He said go, why should I say no? Willing to go pray, go serve, and go tell. Tell em about Christ.. what He said and what He did.

With 91 percent of humans on earth living within range of a cell tower today, the majority of people could become open to hearing the clear Gospel Message (a.k.a. seekers who are actually sought out by our caring Shepherd who is preparing their hearts to respond) if the Gospel is presented the right way. 

Many could be visiting Evangelistic Christian websites via their mobile devices today.. all spiritually hungry for more than they're currently experiencing. It could happen. 

And with technology developing, improving, moving so rapidly and so dramatically across the globe, praying believers know that the Lord Himself is involved in this making such truth-communication possible for the Lost Think about it. 

If the Lord tarries, it's obvious to us that seed-planting and harvesting will increase all the more ...for His glory. This to me is so, So, SOOO exciting. I mean that we can be a part of His plan to bring closure on the Great Commission.  

"The unrest in the Middle East is driving countless Muslims online to ask about Jesus, the Bible, and how they can become a Christian." — Walt Wilson

It's a great day to live in connection with and in full obedience to Christ Jesus ..the ultimate Fisher of people! 

The Bible says, "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." 1 Chron. 16:11

Believers, we are in God's hands for a purpose--live in the middle of His will and stay bless-able. Are you His child yet? If not, if you are wondering.. then become His child right now. Right here and now.

"Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass." — Job 14:5

How comforting to think about all this. He just ain't finished with us because He still loves sinners as much as He ever has.. people like you and me. Need some community? www.facebook.com/shareJesus

Well, if you're going to rise; you might as well shine ..instead of merely rise and not shine as so many others without hope do.

You've been blessed with a living hope, Christian. You are going to live forever, but will all your friends right there with you?

Arise, shine, for your light has come. Let your light shine for all to see. 

"Get out of bed, Jerusalem!

    Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight.

    God's bright glory has risen for you.

The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,

    all people sunk in deep darkness,

But God rises on you,

    his sunrise glory breaks over you." (Isaiah 60:1 msg)

Living the life, or selfless deeds with a good attitude ..that really help a lost person out.. which are more necessary for your Christian witness in this dark world? Which wing of a plane is more important? Will it fly missing either one? Is it the bulb or is it the electric cord that runs to and actually holds up the bulb that is more important for lighting your home? Fish4Souls.org

Would you pray somethin' simple like this, believer...

Dear God,

What's going on in the world is bad, but you are good.
People are not assured inside, though New York and our government keep trying to assure them.
I want my friends safe, long-term rescued from all wildernesses, death, and also want em accurately informed while here. 
Please touch Dr. Craig Spenser who was simply overseas helping sick people.
Our country and other countries seem off the rails, but your plan is not.
Help me be a part of your purpose so others can find hope and be blessed in your Son.
Thank you for hearing these half-feeble words of mine.

In Jesus name. Amen.

Now post-prayin' the world around us might not have changed ..yet.. but I am changed. I have His peace, assurance, and expect much better things to come. Remember, "sayin' your prayers" and government aren't our source, but God who sits on His unshakable throne is, and He remains sovereign. We live in a world impacted by sin. He love you and Doctor Spencer more than gobs. Won't change or ditch you. 

Yesterday we were basically told...
Don't sweat it. Nothing to see here. No reason to be alarmed. We are aware that he took the A Train, that he took the L Train, an Uber car, that he went bowling feeling fatigued. We are carefully monitoring the situation. An investigation is underway. There's been a full coordinated effort here, we are as ready as people can be for this circumstance. The President called last night and we talked to his Czar. All the procedures were exactly according to the book. I want to assure you that it's OK and under control. And some say all this is reason to shut down incoming flights, but this is proof we should not shut down any flights. ~ NYC

#Ebola #WhiteHouse #CzarWithZeroMedicalBackground #NoLiberiaFlightsStopped #PeopleNotAssured #Why? #AmnestyInAfewWeeks #BordersMoreOpen #ToRemakeAmericaUmustFirstUnmakeAmerica. I hope Governor Cuomo is right.

Our politics fail, but the Cross will not!

Christ on His Cross did far more than politics has ever done.  The Cross if you will, can do more positive today and in the future than all politicians put together can do.  Systems, companies, Gov and people you really trust can fail you.  You know that's true.  It's painful at times, but Christ won't fail you.  He can literally save you for all eternity.

