded.
• The word "world" is a reference to the human race.  God 'agaped' a rebellious, hating world and did something about it.
• The word "begotten" here is used to illustrate that Jesus was God's only natural son, versus one by adoption.  It doesn't mean that Jesus had a beginning or wasn't eternal.  By His very nature Jesus is God, just like His Father.
• The word "whosoever" is really the word "all" in the Greek.  It is an inclusive word; a wide invitation.
• There is a big difference between "believing that" and "believing in".  Believing that Jesus died for your sins is not saving faith.  Believing in the Christ who died for your sins is.  Trust and obedience is the evidence of believing in Christ.
• The word "perish" means to be destroyed in an act of destruction; to be rendered useless; to be ruined by someone.  It does not mean to be annihilated.
•  The word "life" references a life that is totally fulfilling and satisfying.
• John 3:16 indicates that the same God who loved (agaped) the world is the very God who destroys those who don't believe in Jesus.

EXAMINING THE TENSES IN JOHN 3:16

• John 3:16 does not indicate someone believing once, but someone going on believing.  If you stop believing, then you cease being a believer.
• Whoever 'goes on' believing will 'go on' having eternal life.  Those who don't go on believing will lose eternal life.
• The word "loved" in John 3:16 is in the aorist tense, meaning that on one occasion, God once loved (agaped - acting to meet a need of) the world.  People read this and immediately think of a continuous love, but that is not what the text says.  The text says "loved" because it refers to that one time in history where God acted on behalf of our sinful, rebellious race by giving the life of His Son.
• This text does not say that God loves everyone all the time. 

THE CONTEXT OF JOHN 3:16

• The word "for" indicates a linking word to the previous sentence where the thought previously expressed is expounded upon.  This means that we cannot properly understand John 3:16 until we look to verse 15.
• The word "so" explains how God loved the world, as in how He did it; He did it thusly, just so, or in this way.  It is not a quantity word regarding how much God loved, but and illustrative word telling how He loved.
• The words "for" and "so" are there to present John 3:16 as a comparison to John 3:14.  This shows for one that the God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament.  The God who killed Israelites off for grumbling in the wilderness is the same God who so loved the world that He gave His only Son.  His loving act to them was not to remove the snakes, but to give the people a way of escape. 
• Over emphasis on the love of God has made the cross obsolete.  John 3:16 is not a verse about God loving everyone, but about God providing man a way out.
• John 3:16 is part of a conversation Jesus is having with Nicodemus in answering his 3 questions: 1) How can I be a teacher like you?; 2) How can I start all over again at an old age; and 3) How can I be born again by the Spirit?
• Nicodemus wanted to learn of Jesus because he knew that Jesus spoke with power and authority.
• When Jesus says that you must be born again out of water and spirit, He is referencing 2 baptisms: a baptism by water and the baptism of the Spirit.
• The cross must be understood before the Spirit can be received.
• Verse 16 onward in John Chapter 3 is the Apostle John's commentary on Jesus' discussion with Nicodemus and not the words of Jesus Christ.  This is important because it addresses the context of what is said and to whom it is being said.  
• The Gospels of John & Matthew were written for believers; the Gospels of Mark & Luke were written for unbelievers.  John writes about who Jesus is for the benefit of believers so that they might go on believing and as a result, go on having eternal life (John 20:31).
• It is an abuse of John 3:16 to use it for evangelism because it strips the text from its context.

 FINAL COMMENTS ABOUT JOHN 3:16

• One message that is clear from John 3:16 is that eternal life can be lost by ceasing to believe in Jesus Christ.
• We are given eternal life not in ourselves, but it is obtained by having the Son (I John 5:11-12).
• Jesus describes this in John Chapter 15 where He indicates that the branches have a choice to stay or abide in the vine or not.  Those who do not stay in Him have no life; we only have life while staying in the vine.
• We are to show people the agape of God, but we should not preach it to them
• Most who preach this "Gospel of Love" never preached on the Book of Revelation.  Yet Jesus chose John - called the Apostle of love - to pen the book about God's wrath poured out against the world.  This is evidence of how there is balance in God; He is love, but He is also righteous. 

