Watchin' the Royal Wedding and Thinkin' Out-loud

I rejoice with William and Kate!

Are ya single? Did you watch some of the Royal Wedding today?

Dumb question huh. I think practically the whole world saw it.

We sincerely pray and wish this attractive couple the very best ..yes, for a long wonderful life together. Who couldn't easily like these two people, William and Kate? They seem like they’d be pretty fun to be around.    

I'm still watchin' as all the drama unfolds here. 

A peck sorta kiss on the balcony? No tongue this time ..that wouldn't be so appropriate ..and you know everything must be very proper for this occasion. You betcha! No country does it like those in London huh. 

Hey, I can understand all that. No royal-full-on smooching allowed at any Royal Wedding. Yeah, especially in public, with your future subjects watching ya.. No no! Just a peck please. LOL!

Wonder if these two did things this right during the years on up towards the altar? I don’t think anyone would have minded a longer kiss on the balcony though, but after all these two have been through (especially William, with his parent’s marriage falling apart before the whole world to watch ..for so long..) this kiss just seemed fitting to me.  

Pomp and circumstance galore! What a way for us Yankees in the States to wake up to today after all those killer tornadoes in the South yesterday.

More cheerful!

Like it that way much better than seein' what happened yesterday…

…let’s do remember to pray for ..not only for this very blessed couple.. but also for the hundreds who are morning, who will be picking up the splintered pieces of their lives in the South. What a different way for Americans to wake up.. having lost it all. Bless their hearts..Lord! I can't even imagine what that is like.

Q. Are you building your life on the Rock (Christ) or on the shifting sand today? For you know that the storms of life seem to touch everyone at some time or another.

Still watching this wedding.. I guess everyone worldwide loves to see a commoner marry into royalty. What’s so cool is that we commoners (as Gentile believers who were once completely outside of the loving Family of God) also get to marry into Royalty one day real soon. Are you ready for that grand Event?

Yup, the bride (us, His Church) is headed into the best union - the most Royal of all Royalty with King Jesus.

"Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev. 19:9).

'Til that great exciting day happens with our Groom, do you in addition to that Wedding also hope to please God as you get married to a mortal here on earth? Most people are called to be married here. 

Do you desire to have a really blessed and happy marriage on earth? Good! Then die to your fleshly desires and let’s do things God’s way, for that just works.  

Tip one: Get in Christ through repentance and faith, and love Him more than anyone and everything else ..for life.

Tip two: Purpose to only date and marry a growing born again Christian; the one that the Holy Spirit leads you to marry in Jesus Christ. Take your time and be sure it's the right person, not just one who says they are a committed Christian.

Tip three. Be different and never move in with your lover so that you can test drive em.. I mean don’t, pre-vows said at that altar, go experience sex (fornication = sin) together before you marry. The world's pleasure-seeking crowd will tell you over and over again that you are crazy if you wait 'til after the marriage vows, but wait anyways!

“You're mad! Man, you have got to be crazy, Kurt. What fun is that? That is so abnormal these days. We are more enlightened than that old way now.”  

No, actually that is very normal..to do it God's way. Don’t take my word for it. Go check it out in the Bible.

The world’s way is far from normal. And just check out the current stats to see how it works out for the world for the most part. So many heart wrenching divorces. Very sad. Do you really want what they have, when they ignore the Word and do it their own way? Didn't think so.   

One of God's clear principles for an authentic Christian marriage is that those who have already established a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ ..is this: Single believers fully committed to their Lord.. are simply not to marry those who are not growing in a right relationship with the Lord. Duh! Many don't like that term "dating" (I mean getting to know each other in a good way..) so I'll just say, spend time with an on-fire believer who loves to pray to discover God's will. It's much better. This is very basic stuff for any Christian really.

In the Bible, the prophet Amos once said, "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" (Am. 3:3, niv).

Don't go seek a spouse, but seek the Lord and His will. Allow God to find em and add em unto you in His good timing, yes one that agrees with Him (see Matthew 6:33 and remember how Issac and Rebekah got together in the Bible). It just doesn’t work right when two people don’t agree or biblically worship the same God.. or when they marry the same sex. Who can't tell that the plumbing simply wasn't designed for that? Duh!

God does indeed have a clear plan for marriage to work. Respect His divine order and purpose for your life. 

But for a person who knows the Lord.. I mean the Lord Who is spoken about in the Bible.. to go date, or marry, or even walk super close with another lost ripped dude or a lost hot lookin' girl who is currently in rebellion against God, man, this would basically be sin. That's not my opinion, that is God's view of it. Yes, it could mean an entire lifetime of spiritual compromise on everything from how the couple spends time and His money, to setting priorities and setting basic life standards.  

God tells all believers this: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you" (2 Cor. 6:14-17, nkjv). Of course God doesn’t say this to be a kill-joy mean person, He says this knowing and with your best interests in mind.

If there is no basic agreement on an issue as radically important as a man or woman’s relationship with the Lord how will they fair with other big decisions (hey, marriage to a mere human here on earth is the second most important decision any person makes..)? How will there be agreement on much lesser things in their lives as well? Why hurt, wound, crush, whack-out more little children who never asked to enter into a troubled ungodly family who still trust their parents? Even if you feel romantic now, please know and do God's will early on. 

Believers, after your time at the altar, think of a proper triangle and then envision Jesus Christ at the top point of that triangle and then you two at the lower corners of it. I know this is an old illustration, but it's good to be reminded of. 

