10 Ways to Conquer Discouragement

So, we’ve acknowledged that we do sometimes face discouragement. (See last post, if you haven’t read it yet) What now?  How can I become intentional in my actions to help? What can I do to help stop discouragement?

Here are some things that I have found helpful:

1. VOCALIZE.

You don’t have to scream it to the world, but find someone, or multiple people, whom you trust. Then unapologetically put it out there, all of it. I’ve found that just vocalizing what I am facing takes it’s power. 

The devil wants us to think we are alone in what we are facing/feeling, and he wants us to keep it to ourselves. He wants us to become withdrawn, isolated, and to fall further into that pit of discouragement.

Voacalizing means you’ve put it out there for others to start helping you pray. Sometimes those prayers come from where you would least expect them. You may not ever know who starts calling your name to Jesus. The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-12‬ that  “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” There is power to overcome just by not walking life alone.

‭‭I’ve also found in vocalizing what I am going through, others find their voice as well. So, not only have you found your voice, you’ve helped someone else find their voice. Suddenly we are not alone, instead we’ve helped someone else take that first step too.

2. READ YOUR BIBLE

I cannot emphasize this one enough. It is SO VERY IMPORTANT to stay in the Word of God. It doesn’t matter if we feel like it. We get in the word anyway. It is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105) There is life giving words for our souls. We have to intentionally take the time to get in there and read it.

We have little excuse in 2022 for not getting in the word. Bibles are readily available to us. There are apps on our phones that will read it to us, give us devotions to dig into the word, and send reminders to our phones so we don’t get busy and forget. Make up your mind to get in the word.

3. BREATHE 

Breathing is life. I have found that when I get stressed, or life feels overwhelming, I don’t inhale well. I guess you could say that I forget to breathe.  You will be amazed what a couple minutes a day of deep breathing can do for your mind. 

4. PRAY

Call on Jesus! Prayer is a weapon that is not used near enough. When you feel discouragement coming on, get alone with the Lord and pray. In the pit of discouragement, call out to Jesus. Just call on his name. I know he isn’t hard of hearing. He hears the faintest whisper, but sometimes you need to yell for him in the very desperation you feel. The Bible is full of promises and examples of how the Lord heard, and answered when his children called out to him. I’ve listed a few here. ⬇️

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. -Psalm 34:4

The righteous cry, and the Lord hearth, and delivered them out of all their troubles. -Psalm 34:17

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. -Psalm 18:6

In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. -Psalm 120:1

Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am....-Isaiah 58:9

5. WORSHIP

Hopefully worship is a part of your daily life. If it isn’t, today is a great day to start that daily habit. During times of encouragement worship longer. Make a playlist of your favorite Christian songs, and then fill your heart with them.  In Acts when the disciples were given the instructions to wait for the promise. Luke’s account in chapter 24 verse 49 says ‘ tarry... until ye be endured with power from on high.’ Tarry means to stay, abide, continue, or to lodge. I even heard the word in my heart during church last night. Tarry just a little longer.❤️

6. GO TO CHURCH

Gathering together with the church is vital. The building is just the meeting place of the church. We are the church. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. We strengthen each other, and encouragement is found. It’s necessary for growth as Christians. Nothing else should take the place of coming together to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In all reality, nothing else can take it’s place. There is just something special about worshipping with other believers. You can do all the other things, but if you leave this one out, you will fall short on beating discouragement. You may ask why after reading that last sentence. The simple answer is failing to be obedient to the Word of God. 

7. SLEEP

Your body and mind need sleep. Make a healthy sleep routine. Don’t lay there scrolling on your phone or iPad. Close your eyes and rest. It’s the way God designed your body. It’s your rebooting time. Sleep is essential to function well.

8. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS

We live in a fast paced world. We are all guilty of putting too much of the wrong food in, and not enough of the good. Most of us do not get the right amount of nutrients needed. So, start with a one a day. Take a vitamin. 

9. EAT HEALTHIER

Sugar is my go to. I am so guilty of choosing the worst foods. I want all the French fries, and pizza. 😆 All the foods that research has shown to pull you down in body and mind. So, I have to put a lot of effort into being intentional about what I am putting into my body. Some days I do better than others, but I keep trying because I know it makes a difference in how I feel. So, start small if you must, but start somewhere throughout your day by choosing foods that will make you feel better. 

10. FEEL

I’m going to end on this one. I am so guilty of not allowing myself to feel the feelings. I somewhere along the way decided that as a Christian there are certain feelings I’m just not supposed to feel because I am more than a conqueror through Jesus. And that just isn’t the case. Yes, the verse is true, but it doesn’t mean we don’t feel. Even Jesus dealt with the feelings. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. In the garden he prayed until his sweat were as drops of blood surrendering to the Father’s will.  The Lord himself allowed his people time to grieve. We find that example with the death of Moses, and others. 

