Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, My children must love Me, their Lord God with all of their heart. They must not be deceived and turn away from Me by worshiping and serving other so-called gods.  They must commit wholeheartedly to these words of Mine. They must teach them to their children. Talk about My word when they are at home and when they are on the road, when they are going to bed and when they are getting up. They must show their love to Me by walking in all My ways and holding tightly to Me. They must remember that I made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them, and that I keep every promise I made.

 

Troubling times are coming their way and they must not be fearful but consider it an opportunity. For, I will bless those who patiently endure through these troubled times. They must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. They must get rid of all the filth and evil in their lives, and humbly accept My word. My word has the power to save and encourage them. But the key to this power is – they must not just listen, or only read My word; they must do what it says.

 

Today I am giving My children the choice between a blessing and a curse! They will be blessed if they are obedient. They will be cursed if they reject My word and turn away from Me and worship gods they have not known before. My children must not fall into the trap of following foreign religions and believing that My word is not applicable for today. 

 

Son, the end is almost here! The days of no more hope are almost upon those who reject Me. For, I am about to unleash My anger and call to account all of the detestable sins being committed today. Disaster after disaster is coming because the people’s wickedness and pride have blossomed to full flower. None of these proud and wicked people will survive. All their wealth and prestige will be swept away. Not one person whose life is twisted by sin will ever recover. They will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. Their silver and gold won’t save them; it will neither satisfy nor feed them. All this, because they think it is nothing to thumb their noses at Me.

 

Lord, I will meditate on Your word; for I love Your promises and Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. I know in the days ahead that You will help me and my family. I know that You are close to us when we call on You in truth. I know that You hear our cries for help. Therefore, I will not fear. I will keep to Your bright path and walk with You all the way.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, what do I require of My children? They must live in a way that pleases Me and because they love Me, and want to serve Me with all their heart and soul; that they run the race I have set before them with endurance. This race will require them to strip off every weight that slows them down, especially the weight of sin that they have a hard time with. When My children become tired and want to give up, they must think of all the hostility I endured, and this will encourage them not to give up.

 

When My children listen for My voice and do what I say, this is called faith! This faith will give them confidence in the days ahead that what I told them will actually happen. It will give them assurance about things they cannot see now. When they obey and believe Me, their weaknesses will be turned into strengths. My children must remember that it is impossible to please Me without pure faith.

 

So until I come back, My children must look after each other. Make sure that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up in their lives towards other children of Mine. They must stand for holy marriage when others are dishonoring it. Remain faithful to one another. Don’t love money or the things of this dying world, but be satisfied with what you have.

 

Soon the people who rejected Me will see what happens when they rejected the gift I had offered them. They will recognize how hurt I was by their rejection of My gift. The reason they reject My  gift is because of their great pride in thinking they are such good and capable people!

 

Needed: Reformation – Chapter 9

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

JESUS: WHO IS HE?

 

Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”

 

After 9/11 everyone was talking about God. I was thrilled to hear that God’s name was being invoked other than used in swearing. I would see different groups of people gathering together in public forums talking about God. I was thrilled that God was back in the public forum again. However, I soon noticed that on the same platform of people talking about God were Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. I then began to wonder what God they were talking about.

 

Never once did I hear the name of Jesus. As a matter of fact, it seems that people hate the name of Jesus. If you talk about God people are somewhat civil until you mention the name of “Jesus” and then they seem to go ballistic. In thinking about reformation this brings us to a very important question: Who is Jesus?

 

When witnessing to Muslims one of the big hang-ups they have is what do we mean by calling Jesus the Son of God. For the Muslim it is blasphemous, because they think we are saying that God had an immoral affair with Mary and through it God’s Son was born that we call Jesus.

 

What does the Scripture say? I would like to mention several important things:

 

First, we know that John calls Jesus the Word of God. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  It takes a breath to speak a word. Some who work with our Muslim friends say that what they mean by calling Jesus the Son of God is that He is the Breath of God.