As you two believers – you and your praying spouse – grow and get closer to God (that’s the ultimate goal of marriage. How do you? Well, through praying together, through Bible study with application of truth together and in small groups, through church fellowship and as an outgrowth of that.. joyful witnessing of your faith to the lost..) you will then grow much closer together which is a great blessing because God will bless every area of your lives together including your sex (you knew in the West, I'd have to mention that right). 

Sure He will, just measure the distance sideways to your spouse as you go up the sides of the triangle towards the Lord, loving Him most. He is to be your main lifelong pursuit as individuals and together. That's how it works right! 

God indeed wants you to enjoy the romance here (you will more up there later, believer..), the great adventure together, and the pure intense love for sure.. and then from the spiritual health of such a union in Him..be challenged to become a base of sound ministry to your community ..in a way that fits you as a couple. He’ll lead you in this. You'll see your home as a base for world-changing. 

You're welcome! I just wish someone would have told me this when I was entering my teen years. knowgod.org

Mr Lu-Cifer and his crowd goes fishing too. Will you beat him to the catch?

Hi. Got a question for ya... Have you already made the thrilling discovery, that second only to experiencing the blessing, the fun, the great privilege and the glory in worshiping the Lord in spirit and in truth, comes the tremendous J-O-Y of leading another person to Jesus Christ?

If not, then I want to share an important parable with you.. not my parable here, but one that I believe will totally inspire you, one that is from the God who made you for a specific purpose. You will love these words I believe, for He does have a cool plan for your life and it's a plan that is really for your own welfare (as well as for others..) that will include a type of fishing that's exciting and enjoyable.. rather than boring as fishing for fish can sometimes get! Hey gang, if you're ready for this challenge I'm talkin' about, then bravely read on further... 

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." ~ Jesus, Matthew 13:47–48, nlt

Interesting huh? What'd ya think of those words - what comes to mind? Man, I'm just glad to be tipped off in advance. Bible prophecy has been 100 percent accurate thus far, and I know this will happen just as Christ said as well. Aren't you glad to be tipped off in advance as well ..regarding something that's so important? I know you would want that. Yeah, no matter how hard it might be for any of us to hear, we really need to know in a nutshell what will really happen just around the corner. Sure, this is so good to know, and it's not from some bogus old fable here. This is from a big, loving God tactfully warning and getting' future reality down to the level of those that He felt it was important to get through to..so that they in turn could pass it on to us.  

Have you spent any time at the beach or at a lake? Now, I grew up near some piers at the beach and have done some fishing from boats and from the San Clemente pier. It's quite down there, there are others normally around you with their rods extended over the wood railing, one or two might typically have a smaller net to cast out, you wait for a bite, you try different baits on the hook, you watch skilled fisherman reel in some fish and then clean em. Gross! But every now and then a fisherman will think they caught a fish and then learn that they caught some kelp, some other seaweed, some trash, perhaps an octopus, a piece of an inner tube, or perhaps an small shark ...and all that is what keeps things kinda interesting. You feel excited when you get a bite! You never know what's going to happen… or what you will pull in, if you pull in anything of value at all. Sometimes you go home without anything to throw in the grill, but you had a good time with the other fishers.

This is the reason why I can almost hear the sound of gulls and waves lapping up on the sand when I read this so called, Parable of the Dragnet, that Christ concisely explained in Matthew's Gospel, chapter 13.

The Kingdom of Heaven is somewhat similar to a big fishing net getting dragged through some deep inhabited waters, sifting and also takin' in good and bad creatures or mere junk. 

It's a fight for their life. At the pier, I think about the fish wiggles with big round eyes.. gills moving, giving it their all, water splashing ya. But when witnessing, there is really a spiritual battle going on in the unseen realm around you. The minions of hell really do not want to lose even one person. I guess misery loves company. 

So, with this fishing parable in mind, where do you and I come in as believers and hopefully red-hot spiritual believers, committed disciples of Christ?

Glad you asked. You knew I'd say that huh. 

Well, we have an important part in this fishing stuff today and it's a real privilege too. Glad we were chosen for this. 

Your mission and duty, if you choose to accept it, is to use effective bait that will attract a lot instead of repelling a lot.. yeah, because the fish in the area where you live just like it that way so to speak, and then it's to situate a net for best scooping (or baited hook for grabbing their attention and grabbing them), and then it's to carefully tug in that net (or hook) in such a way that there won't be any loss of its desired contents.

Sure, you and I are here to worship God, but we are also here to drag a net through the waters of our specific neighborhoods, schools, places of employment ..wisely.. and through the waters of where we go to socialize and businesses where we frequent and patrons..yes,  through our entire townships and communities to snatch up whomever we can—the people there who are willing to turn away from their sin to Christ for salvation after clearly hearing Christ's Gospel.

Will we also net-scoop in some bad with the decent? Absolutely, that's just part of it. Will the angels eventually do the separating of what we tug and tug? Sure. Is it possible that we'll have false Christians as well and truly repentant believers with us? Without a doubt! But fishermen and fisherwomen, fisherboys and fishergirls keep returning to the shores and keep doing what they do, because they are confident that they will each indeed have bona-fied, genuine value in their catch as well.

Listen up. Check it out. Real born from above kinda Christians love to do this fishing! They sing as they do it. They just love to learn about it—the truth of how to do it better, or learn about the local fish more. They desire to know what the fish if you will.. really like, and hate, what draws and what needlessly repels em. Yes real believers want to know how the fish think and what they dwell on ..if they are doing that. We really want to know how they feel if we can, and even where they enjoy hanging out ..or are hiding out. Real believers want to learn about the best bait to use that won't taint or devalue em. They love to watch other experienced, straightforward, skillful fisherpersons reel in a catch. They just love to talk about Jesus Christ and His pure Gospel. How do they stay healthy and strong to do what they do?

