The Reason for the Season
by Stryper
from The Yellow and Black Attack (1984 Enigma Records)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEcycix2voI
You, you say that you've got it figured out
That life's about, you do what you want to.
You, you walk the tightrope of unbelief
Can't you see? His way is reality.
We all know it's better to give that receive
Then why don't we give God the glory?
Don't hide it, don't fight it, just believe.
He is the reason for the season.
He is the reason for today.
He is the reason for the season.
Celebrate, celebrate!
You, your life can be a holiday
Everyday when He is with you.
Hey, let's get back to what it's all about.
Shout it out. Christ is the reason!
We all know it's better to give that receive
His gift is for those who believe.
You got it if you want it, just believe.
He is the reason for the season.
He is the reason for today.
He is the reason for the season.
Celebrate!
(Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEcycix2voI
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Rapture...Redux
Women who were pregnant are now not, as if the child was surgically removed from the womb. Is that even possible? Of course it is, with God. It is a scary situation that someday will come to pass. I can't even imagine the horror that some people will actually go through when this event takes place. Millions will go missing from the face of the Earth, and even more will be left behind. This is the Rapture of the Church.
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (I Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV)
As I stated in the previous post, this is the event that ushers in the seven year period known as the Great Tribulation. The Tribulation is where the Antichrist comes to power through the power of Satan. When the seven years are up, the judgement comes.
I believe that the Rapture of the Church takes place before the Tribulation, thus removing the Holy Spirit from the playing field. With the Spirit removed, Satan has free reign to do his wicked pleasure. This gives rise to the Antichrist. (II Thessalonians 2)
You see what happens here? The body of the Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 3:16) It is through us that God can work upon this world. The Antichrist, with Satan's power, CANNOT come to power without the One being that knows his true identity taken out of the picture. That would be the Holy Spirit in the hearts of Christians.
The trumpet will blow and millions upon millions will just vanish into thin air, leaving a world crippled and alone.
I'm sure that there are several questions going through your mind right now. One of them is: Who was taken and who was left behind? The answer is a gut-check. Or more to the point, the spirit-check. Those who have given their hearts over to Christ and accepted His sacrifice on the cross are removed. This includes those in Christ who died before the Rapture, and those who are alive and before the age of accountability (young children and the unborn.) God cannot hold them accountable if they can't comprehend Salvation and what it truly means.
The ones left behind are non-Christians, unbelievers, athiests, agnostics, professing Christians that never really knew God. This is a very long list and I'm sure that you will say that it isn't fair. I didn't write the Bible! Don't blame me.
The gut-check is when you reflect on your life and think back to the one time or number of times someone came to you preaching Jesus Christ. Did you shrug it off? Did you simply dismiss the ideas? This was your chance while all well and nice. You're reading this now, so here's another chance. When the day of Judgement comes, you will have no more chances or excuses. IT IS DONE!
If you think I'm wrong or off base, just wait. I wouldn't recommend it or even condone it. The time is now to make a choice. Be on the winning team or be on the losing team, it is your choice! Time to stop sitting on the fence, just watching. The Coach has called your number and it's time to get in the game and make an impact on someone's life. But it all starts with you.
Are you ready to face your maker in Judgement? Will he welcome you with open arms or will he look at you and say: "Depart from me, you worker of evil! I never knew you."
Pray this prayer: Dear Jesus, I'm a sinner and heading to hell. Please come into my heart and my life and save me. I need your salvation that you gave on that cross. Redeem me now, in Your precious Name. Amen!
If you prayed that prayer and really invited Jesus into your life, you will be one of those removed before the day of wrath. But if that day hasn't come, start living for Christ and send out the warning that you just heard. Time is short!
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (I Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV)
As I stated in the previous post, this is the event that ushers in the seven year period known as the Great Tribulation. The Tribulation is where the Antichrist comes to power through the power of Satan. When the seven years are up, the judgement comes.
I believe that the Rapture of the Church takes place before the Tribulation, thus removing the Holy Spirit from the playing field. With the Spirit removed, Satan has free reign to do his wicked pleasure. This gives rise to the Antichrist. (II Thessalonians 2)
You see what happens here? The body of the Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 3:16) It is through us that God can work upon this world. The Antichrist, with Satan's power, CANNOT come to power without the One being that knows his true identity taken out of the picture. That would be the Holy Spirit in the hearts of Christians.
The trumpet will blow and millions upon millions will just vanish into thin air, leaving a world crippled and alone.
I'm sure that there are several questions going through your mind right now. One of them is: Who was taken and who was left behind? The answer is a gut-check. Or more to the point, the spirit-check. Those who have given their hearts over to Christ and accepted His sacrifice on the cross are removed. This includes those in Christ who died before the Rapture, and those who are alive and before the age of accountability (young children and the unborn.) God cannot hold them accountable if they can't comprehend Salvation and what it truly means.
