Romans 3:23-27 KJV “For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”

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Let me share something many of you will be familiar with. There is a very wicked person I have to endure on a daily basis. Have people like that around you? At work? At home? Etcetera? I mean this dude is something. But God has been teaching me through him that not only must I endure Him for the time being I must also love Him the way God loves His enemies. (Matthew 5:43-48) The lesson hasn’t been easy y’all but it’s necessary. You see none of us, that’s right, NOT ONE OF US is any better than the other when it comes to righteousness before God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” ALL! We who are in Christ still sin on a regular basis. And where would we be if God didn’t forgive us for these and our past sins?🔥😳

The other night while meditating lying on my bed God showed me a span during my life (after becoming a Christian) of all the women I fornicated with that He could have destroyed me for. Every time I thought he had showed me all of them another woman would pop in my head as if a voice was saying, “Remember her too?” This went on for a while.😞 It was very humiliating. Plain and simple I was a man whore. He also showed me just because it’s been years since I’ve committed this sin I’m still not sinless or any better than any one else. It’s only, ONLY, because of His grace that I am still alive.

God’s grace is His free gift. That’s what justifies us when we put faith in the blood of Jesus Christ God’s son for the forgiveness of our sins. Oh what precious blood it is!😊 Jesus Christ is set forth as THE ONLY sacrifice that appeases God for our sins. He is our only hope of redemption from our fallen human state (our sin nature). No amount of church service, no amount of preaching the gospel, no amount of good deeds done in Jesus’ name period can save us or give us a righteous standing with God. This is ONLY achieved by God’s grace through faith in the atoning sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins:😊

Ephesians 2:8-10 NET “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.”

THE GOD OF MANY CHANCES😊

This is indeed good news!😊 Why? Because not only is God the God of second chances He is the God of many chances! Let’s face it: we are all screwed up, and regularly mess up. If God was not so kind, so loving, so merciful, none of us would make it. None of us! I’m so glad God is not the God of only second chances. I’m glad He is not as hard on us as we sometimes are on others.

There will be times in life when you know, “I’VE BLOWN IT.” “I really messed up bad this time!”😪 This feeling can be so depressing. But God doesn’t want us to be depressed. God wants us to believe in the blood of His son Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of ALL OF OUR SINS and come to Him.😊 He will always forgive a contrite, repentant heart:

Psalm 51:17 KJV “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Proverbs 28:13 NET “The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.”😊

Guys, all we have to do is come to God the right way as described in the texts above. Then we can experience the refreshing joy of forgiveness from Jesus for ALL of our sins.😊 If we confess our sins openly with no excuses, devote our lives to forsaking them, and follow God with true faith in the blood of Jesus we are forgiven and saved from God’s wrath. (1 Thessalonians 5:9) We now have eternal life and will even rule with Jesus Christ forever!😊

JESUS REMOVES THE WEIGHT

What a weight is removed from us when we humbly seek God for forgiveness of our sins. I remember when I first became a Christian years ago; God let me know that I was indeed forgiven for my sins and man it was such a great feeling.😃 But what came next didn’t feel so good: The Lord showed me that when I committed adultery before becoming a Christian I broke His covenant and that was serious. Not only did I break my covenant with Him I also broke my covenant with my wife. This too was serious. God let me know that in order to continue enjoying His forgiveness I needed to confess my sin to her as well.😳 Let me tell you, that was probably the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. But God gave me the strength to do it. Yes, it was very humiliating, and embarrassing. But having God as my friend, my Father, my God form now on and forever was worth whatever I had to suffer as a result of my own sins. Nonetheless, the weight of my sins was completely removed by Jesus once I confessed and repented.😊

Psalm 32:1-2 KJV “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”‬

As stated earlier in this article I fell into sexual immorality even after my wife’s and I divorce multiple times (yes even after I had become a Christian).😥 It’s not easy for me to talk about this or even think about it. So why am I telling you this? To say you can sin as much as you want to and God will forgive you? Of course not! (Hebrews 10:26-27) I’m saying this to let you know just how merciful God is! Sometimes I still marvel that He even deals with me. If God can forgave a whoremonger like me I hope you know that He can forgive you too whatever your sins are! Sin is sin to God it’s all no good. Yet He is always there waiting and ready to forgive even the worse of sinners!😊 There is no one as loving as Almighty God. And if this is how God is so willing to forgives us how much more should we be willing to forgive one another? (Matthew 18:23-35)

Don’t run from God when you recognize you’ve blown it. Run to Him. He is there waiting for you with open arms!😃 And share His refreshing mercy with others when they sin against us.