Ultimately it's Your deal, God, this whole salvation thing.. but we do want to be a part of what You're doing here. Yes Lord, let that daily be my motto for life. What a joy and huge privilege we have! But our friends and family members are on our hearts, so please help us continue to share Your Word with power as we preach the Cross. I can't change people and with Your help won't try. But You can by the Cross. That's where the power is. Thanks for being alive again. Our leaders have let us down, we've let ourselves down.. but You never have. We trust You to use us as part of the Solution, when too many vote-ignorant, exist that way, and opt to be part of the problem. In Christ's Name. Amen.  

"It is not before us, but before the Cross that the world trembles." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Rescued: By Jesus' love;

Rescued: For life above;

Rescued: To serve my King;

Rescued: My praise to bring. ~ Verway

Today, we live in a Land of fear, but the Bible tells us to fear not. 

NEW POLL: 64% of Americans Believe that America is 'Out of Control'. #YaThink http://t.co/Q6p7HG8ueq 33/1-25two.chro.
— Kurt von Schleicher (@kurtwvs) October 20, 2014

We have Isis, lack, a lame economy with this great recession, joblessness, Ebola, wide open boarders and uber-zealous Muslims and Mexican gangs entering at will.. with up to 34 MILLION blank green cards and work permits being ordered ahead of our leader's imperial edict of forced illegal immigrant 'amnesty.' How is it there in your nation, family and personal life? 

"Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob." 114/7ps

"The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion." 28/1pro 

"By this we know love, because [Jesus] laid down His life for us." 3/16one.jn.

I love the Cross cuz I love the Lord. When people were stuck with their prob, drowning in our sin, the Father gave His best. Jesus Christ was sent. He came and gave His life just to come to our aid. You and me and our friends were the ones that He came to rescue. From dead inside to life.. He made us. He came down from heaven above and pulled us to safety. He did this by vicariously taking our place.. by taking the punishment at Calvary for all of our wrongdoings as He died on the Cross (1 Peter 2:24). And three days later He emerged; He was resurrected so we can enjoy life everlasting. The Bible says, "By this we know love, because [Jesus] laid down His life for us" (1 John 3:16). Jesus' sacrificial love for us now motivates us, compels us, sends and inspires us.. to go show genuine love like He did.. "in deed and in truth" (v.18), yes, to others with whom we have relationships.

As we read through the Bible we see glimpses of the Cross in past history.. all through it. History is His story. In this current time I see white crosses on churches all over this city I live in, this city with so many streets and avenues named after Bible places and people.

Will we as the Lord's church, see glimpses of His Cross in the future that'll remind us of the high price that Jesus paid for us with His blood? Yes, I think we will.

The Bible speaks of our future saying, "And one of the elders said to me, 'Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.' And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain.." 5/6-7rom.

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to those who believe, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." 1/16rom.

"Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise." —Smith

Fear not.. knowing Jesus and spreading His Good News is thrilling! The need is urgent. The time is now. God and His purpose hasn't changed. Billions of people across the globe are still waiting to hear the lifesaving Gospel message. The Church is God's Plan A for getting it to them and He basically doesn't have a Plan B. facebook.com/shareJesus

When you make a commitment, you can build some hope. When you keep it, you actually build trust. Doing the later is more important.

God's gracious loyalty and faithfulness to us needs to be ..simply must be.. the inner motivation for us to be loyal and faithful by that very same grace. 

You won't please God by moving in with anyone who says they'll eventually marry you when they get the money together. That would be dumb as a donkey would do, no, much dumber. Why even date someone, Christian single guy or girl, when you know they are not even saved and there's really no chance that you'd ever want to marry that person?

"If marriage is going to reach its potential, it will require an all-out investment by both husband and wife." ~ Dr. James C. Dobson 

Jude (1:21) says, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God..” Friendship in the Lord is a deep oneness. It's about real love that develops when two people, speaking the truth in love to one another, help each other in a journey together towards the same horizon. Trust that God has good plan for you.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.." Eph. 5:25

"A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones." Prov. 12:4

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” ~ Timothy Keller

Let there be real love and righteous romance! 