The ones left behind are non-Christians, unbelievers, athiests, agnostics, professing Christians that never really knew God. This is a very long list and I'm sure that you will say that it isn't fair. I didn't write the Bible! Don't blame me.
The gut-check is when you reflect on your life and think back to the one time or number of times someone came to you preaching Jesus Christ. Did you shrug it off? Did you simply dismiss the ideas? This was your chance while all well and nice. You're reading this now, so here's another chance. When the day of Judgement comes, you will have no more chances or excuses. IT IS DONE!
If you think I'm wrong or off base, just wait. I wouldn't recommend it or even condone it. The time is now to make a choice. Be on the winning team or be on the losing team, it is your choice! Time to stop sitting on the fence, just watching. The Coach has called your number and it's time to get in the game and make an impact on someone's life. But it all starts with you.
Are you ready to face your maker in Judgement? Will he welcome you with open arms or will he look at you and say: "Depart from me, you worker of evil! I never knew you."
Pray this prayer: Dear Jesus, I'm a sinner and heading to hell. Please come into my heart and my life and save me. I need your salvation that you gave on that cross. Redeem me now, in Your precious Name. Amen!
If you prayed that prayer and really invited Jesus into your life, you will be one of those removed before the day of wrath. But if that day hasn't come, start living for Christ and send out the warning that you just heard. Time is short!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
"Breaking news..."
"...We interupt your regularly scheduled piece of life to bring you of some terrifying news. There has been a massive, widespread dissapearance of people. Hundreds, thousands maybe even millions have gone missing. We've received numerous reports from witnesses that tell our newsroom that the driver in front of them simply vanished before their unmanned car crashed into oncoming traffic. The highways are impassible because of these multi-car pileups. Pilotless planes are crashing down all over the world. We even have an unconfirmed report that a nuclear powerplant has melted down, adding to the already spreading disaster. Even women pregnant are calling in telling us that their unborn children just vanished from inside their wombs. Please stay calm, wherever you are. The world leaders, whichever ones haven't disappeared, are gathering now. They are trying to figure out what happened and if it is going to happen again..."
Obviously this hasn't happened, yet. A grim picture like this will indeed happen someday. When it does, this post will seem very prophetic. What exactly is depicted in this post and how does this relate to you? Let's find out...
This event is widely known to theologians as the Rapture of the Church. This event is where God's redeemed people are taken from this world and reunited with Him. I know this is something that may seem a little far-fetched but bear with me a little.
The Bible describes this event as the main even that ushers in the Great Tribuation before Jesus' Glorious return. After a seven year period, Satan will be judged and unfortunately the world will be judged with him as well. This marks the end of time as we know it.
"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." (I Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV)
Who are the redeemed? Those who believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God who died for their sins and rose from the dead. Otherwise know as born-again. (John 3:3 &3:5-8) We have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior.
Why are these people taken from their loved ones? To escape the coming wrath of God that will be poured out onto the rest of the world. Why would he do that? Did you really believe that God could exist and not eventually judge the world for all of its crimes? Of course not!
Sir Isaac Newton's 3rd Law states "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." This isn't just some weird thought up idea, it's a law. A spiritual law at that. Sin cannot exist without the eventual Day of Reckoning.
There is some good news to go with this bleak forecast. You and your loved ones can be saved from that day of wrath. All you have to do is accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He died on the cross for your sins and want's to see you forgiven. (John 3:16) The gift of eternal life is yours for the taking, all you have to do is reach out and take it.
Another warning though: DON'T DELAY! Please make that decision now, RIGHT now! Tomorrow may never come and, God forbid, you could wake up tomorrow and get the news depicted in the beginning of this post.
I don't have all the answers, I do know, however, that the day of wrath will come without warning like a thief in the night.
"For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (I Thessalonians 5:2-3 NIV)
"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Luke 12:40 NIV)
"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." (Revelations 16:15 NIV)
Please heed the warning and choose a side today. If you are reading this and the event above has already happened, please know that all is not lost. Find a Bible and read it. It will save your soul. The Book of Revelations will reveal all that is to happen.
May the Holy Spirit minister to you and open your eyes to the Truth of Christ. He wants to save your soul!
There is no way to fully explain this event in one posting, so keep watch for part 2.
Friday, November 7, 2008
The die has been cast...
...and so was your vote at the polls on November 4, 2008. History was made as Barack Obama was named to be the new President of the United States of America. Congratulations to him, his family and of course to every Black American who is alive and those who fought so hard for human rights throughout history. The world will never be the same again.