So, allow yourself to feel the feelings, just don’t take up residence there and forget to incorporate the other important habits. Make yourself take a shower, and brush your teeth on the hardest days. Pray. Call a friend. You don’t have to conquer the world every single day.

The 10 things listed above are some of the areas of my own life where I am choosing to be intentional. There are more, like going for walks. The list could go on, and you will find your own areas to be intentional in, but hopefully this will be a helpful list in getting you started on your journey to beat discouragement. “In all things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”(Romans 8:37) We are conquerors because we are not in this alone. Determine in your heart to choose one area to work on, and after you’ve made that a habit, add another area to work on. Jesus thought you were worth dying for, so look in the mirror, and see how much you are worth to him. Find the strength inside of you to live intentionally, and help others along the way. You are walking toward your testimony. Embrace the journey, and then find fulfillment in helping others.❤️

~Solomon Prays~

I was reading in 2 Chronicles today and the prayer Solomon said in chapter 6 captured me. What an amazing prayer. What a great example of how to pray. The King kneeling before the alter of the Lord while the congregation of Israel is standing. What a statement in itself! Solomon knelt before his God, showing respect and submission to the King of Kings. He reached for those he didn’t even know, asking God to listen to the cry and prayer of those calling out to him and to forgive them. He covered sin, crime, enemy attacks, drought, famine, war, sickness and ‘strangers’ in his prayer. I don’t believe any stone was left unturned.

2 Chronicles 6:12-42

12And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands: 13For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven. 14And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: 15Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day. 16Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me. 17Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.

18But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! 19Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee: 20That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place. 21Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

22If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house; 23Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

24And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house; 25Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.

26When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them; 27Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance. 28If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be: 29Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house: 30Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:) 31That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

32Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house; 33Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

34If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name; 35Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

36If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; 37Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly; 38If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: 39Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

40Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 41Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. 42O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.

I can just hear Solomon dedicating the temple to God. Do you know what happened next? HEAVEN CAME DOWN!! God’s glory filled the temple to such an extent that the priests could not even enter into the house. They bowed down and worshipped God from the outside of the building! Talk about having church.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3

1Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 2And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house. 3And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Praise the Lord! For HE is GOOD and HIS mercy endures forever!!

I wanted to turn this prayer personal. After all, we are the temple of the Holy Ghost.

O Lord, my God, there is NO God like you. You have always kept your word and your mercies are new every day. Lord walk before me, lead my footsteps and let me follow in the way you would have me go. Hide your words in my heart Jesus. You are bigger than any problem I face; you are bigger than ANYTHING Lord. Hear my prayer! Incline your ear to the cry and the prayer of my heart. Wash me in your blood and forgive all my sins.

If something happens in any of our lives that we have caused because of our sin, Lord open our eyes that we may see our sin. Let us leave it behind and turn to you. Please hear us when we turn to you, Jesus, and restore us!

Lord when we lift our hands to you let us rest assure that you have inclined your ear to our cry and you are working all things for our good. You know our hearts Lord. Nothing is hid from you. Help us to fear you and to walk in your ways.

Let your presence dwell continually with me Lord. Let those I come in contact with or pass on the street be healed, set free and delivered. Let them turn their attention to you and hear their cry. All for your glory, Lord, that you may be lifted up and feared.

Maintain my cause Lord. Keep me, sustain me, defend me, and uphold me with your mighty hand. Help me to remember you are fighting my battles and that my submission to you will bring a win every time.

If anyone is entangled in sin and have a change of heart. Let them leave sin behind. Hear their prayer Jesus! Let them hear from heaven, maintain their cause and forgive them. Let them walk in the old paths no longer.

My Jesus, my Savior, let your eyes be opened to us and let your ears be attentive to our prayers. Make your abode in our hearts and be our strength. Clothe us with salvation and let us rejoice in your goodness. Lord turn not your face from us! Consume us with the fire of the Holy Ghost. Be everything we are and all that we want to be! AMEN!

~And Lead us not into temptation....~

Dad, once again, had an awesome message last night!!  Wanted to do a mini recap for the blog that has been so neglected the past few months.

TEMPTATION

n.

1. The act of tempting; enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good.

When the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. Luke 4.

2. Solicitation of the passions; enticements to evil proceeding from the prospect of pleasure or advantage.

3. The state of being tempted or enticed to evil. When by human weakness you are led into temptation, resort to prayer for relief.