"Keep yourselves in the love of God"

  Is what He says to do;

  Feeding on His Word each day,

  You'll find His love anew. ~ Hess

Listen, if you need wisdom and guidance.. if you want to renew your love for Christ and others, just review His love for you. Ask and stay in His love letter the Bible.  

Doing a second wrong in an effort to correct a first one, won't at all make the first wrong, the second wrong, or any wrong.. right.

If you claimed to be a Christian and then moved in to live with your boyfriend or girlfriend ...because they said Praise the Lord.. and that they'd soon marry you. And besides.. you were already having sex with the person.. in fact you've now had a couple children together. Would you need to stop and pray about marrying this person who keeps putting marriage off for years.. this person who says by their life, their words and their deeds.. that they are not a Christian? 

You can't go backwards to that same place you were when single with integrity. Can't go back where you were, when sold-out to Christ with no messin' around spiritually. But you can repent and go forwards with Christ.

Christian, if you lived with a non-believer and then later on ..married that unsaved person instead of waiting on the Lord for who He would provide for you as a spouse, would it be good to divorce that person cuz you both started out on the wrong foot, and you must now locate your true soul-mate to be happy? No, don't do it. Two wrongs won't make a right.  

Listen, there's just no right way to do a wrong thing. None. 

You just can't have the peace of God doing what's outside of the will of God. You can't enjoy peace with God being outside of Christ. 

You don't need to waste one minute praying about doing what the Bible says is sin.. no matter how much you feel like it, or think about doing it / him / her.

"Do righteous".. stay that way - righteous in Christ.. instead of doing unrighteous.. or anyone else in sin. 

Let's say you really love grape juice. Would you stop and pray about drinking some if you knew ahead of time that the glass of grape juice actually had arsenic mixed into it? You wouldn't stop and pray about it ..right? Or would you. 

But grape juice is good for you and for your children. It's healthy. What about what's in the children's best interest?

What if your family needed some extra money each month. Would you want to stop and pray about going to rob a bank, or a connivance store so that you could better provide? Why not? What does the Bible say about money, about stealing, about how to get some cash, you know providing for your family?  

You can't maintain integrity if you go with your feelings, if you go with what your lost boyfriend or girlfriend says to do. You can't retain it by heading off into spiritually compromise.

"Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" 1 Cor. 6:18

Would you need to stop and pray about it, a new dating relationship, if that married man or woman who keeps coming by to flirt with you? Seriously? If you are a real Christian, would you need to pray about lunch or dinner alone with them, or about sleeping with em? Would you need to pray about moving in with a non-Christian when you claim to be one? Nope. You would even need to. 

What kind of a witness would you be for the Lord while living with your lover.. no matter how many times you stop and prayed after sex together. 

What would you do if you think you heard an audible or non-audible voice inside that claimed to be from the Lord.. where He said it was totally okay for you to move in together, to live and sleep together.. pre-maritally? You know, like, "Go for it my child. Reach a climax together with My joy. Enjoy beloved. May my peace and love guide you cuz I love you."

Would that voice actually be the voice of the Lord, totally spurring you on into impurity and sin when the Bible tells you to do the opposite by living holy and pure? Would that be the voice of the Holy Spirit perhaps? No! 

What does God in the Bible say about that stuff? What does God in the Bible say about fornication, about adultery, about stealing, about rightly providing or about how to make a marriage work? Do you prayerfully read through the Bible to be well fed, and see what all the verses say about those subjects? Doesn't the Bible say... 

"Don't team up".. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers".. "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?" 2 Cor. 6:14

 Today is the day to wise up, and stop compromising.. to stop going by feelings, impressions, impulses, by what your friends or lover advises etc. 

 

"Worry retards reaction and makes clear-cut decisions impossible.. The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity." ~ Amelia Earhart

Remember, timing, tact, tone and attitude are all important. Yeah, act like men, men. 

“Walk straight,
        act right,
             tell the truth.” Psalm 15:2 msg

Pure people have a different perspective. They treat others better showing respect and are happy. Blessed are the pure in heart! Careful eyes and ears. Choose pure friends. Sow to this, not to impurity! "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled." ~ Titus

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John and Ellen, my wonderful Newport Beach grandparents. #California

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1n

How can I like live pure in an extremely impure kinda world? Yeah, this one we're in.

We believers must daily choose to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." He wants us pure and He wants His power to flow through us as we live and share His message.

"Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature. Simplicity is in the intention, purity in the affection; simplicity turns to God; purity unites with and enjoys him." ~ Thomas a Kempis

Premarital sex rips people off more than they know. They reap the conseqenses later in their many relationships. It help to bring in so much heartache and relational disaster and yet so few will connect the dots. It defrauds the future marriage partner of the person with whom you are involved. We aren't to test-drive people to see if we like how it feels. They ain't a cheap car. If you go for it in bed too early, outside of marriage, you are really robbing that person of the virginity and single-minded intimacy that ought to be brought into a loving marriage. True love can wait, lust can't. What do you muse over? What do you allow in your eye-gate and ear-gates? Which nature do you feed the most? If you've blown it, ask God to fogive you and change.  

"Become pure in heart. The pure in heart shall see God. Here, then, is one opening for soul-culture–the avenue through purity of heart to the spiritual seeing of God." ~ Henry Drummond

Here's some practicals you can do. 

• If an offensive scene comes on in that movie theater or that TV, get up and walk out or go turn the channel. Hello!

• If something in Social Media or in Gaming comes on your screen that is sexually suggestive or wrong…YO, CLICK AWAY FROM It or turn the puter off. Go get face to face and do somethin with balanced, spiritually mature believers instead. That's how ya get a life. 

• If an uber-perv starts to follow you or they gradually turn that way over time..just rebuke, unfollow or block em. Duh! Pray that they'll repent / change. 

• If an attractive girl / guy not wearing a whole lot where they might could, might should, might oughta and they're walkin in your direction, look down at a good smartphone / smartwatch app.

• If a conversation with a member of the opposite sex turns for the worse…and becomes sexually suggestive, terminate it.

• Check out something before you watch it, yeah reasearch it with Google finding decent advisors, read about it early, etc.

Remember what Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman." See kurtwvs.tumblr.com

"I've never had anyone define purity. You probably can't define purity. It is to live by original design." ~ Josh McDowell

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." ~ Paul 

Married person, with all due respect.. if you've been jumpin' from bed to bed with any people other than with your spouse that God gave you without you deserving that spouse. Stop it and grow up. Cease that weirdness. That's ceepy even if Hollywood says No, that's cool. Just admit it and quit it. Board the clue bus, know God on His terms... like today instead of tomorrow. Like now instead of later on. So many people long for a good marriage. They dream about one. They plan and spend gobs on one sometimes even before they meet anyone decent, but so few are willing to do it God's way instead of their own (Hello! He invented it).. and then they wonder why it so often, so quickly, so horribly crashes just to leave them and their kids way different for life. Be unlike em and trust God's word.   

"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." ~ Hebrews 13:4

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." ~ Jesus Christ

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience." ~ Colossians 3:5-6

Be resolute buckeroo, be pure in your heart and mind, be prayerful, be tactfully wise, be full of God's Word wisely doing what it says, not foolishin misapplying the Bible, be intentional, be a world-changer!  facebook.com/shareJesus

Might sound a bit funny, but the people I meet are kinda like a Fender Strat. Yeah, each one is and I am as well.

Whaaat? How? 

Well, if I was to pick up and try to play a Fender Stratocaster guitar, something just wouldn't come off all that right ..according to how Leo and his manufactures designed it.

The guitar would actually go down in value. But if Bob Dylan were to pick up and play a Strat ..for only one of his creatively written songs of real poetry.. that very same guitar would go way up in value. I know someone would pay gobs of bucks for it, yes, a whole lot just for the privilege of hanging that Strat on his or her home wall.

Now, I really don't know how you can play a Strat or any guitar for that matter, but the same holds true when the Lord gets a hold of a person's life (by their turning to Him, by their trusting, by their personal choice). Yup, when He fully has and works through a life, something so beautiful, something really sublime, something uber-wonderful begins to happen through that life.

Questions: Have you yet surrendered your life over to His Lordship and been filled with His Holy Spirit who does all things good? Have you yet turned from your wrong-doin's to the Creator of music and all that is good? Is He your Savior and guide? He can be right now. 

Have you paused to talk with Him today about what He wants to do in and through you? Have you talked with Him about your needs, hopes, problems, struggles...or about what your friends need from Him?

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Really enjoy meetin' people. So much potential! And really smart at times, in so many different ways. Can learn gobs from em. Might sound funny, but each one makes me kinda think of a #Fender Strat. www.f4skurt.blogspot.com

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Dear God, I'm Yours today. 

