Lord of the Breakthrough

Lord of the Breakthrough by Rod Parsley

So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim. —1 Chronicles 14:11

Baal-perazim literally means, "Lord of the breakthrough." Because David sought God's direction first (v. 10), he knew it was God's victory. David acknowledged God as the One who brought about his victory. He said, "I couldn't have done it if God had not gone before me."

There will be many battles to fight this year, but realize that you are not standing alone. The God you serve is the Master of the breach, and the battle is not yours, but His. When you seek God first in the matter, you can be assured of the victory.

The battle belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47). So, never defend yourself. Let Him be your strong tower, your defense, and your refuge. Why are you trying to fight battles He has already won? Put on His armor and go forth in His Spirit, not your own might and power (Zechariah 4:6).

End Times Observations

I was recently scanning the spines of some of the books on my shelves dealing with eschatology, the study of the end times or the last days. I happened on a 1997 book titled The End by Ed Dobson.

I didn't remember I had this book about predictive prophecy and pulled it out to scan and review for a few minutes. I discovered the front cover had a subtitle which "said it all":

"Why Jesus Could Return by A.D. 2000."

Now, two decades after the original publication date and nearly the same number of years past the turn-of-century target date, this projected timing of Christ's coming and the end of the world can be mocked (along with the other Y2K prognostications). However, these future realities cannot be ignored.

With the current bellicose threats from the demented dictator of North Korea and his provocative testing of long-range missiles, which could potentially be fixed with nuclear warheads and reach most countries of the Pacific Rim—including highly populated parts of the United States, the world may be closer to "the end" than ever before.

The predictions of the book's author may have been misdated ("by A.D. 2000") but his major propositions still attract our attention. Here they are:

1. The Bible predicts that Jesus Christ will come back to the earth and judge the lives of the living and the dead.
2. The Bible predicts the specific events and trends that will precede and accompany that coming of Christ.
3. The current situation in the world has remarkable parallels to the events and trends predicted in the Bible.

We humans seem to have an insatiable curiosity for knowing or sharing future and unusual events. Consequently, many are the gullible guests of charlatans preying on unsuspecting souls by dishing out the supposed truth or outright error in palatable portions. Additionally, we must recognize that some sincere but confused people are deliberately or demonically deceived.

Biblical prophecy is not like that. It is distinguished from the grocery store's tabloid-type predictions of the weird, bizarre and ridiculous. Instead, its predictions are not only reliable but claim to be divinely inspired (2 Pet. 1:20-21; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). And "natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14-16). Only the spiritually alive can discern spiritual wisdom, for "we have the mind of Christ" (v. 16).

It is man's efforts to interpret or explain divine revelation in modern contexts or projected time periods which can lead us astray. Some well-intentioned interpreters get sidetracked with mystical, allegorical methods which take us away from the plain and simple teachings of Scripture. Also, some teachers have constructed analytical structures of "dispensations" and try to force prophetic Scriptures into these boxes of their own making.

As we approach the end times and fulfillment of last days prophecies, we should look past the scoffers (2 Pet. 3:1-9) and see similarities, symmetry and sequence. Looking through the eyes of biblical prophets, we can see history in advance.

If one studies biblical prophecy and the specific teachings of Christ, Paul, Peter and John with reputable teachers of the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:14-17), we can learn of world empires rising and falling and of God's coming kingdom. We will glimpse world politics and church-state intrigue. While we will, at times, wonder at the efforts of evil at work in the world, we can also rejoice as we see God's spiritual forces overruling world affairs with His righteousness.

Much of the time, when people think of biblical prophecy, they are most concerned with the personal and practical implications of the "mystery" (a previously undisclosed truth or reality) of the "snatching away" or "gathering together" of the saints of God (living and dead) in what is popularly called the "rapture." Rather than worrying more about being left behind, committed disciples can rest in this future hope and holy assurance.

This intriguing "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) involves biblical insights on a great end-times apostacy among merely professing believers and the persecution of true believers by the Antichrist, during the predicted Great Tribulation (2 Thess. 2: 1-4). This predicted time of intense struggle and martyrdom (Rev. 20:4) will be the wrath of Satan (Rev. 12:9-12) and not the wrath of God.

