O Death, Where is Your Sting?

Okay. So last night I was surfing around on Facebook and I saw a status update for a group that I am a part of named TwoChixApologetics. I am not a part of it in the sense that I contribute anything to this group. Instead, I am a part of it so that I mainly get updates about different debates and topics that they host discussions on. Well last night I saw that one of their ministries was holding a debate on "Did Jesus Die on the Cross?" which was between a Muslim man and a Christian woman. Some of the things discussed were actual physical resurrection of Christ and whether or not he even actually died at all. So afterwards, I went and read through 1 Corinthians chapter 15. This whole chapter deals with the Christian belief that there is an actual resurrection that took place with Christ and which will take place with us. After I finished reading it I was very much encouraged by the truth to which we hold to, which is, that we who are in Christ will be clothed and resurrected with a new imperishable body.

The reason this encouraged me is because right now our bodies are corruptible, mortal, and prone to rot and decay. It's a known fact that all of us are slowly falling apart. This can be very discouraging at times or at least I know it is with me. So when I read and was reminded of the truth that,

"So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is
raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body."

The fact that those who died in weakness, dishonor, and in a perishing state who are in Christ, will be raised in power, honor, and an imperishable body! Death is a very discouraging and hard thing to watch. Especially if the dying process of a loved one is drawn out to where we see all the weakness of the body in its full effect. It can be very tough to endure. What should give us hope for the godly who has to go through this, is that the moment they breathe their last, they have just sown their last seed so that when Christ comes back, they will have a most glorious body. Now for the ungodly this should cause a most gut wrenching effect within us because we know that not only now are they suffering the weaknesses of the body, but they are just starting out on a journey that will carry them into an eternity of suffering, corruption, and dishonor.

Now what about those of us who do not die before Christ returns? What happens to our body? 1 Corinthians 15:51-56 says,

I tell you this, brothers: flesh, and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

'Death is swallowed up in victory.'
'O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?'

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those of us who are left until our Savior (I say our Saviour to clarify what happens to the saved) appears will be transformed in an instant to be like Christ. For just as the scriptures say in Colossians 3:4,

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

So death no longer has a hold on us who are in Christ. It may appear that death is still having it's effect on those who are in Christ, but remember that death is the last enemy to be swallowed up when all things have been brought under subjection to Christ. May we rejoice in that the sting of death has been removed and we will have an imperishable body that glorifies our Savior. May the promises and hope to which we hold to give us endurance under our present weaknesses, for they shall not be with us forever. Amen.

Bride Get Ready! You're Groom is putting on his bow tie!

If you have even begun to read this PLEASE continue. I do not claim to be a prophetess or work in the word of knowledge, but you reading this is not just a coincidence, I believe it is God's providence. People I want you to know that just now I was woken from my sleep and brought to tears. My family is sleeping and yet I HAVE to write this now... it could not wait!

Just Wednesday, one of my dear friends, Christy, shared with us that she had a dream about the rapture of the Church. Maybe she will post a blog on here explaining it in better detail, but when she shared a tidbit from the dream, I had chills, and I just knew in my spirit that God had given her that dream for a reason. Folks normal dreams are about trying to get somewhere and not being able to move, or sitting in class in your underwear... not the rapture of the Saints! I thought to myself, "Wow, God is stirring his Bride."

Well, just now at around 6:30am, it is raining and lightning is popping all around me. I was asleep in my bed with my sweet child in my arms, and i had a dream. I dreamed that I was in a small worship service with close friends. We were in the midst of a storm much like this one. The lightning was popping and the thunder was clapping and we were raising our voices to God in praise. I had Asher in my arms. Then one of the girls in the group said, "This is the best day of our lives!" And as soon as she said that, it was like the loudest clap of lightning/thunder I have ever heard, and in that thunder I heard names being called out, and in that same split second we were sucked into the air like in some science fiction movie. I felt like I was dreaming but in my heart I knew "This is it!" and then I woke up with my heart pounding and tears coming down my face.