Right now, I turn my life over to You. 

Forgive me for falling short and hurtin' You. 

Take hold of me completely. Do Your thing with me, not apart from me.

Play me so to speak.

Let's make beautiful music together ..starting right now. 

What are the specifics of Your plan and will?

Fill me with wisdom, discernment, keen insight, and with Your Spirit so I will be ready.

Help me make the choices that Jesus would make, so I can be pure and pleasing to You. 

Lookin' forward to this great adventure called today.

Show me what You will say to me as I go through the Bible. 

Thanks for leadin' out better than any lead-guitarist in the best bands. 
Yeah, askin' and sincerely thankin' You in Christ's Name. Amen. 

"The Strat has just a unique combination of pickups sounds-I just love the way it sounds and I'm glad Leo Fender was born." ~ B. Raitt

"I think it's the most expressive of all the electric guitars, it had the most vocal tone-it's the nearest to the human voice that you can get." ~ R. Trower

"I just love the shape of the strat. I love the three pickups, the shape of the head, the neck. Even if it wasn't a guitar, if it was a door stop or something, it would still be a great piece of design." ~ G. Harrison

"Leo's an artist, an original. The Strat is as sturdy and strong as a mule, yet it has the elegance of a racehorse. It's got everything you need, and that's rare to find in anything. The man made a work of art here." ~ K. Richards

"I met Leo Fender, who is the guru of all amplifiers, and he gave me a Stratocaster!!!" ~ D. Dale

Tryin' to think of short, specific, simple things to say in between those two words: "Father" and "amen."

It's cuz of the good One who hears it, not really cuz of the one who sez it.. and not cuz of the length of it or eloquence of it!... that's why there's power inseparably linked with biblically prayin' in the Name of Christ.

Can't really find a stronger strength. "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." 73/26ps
— Kurt von Schleicher (@kurtwvs) October 19, 2014

"Sin and sickness are interlopers, consequences of the same rebellion. But they are cured by the same Redeemer." ~ Max Lucado

Ebola and Isis are big and are now there. God is much bigger and was there earlier. He isn't surprised, caught off guard, or befuddled and He has the solutions for us because He is the ultimate Solution. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." ~ Paul in Phil. 4:6-7

“Prayer: 'a subversive activity [that] involves a more or less open act of defiance against any claim by the current regime.'” ~ Eugene Peterson

Too many put it off on too many days 'cause they think God expects eloquence, long, educated or religious prayin' and He won't be pleased with short and to the point. Wrong. He likes you and to-the-point. Thinkin' of short, specific, simple things to say in between the three words: "Dear Lord" and "amen." What concerns you and your buds? What are the needs? Listen, shorter pauses to pray in faith ..out loud or silently.. can happen all day long. That's the point. Ongoing Friendship. A meaningful union. Fellowship based on the greatest love. "Long" can happen too if ya like.. when you're all alone. Why not? Pray without ceasing. Don't need a Holy Spirit gift of "uber-spiritual" or some Bible College degree. You don't need beads or another saved sinner* to mediate prayers to God for you. I wanna get right to it with the One who really cares. 

Father,

You are good, so I praise You.

What is Your will?

I need help.

What’s my part?

They need help—some need forgiveness just like I did and..sometimes do.

Who do You desire to use in this?

Thank you for guiding and providing. 
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Where do you turn first when you have problems? Be quick to turn to God. Become a non-distracted delivery boy or girl of struggles.. of issues.. of fears.. of problems. No silly, not causing that stuff for others. I'm talkin' about interceding, gettin' the right info through to the One who sees it all, Who cares, Who patiently waits, and Who can turn it around changing everything! He wants to hear from us..all about it. Yes, praying for you as well as others so that they will get blessed and become a blessing. So what's really big, or not so biggy..there now in your life? What bugs you, or those with you? God is Bigger and is there now as well. His Name is mightier. His Kingdom is at hand. Not far away. He selflessly loves you, and is not reluctant, resistant or hard of hearing. Knows what's best for you and your buds. Click "like" at facebook. 

*Don't pray to saints or to Mary. She gladly prayed, but she claimed to have been a sinner like you and me, not a go-between. 