This terrible season of persecution against the elect of God will be shortened and terminated (Matt. 24:21-22) when Jesus comes in the clouds to rescue the true believers (1 Thess. 4:13-18). This instantaneous transformation and gathering away of believers from all the ages will occur after the great tribulation of those days and as part of the triumphant coming of the "Son of Man."

At that point, the wrath of God begins for the unbelievers who remain alive on the earth (Matt. 24: 29-31) and culminates with our Lord's second coming to earth, with His saints. As the Lord of lords and King of kings, He will righteously judge the nations (Matt. 25:31-46).

In his Olivet Discourse, Jesus continued to warn the disciples that they could not know the day or the hour of His coming (see Matt. 24:42, 44). In the very next chapter, Jesus wrapped up his parable about the wise and the foolish virgins with this command: "Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Matt. 25:13).

In view of the uncertain delay in Christ's coming, for His own, we might even say that we cannot be sure that it will even be in our lifetime. But the challenge given us is to be constantly and eagerly watching and waiting for His return.

The Bible says we need to be preparing ourselves to be pleasing to our heavenly bridegroom, as a bride without "spot or wrinkle" (Eph. 5:27). We should focus on holy living (1 Thess. 4:1-8) and "hastening the coming of the day of God" (2 Pet. 3:8-12), for we know that "our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (Rom. 13:11-14).

In these "last days," let us be about the Father's business (Luke 19:11-27) and not given to idle speculation or superstitious date-setting for our Lord's glorious return.

Instead, may we live out our destinies (1 Pet. 2:9-10) and faithfully discharge our spiritual duties (1 Pet. 4:7-11), so our Lord may say to us, as He did to the faithful servant in the parable of the talents, "Well done, you good and faithful servant ... enter the joy of your Lord" (Matt. 25:21).

Fruit That Remains

Fruit That Remains by Joy Strang   

We rang in the year 2018 at midnight.  I can remember when we were anticipating the year 2000—which was to be a big year—more significant than others perhaps because it was the beginning of a new age.

The year 1990 was a big year too—the beginning of the last decade of that millennium—and I was determined to be ready for it. I worked diligently to complete a list of goals and objectives for every major area of my life: spirit, marriage, family, finances, business, ministry. It was quite a task.

On New Year's Day I sat down to pray over my well-ordered goals, expecting God to give me His seal of approval. Of course, He would be pleased—I was doing His work!

But instead of congratulating me, He surprised me by saying, "Evaluate your list in the light of eternity."

That was it! No "Well done, good and faithful servant," or, "Great job, Joy," or "You are such a valuable worker in My kingdom."

With God's directive in mind, I began to look over the list. Did any of my goals have eternal significance? No, reading three spiritual books wouldn't really count for eternity. Having a weekly family night didn't really fit the bill either. Handling that software conversion at work had no eternal value. Even organizing the ministry department where I worked in at the church probably wouldn't matter in the light of eternity.

The conclusion I came to was that only two things on my list would have a lasting impact: building my relationship with God and pouring eternal things into people—whether my family or others.

My discovery, of course, was in line with what Christ told us in the two greatest commandments—to love God fully and to love our neighbor as ourselves (see Matthew   22:37-39). This is what I call "putting first things first."

Does that mean the other goals I wrote down are not important? No. On a list of 100 items, the top 10 are still consequential.

The point is, we cannot have divided hearts. Obedience begins in the affections, and when our affections are set on God, we won't be pulled in different directions. God will instruct and empower us to do all the other things He requires if we put Him first. He will see to it that we fulfill every command or responsibility He gives us in His Word.

I like formulas, but formulas give us the ability to stand alone. God wants us to lean on Him for everything. He wants us to remain in continual fellowship with Him and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit so that we are fruitful bearers of His life.

As you begin another significant year, I encourage you to resolve only one thing—to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.

As you are faithful to put first things first, God will set your priorities, and the fruit of the year will last forever.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Everyone!

May your blessings abound in the year ahead...

May you have GOD'S JOY that is your strength
May you have GOD'S PEACE that passes understanding
May you have GOD'S FAITH that moves mountains
May you have GOD'S LOVE that never fails
May you have GOD'S WORD hidden in your heart

May you have GOD'S SALVATION, CHRIST, your SAVIOR who will be with you through life and who will assure your place with HIM eternally!

