The Day of the Lord Will Come

2 Peter 3:2-10

2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 

3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 

4 They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." 

5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 

6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 

7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 

God, who is rich in mercy, lingers so that all will not perish! On this day of the Lord, He will in all His glory, judge evil! Man has every breathing moment to repent!

Lord, prompt man to know that You will judge. In Jesus name show mercy to those who are struggling with sin. Amen

A Great Light

Matt.4:16-17

16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." 

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

There are two witnesses that attest to the light which is Christ, all creation and man's conscience! These will not be denied! From the beginning, God created all things! Man tries and does indeed copy some things, but can man, as God from the beginning did, create? No! Everyone of us know that small quite voice in our being that prompts us not to do something wrong, and we either listen and will not rebel or we ignore the warning and fall head long into sin!! You can except this or not because we do have free will. But in either choice, there will be consequence! One leading to obedience, the other leading to life separated from God! Today is the day of salvation for we do not know if God will give us our next breath! Use this day as a blessing and tell others of the hope you have found in Christ. If you do not know Christ, open your bible, for a starting point and read the book of Romans. Then ask Christ to forgive you, repent from sin and follow His teaching. There is no other way to enter God's kingdom! You must have faith that Christ's death and resurrection have the power to save you from hell. Christ alone by faith alone!

Father, pour out Your forgiveness to the ones who struggle and are in bondage to Satan. Open the blind eyes to life everlasting found in Christ! Amen

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

Romans 11:32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

The Fruits of Faith

God is our eternal judge! He will judge you on your deeds, good and bad. Your salvation does not depend on your deeds. Your salvation depends on your faith in Christ for the grace of salvation. Salvation is a gift of grace. You can not earn salvation for your best deed is not acceptable to God. Christs' death and Resurrection are the only acceptable payment for sin.

Faith in Christ...
Col.2:6-15

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 

7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 

10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

At the cross, Satan was defeated....

Heb.2:14-18

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 

15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 

16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 

What we are sure of...
God is sovereign!
Satan is subordinate!
He is limited and bound.
He is doomed to be defeated.
The gospel will advance through the church.
Jesus will return for the church.
At the end of history, every single one of us will be judged by God!!

Fruits of faith...
Did we put our faith in Christ's work?
Was there evidence of faith in our work?
Were we faithful in our worship?
Were we faithful in our witness?
Did we fight against sin?
Did we trust amidst suffering?

Lord God, forgive us when we think we have done something good. For You alone are good! Our faith in Christ is our only hope! Amen
Blessings on pastor David for this message of hope.

The Final Say

Is.66:1-2

1 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? 

2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Is.66:16

16 For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many.

Is.66:18

18 "For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory

Is.65:12

12 I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in." 

While it is true that God is merciful, there will come a time for judgement. Judgement will come to those sinners who do not repent and turn and follow Jesus. The choice must be made while Christ is calling you to repent! God has always had the final say! When the doctor tells you that you have a few months to live, they are basing it on science, but God the creator has the final say.

Ps.139:13-17

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 

15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

2 Timothy 1:9 
9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

Father in heaven, You have sent Your Son with the power to save mankind! You do indeed have the final say! We prayerfully wait for Christs' return to fulfill Your holy purpose! Amen

A Strong Delusion

2 Thess.2:11-12
11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

No one has the power to forgive sin! God alone, through Christ gives forgiveness and mercy, not the pope, not your pastor, not your confidant, not your endless and dead statues. The world believes a lie! You pray to dead saints when you should fall on your knees, through Christ the eternal Priest, before a holy God! You reject the truth of the gospel and have eyes that can't see and ears that are deaf! The bread and the wine of the Lord's supper is remembering Christ death and resurrection and the power it holds through faith! There is no penance you can do for forgiveness, it is through the blood of Christ alone!


2 Timothy 4:4 
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Jer.5:21 21 

"Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. 

Mark 4:12

12 so that "they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven." 

How my heart aches for foolish man! Christ is offering eternal hope and man is rebellious, sinful, all for a moment of pleasure, power, or pride!

Oh Lord, forgive man for he truly knows not what he does! Only You Lord can open eyes to see and ears to hear. Forgive us for chasing after worthless things of this world. Help me to teach your gospel truth and to live it and when I fail, have mercy. Amen

Here Am I

By God's mercy...

Is.65:1
1 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here am I, here am I," to a nation that was not called by my name.

God speaks to rebellious man. Rebellious man is sinful. Every sin, every secret thought of his heart are known and will be judged by God! So we can conclude that God is merciful as He has given an open invitation to all without exception, to those who seek Him. That open invitation is found in the preaching of the gospel. Therefore, this precious covenant not believed by the Jewish nation, that was once only for the Jews, is now open to all nations through Christ, the cornerstone.

1 Peter 2:10
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Ephesians: 2:20 
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone

1 Corinthians 3:11 
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ

Through Jesus...

1 Tim.3:16
16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Mark 16:19
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1 Peter 1:18-21

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 

20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 

21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Lord, Your word is good! It hold the keys to eternal life to all who will seek You and obey. You are the only way, there is no other. By God's mercy, You have been sacrificed for man's sin and by this sacrifice, we are raised from death to eternal life. Amen

The Rider on the White Horse

Yes, Christ is love...
Romans 5:8
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us
Yes, Christ is an avenging warrior...
Romans 12:19

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Yes, Christ shows mercy to those who seek Him...

Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Yes, Christ will conquer His enemies...
John 12:31 
Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out

1 Corinthians 15:24 

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power 

1 Corinthians 15:26

The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Man-centered worldliness will ultimately be overcome by God-centered worship!!


Rev.19:1-5

1 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 

2 for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants." 

3 Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever." 

4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" 

5 And from the throne came a voice saying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great." 

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 

7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 

8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"--for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 

9 And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God." 

10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 

12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 

13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 

14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 

15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 

16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. 

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, 

18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." 

19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 

20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 

21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. 

God orchestrates all of history to display His glory!

God ordains all of His people to enjoy His glory!

So bow before the splendor of God the Father!

God the Father is victorious, glorious, omnipotent, just, eternal, mighty, and He is sovereign!!

Behold the supremacy of Christ the Son...

He is faithful and true, righteous judge, and Messianic warrior.

He sees all, knows all and judges all.

There are many crowns on His head.

There is much mystery to His name.

He conquers God's enemies.

He reveals God's Word.

He ends the history of the world.

He rules the nations of this world.

He brings God wrath upon this world.

Upon sinful men and women.

Upon Satanic agents and ambassadors.

He is King of kings and Lord of lords!

Let us revere Him, rejoice in Him, and be ready for His coming!

Let's walk by faith in Him.

Let's work by grace from Him.

For we will reign with Him forever!!!

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Pastor David and the gift of sharing the gospel which You have given him. He is a blessing to all who seek You and Your truth! Amen