 

However, we are told in Hebrews 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” This means that He is the expressed image of God. If we could take a photograph of God it would be Jesus. If we want to know what God is like then we can look at Jesus. If we want to know what God would do then we can look at what Jesus did. Like the writer of the book of Hebrews says: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”

 

Another aspect that we need to look at regarding Jesus is found in John’s gospel. When Jesus was being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked the soldiers, “Who is it you want?” (John 18:4) They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied: ‘I am.’ With that utterance they fell down backwards.

 

What happened? What were the dynamics involved here.  When the soldiers came to Jesus to arrest Him they were asking for Jesus, but when Jesus answered them He reverted back to His Old Testament name, “I AM.” When He uttered those all-powerful words they fell down backwards.

 

When we look at this what we see coming out is that the Name of God is “I AM,” but He does business down here on earth as “Jesus.” Who is Jesus? He is God, the Creator, upholder of all things and by Him all things exist.

 

Is it not humbling to think that this God became a man, dwelt among us and tasted death for all men. Think about how the Author of life tasted death, the Ruler and Sustainer of all things come into this world as a little baby needing the complete care and nourishment of an earthly mother. This is our God – this is our Jesus. He deserves all of our worship as we ”fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”

 

In Matthew 16 Jesus asked His disciples who people said that He was. They came back and said that he was one of the prophets. Basically, this is what we hear today, but then Jesus asked these 12 men (who had been with Him for almost 3 years) who they thought He was. Peter’s bold declaration was: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16

 

Reformation brings us back to the realization of who Jesus really is.

 

 

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, when you depend on Me, you will know that all of My promises are backed by My Name. When you search for Me with all your heart and soul, you will find Me. When you pray, I will answer you, encourage you, and strength you. Then you will have confidence that I will work out My plan for your life. For I will never forget how hard you have worked for Me when you care for other believers. So wait, be patient, and soon you will receive all that I have promised you. 

 

Remember, your hope in My promises will be a strong and trustworthy anchor for your soul. Remember that My faithful love never ends! All of My mercies begin afresh each morning. So do not let these promises escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.

 

Keep this firmly in your mind: I am the Lord God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other. If you obey all that I command you it will be well for you, your children, and your grandchildren. For I am giving you these promises so you will enjoy eternity with Me.

 

Lord, I praise Your name, Your unfailing love, and Your faithfulness; therefore, all of my hope is in You.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, My children in America are crying out to Me saying, “We are overwhelmed with trouble! Isn’t there enough pain in America already, and now there is more!” Tell My children to read My word and they will see that when I remove My protection and blessing from any country they will have wars, droughts, diseases, and natural disaters. When any nation makes a vow to Me they must never break it. Each generation must do exactly what their forefathers pledged to Me. If they expect My blessing they must accept the pledge. 

 

Remember that I can destroy any nation that I built. Because the leaders have refused to uphold the country’s vow to Me, I am about to bring great disasters upon America, I will discipline them for their deceitful arrogance; for I cannot let them go unpunished. Someday soon everyone will recognize what fools they have for leaders!

 

If My children are reading My word then they would know and be prepared for the difficult times of the last days. People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at Me, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving. They will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will be reckless, puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than Me. They have a counterfeit faith acting religious, but they reject the power that could make them holy. They will have depraved minds doing what should never be done.

 

My children must understand that anyone who wants to live godly life in Me will suffer persecution in one way or another, but they must remain faithful to Me, holding to the truth they were taught. I will use this suffering to strengthen and equip them to preach My word to anyone who will listen.

 

So My children, be prepared, be patient, and be encouraged with My teaching and promises. The time is here when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth. But, My children must keep a clear mind in every situation, and not be afraid to suffer for Me as they carry out all that I ask of them. For, I will stand with them and give them all the strength they need. 