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This is not an easy subject to explain nor is it an easy pill to swallow. I have put together some scripture passages below I think may help answer some tough questions and concerns many have regarding coming persecution and when the church is taken up. 

THE 3 1/2 PERIOD OF TRIBULATION FOR THE SAINTS 

A TIME = 1, TIMES = 2, AND HALF A TIME, TOTALING 3 AND A 1/2 IS A PROPHETIC PERIOD OF SUFFERINGS FORETOLD THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE FOR THE SAINTS:

Daniel 7:24-25 KJV “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. [25] And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

A PERIOD OF 42 MONTHS (WHICH EQUALS 3 1/2 YEARS) OF SUFFERINGS IS ALSO PROPHETICALLY FORETOLD:

Revelation 13:4-7 KJV “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? [5] And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. [6] And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. [7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”

Revelation 13:10 NET “If anyone is meant for captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed by the sword, then by the sword he must be killed. This requires steadfast endurance and faith from the saints.”

GOD ALSO SAID HE WOULD GIVE POWER TO TWO WITNESSES AND THEY WOULD PROPHESY FOR ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND 60 DAYS, WHICH EQUALS 3 AND A 1/2 YEARS. THERE’S THAT 3 1/2 AGAIN. AND AFTER THE 3 AND A HALF PERIOD THE SCRIPTURES SAY THE TWO WITNESSES OF GOD ARE KILLED BY THE BEAST THAT COMES UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT. LATER THOUGH THEY ARE CALLED UP TO HEAVEN. NOT BEFORE THE PERSECUTION BUT AFTERWARDS:

Revelation 11:3-12 KJV “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. [4] These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. [5] And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. [6] These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. [7] And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. [8] And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. [9] And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. [10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. [11] And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. [12] And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.”

JESUS SAID IMMEDIATELY “AFTER” THE TRIBULATION HE WOULD COME GET US, NOT BEFORE:

Matthew 24:29-31 KJV “IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: [30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [31] And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and THEY SHALL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

ONCE WE BELIEVE AND ACCEPT WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS WILL HAPPEN TO SOME OF US THIS NEXT PASSAGE OF HOW WE OVERCOME SATAN IS BETTER UNDERSTOOD:

Revelation 12:11 NET “But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.”

I hope this has helped answer some concerns as well as show why we must be ready. It all ends well. Whether we are alive when Jesus comes (1 Corinthians 15:51-52), are in prison, or have died for our faith, etcetera when He comes we will be with our Lord forever and reign with Him forevermore!😊

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Proverbs 15:10 KJV “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.”

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Hating correction = forsaking the way. That’s what God says. When you have a rebellious spirit you will hate correction. You will also hate anyone God uses to correct you:

Proverbs 15:12 KJV “A scorner loveth NOT one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”

It doesn’t matter if it’s your best friend, mother, father, husband, wife, son or daughter, if they are a mocker they will hate you for correcting them. They have forsaken The Way:

John 14:6 KJV “Jesus saith unto him, I am THE WAY, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

That’s right, those who spurn godly counsel have forsaken the Lord Jesus Christ: THE WAY. Since Jesus is the only way to God those who hate reproof are disconnected from God. And the really sad part is some of them have been tricked by the Devil into thinking they are in good standing with God and Jesus.😪

DO NOT REBUKE MOCKERS

Proverbs 9:7-9 KJV “He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. [8] Reprove NOT a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. [9] Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”

Matthew 7:6 KJV “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

Jesus tells us not to rebuke mockers, not to cast our pearls before swine. This will only bring us shame, insults, useless arguments, strife, and other undesirables. When a person makes it clear they reject godly counsel LEAVE THEM ALONE. When people separate themselves from us over foolish ideologies and what not JESUS SAYS to LEAVE THEM ALONE!