What About John 3:16 - Part 1 from thelatterdays on GodTube.

What About John 3:16 - Part 2 from thelatterdays on GodTube.

Get Ready

Until the Fulness of the Gentiles Be Come In

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." Romans 11:25

Last December, I recounted a dream I had where Google had decided to disable my associated accounts (i.e., Youtube, this Blog, etc.). The reason? Content about homosexuality being a sin.

In the dream, God told me not to try to reestablish those accounts, but to be ready to "transition" to the next thing He had for me.  I stated in the post that I did not know the time frame by which these things would happen, but it is interesting to note that it is starting already. 

This summer, Youtube has been systematically penalizing my account; rejecting or disabling videos, removing audio, etc.  Videos that have been hosted on Youtube for years have now all of a sudden become problematic and many of my posting privileges have been revoked.  Although for the past 2 years they have been asking me to become a Youtube Partner and receive advertising revenue from my videos (which I continuously refused), now my account is "not in good standing" and I cannot even load videos more than 15 minutes in length.  According to their Terms of Service, these are the steps which need to be taken in order to finally disable my account.  The Lord has already shown me what will happen; so be it.

The point of this post however is not to quibble about what is happening to me.  My reason for sharing this is that I want to reiterate again the serious changes I believe are coming for the church of God.  As I live, it seems more and more apparent to me that the Age of the Gentiles is wrapping up. Church "as usual" is simply not going to prepare many for the days to come. Now more than ever let us gird up our hearts and focus on Jesus.  While we may not all be called to walk the same path, I do believe that "transition" is coming to the Church as a whole.

In mentioning how we are in the last days this week, my cousin asked me whether I really believed that these are the last days.  I said that in Jesus' time, such was also referred to as the "last days"...and considering the viewpoint of our eternal God, I suppose it is.  However, Jesus also gave us certain signs to look for to know that the time of His Second Coming was approaching; and those with eyes to see can surely redeem the times in which we now live.

One of those signs is that the condition of the world would be like the days of Noah and the says Lot: a land filled with permissiveness, indulgence, and perversion.  People would be wholly given over to the lusts of the flesh and will be violently antagonistic about anything relating to God & His truths.  Something that has made this abundantly clear is the recent reaction to Chik-fil-A's stand for God's word.

One post that I think describes this quite well is from D.L. Foster's the Gay Christian Movement Watch blog (emphasis by me):

Whatever the reason, its important to understand this battle isn’t about chicken and not about CFA. God is allowing us to see what is to come if we don’t stand up and be who we are. Its very clear that CFA did nothing wrong legally, morally or spiritually. Nor did its CEO. And despite what you’ve heard, this isn’t a human rights issue, not a respect issue, not an equality issue, not a business issue, not even a gay marriage issue per se. Its a glimpse of an intense, unseen spiritual war occurring all around us which has manifested in the natural.

The vitriol satan has stirred up in the hearts of those who hate the relational model God created (which bears his image) is about to explode. They can barely contain their rage because they lust for the death image of satan to prevail in the land. If they could, they would burn every CFAs in the country to the ground. And they way things are going, eventually laws are going to be passed to do just that. Intolerance (of their lifestyle) will not be tolerated and they will empower God-haters to take mob action against those who will not bow to the perversion of the prince of this world.

We’re on an unavoidable collision course with the god of this world and his insatiable desire to enslave the people of God. You have heard it before: there is no middle ground in this war. You may have noticed the counterfeit church is deploying its lying prophets to call for a cease fire. But keep your weapons at the ready and don’t stand down.

We need this training for battle. We need a hardening for war. That’s why God is presenting us with this live fire practice session. Trying to give his people some real time practice in learning how to stand. There is a time to pray, but understand its prayer that has brought us to the point of now STANDING. That’s right! Prayer actually stirs up and intensifies spiritual warfare. You have prayed for God to have his way. Now, get up off your knees and STAND so that he can have his way.

While of course prayer will be what continues to get us through even in the days to come, prayer always precipitates action.  As God moves, we want to be sure that we are moving with Him.