Kinda thinkin' about all the Dallas Ebola and other news happenings this week.

Had another under-sea earth quake (it was 7.3 this time) and then a Tsunami warning was issued for El Salvador. I was told the frequency of quakes is increasing.

The military experts keep saying our "takin' the fight to em," to Isis, from the air minus the Army having boots on the ground overseas ..is failing. Ain't working. Not news. Almost all expected that. 

But when ya see the anxiety growing and even some panic related to people in your town catchin' and dying of Ebola (I just heard that second nurse with it was told by the CDC that it's okay for her to fly out of state cuz her fever didn't meet the 100.4 degree threshold. Appears they're learnin' as they go), and also see the Enterovirus spreading across your nation (experts say it's in the USA due to our very porous boarders). Please know these things are just a prelude, a foretaste if ya will of much more to come ..just around the corner. These are “the beginning of sorrows.” So get and stay ready. 

And then ya see US Embassies in Ebola-stricken countries still processing visas for non-US citizens—100 people a day applying from three Ebola countries you can know this.

“We'll tell you how dangerous Ebola is—after the election!” ~ Ann Coulter 

When you see such a virus as Ebola interfere with commerce and daily routines and then hear the UN start warning of a global famine you can know this. 

When you see a fascist, gay Houston Mayor demanding that pastors in her city turn over their sermons while accusing them of committing hate crimes. Yes, it's now court ordered—simply because pastors and others there started a petition because they simply don't want men in women's bathrooms there. Hello! That’s happening right now. So what are we to think? Jesus warned…

"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:8-13 nkjv

Massive persecution, slander, beheadings and open hatred towards Christ and His Church will sadly happen more and more. This passage isn't saying any of us can save ourselves by good works or enduring. Nope, only Christ can save. And the Anti-Christ might be living on earth right now. But what does God in the Bible say about those who opt not to endure to the end? Zip. Nothing. It remains silent on that, and where the Bible remains silent we ought to remain silent too (we ought not to speak dogmatically on that). The promise above is to those in Christ (twice born, once spiritually. See John 3) who endue to the end (according to the biblical context). So, let's be faithful to God and go the distance with Jesus bringing our friends with us.  

What’s been going on in your life? Have you suffered your own earth quake and Tsunami crisis lately? Have you been sick, or perhaps lost someone dear to you?

"Every time that you feel forsaken

Every time that you feel alone

He is near to the broken hearted

Every tear He knows." ~ Jeremy Camp

Perhaps you've heard of Jeremy? Well, at the age of 24, Jeremy had to overcome the death of his 21 year old wife, a victim of ovarian cancer. He says his relationship with Christ sustained him through it all. This can sustain you as well. Nothing beats knowing and walking with Jesus. 

"You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?" Psalm 56:8

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Regardless of what others around you do, or hope to do, or refuse to do, or forget to do, or miss-do having had faulty training, or miss do after good training and with good intentions to simply help.. or do even with perhaps wrong motives inside... let's choose to put our fully trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who is much bigger than what goes on around us.

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The salt of the earth (which comes from Christ working through real believers, His Church here) will soon be removed out (in the Rapture*). So there will no longer be any restraint here on earth. What will people do then when things get much worse? (Idea: Personally address this early so you won't have to find out. I pray many remaining here will repent and believe then). But when things grow darker out.. when you see people freakin' out with fear around you (as we've seen in Dallas this week), please don't you freak. There's of course a healthy fear of Ebola to have, or of other diseases, but there is also an unhealthy fear that we believers are not to have or briefly entertain. Here's why...

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." ~ Paul, 1 Tim. 1/7

Just a little more time and then it's all over. For real. But let’s remember what Jesus said…

"However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows." Matt. 24:36 nlt

If you feel that you've never been on the invite-list to a place called Heaven before, listen!.. you are on that list but you've got to make a decision to simply repent and put your trust in Christ. Do it now cuz when you read about "birth pangs" and "the beginning of sorrows” you can know there is also an end of earthy sorrows.   

*See Matthew 16:27, 24:30-31, 25:31-32, 26:64, Mark 12:18-27, 13:26-27, Luke 17:26-35, John 5:21, 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 6:14, 15:12-32,Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:4, 2 Peter 3:8-10, Revelation 1:7

Believer, if you experience Acts 1:8 you can expect to have Acts 8:1, but go on together close with Christ anyway.