False believers, false fishers, false apostles, false converts.. I mean merely lost religious folk here who are dead inside, simply do not like to do these things. They are interested in other things. Did you know that those in the cults like to focus on Christians in churches. That's where they get their numbers, so that is why we all need good biblical teaching, so we can discern the difference between truth and their lies.  

Are you a real fisher of people yet? 

You can be today, right now! Jesus Christ commanded, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). Is this a scary idea for you? I think the Apostle Peter could relate to you. Jesus told Simon, "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" (Lk. 5:10).

So what does "fishers of men" even mean? Well, a good rendering of that could be translated, "catch men [or women] alive." That New Testament phrase is utilized one other time in the Bible. Where? It's in 2 Timothy 2:26. You remember where the Apostle Paul spoke of people who have been taken captive by the devil to do his will. Yup, that's it.

"Wait just a moment, Kurt! Dude, are you actually saying that the devil is a fisher of the people sucking air on this planet as well?" Yeah, that's exactly what I am saying and that is the reason why we need to work together—unified teamwork is what makes the Dream work! Yes, that's why we are to have an urgency inside about what we are called to do in Christ. There are only so many living fish in a pond, and experienced fishers know that if they get to that pond last, they might just catch a tire or a rubber boot. Who wants to go home with a slimy boot with algae and mud all over it?

Yes, our time to fish here is limited. 

News Flash: There will be no fishing for souls up in Heaven.. ever. The time for that will be behind then.. yes indeed, forever! That's why we all need to do our best in the Spirit to edify, encourage, feed, nurture and help other fishers—true born again believers—become the best worshippers of God, and best fishers of people that they can become in Christ.

We have a decision today. It's up to each one of us. The chief Fisher of people will either use us to catch people alive (primarily you and I are His plan A for this great task in reaching em, and He really has no plan B..) or the devil will catch them alive before we act.

Will any angel ever preach at the end even a little bit? In that parable we see the angels sorting, evaluating what's in the net, and separating one from another, but sure, the Bible says, "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water'" (Rev. 14:6-7). They (or perhaps one angel) will indeed have a roll with this in these last days, but it's also clear that today you and I need to be about this fishing for peers and other peeps. This responsibility is way, Way, WAY important to take heed to!    

And we each have a choice before us huh. 

Question: How do you want it all to play out? I say we get with God in prayer daily, and then go fishing when we can ..for all kinds of people as His Spirit directs us to them, wasting no time at all. Look around you, none of us has all that much time to act. 

People outside of Christ are literally hell-bound and like prisoners in unseen jails and chains. I know that these terms might sound so religious or churchy to you, but God's plan is about us finding them as they are.. as He uses us to deliver them into real freedom so they'll become those they have never been. It's a plan of regeneration in every nation, no matter your station! 

We simply do our part and leave the results up to Him ..for Jesus is still Lord of the harvest. He alone is the Savior. You know that you and I can save no one. Yup, salvation is of the Lord and we are called to pray and participate in His work, as fellow laborers - as fishers.

So we, of course never ever want to pressure or coerce, or trap, or trick anyone into a decision to repent and believe in Jesus. That'd be stupid. 

I've found that someone pushed and persuaded against their will ..is more than likely of the same opinion still. I like to give em an easy out if they say the must be going. It's their life, but if they have time, I want to merely explain the facts well and in faith give them an opportunity to become a real Christian. 

But the fun is in listening, in seed planting, in faithfully watering, in fervently praying and in giving out the Gospel in an understandable way.. getting' out of God's way so to speak, as He is working on hearts in all of this.. and yes, simply allowing Him to powerfully work. That's where His greatest miracle happens. He guides us when it's time to reap, when it's the perfect time to set the hook and reel em in. It might not be a perfect situation to work in, when its God's perfect timing—He knows best!      

"Soul winning is not a method; it is a command. We are supposed to go soul winning and do soul winning if our churches grow or if our churches decrease in attendance." ~ Jack Hyles

"I believe that if there is one thing which pierces the Master's heart with unutterable grief, it is not the world's iniquity, but the Church's indifferences." ~ F.B. Meyer

Do you live the life before them as an example or are you kind of a secret agent saint thinking they'll somehow have the gift to read your mind regarding the truth? Not putting you down here, because Jesus can help and change all of us. With all due respect, how much do your friends and family really matter to you? Please don't be offended at that question (to tell you the truth, many preachers could care less about winning people to Christ). But I mean.. do you pray and ever fast.. do you really expect to see God save people when you share the Commandments of God and the Good News of Jesus with your peers? You should expect to see people come to Christ to be born again! Do you expect to see these people grow so that they too will eventually go fish for others? Every saint should.. every big, small, rural, and urban church should expect to see and do this.   

"Let's quit fiddling with religion and do something to bring the world to Christ." ~ Billy Sunday

"Old-fashioned, Spirit-filled, Christ-honoring, sin-hating, soul-winning, Bible-preaching. It is the hope of the church. It is the hope of the nation. It is the hope of the world." ~ Jack Hyles

Believer, will you join with us in prayer and in this kind of fishing? I admonish you—I dare you if I may! There is no more thrilling lifestyle to have. Not saying join me to follow me per se. 

