“What must I do to be Saved?”

    But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 

Act 16:25-32 NKJV

Happy Sunday friends. Today I wanted to take a break from the current series on sin and get back to some basics. It can be so easy to become involved with deeper spiritual matters that the very basic truths can be overlooked. Even Jude writes that he intended to write about the common salvation, yet, he in fact addressed a deeper matter of wolves that entered into the church to led people astray. Jude 1:3 So, then as now, there can be many distractions and devisions surrounding doctrine and beliefs from the word of God. Thankfully the basic truth is simple, unchanging and immutable.

What must I do to be saved?

   The question causes some to ask another question. Saved from what? Why do we need a Savior? Why do we need to be saved? What will we be saved from?

I knew a man who, whenever his children asked him a question about the world or human behavior and the obvious inhumanity man inflicts on others, he would answer their questions by going back to the beginning – “Well, children, God planted a garden……” He would start every explanation with this point of reference. Over the years it became a fond memory of their Dad but he made a point. I hope to make the same point here.

God planted a garden. In the garden He made man and from man He made woman. He gave them dominion (all power and authority) over all His creation within the garden. He asked only one thing of the couple. Even warned them of the consequences of disobedience.

“Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Gen. 2:16-17

   One could ask why God placed the tree in the Garden if He didn’t want them to eat the fruit of it. If He hadn’t placed the tree in the Garden He would never know if the couple would obey Him or not. They had free will to obey or disobey. They were not robots. The absence of temptation does not breed righteousness only ignorants. If you don’t have a choice of right or wrong then doing right is the only option. God gave Adam and Eve free will and over time they freely chose to give into temptation. In their disobedience they brought upon themselves the consequences for their actions – separation from God. Gen. 3:24

Ok, ok, ok but what has that to do with me? The sin of disobedience that Adam and Eve brought upon themselves is passed down from generation to generation right down to you and I. Add to that the sins we committed ourselves (yes, you have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard) and we are sinners indeed. But God is a just God. He made the Garden. He created the rules. He also made a way back. That Way is Jesus.

   For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 NIV

   “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas answered the man – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved”. The apostle John tells us that God loves us all so much that He sent Jesus so that all who believe in Him will not perish but instead have everlasting life.

So, to be saved from eternal separation from God and have everlasting life all you need to do is believe. It’s the most basic, simple, unchanging and indisputable fact of the New Testament.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved

Jesus said I am the Way the truth and the Life,

no man (or woman) comes to the Father except through Me!

In a time when there can be conflicts of doctrines regarding the christian life and what that should look like. This one simple truth resounds threw the millenniums. The next truth is just as important and simple too – Jesus said Go! so if you aren’t saved ask yourself why not? If you are saved then go. Go now. Go quickly. Go tell the world what Jesus Christ has done for you.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Mark 16:15 NIV

Don and Wendy Francisco telling the story of Jesus and Jairus – Mark 5:21-43 NIV

Be Blessed A&B

 

The Seven Deadly Sins – Greed

The Seven Deadly Sins are pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth.

   We are all aware of the Ten Commandments handed down to Moses by God on the mountain top. They are only a part of the Law of Moses (the first five books of the Old Testament) that all together make up 613 laws covering every aspect of life.

   We all also know how Jesus summed up all the Law and Commandments to just two Golden Rules. Love God and Love your neighbor as you love yourself. The seven deadly sins in their current form are not found in the Bible. However there are Biblical references that address each of them individually and we will look at each of them.

The seven deadly sins are also referred to as cardinal sins or capital sins and as such these names give the impression that there are degrees to sin. The idea that some are not so severe or problematic to the spiritual state of an individual in comparison to other sins. This, I believe, is a slippery slope and can lead people to believe that they are better then others simply by virtue of being considered less obviously sinful. Such as comparing a yourself  (and your easily overlooked short-comings) to someone whose sin is self evident and appalling.  Sin is sin and there is none that is greater or lesser than the other. Given the opportunity to repent and turn away from ones sins – no matter how great, how many or how shocking – all sins will be forgiven.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.   Colossians 3:5 NIV

   Greed which is idolatry!Really?! That’s how God sees it. Being greedy (Excessive or rapacious desire, especially for wealth or possessions – dictionary.com) is the same as worshipping an idol in God’s eyes. God warns us all more than once (repetition in the Word of God is meant to emphasize the importance of that point) that He is a jealous God and will not allow idolaters go unpunished.