I cannot let this go! God does not often give me such vivid dreams and I do not normally wake from sleep on my own like I just did. I believe that God is telling us something. He is preparing his Bride for his return. Even if he is just putting a sense of urgency on our hearts so that we do not let our days slip by in waste. Jesus is coming, and there isn't going to be a news broadcast warning you about it. It's going to happen in a clap of thunder... unexpectedly. In Luke, Jesus said "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief was coming he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (And just so you know, I opened my Bible to find this verse, not exactly knowing where it was, and it fell open to the very page!)

If you are reading this and you think that I am a crazy fool, let me say this. I will not keep my mouth shut! I will do the will of my Father, and I beg of you, examine your heart. If this is foolishness to you, then you are blind and you are lost. Jesus was real. He was the Son of God, and he came here and died on a cross for your sins, so that those who believe in him might have eternal life and not suffer the eternal damnation that we all deserve. God commands us to repent and believe. If you are reading this right now and something has stirred in your heart, and you are feeling the weight of your sin like hot coals against your skin, that is the Holy Spirit's sweet conviction, and grace is waiting for you. What must you do to be saved? You must lay down your life and follow him. You must repent of your sin and your unbelief and have faith in Jesus as Lord, believing that he died on the cross and was raised from the dead. Jesus is the only way. His death on the cross is the only substitution for sin. You cannot get to heaven by going to church, making donations to charities, being a good husband or father, or even saying you believe in God and Jesus. If you are reading this and you know that your life is not right and that Christ is not your hearts affection, this is a personal call to you from God. The truth has gone out, and I pray that it does not fall on deaf ears. I am praying for you.

If you are reading this and you know that you are a Child of God. You know that your life bears the stamp of salvation, then I say to you "WAKE UP!!! Get ready Christian! We have a mission, and we must get about it, because our Bride Groom is sitting on the edge of his throne waiting for the Father to give the word "Go." The Church has been silent too long. We have been weak and lazy for too long! There are people dying (physically and spiritually) all around us and we just go about our lives as if we have nothing to offer and no interest to help! The earth is moaning with birth pains. Things are happening and God is moving people into place for His purpose, and ultimately that purpose is the rapture of his Church and the judgement of this world and all of it for the glory of His name. In Matthew, Jesus talks about the signs (24:6)"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains." Christian, prepare yourself in prayer and reading of the Word. You will need strength and faith. Our bodies may be broken for the sake of the gospel, but if so, know that we were chosen for this time in history, and if God is for us who can be against us? I encourage you to set yourself and your desires aside, open your ears to hear what your Father has to say, and above all do His will. Test yourselves continually, and do not take the grace that he blessed you with for granted lest you find yourself lacking.

I close with a prayer; "Father God and most Glorious King, thank you for your prompting of my heart. I pray that I have written the right words and that the hearts of those who read this will feel your tugging and know that I do not say these things of my own accord. Lord if you calling to your Church and you are wakening us from our slumber so that we will be ready for you, I pray you give us the strength and the courage to go about your will. I pray that your name will be lifted up high and that the light of your love will shine through us your Church, reaching into the darkness and taking hold of your lost children. God, I pray the the knowledge of your precious Son will reach those who have not heard. I pray that if you call us to be the ones who are to take that knowledge to the far ends of the earth, that we will go without hesitation. May the hectic craziness of this fleshly life fade away, and may we be focused on eternity and what really matters. Lives are hanging in the balance, and Lord I pray that through us that you snatch them up and save them from your judgement. God I pray that through my human and imperfect words you will bring about your perfect purpose. God, whatever the reason you have given me this heaviness of heart, I pray that your will be done. Again, thank you for the wake up call. You know what I was in need of. Amen."

Just So You Know

I just want to use my privilege of posting to post about two upcoming things that I am really excited about. They are both related so I figured I would use one post to cover them both.