Our biblical vision of knowing the Lord well and then making the Lord well known worldwide ..starting from home.. is basically the vision if you will, of what God wants you to become involved with! Again, I'm not asking you to follow me, for I really want you to follow Jesus in fishing. Christ never said, "Hey, follow my people." He said, "Follow Me" (Lk. 9:23, 9:59, 18:22, Jn. 1:43, 10:27 and 12:26). 

Yes, Jesus alone is to be your primary role model in fishing and in all of life. He is your Lord and really primo Mentor. Of course you don't need to do ministry of any sort exactly like any of us do it, but the important thing is that you be yourself in a Christ-honoring way, daily worship Him and then do what He tells you to do in regards to fishing for people. God will literally give you a desire to do ministry in a winsome Way! And you won't ever regret it! 

Facebook.com/ShareJesus

Dormant hopes turned into real prayin' ..that's what will help you find your dancing shoes again.

Never wanna let anything or anyone come between me (or u) and Christ's love. I wonder how it can happen.. when Christians forget their living hope, their first love.. when they cease from prayin' and start relying solely upon their own mind and efforts.. when they stop voicing prayers upwards about their dreams, longings, lost loved ones, needs, and God-given vision if you will, of what He would have them to do in ministry outwards. 

Some say you've become too "old" when ur memories of the past become greater than your God-given vision for the future - allow this not! 

Not talkin' about dancin' in the flesh here. But this spiritual dullness and joyless existence.. could it be due to the many fiery trials or simple unbelief stemming from neglect of the best relationship.. yeah, that makes a believer never feel like dancing in worship to God again..that makes em feel too worn down by life, too choked out by the cares and distractions of this life, or makes em believe the enemy's well-worn lie: "You hypocrite! How dare you approach God. Who do you think you are..so filthy? Go away, for you are ignored and unloved and totally forgotten by the Holy God." Have you believed it.. to the point where they stop seekin' Christ and His will? What a jerk Mr Lu-Cifer is. He tempts you and tempts you to compromise or outright transgress, and then points his skinny finger of accusation at your forehead right after you blow it..and he also gets his crowd of mockers to do that too.. anything to get you away from..far away from.. the One who can help you most. 

When you stumble or fall, run back to Jesus so fast that you won't have time for the enemy to address you. When you see another in fallen state, or in a lost condition ..run to their aid as well. 

Believer, would you pray something like this... Father God, I feel for em, the people around me with the blank empty stare..so You must really feel for them even more. So many lost and clueless, so many believers feelin' condemned or half saved.. so many low around us each day..hurting or despondent. Yeah, who feel so discouraged, so ground-level-down and defeated, but God there is a victory, a spiritual breakthrough, an encouraging joy, and a super peace to be obtained in Jesus Christ. Make me part of the Solution today, not part of the problem. Make me different - on-fire - so my friends'll have a chance to hear the truth and respond. Revive, awaken. I don't need any "new revelations," just experience in and illumination of ..old Bible truth. Wanna apply it and stay closely connected with you every day ..and sense Your pleasure, Your anointed, freeing presence! Give me that first love passion inside, so I'll abide. Thank you for Your lovely, faithful and zealous Son! God, please remove all impediments to this joy unspeakable..yes, push away all the dark clouds and junk that get in the way of biblical worship in the Spirit.. please remove all hypocritical habits, shame, wrong motives, ungodly influences, and all hindrances to increased fruitfulness and agape love. Help me overcome evil with good, and be busy about seeking Your face ..about tending to Your biz, Father, so that I'll have no time left to be busy out of Your will. What do You have planned today - let me be smack dab in the middle of what You are doing here on this earth. I choose to live 100% for You, and exalt Jesus as You lead me. In Jesus Name. Amen.  

"Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future; faith is the courage to dance to it today." ~ Peter Kuzmic

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.." ~ 1 Peter 1:3

"Then David danced before the Lord with all his might.." ~ 2 Samuel 6:14

"Jesus called out to them [His followers], 'Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how..!'" ~ Matthew 4:19

Are you a believer or a disciple? Can your prayin', praising, and obedience to share be kinda like a graceful dance of worship unto the Lord..to bless Him? Sure! Please don't get passive, apathetic, stubornly willful in the wrong direction minus knowing God's direction for you. Bail on luke-warmness, worldliness, gettin' sidetracked.. or giving up on Jesus. The Lord is your real Hope when all false and flimsy hopes fail, and He's still intensely loves you. Can't hear that too much. Thank and praise Him wholeheartedly today. Stop and take the time to be alone. Let the wonder in once again. Be still, be silent, listen.. and know that He is God. He's right there by your side! Tell Him exactly what's going on in your heart and life - yep, tell Him in detail and ask boldly ..very specifically.. not stoppin' this healthy ongoing cultivation of friendship ..developing real intimacy. Be encouraged to press on towards the mark for the prize, for Jesus is your ultimate Prize. 

And hey, if you're a church-goer or non-church-goer but not a believer yet, simply put away your wrong-doin's and be made right today. Christ alone can do this inside of you. 

Every Eye Will See Him!

Take just a moment if you will to check out how the gospel writer, Luke, carefully recorded Jesus' promise about how He will one day return to this planet (it'll happen after Rapture of the church outta here, and the battle of Armageddon). He said, "..the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (21:27). Man, it's going to be one exciting time down here for believer, but wouldn't want to be caught outside of a relationship with Jesus. Luke didn't just say glory, but he said Christ will arrive with "great glory" (which is from the Greek root, "δόξα doxa." See g1391 in the Strongs).. and any time God says great glory, He really means it.