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,“ Deu. 5:8-9 NIV

   Greed can also be described as; longing, hunger, avarice, excess, selfishness, gluttony,  covetousness, indulgence, rapacity, voracity, eagerness, intemperance, craving, insatiableness. – dictionary.com

Of that list a few words stand out. such as selfishness, gluttony and covetousness. Covetousness is synonymous with Greed in that it causes you to disregard the blessings you have and concentrate on that which others have. This is one of the reasons I believe that social media can be a tool of the devil. The whole “look at me and what I have” life of instagram, tweeter, Facebook, etc. is a breeding ground for covetousness and greed. Lets keep in mind that in addition to the commandment previously mentioned God also demands that we not covet.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”  Deu. 5:21NIV

   Before I give the impression that I am holier-than-thou let me say that Greed, like many other sins and snares of the devil, are insidious in nature. We all want to do well, work hard and be rewarded for our efforts. We want to live in a nice home filled with nice things. We want to provide for those we love and make their lives better and more comfortable. Thats natural right? Right. Thats where the insidious nature of sin enters the picture. Have you ever heard the analogy of the frog in the pot of water? Well, it is used as an illustration of how slowly and inconspicuous sins eats away at us if we aren’t careful. It goes like this – If you put a frog into a pot of boiling water it will most certainly jump out. But, if you put a frog in a pot of room temperature water and place it over a very low flame he will stay in the pot as the water slowly reaches a boil and it’s too late for him to escape death.

The Apostle Paul calls on us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. The Word of God calls us to guard our hearts for everything you do flows from it. The Sunday school song says “be careful little eyes what you see”!

Perhaps you remember how the angels of the Lord helped Lot and his wife and daughters escape the cities of Sodom and Gomorra before fire and brimstone destroyed them because of their wickedness. But do you recall how Lot and his family came to live in such sin?

As Abram (not yet Abraham) moved from his homeland to the land that God had promised him, he and his family along with his nephew, Lot began experiencing strife between their herdsman. Back then wealth was measured by livestock and land as well as gold and silver. Abram was blessed of God and likewise so was Lot. Their herds grew and so did the herders. Between their sheer numbers and the quarreling it was decided that something had to be done. Abram gave Lot the choice. Wherever Lot choose to live Abram would depart in the other direction. Lot saw the plains of Canaan and chose to live near Sodom. Lot looked towards Sodom. Moved near Sodom. Later he is living in the middle of Sodom. What he saw turned into words, words became actions, actions nearly led to destruction. This is not a new concept. Many scholars, politicians and famous people have spoken about how this scenario can lead to down fall. Gen. 13 

Watch Your Thoughts, They Become Words; Watch Your Words, They Become Actions

Be careful little eyes what you see!

It starts with what we see.

The eyes are the window to the soul.

Seeing leads to thinking.

Thoughts become words.

Words become actions.

It’s insidious.

It happens slowly

 

Greed, like all sins, are a trap set by the devil baited by our natural desires turned against us.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

* “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.    Matthew 12:31 NKJV

 

The Seven Deadly Sins – Pride

The Seven Deadly Sins are pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth.

   We are all aware of the Ten Commandments handed down to Moses by God on the mountain top. They are only a part of the Law of Moses (the first five books of the Old Testament) that all together making up 613 laws covering every aspect of life.

We all also know how Jesus summed up all the Law and Commandments to just two Golden Rules. Love God and Love your neighbor as you love yourself. The seven deadly sins in their current form are not found in the Bible. However there are Biblical references that address each of them individually and we will look at each of them.

The seven deadly sins are also referred to as cardinal sins or capital sins and as such these names give the impression that there are degrees to sin. The idea that some are not so severe or problematic to the spiritual state of an individual in comparison to other sins. This, I believe, is a slippery slope and can lead people to believe that they are better then others simply by virtue of being considered less obviously sinful. Such as comparing a person addicted to drug to someone who is a compulsive liar. Sin is sin and there is none that is greater or lesser than the other. Given the opportunity to repent and turn away from ones sins – no matter how great, how many or how shocking – all sins will be forgiven.*

Jesus told the story of the two men in the temple. One, a tax collector, who, in shame and guilt plead for mercy and the other man, a Pharisee, who stood listing his many religious accomplishment and duties completed. The man standing looked smugly down on the humbled man and thanked God that he was not like him. Jesus tells us that the humbled man was made right with God that day and not the self righteous man standing puffed up with pride. See Luke 18: 10-14

It is the sin of Pride, and what I will refer to as Pride’s Children, that we will look at in this post and leave the others for the future. The common understanding of these sins listed is that they are merely our natural passions taken to the excess. Taking pride in an accomplishment is not sinful in and of itself but when pride blinds one to the error of their ways it is sinful and dangerous. The Bible warns us that Pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18) and that God resists the Proud (James 4:6).