Bravo! I'm glad to see that we are moving past that ugly part where the color of your skin defines who you are. Under God, we are ALL created equal.
Whether you agree with the election results or not, are happy or not: Barack Obama is still the next President.
Such is the law under God that states: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God..." (Romans 13:1-2 KJV)
There's more regarding this: "I exhort therefore that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (I Timothy 2:1-2 KJV)
These are just a couple of passages that we recently discussed in church before election day. The President is the President! According to the Scriptures, we are to acknowledge his leadership and obey the laws of the land. We are to pray for him, that he would be lead by God and do all that he can to uphold the Consitution and the laws of God.
Here's the rub: What happens if and when leadership skews away from the laws of our Lord? What do we do as the righteous when we witness our liberties and rights come under attack by the very leaders we recently elected into power?
PRAY! Pray like you've never prayed before. I believe that we live in one of the greatest countries in the world. Slowly and surely, what was great about this nation and what our brave men and women fought wars to protect is disappearing before our eyes. Evil is taking hold and things are changing.
What was one of the slogans of the recent campaign? "We need change!" Be careful what you wish for people, the change that is coming might not be what you voted for. I can see that several of our daily liberties and rights may be on the brink of elimination.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that this new administration is without a doubt going to go to a dictatorship rivaling that of the Nazi's in the 1940's. I'm not saying that our previous President and cabinet did everything right in the eyes of God. The truth is, clearly some mistakes were made and we have to recover from them.
I'm saying that we need to be on our guard. The days of peace and security are FAR behind us. Read the Bible! What does it tell us about the latter days before Christ's Glorious Appearing?
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." (Matthew 24:6 KJV)
The Book of Revelations paints a very grim picture of future events also. I, for one, would like nothing better than to live my days out without all the bad stuff, but I know better. The end WILL come, and with it comes the wrath of the dragon. (Revelations chapter 13)
The hope and truth is that we will eventually be reunited with our Lord. The righteous shall live with Him for eternity and the devil will be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelations 20:1-3)
So, what's the point? Let's all get past the ridiculous rhetoric and warm and fuzzy feelings. The world is a dangerous place and we need to be ready when the bell tolls. For those who say that it's all misplaced fear: I hope the world continues on and the Lord delays his inevitable return.
But one day He'll come back and all things will change...forever.
Bravo! I'm glad to see that we are moving past that ugly part where the color of your skin defines who you are. Under God, we are ALL created equal.
Whether you agree with the election results or not, are happy or not: Barack Obama is still the next President.
Such is the law under God that states: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God..." (Romans 13:1-2 KJV)
There's more regarding this: "I exhort therefore that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (I Timothy 2:1-2 KJV)
These are just a couple of passages that we recently discussed in church before election day. The President is the President! According to the Scriptures, we are to acknowledge his leadership and obey the laws of the land. We are to pray for him, that he would be lead by God and do all that he can to uphold the Consitution and the laws of God.
Here's the rub: What happens if and when leadership skews away from the laws of our Lord? What do we do as the righteous when we witness our liberties and rights come under attack by the very leaders we recently elected into power?
PRAY! Pray like you've never prayed before. I believe that we live in one of the greatest countries in the world. Slowly and surely, what was great about this nation and what our brave men and women fought wars to protect is disappearing before our eyes. Evil is taking hold and things are changing.
What was one of the slogans of the recent campaign? "We need change!" Be careful what you wish for people, the change that is coming might not be what you voted for. I can see that several of our daily liberties and rights may be on the brink of elimination.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that this new administration is without a doubt going to go to a dictatorship rivaling that of the Nazi's in the 1940's. I'm not saying that our previous President and cabinet did everything right in the eyes of God. The truth is, clearly some mistakes were made and we have to recover from them.
I'm saying that we need to be on our guard. The days of peace and security are FAR behind us. Read the Bible! What does it tell us about the latter days before Christ's Glorious Appearing?
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." (Matthew 24:6 KJV)
The Book of Revelations paints a very grim picture of future events also. I, for one, would like nothing better than to live my days out without all the bad stuff, but I know better. The end WILL come, and with it comes the wrath of the dragon. (Revelations chapter 13)
The hope and truth is that we will eventually be reunited with our Lord. The righteous shall live with Him for eternity and the devil will be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelations 20:1-3)
So, what's the point? Let's all get past the ridiculous rhetoric and warm and fuzzy feelings. The world is a dangerous place and we need to be ready when the bell tolls. For those who say that it's all misplaced fear: I hope the world continues on and the Lord delays his inevitable return.
But one day He'll come back and all things will change...forever.
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