I can hardly wait to see Him in the clouds!

Lord Jesus, we are amazed by Your love. Don't want to be here for that final battle pre Second Coming. Give us grace to know and serve You today as we desire to do.. no matter the cost. If the Rapture of the church doesn’t happen first, we too will die (most do), but we don’t want our living here or or dying to be in vain. We look forward to the Rapture, but til we see your face, please bless the works of our hands. Give us a harvest of people turning (in repentance) and trusting in you (with saving faith). 

In Latin it is, "et tunc videbunt Filium hominis venientem in nube cum potestate magna et maiestate" (and me, having been raised in the Roman church, I certainly heard a lot of Latin..) but the term "advent" basically means "a coming." Perhaps you too have heard this term used in your church.

In the weeks before Christmas this can be wonderful time of year—a season of repentance and expectation as we celebrate our Lord's first "advent" in Bethlehem. But that's in the past and we are now in the present and also anticipating Christ's second advent in the future when He returns in great glory. Are you ready for His appearing? Are you helping others to get ready? Listen, I'm talking about the will of God for you here. Thrilling stuff!  

The first time Jesus came to earth, Humble was His story; but He has promised to return with power and great glory. ~ Sper

Been watching others do some waiting today. Isn't it fun to watch little kids all dressed up on Easter Sunday as they wait to go find their baskets of candy. This has been happening even downtown in Dallas here.

I too use to feel what they feel.. when I was a child. One year me, my brothers Kevin and Kyle and also my sister, Kathy, even received real baby ducks along with our wooden baskets. We had to wake up and go hunt around the house on Cliff Drive for em.

But me and my brothers and my sister also had a hard time waiting there at my Grandpa Beck's home in Newport Beach. Even the night before it was hard to go to sleep.. before we were allowed to climb out of bed and locate the booty.

You know, today, I feel that same kind of anticipation as I wait to see my living Lord return here as when He departed. Every day I feel like saying, Come quickly, Lord! And some days more than others.  

Look around you. As our society's morals keep eroding and as this world is getting darker and darker, the promised return of Jesus Christ just gets brighter and brighter. And we as believers are called to reflect His holy light. We are called to go share the Gospel in love.. for decisions. How else will the unregenerate people see and believe?  

As I often watch world news (personally, I like Fox..) and see all that is going on around me today, guess what! I am so looking forward to the Rapture of the Church and the Second Coming. How about you? I want to take people with me to heaven by faith.

Do you remember how John the beloved described how it would be in the last days when Christ would come again? He wrote, because he also wanted to take as many people with him as possible. Yes, John said, "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Rev. 1:7). It's kind of an interesting tension we live with, having a desire to depart to be with the Groom, but also this desire to witness and win unbelievers to this Groom. Ongoing believing prayer is helps with this.   

"Jesus, we have much that we are thankful for. Yet we do long for the day when You will return to bring wickedness and disaster to an end, and to usher in Your reign of peace. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen." ~ Vernon C. Grounds

'Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me." ~ Revelation 22:12

"When I was first converted, and for some years afterward, the second coming of Christ was a thrilling idea, a blessed hope, a glorious promise, the theme of some of the most inspiring songs of the church. Later it became an accepted tenet of faith, a cardinal doctrine, a kind of invisible trademark of my ministry. It was the favorite arena of my theological discussions, in the pulpit and in print. Now suddenly the second coming means something more to me. Paul called it 'the blessed hope.' But today it appears as the only hope of the world." ~ Anon.

Found it kinda interesting this week, in a "This Week with Christiane Amanpour interview" with anchor Christiane for ABC News, Franklin Graham of his dad's BGEA organization casually told Ms. Amanpour that perhaps people around the world will record the return of Christ with cell phones and cameras, adding:

"The Bible says that every eye is going to see (the second coming). How is the whole world going to see (Christ) all at one time? I don't know, unless all of a sudden everybody's taking pictures and it's on the media worldwide. I don't know. Social media could have a big part in that.

Just look at what's happening in Libya or Egypt. Everybody's got their phone up, and everybody's taking recordings and posting it on YouTube and whatever and sending it to you, and it gets shown around the world."

P. Praise you, Lord Jesus! Please give us zeal, passion, guidance, and wisdom so that we can be ready and help others also get ready. Please be Lord of our every moment today.. and throughout this whole week. Thanks a lot for dying on the cross and then coming out of the tomb alive for us! We are so excited about seeing You soon, I mean in the upcoming Rapture of the Church, as well as in Your Second Coming! Don't want to see anyone get judged under the wrath of God on this planet. We so want to know You better today and to obey Your commands. Thanks for the tools we have to use in spreading the Gospel. Some of them can become dangerous if we become slothful or too laid back. Let us not become ensnared, but give holy fear and use us to do Your work. It really looks like things are getting closer to this time of Your Rapture now, so we desire to be ready at every moment. What can we do better—how can we be instruments in Your hands? How can we utilize everything unto the glory of God? Need wisdom here. We are also concerned for our friends and relatives who don't yet know you in a personal way. Seems like some believers have almost given up while waiting. Perhaps this is because they've prayed and waited so long for their stubborn loved ones to board the clue bus so they'll be born again. Please help and use us to inspire these discourage believers, as we make the most of each day. Amen.

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Easter in Jesus = Peace and Life! Shouldn't Mean Dressing Up, Eggs, Bunnies, or Mere Church Attendance.