Pride, like most sins, is insidious. It’s subtle and slippery in it’s power to overtake it’s victims. We all wish to be acknowledged for doing well. When the accolades begin to pile up we can become proud. When pride has a hold we will see ourselves above others, pat ourselves on the back and be blind to our on faults no matter how blatant.

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[g] I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—  Rev. 3:14-17 NKJV

The Church in Laodicea believed themselves to be rich and in need of nothing. They had become complacent and lukewarm. If this isn’t a picture of pridefulness I don’t know what is. Jesus sees them as they are – naked, poor and blind. He encourages them to repent and reminds them that those whom He loves He chastens.

Pride comes with company or as I put it earlier, children. Pride comes with gossip. After all if you see yourself above others you clearly see their faults, so why not share your knowledge with others? This child can even be seen within the church. How many times have we been approached by someone who asks us to pray for someone only to take that as an opportunity to disclose all the juicy gossip that warrants our prayers. Simply asking for prayers on behalf of someone is enough since God knows what they are going threw.

Pride also comes with Disrespect, Disregard and Dismissiveness. That snobbish way that Pride can make one person loose all compassion or understanding for those around them. Others opinions, feelings, thoughts or accomplishments mean nothing to the prideful.

The last child of Pride is the narcissist spotlight. The “look at me” way in which pride causes its victims to behave whether brazenly or subtly. Pride boasts of plans without regard for consequence or risk. I believe that Satans fall was caused by Pride because of his boasting of his plans to overthrow God Almighty.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’             Isa 14: 12-14 NKJV

Pride was Satans downfall.

Pride will always be in opposition to God.

Pride will bring destruction.

God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”  James 4:6 & 1 Peter 5:5 KJV

“Finally” Performed by Gary Chapman at the Grand Ole Opry  (Pardon the video quality – It’s one of my favorites and I wanted to share.) Be Blessed A&B

* “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.    Matthew 12:31 NKJV

Grace and Mercy

Both grace and mercy are often spoken of in the Scriptures. So much so we perhaps we glance over them as we seek the point of the verse or passages we read.

But we should take a moment to reflect on these words and consider how they apply to us or more specifically our eternal salvation.

Grace

noun

elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action:

We watched her skate with effortless grace across the ice.

a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment:

He lacked the manly graces.

favor or goodwill.

a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior:

It was only through the dean’s grace that I wasn’t expelled from school.

dictionary.com

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  Eph. 2:8-9 NKJ

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  Gen. 6:8 NKJV

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.                                          John 1:17 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood to be received by faith.                                                                                                   Romans 3:23-25a NIV

What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift (grace) but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.     Romans 4:3-5 NIV

Grace as we see defined and exemplified here can be summed up as unmerited favor or gift of God. It can not be earned so we should stop trying to work at being saved. If we were able to earn God’s favor then Jesus would not have had to die. The Law which was given to Moses was not a standard we were ever expected to achieve but rather a mirror with which we would see our desperate need of a savior. The inability to keep all 613 laws outlined by Moses does not mean that we are free just throw up our hands and give in to sin.

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?         Romans 6:14-16 NKJV

Likewise Paul tells us that even under grace we will see the consequences of our actions. Even though our salvation has been a gift of God by His grace we should work to be as good as we can within our own frail abilities or suffer the consequences.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Gal. 6:7-8 NKJV

So if grace is God’s unmerited or unearned gift or favor, what then is mercy? Isn’t it the same thing?

Mercy is, in a simple way of saying it, the other side of the same coin! Let’s look closer.

Mercy

noun

compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence:

Have mercy on the poor sinner.

the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing:

an adversary wholly without mercy.

the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.

an act of kindness, compassion, or favor:

She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.

something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing:

It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened

dictionary.com

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.     Matthew 5:7 NKJV

Then many warned him (the blind man) to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”                                            Mark 10:48 NKJV

For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.  For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.                   Romans 11:30-32 NKJV

Mercy is simply translated from the greek word(s) “elehos” meaning compassion. In the verses above from Romans we see God’s mercy is mentioned in contrast to the disobedience of others. Mercy is God’s compassion.