Today in History

Today in History
1999

Panama Canal turned over to Panama

On this day in 1999, the United States, in accordance with the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, officially hands over control of the Panama Canal, putting the strategic waterway into Panamanian hands for the first time. Crowds of Panamanians celebrated the transfer of the 50-mile canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and officially opened when the SS Arcon sailed through on August 15, 1914. Since then, over 922,000 ships have used the canal.

Interest in finding a shortcut from the Atlantic to the Pacific originated with explorers in Central America in the early 1500s. In 1523, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V commissioned a survey of the Isthmus of Panama and several plans for a canal were produced, but none ever implemented. U.S. interest in building a canal was sparked with the expansion of the American West and the California gold rush in 1848. (Today, a ship heading from New York to San Francisco can save about 7,800 miles by taking the Panama Canal rather than sailing around South America.)

In 1880 a French company run by the builder of the Suez Canal started digging a canal across the Isthmus of Panama (then a part of Colombia). More than 22,000 workers died from tropical diseases such as yellow fever during this early phase of construction and the company eventually went bankrupt, selling its project rights to the United States in 1902 for $40 million. President Theodore Roosevelt championed the canal, viewing it as important to America’s economic and military interests. In 1903, Panama declared its independence from Colombia in a U.S.-backed revolution and the U.S. and Panama signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, in which the U.S. agreed to pay Panama $10 million for a perpetual lease on land for the canal, plus $250,000 annually in rent.

Over 56,000 people worked on the canal between 1904 and 1913 and over 5,600 lost their lives. When finished, the canal, which cost the U.S. $375 million to build, was considered a great engineering marvel and represented America’s emergence as a world power.

In 1977, responding to nearly 20 years of Panamanian protest, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panama’s General Omar Torrijos signed two new treaties that replaced the original 1903 agreement and called for a transfer of canal control in 1999. The treaty, narrowly ratified by the U.S. Senate, gave America the ongoing right to defend the canal against any threats to its neutrality. In October 2006, Panamanian voters approved a $5.25 billion plan to double the canal’s size by 2015 to better accommodate modern ships.

Ships pay tolls to use the canal, based on each vessel’s size and cargo volume. In May 2006, the Maersk Dellys paid a record toll of $249,165. The smallest-ever toll–36 cents–was paid by Richard Halliburton, who swam the canal in 1928.

All Blue-eyed People...

Interesting...

All blue-eyed people have a single ancestor in common

All blue-eyed people have a single ancestor in common

msn.com

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Prayer Initiative

Prayer Initiative
Vision

Suggested Scriptural references ... You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:14,16 His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.  Proverbs 29:18 I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19

Suggested prayers ... Thank you, Lord, that in You America can once again become a "City on a Hill" - Your beacon to the world. We petition You, Lord, to lead us according to Your plan, in Your timing, with the power of Your Holy Spirit.  We know You are infinitely bigger and brighter than the darkness before us. We ask that You remind us to keep our eyes and minds focused on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.  Help us to elevate conversations and relationships to those higher things.  May You be the prompter and completer of any daunting tasks before us.  In You only may we find our voice to speak, our strength to move. We pray for a vision of victory over the assaults on America's faith in You and Your will, Your ways, and Your provision for our needs. Teach us, Lord how to best fight efforts to separate this country, culture and people from You.  Give us revelation power to lead our country back to You. God in heaven, we pray that America may once again become a great beacon of Your standards. As the world sees Your ways and Your love demonstrated in this great country, may all people be drawn to Your Son. We pray for a compellingly attractive vision for the future of America based on the real America, founded and grounded on eternal truths.  Bring us back, O Lord, to our First Love. ~~~ “We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create the Declaration. Our Declaration created them. The things of the spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren sceptre in our grasp. If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the fathers who created it.  We must not sink into a pagan materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they showed. We must keep replenished, that they may glow with a more compelling flame, the altar fires before which they worshipped.”   President Calvin Coolidge – July 5, 1926 "Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins immaculate blood of the lamb and purge my heart by the Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the like of thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of thy son, Jesus Christ."   George Washington's daily prayer