The word for rejoice is not familiar in today’s idioms.  Celebrate, perhaps comes close enough as it embodies the theme of action, but it still connotes a party atmosphere rather than true spiritual declaration.  The 14th century interpretation says “to be full of joy to the point of overflowing”.  This implies a filling of something so grand that a person is forced to tell or share it with others.  That truly captures the principle of the “good news” of the gospel.  Do we truly understand that type of joy with a capital J?

“For the Joy of the Lord is our strength” is a line I commonly hear Christians singing at the top of their voices on Sunday.  Is this a true filling which compels and controls all of our actions or perhaps an emotive, fleeting happiness which must be recharged when emptied?  What do we have to be filled with joy about?  Perhaps that we are saved, that we’ve been reborn into the kingdom and family of God the Father through belief in the work of His son Jesus Christ,  that we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God, that we enjoy joint inheritance with Christ, we possess freedom from slavery to sin, we will obtain glorified bodies, we will spend eternity with the Lord, unmerited blessings, unlimited forgiveness, abundance, health, wealth, emotional stability, Family, friends, a purpose, unconditional love from a Father who knows all our hidden thoughts and deeds.  Please pray for Joy.  Let your cups overflow onto this world that so desperately awaits the revealing of such rejoicing.  Thank you Jesus.

Falling short is only something that I can do in my own, power, authority and flesh.  I cannot fail when performing God’s will because it is not “I” who accomplish it.  This man that I have been reborn to become is a direct creation of the Father through rebirth from the son of Adam I began.  The Word says, “All things have become new”.  There is nothing of the old remaining but an illusion, a mist the shadow of a forgotten ego.  Abraham — The earthly Father — Issac the Earthly son and Jacob — the Earthly spirit.  We were made in His image even from the sinful outset.  Although seeking to find alternate routes to creation as most atheistic/scientific spiritual-fornicators, Freud successfully confirmed the reflection of the Trinity in his (Id, Ego, Superego) psychological divisions of the mind.  The evidence is compelling.  You must see the mockers, the false teachers, the tolerance of all manner of wickedness, the legal death of the innocent, the increasing disasters, the rising enemies of Israel.  The crop is overly ripe and awaits harvesting sickle.  Please calculate these things in your mind and understand the “imminent” outcome.

These truths are inescapable, since our exit from the Garden humans have either run away from God, run to God or vacillated between the two states.  The stakes are indeed elevated as we near the return of Jesus.  Soon the “double minded” man who chooses neither side will have his freedom of choice removed.  The Lord abhors fence sitters, Luke-warm believers and worldly Christians. I am only to tell everyone the Truth of God’s Coming Judgment, beyond that, my culpability terminates.  I have lost the will to convince anyone.  If you don’t see it that is probably because He has blinded you to truth and you have elected tribulation or judgment.  You do what you do and that is between He and you.  I pray that you receive the discernment to choose wisely when the opportunity compels you.  My prayers continue for His Grace, Glory and Peace upon your lives.  Praise the Almighty King of Glory.  Jesus my Lord.

Therefore encourage each other with these words, 1 Thessalonians 4:18.  What is encouragement?  How do we give it to each other?  What are we to be encouraged about?

Encourage — to INSPIRE, with COURAGE, SPIRIT or CONFIDENCE.  Courage – the quality of mind or spirit that enables someone to face danger, pain and difficulty without fear.  WOW!  You mean there is a way to inspire other people with courage so that they may not be fearful, AMEN.  This world is rife with fear and shadows.  The enemy seeks to lead my brothers and sisters in to captivity through fear, deception, in-forgiveness and sin.  The answer is the hope which comes from the Lord’s return for His church at the moment of rapture.  Self question— Am I inspiring courage in my fellow Christians?  Am I instilling confidence through the Lord’s Word to those who might otherwise fall prey to fear and false teaching?  Do I have my eyes on the workings of heaven or are they transfixed upon the fearful circumstances of this world?  We shall see, we shall see.

In my opinion, Christians who dwell upon the words of this passage and the preceding verses will receive hope and understanding unavailable to post tribulation believers.  For this speaks directly of the rapture, the removal of the church, escape from the “Great day of the Lord”.  I don’t know about anyone else but the great tribulation is definitely something that I want to miss.  I recommend the Chuck Missler studies on Revelation or the Rapture.  Also Tim LeHaye wrote an excellent study entitled; Revelation Unveiled for those seeking a deep understanding of the rapture, revelation, the Glorious Appearing, the Millennial Reign of Christ, the White Throne Judgment and Eternity.  If you don’t have a solid understanding of prophecy then you will be ill prepared to ENCOURAGE those around you.  Get ready, stay prepared, Keep your eyes expectantly to the Heavens, Jesus is coming, SOON.

http://youtu.be/vRm0NV88bbA  Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Christmas Greeting to Christians around the world 2011

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/10/19/world/1248069187877/ezekiel-s-tomb-in-iraq.html  Muslims worship Ezekiel’s Tomb south of Babylon in Iraq

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/01/02/arts/1248069440724/babylon-ancient-site-modern-problems.html  Babylon being rebuilt with our tax dollars and skills.