I'm sitting here in North Plano with a few minutes and my android phone. Never really blogged from a cell phone before. Thinkin' about you and Easter ..or as I like to call it, Res Day. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. What are your plans, will you go to church alone or with your family? Can't really think of anything better to do on this day, except go to Jesus first and get right with Him.. if ya ain't yet? 

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" ~ John 11:25

Do you experience God's kind of life? Jesus didn't say church is the life, or the way. He said I am the Way the Truth and the Life.. yes, He basically said there in no entrance into Heaven apart from through Him. Choose abundant and everlasting life in Christ and have the best Easter ever. That's what we wish for you! What do you have to lose? Nothing.


Who would choose death over life?


How long have you tried going ..your own way. Don't be stubborn or proud. You've sinned and I have, but while we were yet sinners — enemies of Christ, He died for us.


Can you earn salvation or pay for it? No way, but Christ is the only Way. Simply turn from your wrong doin's with confession and sorrow over where you have let God down and then believe in this Bible Jesus I'm talking about.. who literally rose from the dead. Make that choice now not tomorrow. Don't put it off or wait for a better time, come to Jesus right now!


Listen up, if you really want to follow the Lord, He said that you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. Why? Well, because if you want to save your life, you're going to indeed lose it. But if you are wise and choose to lose your life for Jesus, you will for sure find true life. For what good will it do for you if you gain the whole world for all that is in this world, yet forfeit your own soul in Hell?" (Matt. 16:24-26, free translation, meaning paraphrased by me).

Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." ~ Matthew 16:24

Remember, there is no greater decision that you will ever make than this one. Have time to read more? 

KnowGod.org
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The Cross And Resurrection - Finished For You!

http://about.me/kvs 

It is finished and Jesus is risen! Can't add any good works or money or striving to it. Beyond cool huh.

Calvary's cross was Christ's goal while down here on earth ..from his birth and He reached it and then He conquered death.

Done!

Yes, the fact of an empty cross is not good news at all without the fact of the empty tomb—both go together so good! The writer of Hebrews 2:14 said, "Only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death." You and I no longer have to be stuck under the power of sin like some weak and shackled slave. It's because of Christ's cross and empty tomb that the stronghold of Mr. Lu-Cifer has been snapped off of humanity like a used toothpick, but we all must apply this.

Jesus totally accomplished the Father's purpose at the cross not in Hades—"finished!" Now Christ's empty cross and tomb guarantees the believer's victory over sin, Satan, and death.

"He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many." ~ Isaiah 53:12

"When Jesus had tasted it, he said, 'It is finished!' Then he bowed his head and released his spirit." ~ John 19:30

"On the first Easter morning, the women who took spices to anoint the body of Jesus found the tomb empty and heard angels say, 'He is not here, but is risen!'" ~ Luke 24:6

What happen there? God's provision for sinners like you.. and me.. happened at Calvary!

Have you already been told this whole story before?

You know what I'm saying right.. how some 2,000 years ago, sinless Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.. was confronted, accused, unjustly arrested, mocked, beaten, whipped, and subsequently crucified to take away your sin. Have you applied this to your life? You can!

Man, just think about how His disciples must have felt when that played out. Were these guys torn up, broken hearted, and in despair? Sure they were. I would be.

These disciples had lost hope.. but not for long. Jesus had risen! All their sadness evaporated away when Christ came out of that tomb on Easter morning! It was a rolling stone that moved aside (Jn. 20:1).

Then Christ came and visited His friends Mary (vv.11-19) and His eleven followers who had gotten together in one place to exchange notes if you will. Man they were "overjoyed" (v.20, niv).

Perhaps something bad or traumatic, something big or smaller..  has happened in your life that has left you feelin' hopeless or even despondent?

Guess what! Jesus is alive today and He will be there to help you as well ..if you will let Him. Have your dreams been swept away? Have you lost your job, or spouse, or BFF or perhaps endured some other personal loss? I'm so sorry about that.

The Good News is that Christ's physical, bodily resurrection from the grave proves to us all that He rules over all problems, losses, and demonic obstacles. He can turn it all around for you—what's bad can work for the good in Him. He might not replace everything you lost, but He will provide all that you need for your life and ministry.

The resurrection is an historical fact and that demands a faith response from each of us.

Now God can literally turn any problem, trial, or difficulty into a great blessing and opportunity for you. Check it out again how God made it all a great blessing for the disciples after the cross—which was the greatest blessing there is—and He can do that for you, for you, for you! Will you turn, and let Christ into your life?

"He rose! And with Him hope arose, and life and light. Men said, 'Not Christ, but death, died.' And joy and truth and all things virtuous Rose when He rose!" ~ Anon.

"Their words seemed to the disciples like idle tales, and they did not believe them." ~ Luke 24:11

"Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes; He arose a Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign." ~ Lowry

"You, being dead in your trespasses,.. He has made alive together with Him." ~ Colossians 2:13

I was just sharing this stuff about Jesus with a 25 year old man name Sundarsingh from India, and a 50 year old guy named Ed from Puerto Rico, and a hardworking, sweet-as-can-be 60 year old lady from Mexico named Rosa. You can pray for them if you like along with Lowana and Joe that I just met.

What a joy!

Yesterday I was witnessing to a very mixed up and perverted person who was real angry at God for all the things that went wrong that day.

How do I know he was that way, you might ask? Well, sometimes you can just tell these things by what clearly comes out of people's mouths.

Poor guy, bless his heart—that's my sincere prayer for him for he is into the Unity cult that teaches no one sins. He divulged all this to me, "Kurt, today it's Good Friday, and it's been anything but good."