Many pastors, leaders, and preachers don't really wanna tell you this. 

Be encouraged. God by His grace has made it so.. that the ability to endure trials and persecution is actually produced by em.  

Persecution arose against the church...

Can a wedding and a marriage make an impact? Sure they can.

A Christ-centered marriage.. you know one with wise maturity yet child-like (not childish) J O Y, with curiosity, with good adventure explorin' new places, with learnin' what's so.. with carefree innocence, with lots of hearty laughter, with agape-friendship, with arms lifted up to the Father in glad-surrender, with pure simplicity.. all that's a good witness in this corrupt, impure, broken and very lonely kind of world. 

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Yup, Christ is literally the holy Groom of all grooms that thought up romance, weddings and marriage. And He is the One that has never for even one second quit lovin' His bride, and this world of empty, guilty, misinformed, confused and fearful people is longing for His kinda Love. They dream until their dreams are crushed. They are posting and over-posting in social media.. for such love ..looking in all the wrong places for it and can't seem to find. Ya gotta feel for em!   

"'Cause when the singin' begins, are there enough words to even describe it? / Nope! / I can hear a symphony inside! / So lovely, so SO honest, so very tender, so romantic! / And I'm sort of swallowed up in beautiful sounds as His song echoes on through me. / Hey, I'm already awakened and renewed by His intimate words and love. / Are you as well? / For He is real love, He is warmly accepting, He is intimate, appropriate, strong and embracing—my personal grace. / Feelin' grateful! / Yes, right now He's my deeply satisfying comfort, my Chief focus, my master-passion, my loyal Friend, my encouragement and healing. / Nothin' better than experiencing such amazing charity—the solace of Heaven! / How can I explain? / Very touching to me. / Oh how we feel it!.. and are much alive inside. / My spirit leaps, my soul joins in. / Want to please Him right, my bride and I. / We're headed towards a big happy wedding together; a royal feast of joy with laughter! / And together we'll live happily ever after, the bride with her Groom. / Not pullin' your leg; it's no lame fairy tale or fable. / This dance if ya will, is for you!" ~ kVs

Yesterday a sweet Hispanic lady that was mopping the floor in a public place nearby, one with three little children at home who just suffered through a horrible divorce (the ex-husband is still drinking too much..) told us, "I never want to get married again!.. but I so want a marriage like yours." Didn't expect to hear that. Kinda caught us (at least it did me..) off guard. 

It's cuz I know I have a long long way to go in bein' a Christian husband. My wife is a better Christian than I am. Been bullheaded stubborn and selfish at times. I have been. Hate that! 

Her words humbled me and they make me want to seek the Lord all the more, for He is a perfect groom. Sure Liney and I enjoy praying together, going to a healthy church together, reading through the Word together. But I was just thinkin' yesterday about how when I was single me and my college roommates used to take turns cleaning up the bathrooms and house. Well, as a married person, I always try to clean up some of the kitchen and some of the bathroom, but I cannot remember even one time when I cleaned up an entire bathroom at home all alone. Been busy with other stuff, been impractical and I have been selfish or proud or both. I have been. Not her. But my flesh wants other believers at church to think that I pray more than I do, that I study truth more than I do, that I serve her and others more than I really do. Man, I honestly owe my wife, Liney, an apology, a thank you for putting up with me kiss, and some help around our house. Minister in the Bible means servant. I didn't know that clean clear water drops on the counter in the kitchen or in the bathroom do not leave a clean counter top. I learned the toilet seat down thing, but it took me years to discover that a dresser drawer that I close on a sock that's sicking out some inches, does not leave a drawer closed behind me. I always thought it did. And if I have missed these bathroom and kitchen things for 33 years ..especially cleaning one up all by myself.. I just know there must be many other things that God and Liney know..that I have totally missed. And she's not a nag really. And yet he keeps forgiving me. And she keeps forgiving me. I am so blessed to have her. 