When you are just passing through a place how does it change your behavior?  Do you notice more, take things less seriously, perhaps be a little less cautious or encumbered?  Do you establish lasting relationships or keep your roots shallow because you know that they will be pulled up at some near term?  How peculiar our circumstance as Christians, we are to play nice but not get too involved.  We are to love everyone but remember to keep a little distance from their mantras, behaviors, rituals and vices.  We are to serve only one master even if that means losing your job, wife or land over a boundary which should not be crossed.  We are to step aside from our own desires, aspirations, ambitions and treasures when directed by our Father, Lord and Spirit.  It must seem so odd from their point of view this thing to which we ascribe our future.  I no longer expect them to understand, because that knowledge comes from the Almighty and is beyond them without His willing it so.  I regret that no one caught them before they made that terminal decision and were turned over to their wickedness of depravity.  When I spend time in the malls, halls and libraries I see that they know something is going on that they can’t quite put their finger on.  They look into my eyes or look away suddenly as if fearing the truth, wanting to know but somehow fully aware that the knowledge we possess will pry their death grip from the things which give them succor.  Oh Lord how tragic and piteous.  You were made my sisters, my brothers, my family and have chosen exile.  How can the Father bear this excruciating reality?  I am so sorry for ever hurting you Lord.  Forgive me and please have mercy on them.  Alas I know that even to see Your face they would still deny Your existence, Your grace, Your authority.  I cannot grasp the depth of Your love, anger and justice.  Teach me–lead me, bring me home to Your comfort.  Praise You, Jesus.

http://youtu.be/aZrlFmSK5_g  Our United States of America “A Nation adrift”

Sparkly lure, promised treasure, prolonged relaxation, esteem, attention, intimacy.  Sin is the resultant thought or action to offered stimuli or perceived gratification.  Coaxing, decoy, draw, allure, invitation, provocation, enticement, seduction, manipulative ensnarement, phrases that speak of deception.  These imply intentional attempts to produce corruptible behavior or induce impurity through entrapment.  Temptation is the bait which provokes the thought compounded by desire leading to sin ending in death.  Even in trying to do the right thing temptation awaits to steer from noble intent to regrettable action.  Waiting, patience, self-control do not deny fulfillment but rather preserve its valuation in perpetuity.  Avoiding temptation is much easier than resisting temptation for resistance follows data receipt.  A man cannot fall off a ladder having never ascended it in the first place.  Falling to the turf on flat ground allows for that preferred state of contrition reached on our knees.  Getting near the fire, testing one’s resolve is by its nature foolishness having passed the gravitational field of temptation’s electron array.  Joseph’s run is sure escape.  Lord give us wisdom so that we don’t need the rescue.  Praise Your Holy name, Come Lord Jesus.  Oh that we may wholly endure in the light.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-finding/listen/a-panorama-of-prophecy-241035.html  Rejoice for the day and the hour is near.  The late pastor Adrian Rogers, dynamic sermon on unfolding prophecy.  Will you listen or turn away?

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-finding/listen/getting-ready-for-the-rapture-241033.html  The coming wrath of the Lamb — The late Adrian Rogers

http://youtu.be/WgwlYNiSOPY  The Magog Invasion Session 2 Chuck Missler, Undeniable!

How many people will argue with the Word of God?  My love for you will not grow cold, nor will I lose my patience and go the way of Moses.  Nor can I collude with you in your deception and manipulate the word of the Father given through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  I have but one choice regardless of your action, non-action or indifference, proclaim the Word of the Lord until He snatches me away.

I implore you do not be foolish and attempt to avoid prophecy.  These things will come to pass shortly.  Escaping, ignoring, rewriting, interpreting, watering-down or denying are inadequate/insufficient measures to hearing and obeying.  Turning this in to an argument about my lack of credential is laughable and a sad attempt at misdirection.  I am not the issue and using my lack of skills, or my poor delivery as excuse does not diminish the Word, one iota.  I will concede my poor skills, I will admit my inability, I will beg forgiveness for my unlikable character, but none of that changes the Truth of Coming Judgment even an inkling.  I am not the judge only one of His messengers.  If you don’t believe me then learn His Word and heed His Word.  I don’t care if you forget me, but if I challenge you enough in your dislike of me to get you to read His Word then I have performed my duty as a bond servant to Christ.