And then he went on to tell me some of the details of what happened.. and about some home decorations that fell off a shelf onto his head. Ouch! Fortunately he was not injured, but what he was telling me reminded me of what came down onto Christ's head—a crown of thorns to make Him bleed and then the sins of the whole world came down on his head. This is what we were talking about and it cheered him up a bit.

Anyways, our conversation seemed to go pretty good as he listened intently to what I said, and he responded here and there too. Prayin' ..I will see him again tomorrow to carry this topic on further hopefully.

But maybe you've felt the same way? Would you like to receive the Gift that Jesus died to give? Please trust our risen Christ today! Read More on Easter... 

Another Prayer..Yup, For America

Believer, would ya join in and pray somethin' like... O Father God, we’ve been so self-satisfied, so “Que Sera, Sera, whatever will be, will be..” Not all, but many of us have stopped fighting when Your church has pretty much been divided and in disaray. We’ve turned aside from You in this Land. We Americans have ignored and ridiculed the time-honored faith and values of our forefathers, yet we feel so smug inside, so progressive, proud and enlightened. It’s wrong!

Please heal, restore, challenge and strengthen your Church in America today, for it has largely become weak, luke-warm, carnal, religious, mean-spirited, non-fervent, and distracted. Let us seek You with earnestness once again!

They say that the spirit of the people of this Land is demoralized, depressed, indebted, dismayed, dejected, broken, cast down, war-weary and hopeless. But we believers firmly decided to follow You into the battle that day when we were born again! We choose to fight the good fight of faith in Your Spirit along side of You. Yes, on our knees so that You would intervene once again. In Your name, we resist the minions of Hell and darkness.. and we refuse to quit, turn back, hide out, give in, live as beat-downs or cave!

Lord, it’s time for You to rebuke the enemy who has robbed us off via deception. Please push back the onslaught of wickedness. There’s been such a breakdown of morals here and we as a Nation have been ripped off over and over again by the enemy. We forgive the people who fail us, but it is time for us to stand up with You and get angry at the evil (never at people)!  

God, You warned us, “Woe to those who call evil good,” but we confess that we’ve done that and now regret it. Restore our spiritual equilibrium and inverted values somehow... anyway You want! We want to be and act like the Church in the Book of Acts. For too long we’ve explained away the authority of the Bible in the name of both tolerance and moral pluralism. How stupid!

We wholeheartedly turn back to You now.

Spirit, draw us strongly! With Your sharpened Word, disturb us ’til we obey without compromise. Kindle now, REKINDLE—ignite us with Your holy fire! Jesus we need You, not this world. Do whatever it takes! We’ve tasted a bit of judgment from past dimness, from lack of discernment, from prayerlessness and our misguided voting, and now we want that no more! But do it again.. You know, what You did before, to inspire.. please don’t ignore. Make haste, Lord. Bring the fire—holy passion for proper action!

Revive so we all can thrive, every Christian.

Hungry nations, politically churning... and cities await Your burning! Send what You want, Your will be done! Please use us. Let Your Church rise up anew! Take away the shame—crown our lives with tongues of flame! We don’t need another day of Pentecost anymore than we need a new Calvary, but we do need Your infilling and enabling, Jesus. Refill the once filled!

We, in unity, call out.. we pray against the vast biblical illiteracy here, but we also thank You for the strong ministers who live the life.. who still bluntly, boldly, unashamedly.. exalt Jesus Christ, and faithfully feed Your people from Your Word. Grateful for em.

Father, we Americans have unfortunately allowed and even supported too many flakey but popular razzel-dazzl, false teachers and other lame leaders ..for way too long.. even within the walls of many church meetings. It’s sad!

Lord, your Body, for the most part is down, depressed, and indebted. Let not Your army stay in disarray. Be our Commander and call us to attention. Give us Your heart and victory over the enemy! Make haste to help us. There is such a derth in this Land, such a lack of passionate ministers, and sound local churches ablaze and winning the lost. Something ought to be said, or better yet.. prayed!

Give keen insight and Your worldview. Protect us from the terrorism, the hateful attacks from within and from without.. and aid us in seeing things clearly. Help us feel acutely ..what you feel for needy people. Help us really hear, for there's no spiritual growth apart from Your Word!

We do humbly confess and turn to You (according to 2 Chronicles 7:14). We are deeply sorry for hurting You with our apathy, complacency, rebellion, waywardness, trouble-making, pleasure-seeking, and tolerance of sin ..and even for the junk that doesn’t come to mind! Stop us short of pedestalizing film stars, singers, athletes, and ministers. 

Many of us Americans feel it’s vogue to call ourselves "spiritual" in Social Media, but we’ve worshipped other gods in the name of multiculturalism—in the name of New Age spirituality. And we seem to gladly watch our top media “heroes” push this old age Eastern trash on the masses ..and then join in applauding em. Have mercy on us though we don't deserve it. Please shut em down by Your Spirit and through lack of support. So often we are known more for the things we speak out against instead of what we are for, so speak through us for Jesus and for what's good.. in holy fear with wisdom as well.  

Forgive us for endorsing, exporting, and enjoying the perversion of Hollywood “entertainment” (pornography, witchcraft, and weirdness). Such sin! Please forgive us of idolatry and once again restore the joy of our salvation. We long for Your presence, peace an purpose.. and need a second chance. Be glorified!

God, You know we've at times failed to encourage ..and failed to discipline our own children. Yes, we have failed to get them in healthy churches while only being concerned about their social and sporting events or their test scores and GPA. We sure love em but have, many of us, at times let them run unsupervised while young and put them first before You, allowing them to actually lead the family ..apart from Your order. Give us proper priorities and motives.