To tell you how I feel.. I really want a marriage like Jesus will one day soon.. have. And I'm already so blessed with my wife as it is! But I want to be learn and grow and mature more. I so need to become more like Him, the example bridegroom! He was a servant, a man's man, a guy who didn't mind getting down on his knees to wash people's dirty feet. Not sure where you're at and do want to be respectful here. May I ask you a question? Are you single or married? Are you a growing believer and married? It's always Always  A L W A Y S  too early for two married Christians to be disloyal and quit. Please keep praying about your needs together and depending upon the Lord to guide you. Lean heavily upon Him. Keep seeking out Bible-based fellowship together.. with spiritually mature believers wanting to grow. He (God) brought you together for such a time as this.. yes, because He loves you, He really wants to bless you together, and because He knows He can use you to make a lasting impact for His glory. So many are hurting around us. 

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

God's gracious loyalty and faithfulness to us needs to be ..simply must be.. the inner motivation for us to be loyal and faithful by that very same grace.  He is there to help you two. 

Never forget that marriage is a unification of two sinners. If you have children—a family together, it'll be one with very much loved sinners in it. You know that no one is perfect in any marriage or family down here. What Christian hasn't at one time or another been a hypocrite? What person in the world hasn't been (not saying any of us should not hate hypocrisy)?

​God is glorified when He leads two forgiven, spiritual believers together.. not carnal, lukewarm or unequally yoked.. and they continue on in His love towards the alter according to His Word and timing. He is glorified when they can pray together and in love continue to build a home upon His unchanging word. It's on old truth, not on new revelation.

Sure, there will be times when a female wife and her male husband will sin and say or do something hurtful. I sure hope it won't be a decision that literally destroys your beautiful marriage bond. We see that happening too much with those who choose to do it their own way instead of God's way. Though we hate sin and try to avoid sin at all costs, we all still sin at times and we simply need to "admit it and quit it." We need to quickly get back up, forgive each other, and together walk with Christ in victory. It's important to remember God's definition of love that we so clearly see in 1 Corinthians 13, and know that loving each other deeply can cover all those sins. Do you get alone pray through that chapter (as well as through other Bible passages on love) so that you'll have more love from God who is love? Why not?

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

Two praying together can simply be stronger than one standing alone. Sure! Two united in a Christ-centered marriage together can of course be stronger than unregenerate married people united in their purpose minus having God inside each. It's because God is the Strong one—Almighty is He. It would appear to me that the three cords in this verse represent a righteous groom, a righteous bride (two forgiven sinners of the opposite sex), and a strong God who led them together to bless em and for His world-changing purpose. These three form a close intimate relationship that is not easily broken in a broken world.

When this world's system, the ole fleshly nature inside (we all still contend with the flesh that wants us to do what it wants us to do..) and real devils along with our corrupt society are all absolutely opposed to you building a strong marriage and or family that does things right.. it's really not bad to have Someone in your corner Who is stronger.. Who is involved and on your side with your bests interests at heart.   

"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Mark 10:9

R.C Sproul Jr lost his dear friend; His beloved wife after her tough battle with cancer back in 2012. I hate cancer! But it's interesting what he shared his greatest regret in his whole marriage was: “That is likely my deepest regret, that I did not hold her hand more.” ~ RCS

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  And God blessed them.  And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" Genesis 1:27-28

Could the Lord mean that two people (a male and a female.. not first living or sleepin' together before marriage, or with others after their wedding) be united by Him in marriage in a way that totally glories God? Sure. Does He mean they could each live harmoniously with Him as Lord in practice.. not just in theory.. with the fruit of the Spirit just like we see in Galatians 5, and that they.. we each consistently walk in the fruit of love like we see in 1 Corinthians 13, and that they / we together by faith and explaining the Gospel Message clearly.. see the fruit of a harvest that Christ literally will use to win and disciple others for the Father? Sure! Be fruitful in Christ. And you really don't have to wait 'til you are married to start planting seeds of faith or start winning others to faith in Christ. Singles, marrieds, start prayin' and doing this today!  

"For I know the plans I have for you, 'Declare The Lord,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

He cares for you, He knows the way.. cuz He is the way for you. Jesus told us He is the way, the truth and the life and no one anywhere gets into heaven apart from Him. And He is to be the third Strand in a marriage so to speak. Invite Him in. These words above from Jeremiah show us the tender heart of God towards us—His valued humanity that He redeemed. It was on the Cross at Calvary. But He's alive again.. and for you.
  

We do not know all the that He has planned for us, but God does have a good plan for our future and we can trust Him to strengthen and use us day by day. Have you yet given your life or your marriage over to the One who thought it all up? facebook.com/shareJesus