The first is Matt Redman's new CD We Shall Not Be Shaken and second is the David Crowder * Band's new CD Church Music. I am really looking forward to both of these CDs because of the weight and brightness with which these artists write of the glory of God. Both have been part of the Passion movement for some years now and are extremely gifted and graced with the ability to declare the glories and truths of God in music. Each of these CDs are a must have tool for encouragement, praise, and reminder of God's glories for the Christian pilgrim's heart. As Matt quotes on his website from Charles Spurgeon, "new mercies shall new songs demand."

I hope that when listening to these songs that the Holy Spirit will illuminate our hearts to the glory of our God and King!

I Never Knew You

Okay. So there are certain passages within the scriptures that I think every true Christian has somewhat of an anxious or nervous time reading sometimes. They are the types of scriptures that address a person thinking they are going to make it into heaven only to get their and find out that they aren't getting in. These can be found in the Gospels, in Romans, and other places throughout the scriptures. The big idea is that usually when one reads them, there is a kind of "Oh no, am I like that?" or a "Lord please don't let that be me" thought process that goes along with them. I think one of the main ones that people are familiar with is the one found in Matthew 7:21-23. It reads like this,

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but
the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will
say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in
your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to
them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.

Okay. I just want to share my thoughts that actually didn't come to me until I was discussing with someone how one can know that this will not be them. Funny thing is that I have always never really quite understood why these people didn't make it in. I mean I had ideas, but I think the one that I shared with that person is closest to what is right. Think about it, Jesus says that they prophesied in Christ's name, cast out demons in Christ's name, and did many great works in His name and then states, "No, only those who do the will of my Father will get in." When you think of a Christian what do you think of? Do you think of someone who is a good person? Someone who tells people about Jesus? (I say "tells" because I think prophesy here is meaning to declare, not tell the future as some people think of prophesy.) Someone who does good works? Isn't that what should characterize the life of a Christian? When I think of these people I don't have a picture or idea in my mind as someone in the likes of Hitler or Charles Manson. I mean I have an idea of a pretty good person as far as my mind conceives. I think that is exactly what the scriptures want us to think of these people which is to think that they were good people. However, we must understand what Christ is talking about when he says, those who do the will of my Father. The book of John chapter 1 verses 12 & 13 helps us to see what that is,

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

It is God's will for people to be born again and believe in Christ. The problem these people have is not that they don't have good works, but they don't have what God wills, which is faith in Christ. These people have the same problem that Paul speaks of the Jews having in Romans 9:30-32 which reads,

What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,

This is the problem with why the people in Matthew 7 did not make it in. What are the reasons that they give to justify why they should be there in Heaven? They are all acts of works. Not one of them says, "but Lord, I believed in you and trusted that I was righteous in you!" For there are many passages that state that whoever believes and trusts in Christ and his work on the cross will be saved. Let us always remember that faith precedes and is more important than works. May God grant us faith increasing in Jesus Christ and may we cling to the cross of Christ as our only hope for salvation.

He will invade this world!

I have been slowly reading "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis (great book btw), and I this passage really stood out to me. I really like the frankness of it.

[Regarding Jesus' life on earth] Why is God landing in this enemy-occupied world in disguise and starting a sort of secret society to undermine the devil? Why is He not landing in force, invading it? Is it that He is not strong enough? Well, Christians think He is going to land in force; we do not know when. But we can guess why He is delaying. He wants to give us the chance of joining His side freely. I do not suppose you and I would have thought much of a Frenchman who waited till the Allies were marching into Germany and then announced he was on our side. God will invade. But I wonder whether people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world quite realize what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks on to the stage the play is over. God is going to invade, all right: but what is the good of saying you are on His side then, whe you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else--something it never entered you head to conceive--comes crashing in; something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left? For this time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. There is no use saying you choose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realized it before or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last forever. We must take it or leave it.

Tears of the Saints

I shared this video on my Facebook a few months ago and was reminded of it when someone tweeted about it today. I suddenly remembered I didn't post it here.



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