 

My children must remember the prize that awaits them, “The crown of righteousness,” which I, the righteous Judge, will give them on the day of My return because they eagerly look forward to My appearing.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, when you talk with people ask them, “Has your life turned out the way you thought it would? Does it seem that this is the best it will ever be? Are you worried about tomorrow, and what will become of you? Are you fearful of the things you see and hear on the News? Are you scared about your health and that others might have to take care of you?”

 

Tell them that in order to have a great life it must be filled with godliness with contentment. They must pursue righteousness, faith and love, and to persevere with gentleness. They must fight for the true faith, by holding tightly to the promise of eternal life with Me. They must tell everyone who will listen that their trust is in Me alone.

 

People who are rich in this world should not become proud and trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Because when people long to be rich they fall into the trap of the evil one. My children that crave money have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

 

When people refuse to follow My word and turn their backs on the truth to continue in their wicked ways, their minds become corrupt and their actions become evil in My sight. To them church attendance is a way to make contacts and to use these contact to become wealthy. For they prove by their actions what they believe. Soon they will find out if My Word is true.

 

Lord, Your words are pure and wholesome. Your teachings promote a godly life. Let it be said of me and my family, “What amazing things God has done for them.”

Needed: Reformation – Chapter 8

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Glory of the Lord

 

Isaiah 40:5 “And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

 

In the Book of Ezekiel chapters 10 and 11 we see the glory of the Lord departing from the temple. In the first chapters of Ezekiel we see the sin of the people of Israel. God is warning them, but they are refusing to listen. This is most usually the case with His people, not listening to His admonitions or warnings until it is too late.

 

Because they would not listen – we see in Ezekiel chapters 10 and 11 the glory of the Lord beginning to depart from the temple, or rather His mercy seat. The glory of the Lord was leaving the place of mercy and entering into the place of judgment. However it is important for us to see that when God moves from a place of mercy to judgment it will be very slow, but at a steady pace. But, when He moves from judgment to mercy it will always be instantaneous. 

 

What is interesting is to see how He moves. In Ezekiel 10:18 we see the glory of the Lord over the threshold. There He waits to see what His people will do. Will they listen to the prophets, heed the warnings and repent or will He have to take another step towards judgment? They do not repent so He takes another step of leaving the temple and the place of mercy. According to verse 19 He is now over the East gate and again He waits. What will His people do?

 

They do not repent and so we read in Ezekiel 11:23 that the glory of the Lord is now over the Mountain, east of it on the Mount of Olives. The glory of the Lord has now departed from the temple. God has moved into the place of judgment. We see the judgment that fell on God’s people for almost the rest of the book of Ezekiel, which also models the history of the children of Israel up until today.

 

However, we find that repentance does come in and the glory of the Lord returns. We read about this in Ezekiel 43:4 “The glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east.” What is interesting is that there is no stopping over the Mountain, or the East Gate or the Threshold, but immediately the glory of the Lord is pervading the Temple over the mercy seat.

 

In the New Testament we see something that is parallel to this, in Luke 20:9-15 we have the parable of the tenants. Here we see the landlord who planted a vineyard and went on a journey. At harvest time he sent his servants to gather fruit, but were wrongfully treated and cast out, and some were killed. Almost in desperation we hear the owner say: “What shall I do?” and then he goes on to say: “I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.”  But the son is rejected, cast out and killed.

 

This ties in with Matthew 23:37-39 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.  For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”  Here we see the heart of God. “How often I have longed to gather your children together,” and we see the heart of man as well, “but you were not willing.”

 

So we read in Matthew 24:1 that “Jesus left the temple.” The glory of the Lord of Israel had departed from the temple. After this Jesus never came back to the temple. Where did He go? He went to the East Mount – the Mount of Olives.

 

God is warning us as He has always warned His people throughout time, but are we listening? This is most usually the case with God’s people, not listening to His admonitions or warnings – until it is too late.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, why do people become furious when they are told the truth? Why will they not listen when they are given truthful advice? But, instead they listen to teachers and professors who don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.