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Trust me: if God wants to bring a person back to their senses He knows how to do it. (Daniel 4:30-37)

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Titus 3:9-11 KJV “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. [10] A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; [11] Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”

I know, “But it’s my daughter,” “It’s my son,” “It’s my mother,” “It’s my father,” “It’s my husband,” “It’s my wife,” “It’s my best friend,” etcetera. I know this is not easy but you and I must obey the Lord regardless of who it is. By continuing to try to correct those God says not to rebuke we are making matters worse. Don’t do it. Let us be obedient to godly counsel:

Matthew 19:29 KJV “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”😊

Doing what Jesus says regarding, “They That Forsaketh The Way,” not only protects us but it gets us out of God’s way. Trust me: if God wants to bring a person back to their senses He knows how to do it. (Daniel 4:30-37) So get out of God’s way and obey!😊 You and I will enjoy way more peace because we choose to obey godly counsel.😊

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1 Samuel 15:23 KJV “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

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The rebuke above was spoken by the prophet Samuel to king Saul. Why? King Saul was given specific instructions from the Lord that he did not obey while claiming he followed through (1 Samuel chapter 15). Sadly Saul had grown accustomed to doing his own thing. God had enough of it and now punishment was sure to come: “Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord,” Samuel told him, “He hath also rejected thee from being king.” The word REJECTED in the passage above means to spurn, despise, refuse, to disappear. Saul despised God’s commands and caused them, “To disappear,” from his heart and mind.

THE PASTOR WHO SAID, “IT AIN’T THERE NOW”

I remember years ago talking with a pastor and asking him, “Why do we Christians not conduct our church meetings the way we are instructed to by the Lord in 1 Corinthians chapter 14?” Read it it’s quite insightful. I then read the passage to the Pastor as he read along in his own Bible. When we finished I asked him the question again, “Why aren’t we doing it the way it’s written here in the Bible?” He said, “Man if we did that we wouldn’t have any order!” What he did next shocked me: he angrily tore the page out of his own Bible and said, “It ain’t there now!”😳 This Pastor rejected the word of the Lord. He literally caused God’s word, “To disappear,” from his own Bible by tearing out the page he did not agree with.

We would never think of doing such a thing as that, I know. But are we doing the same thing in another way?🤔

THE GREAT DISAPPEARANCE ACT

For example let’s notice one of Jesus’ commands:

Matthew 6:14-15 NET “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.”

Do we cause this command, “To disappear,” from our hearts and minds because it’s sometimes hard to do? Do we pretend that it’s not written in the Bible like the Pastor did? And do we dare call ourselves Christians knowing we hold grudges in our hearts and refuse to repent? No, we may not tear the pages out of the Bible like the wicked Pastor, but are we guilty of rejecting God’s words just like him? We all have been guilty of this at one time or another if we are truly honest.🤔 But there’s a strong reason why we don’t want to make this a habit:

Hebrews 10:26-29 NET “For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume God’s enemies. Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for the Son of God, and profanes the blood of the covenant that made him holy, and insults the Spirit of grace?”

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Nope, we may not tear out pages of the Bible like the wicked Pastor, some of us are too pious for that. But how many of God’s commands might we be willfully causing, “To disappear,” (reject) from our hearts and minds?🤔

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This is no light thing brothers and sisters. Claiming to follow God while rejecting His word has serious consequences. We cannot pick and choose when it comes to obeying God. We must strive to obey Him in everything:

Luke 13:24-28 KJV “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. [25] When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: [26] Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. [27] But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. [28] There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.”

The key here is to REPENT. Not make excuses as to why we can’t obey God’s laws or pretend they are not there. If you read 1 Samuel chapter 15 you will see king Saul was given specific instructions by God and CHOSE NOT TO OBEY. When confronted by the prophet Samuel about the matter Saul kept lying and making all kinds of excuses. Sadly he kept saying that he was obedient when he knew he wasn’t. Saul was a hypocrite. Satan had overtaken him. This costed Saul dearly. May we never follow his example.

GOD CAN DO A DISAPPEARANCE ACT TOO😳

Nope, we may not tear out pages of the Bible like the wicked Pastor, some of us are too pious for that. But how many of God’s commands might we be willfully causing, “To disappear,” (reject) from our hearts and minds?🤔 (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Revelation 22:18-19 KJV “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: [19] And if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy, GOD SHALL TAKE AWAY his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

I hope that Pastor I spoke to years ago repented. He was so bold to literally tear out a page of the Bible he did not agree with and say, “It ain’t there now!” He really put himself in a bad spot with Almighty God. As stated above ANYONE who takes away any part of God’s word God will take away his/her part out of the book of life. God can cause things, “To disappear,” too!😳 If we stubbornly reject ANY of God’s commands in His written word the Bible he can also look in His Book Of Life, find our names, tear it out and say, “It ain’t there now!”😳

Let us not be stupid. If there are any of God’s commands that we are struggling with beg God in prayer for help. Ask Him to give us His Holy Spirit so that we can obey Him. (Luke 11:9-13) Pray to Him for this help like your life depends on it because it does! Also utilize any brethren that God gives you:

James 5:16 NET “So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.”

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