Grace is God giving us that which we could never earn.

Mercy is God compassionately not giving us that which we deserve.

Whether we like it or not, we are born in sin and sin is in our nature. As such we deserve death – The wages of sin is death! Regardless of how proud you are of how good a person you think you are – you are a sinner. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Your only hope is to pray for mercy and receive the grace of God.

Mercy and Grace / Grace and Mercy

Two sides of the same coin and both given to us by God.

Without these two we are hopelessly lost and doomed to the darkness of Hell

If you haven’t already, I beg you, cry out to Jesus.

Beg for His mercy and receive His Grace!!

Be Blessed A&B

Friend Me

Follow me

Like me

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumbler, are just some ways we are actively connecting with the whole world and sharing what we are doing, watching and interested in. For all these connections it still begs the question – How close are we?

We share what we like and what we are doing but it’s all very superficial and general. There’s no real closeness. At the same time we want to be “liked” and “followed”. It feeds our ego and lifts our self-esteem.

But how close are we with the people that follow or like us!? Does it even matter how close we are with our social media “friends”?

Jesus tells us that there is a day coming when many will approach Him expecting acceptance and be rejected. They will argue that they told people about Jesus and even performed miracles in His name. He will still reject them. But why? let’s look at it closer.

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Matthew  7:22-24 NKJV

“I never knew you” Those are the words that Jesus said many (yes many) will hear Him say to them even though they professed knowing Him. So it’s obvious that just following Jesus isn’t enough to be known by Him. But what did they lack? What was missing to cause Jesus to reject them? Obviously they “liked” Jesus and they “followed” Him maybe by reading the Bible and they even used His name to perform miracles such as casting out demons, so what was missing?

Intimacy! No, not romantic intimacy but true heartfelt interaction. Daily honest conversations. Sincere worship and adoration. Expressions of gratitude for the daily blessings received. When we get a phone call from a family member or close friend we recognize their voice and we know what their day to day life consists of. There’s no need for them to identify themselves or fill us in on their past history – we know them. This is what those many people Jesus speaks of lack. This is the superficiality that social media promotes.

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”   John 4:23-24 NKJV

….”in spirit and in truth” The Greek word there for truth is aletheia which means truth, truly, true and comes from the Greek word alethes which means true as in not concealed or hidden.

Today we would say “be open” or “honest” but it gets the same point across.

Jesus will reject those who profess to know Him. Those who use His name to gain glory for themselves even while performing miracles in His name. He will reject them because they have not been honest and open with Him. They have not established a relationship that is built on intimacy.

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord,

I hope you are not one of the many! All it takes to not be one of the many is to be honest, open and talk with Him. Let Him get to know you. He stands at the door and knocks. Let Him in or be left out!!

 

Be Blessed A&B

 

New Year New Day New Start

It’s a New Year

It’s a New Day

It can be a New Start

It can be a New Life

 

Nearly two weeks into 2020 and maybe you made a resolution to exercise, or diet, or save money, or to do, or not do, any number of things like many people do each time the  calendar resets. We have the best intentions as we look forward to the year ahead thinner, richer, or in a new job, home, car, etc.. Why not consider a new life at this time of new starts?

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”                                             John 3:1-4 NKJV

Start a new year with a new life – be born again!!

   Nicodemus was a scholar, a Pharisess, fluent in the word of God and able to quote the Book of Moses and The Law (the first five books of the Old Testament) by heart. He was impressed with Jesus and had questions for Him but as we see in the scriptures he came to Jesus by night.  Under the cover of darkness, hoping no-one would see, he came to ask the teacher questions. Jesus knew what Nicodemus was searching for before the question was asked. Jesus’s answer was not what Nicodemus expected.

   Jesus explains that our birth from our mother is being born of the flesh but that the second birth which He is speaking of is Spirit. We are spirit beings in fleshly bodies and souls and it’s our spirits that must be reborn (regenerated) of God’s Spirit.

But maybe, like Nicodemus, you can’t understand how to reenter your mothers womb and be born a second time. Or perhaps you have been raised in the church and feel these words don’t apply to you. Maybe you’re secure in your relationship with Jesus and you have felt the joy of being reborn into His family. Whatever condition you may be in today as you read these words know that there is a better way, a new way, to live this new year. Become a child of God!