"...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

If you have visited this blog for any length of time, then you know that its purpose is to help prepare God's people for the end times.  Do not think it by chance that you have come here.  If you have put off "getting right with God" before, do so no longer.  You can no longer afford to live for yourself.  Whether Jesus comes in 10 years, 20 years, or whether you are scheduled to leave this world tomorrow; turn your whole heart to God and let Him guide you in these evil days.  Now is the day of salvation for you!

May we each get our ears attentive to what the Lord would say to us as the days unfold.

That said, I recommend the following resources:

Prophetic Guide to the End Times: Facing the Future Without Fear by Min. Derek Prince.
"The first point is basic.  It is, in fact, so simple we may not see its importance at first glance.  As Christians, we are waiting for Jesus Christ; conversely, we are not waiting for the Antichrist...I have met follow believers who are so busy with theories about the Antichrist - his number, his name, the countries he will rule, the methods he will use, how he will put his stamp on people's foreheads and hands - that they are almost advertising agents for him.  Our business as Christians is not to be witnesses to the Antichrist but to the Christ.  Jesus said, "You will be witnesses of Me." (Acts 1:8)"

The Biggest Failure of the Church Age by Min. C.I. Scofield
"Christians, let us leave the government of the world till the King comes; let us leave the civilizing of the world to be the incidental effect of the presence there of the Gospel of Christ, and let us give our time, our strength, our money, our days to the mission distinctively committed to the Church, namely, to make the Lord Jesus Christ known "to every creature"!"

Don't Cry for Me sermon by Pastor Gary C. Price


UPDATE: 
I was asked in the comments about what to do to be prepared or to be ready.  I suppose I kind of left yal hanging by not addressing that in the original post.  :-)  I thought it might be helpful to post a previous response to that question from another post.  When it comes to being ready/prepared in these times, I am referring to the following:

If you mean that you feel there is something holding you back spiritually, then perhaps some time fasting would help to weaken that resistance. I have found that cutting back on a lot of the world's noise and spending more time with God in prayer can often give me clarity when it seems difficult to hear Him.

If you mean that you feel unprepared for the days to come (financially, physically, emotionally, etc.), know this: There is nothing any one person could do to be prepared outside of obeying what the Lord commands. It is God's desire and His expressed will to protect His people during this time (Rev. 6:6, 7:3, 9:4). He knows what you understand and what you don't. He is not sitting around thinking, "Well, I sure wish he/she could get what I was trying to tell them. Oh well, I guess they will just have to figure it out on their own."  If He never expressly tells you anything by way of preparation, He is still more than able to guide and protect you during anything which is to come.

Jesus definitely tells us to be prepared and to watch during this time. Perhaps it is beneficial for us to talk about why. We are asked to watch - not so that we become anxious, paranoid, or fearful - but so that we are not caught unawares (Matt. 25:1-13; Mar. 13:33-37; Luke 12:35-40. 21:34-36; Rom. 13:11-14; Eph. 5:15-21; I Thess. 5:4-10; I Pet. 4:7). We are not to be so distracted by the "cares of this life" that we forget why we are here (lose awareness of, and focus on, Jesus).

Please take a moment to review the Scriptures I referred to above. Notice how many of them talk about drunkenness, rioting, wantonness, gluttony... Jesus said these days would be like the days of Noah where people were going about life as if it would never come to end, getting caught up in all kinds of worldly endeavors and lusts of the flesh to their own detriment (Matt. 24:36-51). We should not be that way. God does not want us to live without purpose (His purpose).

This is how we are to be prepared in these evil days, by keeping our eyes on Him and not letting our love for Him grow cold (Matthew 24:12; Rev. 2:4). And of course, if God tells you to do something additional in terms of natural preparations, then certainly do it. But it is not the status of natural preparations of which God is mostly concerned, but the condition of our hearts.

If you feel that God is prompting you to leave some things behind and come closer to Him, then pray for the strength to do so. The flesh may be weak, but if the spirit is willing God will make a way. His strength is made perfect in our weakness, which is perhaps why fasting can play such an integral role in coming against the things of the flesh which try to hinder us.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Hebrews 12:1-3

Please also read the Derek Prince book, Prophetic Guide to the End Times: Facing the Future Without Fear, which is a great encouragement!