I love you and that love requires that I risk your dislike and tell you the Word He has placed upon my heart.  The time for action is upon us.  There is no longer time to wait, dally, consider, ponder or reflect.  Just as any soldier realizes that preparation is what you do until the battle begins and you are called to action.  Well folks, the battle is upon us.  Are you ready?  The only measure is your active proclamation to those who are not yet safe from the coming wrath.  Tell them or be found an unfaithful servant you decide.  Belief is action.  Praise His name, the Lion and the Lamb.  King Jesus.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for. 

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.  By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings.  And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away.   For before he was taken he was commended as one who pleased God.  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.  By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Issac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 

By faith…….

By faith…….

By faith…….

All these people were living by faith when they died.  They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.  And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.  If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.  Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 

By faith……

By faith…….

By faith…….

Hebrews 11

http://youtu.be/DbIpTmFpwn4  The Magog Invasion Part 1/Ezekiel 38 & 39 Chuck Missler

I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like the son of man” with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.  Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting of the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”  So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.  Revelation 14:14

The harvest is ripe.  To a farmer this is a call to work.  Leaving the crops in the field too long means disaster for the family and the community.  But even in this representation we see that it is His work, His sickle, His timing.  So again the Lord provides us a visual reminder that our personal works harvest “nothing”.  He will bring in the harvest, He will glean the wheat and process the tares.  Our duty is to plant the seeds so that at harvest time we may rejoice for the crops are bountiful and sweet.  Thank you Lord for making me a worker.  I will prepare, seed and tend the garden until Your return for harvest.  Praise Your name Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Why seven?  What is eternity?  Where does understanding come from?  There are seven paths to cognition.  One is applied mathematics.  Second is genetic inception.  Third is trans-formative relationship.  Fourth is an unusual gathering of reason, paradigm and fact.  Fifth is the space in between the electrons, protons, neutrons, the fabric the linen of time and material.  Six is nurture, the reason for love to see a plant or child grow and thrive.  But seven, oh seven is unto itself, something that  transcends logic, personal gain or happenstance.  The thing that creates because creation is independent of all else.  It does not require definition, a painter paints, a sculptor sculpts, an inventor invents.  There is no descriptor as to “why” any one of these does what they do.  They simply do.  Seven is a number which exceeds our understanding, scientific equation or worldly description.  Seven represents God the omnipotent, omnipresent, sovereign being who acts for His own purpose, His own reasoning, His own Will, His own good pleasure.  We cannot concentrate on one particular facet of the whole expecting to understand the inclusive, completely independent nature of who was and is and is to come.

There are now close to seven billion people on this planet, some claim that we have already exceeded that number.  Is this perhaps a magic number, a tipping point, a trigger?  I do not know, nor do I wish to know the entire story.  I will be told when I am capable of understanding, I will see it when it happens.  I will depend on what I have been given and leave the rest to God.  For He is the creator and I am not.  For those who would claim themselves to be equal with God, I give you the prince of the power of the air, who tried that once and see what it got him.  My recommendation is extol/exalt the name of Jesus and not your own, seek His will not your own, for He owns everything including you.  My mantra is “i am not”, but I know Who Is.  His number is “seven” and He is the Creator and I am so thankful that He even sees reason to give me air to breathe.  Praise You Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Glory calls out to Glory, Faith calls out to faith, time bends and blurs at the motion of His eternal finger.  I have no conception of His magnitude, for without scale I am suspended in the unknowable.  Why must it be this way where we fail, get up and fail again?  Is there something resolved through bruised knees, scraped palms and discouraged dreams?  How could I be made of God Stuff?  I believe the Word, but see no resemblance in my reflection, possibly kin to Your imagined excellence.  Why allow me to even have thoughts?  Defining You, I cannot even comprehend love never mind the One who made it, amongst the quintillion other splendors.  Every where I turn I see majesty, potency, not just design, but rhythmic composition, crescendo and symbiosis.

Why are we spiritually attached to each other with some invisible, elastic, bond tethering nearly seven billion hearts to shared purpose and destiny?  Not, what is my purpose, but why do I even matter is the question which confounds my puny intellect?  How implausible Your idea of using such a distempered instrument, this vase of a million stress fractures.  Lord, I am not capable to what You have asked of me.  How can I fulfill Your will in imperfect inadequacy of mind, spirit and flesh?  It is not only that I cannot see from here to there, I cannot even visualize the spot in time-space where “there” finds itself.  I can only do this through the Holy Spirit, my countenance is insufficient to the task.  I will step aside from the con and watch from the mezzanine hoping that I may serve You in some fashion.  Glory to the Most High.  Thank you Jesus.  Whisper my name and I shudder, cry and smile.

http://youtu.be/UfatyRXvMyw  Preparing for the re-emergence of the underground church, Chuck Missler series with Future Quake, Koinonia Institute/ http://studycenter.com/