But wait! Isn’t everyone a child of God?

   Unfortunately, the answer to that question is a resounding NO! It is true that Jesus is the creator of all things (that includes you!). But He set you free into this life so that you can exercise your free will and return to Him. Accepting Jesus and receiving Him as your Lord and Savior is how you become a child of God.

He (Jesus) came to His own (the children of Israel), and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.                              John 1:11-13NKJV

   In the first chapter of John’s Gospel we see the power and glory of Jesus. In the beginning was The Word! John opens our eyes to the divinity of Jesus. How Jesus is The Word and how Jesus was with God and Is God. How Jesus made everything and how there is nothing that is made that was not made by Him. How Jesus is The Light of the world and that darkness does not comprehend the Light. John goes on to say that he was able to witness Jesus in the flesh.

In the glorious revealing of the very character of Jesus John also tells us God’s plan concerning all of us. God sent Jesus to earth to live among us as one of us and to die for us all. The sacrificial Lamb of God which under the law in olden times was slain to cover the sins of the worshippers in Israel. Only now, this Lamb, would be slain once and for all. His shed blood would not cover up the sins of the worshippers in Israel but rather, wash away the sins, no matter how great or horrific, of all mankind forever. Heb. 10

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.   John3:16 NKJV

It’s a New Year – It’s a New Day – It can be a New Start – It can be a New Life

   Give your heart to Jesus. Ask for His forgiveness. Let Him cleanse you of your sins. If you think you have no sins ask Him to show you your sins because He tells us that all (Yes all – that means you) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (seeRomans 3:23!). Then you can become a child of God and inherit everlasting life.

RECYCLE YOURSELF – RETURN TO JESUS

   If you are secure in your relationship with Jesus and know Him as your Lord and Savior then share the good news of Jesus with someone today.  Show them how they can become a child of God.

The Future is Here!!!

THE FUTURE IS HERE!!

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  Rev 13:16-17 NKJV

This prophecy speaks of an authoritative entity creating a situation worldwide that will effect everyone’s ability to purchase or sell anything. The thought that a cashless electronic society would be necessary to implement this mark system has long been discussed. Speculation about an RFID chip embedded under the skin, much like those currently in use with pets, could contain the information necessary for transactions at point of sale spots. Today we have many ways of transferring funds or paying for everything from our mortgage, utility bills and even our morning cup of coffee without handling one single piece of cash. Wire transfers, direct deposits, auto pay and Zelle transfers could replace cash and checks. Many places of business already refuse cash payments for the ease of book keeping, avoiding human error related losses and in hopes of avoiding robbery. 

 

Financial Big Brother Is Coming, But Bitcoin Will Remain By Tomas Salles

Earlier this week, news broke that Alex Patelis, the chief economic adviser to the prime minister, is proposing to force the Greek population to spend 30% of their income using electronic payment methods. The measure aims to increase the country’s revenues by €700 million a year by preventing tax fraud.

The threads that would sew these two remnants of today are the CBDC or Central Bank Digital Currency. Learn the concept. 

Yesterday, Christine Lagarde, president of the ECB (European Central Bank), announced the creation of a working committee on the CBDC, intending to advance rapidly towards the launch of this instrument.

China plans to launch its CBDC at the beginning of 2020, Canada is already set to work on it, and every week a new initiative is made public.

What I extract from the three news items is that we are moving towards a society where governments will control the payments that everyone makes. Governments are preparing to implement 100% electronic payment systems, in a quest to eliminate tax evasion.

The CBDC is the specific instrument to impose a financial version of Big Brother will be imposed.

Posted on Yahoo Finace December 13, 2019, 1:10 PM EST

Did you hear that?

   Governments are preparing to implement 100% electronic payment systems, in a quest to eliminate tax evasion.

Eliminating cash would not only eliminate tax evasion but would very well eliminate illegal activities such as drug sales, gun sales, robbery (after all if you don’t have money in hand that’s one less thing a robber could target you for) etc. But it would obviously give the government (all governments – local, state and federal) total insight into what we earn and what we buy and where we do go. Privacy is the first victim of technology today. 

Now, I’m not saying that a cashless society is the mark of the beast but it is a technological advancement which the Antichrist can utilize or manipulate to influence people and control them. 