Many of us men have been lazy and others have been the opposite. Some of us have simply been too busy for Jesus.. or for our families. We've failed to be the spiritual priests of the home and have become mere wimpy carnal or nominal followers..apart from following Scripture. We've had leanness of spirit inside due to disinterest and haven’t led em in righteousness. Others of us have failed to work as wisely or zealously as we should have. We seem to love the world and sow to the flesh regularly instead of to the Spirit! Empower us forgo on imediate gradification, live the crucified yet abundant life.. yes, to say no to self.. to abandon mixed sowing while we experience great joy, love, and biblcial faith.. within our means as godly, masculine examples!

God, we and our leaders have blown it in America (so many of us..) by failing to execute justice swiftly like the Bible teaches. Sure, we want this nation to be excellent in every way, but our system of jurisprudence has not been prudent. It's been unjust and whacked to say it plainly. We don’t deal with rapists, pedophiles, thieves, violent offenders, pushers, or murderers justly, but we prematurely let em go free ..to hurt and kill more people, and then say that’s fair. Please invade our Land with strong conviction, Holy Spirit! Teach us to be courageous in battle like You are, Jesus. Uplift our eyes and the smallness of our vision for what you can do worldwide. Nothing is impossible for you Mighty God! Your heart beats for missions. We praise You for Your ways are higher than ours.

So poor in spirit—we don’t hate lying, stealing, or gossiping to the same degree as You do, but now we decide to turn from all this sin. We also turn from polluting with profanity and wrong attitudes ..and from taking Your Holy Name in vain. None of us would want our names used as a curse word or used frivolously?

Forgive us for all selfish ambition, manipulation, self-seeking, unbelief, ingratitude, abuse of power, narcissism, materialism, rank covetousness, and not loving our neighbors in purity. Some of us are guilty of cronyism, nepotism, in taking of bribes and in hidden partiality to the church's hurt. Others of us have lusted, backstabbed, been idiotic verbally, committed fornication, adultery and then called this all normal.. or an affair.

Forgive us for funding the drug cartels in an ongoing way through buying, greed, and drug abuse for personal comfort. Forgive our puffed up leaders for not adaquately protecting those near our boarders, as they pledged to do. Please forgive us in America of the folly and waste with casinos and lotteries—it’s really all Yours, not outs! We’ve neglected the needy and rewarded laziness in the name of compassion for way too long (calling it welfare). Forgive us for killing the unborn in the name of choice—1.3 million a year. What can I even say? It's uber-heinous! We ignore our consciencees and call babies globs of tissue in this Land. It's so serious and wrong, but now we as believer weep with You over this!   

We golf, we surf, we play, we sleep-in and find something else to do when You’ve clearly commanded us not to forsake the fellowship with our brethren at church. Yes, we’ve made Sundays the biggest shopping and entertainment day of the week as we skip meeting together and worshipping You.

As warring Muslims tell us dates of when they will force the Jews into the sea forever, we can (without knowing the exact date) tell the Day of the Lord is approaching. And Your Word says, “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25).  

I say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” as Your Psalmist also prayed (Ps. 139: 23,24, nkjv).

Humbly and respectfully, we ask You to send biblical revival and awakening down here again, Lord. Pour out Your Spirit in these last days. We ask for a move of God that’s legitimate, instead of religious-man-fabricated. Let Your Kingdom come with real power and glory here on earth ..yes, in and through our families even before the Millennium starts. Help us love as You love and plant seeds or reap while we can. We agree together. Do it again.. what You’ve done in the past! We expect You to and never want to hinder You again. Please increase in and through us, Lord—let us each decrease.

God, we also pray that You would give us passionate godly leaders in Washington that have a good vision and a clue. Sure, we’ll vote, but we’re far more concerned with who gets into Your house (the Church) and Heaven than who will get into the White House. For us, knowing King Jesus and spreading His Gospel is our main passion ahead of politics. We know that no politician is the Answer—You are!

God, the situation here is a disaster spiritually and a disaster in others ways as well, but prophecy must be fulfilled and that doesn’t mean we do nothing. Please rescue and redeem. We wanna do our part, not seek to do Your part like we know all the specifics.

You see the gays pushing for marriage, and we Americans have been lied to—we’re told this is simply a good alternative lifestyle and so many professing Christians have even bought into this lie. Many Americans don’t know that alcoholism is not a disease, and that people are not born gay. We call so many sin-habits a disease or "not our fault" because we love the darkness of the world instead of the light. So many in Your Church cling to their pet sins and justify themselves. Please take away the blindness and ignorance. You would not have any of us stay ignorant, but You still love and "are for" all people just the same. You are gracious, merciful and just, and will never wink at sin like it's ok. Thanks for caring so much that You simply hate all that destroys us! 

You’re anti-sin...yes, anti-all-sins, yet not anti-gay-persons ..or anti any person. It's because You aren’t willing that any perish in a real Hell. Glad for that. Lord, many Americans don’t know that the first marriage was not among Adam and Steve, but Adam and Eve ..so they push and accuse believers of intolerance while they call us wrong and intolerant. Also many “straight folk” think it’s normal to move in with each other for sex, then buy a home and have babies long before marriage. It's wrong as well according to the Bible. Please forgive us, thoroughly change, mature, and sanctify us in Jesus Name. Shine through Your Church. Use us to help all kinds of people choose You. Amen!

Thank you, gotta run.  

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