 

Son, My words are eternal, and will outlast any teaching that man can think up. My word will revive, encourage, comfort and make wise – anyone. My word, will give you understanding, and will guide you by illuminating your path. My word will be your source of hope in the days ahead. As the pressures and stress in life continue to bear down on you, it is My word that can strengthen you and fill you with joy and hope for your future.

                                                                                                                                                                  When My children follow My word they will be known as people of integrity. They will know that when they obey My word they will not be overcome by evil. They will not compromise with evil if they walk only on My path. They will have My word written on their hearts, so that they will not sin against Me. They will reject the worthless things of this world as they live their life through My word. When My children are devoted to My word they will walk in freedom.

 

Lord, no wonder I get upset over the direction of our country, for they have rejected Your word, and our evil leaders have violated your commands. For the very essence of Your word is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever. When ever Your word is obeyed – people will understand the truth.

 

All honor and glory belong to You, My Creator, Lord and Savior. For You are the eternal King, the unseen One who has always existed and will never die. You alone are God over all!

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Because the anger of God is coming, will you see it through the eyes of man or the eyes of God?

 

In the coming days His children must have a different attitude than ‘man’ has. They must remain loyal to the Lord. They must think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. They must be devoted to prayer with an alert mind, and a thankful heart. They must live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Their conversations must be gracious and have the right response for everyone.

 

For the Lord has said, “I am coming soon, and will do all the good things I have promised, and to bring you home. My plans for My children are plans for good and not for disaster, to give them a future and hope. In the coming days when they pray, I will listen. When they look for Me wholeheartedly, they will find Me.  Because of their new life with Me, they must set their sights on the realities of heaven, where I sit in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”

 

May we see correctly and finish what is ours to do – for the Lord.

 

Needed: Reformation – Chapter 7

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

SUPREMACY OF GOD IN PUNISHMENT

 

The “supremacy of God in punishment” might sound like an odd title, but one thing that we forget about God, or at least like to put on the back burner, is that God is a God that will punish rebellion.

 

1 Corinthians 15 tells us that there will be a day when all authority, dominion and power that does not confess Jesus as Lord will be destroyed. Philippians 2 tells us that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.  This is something that will and must happen for the good of mankind.

 

We all know from numerous passages in both the Old and New Testament that God will punish His people. “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.’” Isaiah 48:10, 17

 

We know from Hebrews 12:5, 6  that God will discipline us. “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.’”

 

When the children of Israel were led out of bondage in Egypt they came to Mount Sinai where they received the TEN COMMANMENTS. God came down on the Mount before all of the people. We read that it was a terrifying experience. “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.’ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’” Hebrews 12:18-21

 

We see that standing before God was a tangible, terrifying experience. Why? Because their senses were involved. They could see, smell, touch, hear and even taste. Like Moses said: “The sight was so terrifying I am trembling with fear.”

 

However, in the New Testament this is not our experience. Our experience with God is not a tangible or terrifying experience. We come to Mount Zion and our senses are not involved. We come by His grace and we sense God’s forgiveness, love, etc. It is not the same experience that we find with God’s people at Mount Sinai.

 

We need to keep in mind that the God who met with Moses and the children of Israel at Mount Sinai is the same God that meets with us and saves us today. The God we read about in the Old Testament is the same God that we read about in the New Testament.

 

He will punish all wrong doing. He is a God of justice. Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 1:6 “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you.” And in verse 8 Paul says: “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” Verse 9 goes on to tell us: “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.”

 

We might not like to talk about a God who brings punishment, but we need to understand that there is heaven and hell, and there is also eternity – which He has put in the heart of every human being.

 

Reformation brings us back into the reality of who God really is. In our day and age we have become very flippant about God. One of the things that Isaiah is bringing out to His people is that He is an awesome God. Several times God, through the prophet Isaiah, asks the question: “To whom will you compare me?”

 

We saw in an earlier chapter that there is nothing and no one that God can be compared to. He is above and beyond all. We need to come back to this truth and personal acknowledgement.