The prophecy clearly states that those who worship the beast will receive this mark and therefor be able to buy and sell. 

What about those that do not?!?

Rev 13:15 says it all – those that do not worship the beast will die. All true believers will have a life or death decision to make and it may be sooner than we think. 

Happy New Year!! 2020, and the clock is ticking…..

Happy New Year everyone!!

   It’s 2020 and for some of us it’s an amazing fact. The fact that it is 2020, that the clock’s still ticking and we are still here. Growing up I remember hearing the expression “if the Lord tarries” as a response to plans people would declare having for the immediate future.

If the Lord tarries. If the Lord delays His return. If we are still here tomorrow. Jesus said clearly that no man knows the day or the hour (of His return) and added that not even The Son of Man (Himself) but only The Father – Mark 13:32 In light of this truth I will not be as foolish as some have to declare a date for the Lord’s return but I will look into some of the clues Jesus gave us as to what events will precede His return.

In Mark Chapter 13 Jesus gives a cautionary look at the events leading up to what has come to be called the End Times. Wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, diseases, famine, are listed as just the start of the troubles but not the end. Let’s consider that for a moment. The great wars that this earth has seen along with the natural disasters and famine and troubles are, according to our Lord, just the start of sorrows. Just the beginning!! Taken at face value one can suppose that things will get worse rather than better as time goes on.

In verses 14 through 20 Jesus goes on to describe an event of such shocking magnitude that He advises those who witness it to flee without taking the time to gather belongings – just run!! Again, I will not foolishly attempt to state what this event is. Many others have and you can google it. My focus here is to highlight the warning with their signs and wonders as told by our Lord.

A quick summery of the warnings given by Jesus as recorded in Mark 13 are

• Take heed that no man deceives you! Guard your hearts and your heads. The psalmist wrote – Thy Word I have hid me my heart that I might not sin against thee. Ps. 119:11 Hiding Gods word in our hearts through reading and study of His word will protect us against deception. Deception, apparently, will be a part of the End Times.
• False Jesus’s or Prophets will deceive many.
• War and rumors of war are not the end and we should not be troubled by them because they have to take place. But the end is not yet.
• There will be earthquakes and famines and troubles in many different places but these still are only the beginnings of sorrows – not the end.
• Christian persecution will increase to the point that family members will turn on each other even to the point of death.
• The Gospel (The Good News Of Jesus) will be preached to the whole world.
• The fulfillment of a prophecy given by Daniel will be a shocking event which should cause those who witness it to flee very quickly.
• Tribulations of such great and unprecedented proportions will take place and without Divine Intervention no one will survive.
• Many will say that the Lord has arrived and is here or there but do not be deceived because His return will be seen and known by all.
• When He returns the sun will darkened and the moon will not give its light and the very stars in the sky will fall. Jesus will appear in the clouds with great power and glory and with His angels. All will see and know it is Jesus.
• Jesus tells us a parable ( a story or a metaphor to make a point) about the fig tree. He often used agriculture as a way of getting a point across. Here he reminds the listener of how when you see the branches become tender and sprout leaves you now that summer is close at hand. Likewise, when these events take place we should know that the end is near.
• The generation that does see these things happen will not pass away until all things be fulfilled.
• No one knows the day or the hour – THIS BEARS REPEATING! NO ONE KNOWS!! So when a preacher or televangelist or a new caster or politician or whomever say that they have decoded the Bible and can give you a date, be certain they know nothing because Jesus Himself said that no on knows – no – not even Jesus!!
• Take heed, watch and pray! Be alert and ready because we do not know when that day will be. All we can be certain of is it wasn’t yesterday or the day before and it hasn’t been today, so far! But it will come and we alone are responsible for being ready.

There are many who believe that parts of the Bible are poetic or allegorical and as such can not be taken at face value or even given consideration as relevant to our day to day life. They say that these passages regarding any future prophetic events are fictional writings or not pertaining to events on earth, past, present or future. These people, along with all other non-believers and mockers use their sudo-intellectual theories as a shield against their fear that if they don’t discredit the Word of God they might just have to look at themselves in the mirror of His Words.

There are a great many things I do not know or understand in this world of 2020 but what I do believe to be true is that Jesus Himself is watching many of us with a heavy heart and asking His Father today as He did some 2000 years ago……

FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO!

Happy New Year!! 2020 is here and there is still time to repent and be saved because the clock is still ticking……..for now!

 

Be Blessed A&B