*Definition from 1828 Webster's Dictionary

Luke 8:11-18

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Matthew 26:41 

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Luke 22:40

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Prayer is the key to resisting temptation.  If you have fallen to temptation, prayer is your key to getting out!! 

PRAY



~I Don't Want No Rock to Cry Out In My Place!~

I've had this on my mind a couple of days.  I actually think I should have said it in church last night, but I didn't.  So, here I am today writing it down and repenting.

I find myself setting my sites on that next great meeting.  I couldn't wait for our church camp meeting to come because I just knew God was going to move.  I was going to be refreshed and find help.  Then I couldn't wait for that next camp meeting to get here, so I could get the help I felt like I needed in order to help others.  In both camp meetings God did move GREATLY, no doubt about it.  But it never fails that when we come expecting to receive, God moves.

What would happen if in EVERY service we came with that same expectation that we have for camp meeting or revivals?  What if when we walked through the door, if we knew we needed to be at the alter repenting or praying through, we went straight to the alter and got it done.  Then the rest of the service we would be free.  What if we got rid of that 'move me if you can' attitude and just started to praise God?  What if we quit worrying about who was there or what so and so was wearing or if someone is sitting in the corner talking about us and worshipped our Savior with everything that was in us?  Let me tell you what would happen.... we would have REVIVAL!  God would touch our hearts in a way that would change us, heal us and set us free.  That touch would then spill over and touch those around us and save our lost loved ones.  We have only seen a measure of what God has for us and it's right there for us to walk into.  We have sold ourselves so short on what God has for us.  It's time to move past our feelings and walk into that great move!

I don't know about you, but I am tired of just a regular old service.  I want to come into every service and leave with less of me and more of Jesus.  I believe it's the only way we are going to make it through these last days.  We can't settle for a form of godliness, we have to really have JESUS!!!!!

John 4:23&24

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

~Lifting Up My Husband and Children~

I picked up some over sized bookmarks awhile back and I really like them.  They were done by Family Life Publishing and I want to share them.  Prayer saves, changes, keeps, heals and breaks the strong holds of the devil.  Here are some pointers for praying for your husband and children.

LIFTING UP MY HUSBAND THROUGH PRAYER

Lord, I lift my husband to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

*You give him strength to lead (Joshua 1:7), time to know his family (John 10:14), and a passion to manage his home (1Timothy 3:4).

*You bless his work and show him daily how to honor You in his attitude and spirit; confirm the work of his hands unto Your purpose (Psalm 90:16-17; Daniel 6).

*He will be a wise steward of our finances and all we possess, remembering that all things are Yours and entrusted to us for Your purposes (Matthew 6:19-21).

*He will love You with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength and hate evil (Mark 12:30, Psalm 97:10).

*He will be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James1:19).

*You protect him physically, mentally, and spiritually (Psalm 28:7-9, Psalm 41; John 17:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

*You give him the desire to teach and model a Godly lifestyle for our children (Deuteronomy 6; Psalm 78:5-7).

*You will instruct him and teach him in the way he should go (Psalm 32:8); give him peace in the circumstances and integrity in decisions he must face today (1 Corinthians 14:33; Proverbs 11:3)

*He would meditate day and night on Your Word, pray without ceasing (Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 119:18, 73; 1 Thessalonians 5:17), and stay faithful to Christ to the end (Hebrews 12:1-2)

PRAYING FOR MYSELF AS A WIFE

Make me my husband's helpmate, companion, champion, friend, and support.  Help me to create a peaceful, restful, safe place for him to come home to.  Teach me how to take care of myself and stay attractive to him.  Grow me into a creative and confident woman who is rich in mind, soul and spirit.  Make me the kind of woman he can be proud to say is his wife.

I lay all my expectations at Your cross.  I release my husband from the burden of fulfilling me in areas where I should be looking to You.  Help me to accept him the way he is and not try to change him... I leave any changing that needs to be done in Your hands, fully accepting that neither of us is perfect and never will be.  Only you, Lord, are perfect and I look to You to perfect us.

Teach me how to pray for my husband and make my prayers a true language of love.

THE POWER IF PRAYER

... the power of a praying wife is not a means of gaining control over your husband. ... In fact, it's quite the opposite.  It's laying down all claim to power in and of yourself, and relying on God's transforming power.  This power is not given to wield like a weapon in order to beat down and unruly beast.  It's a gentle tool of restoration appropriated through the prayers of a wife who longs to do right more than be right, and to give life more than get even.  It's a way to invite God's power into your husband's life for his greatest blessing, which is ultimately yours, too.  You have the means to establish a hedge of protection around your marriage...

Be patient to persevere and wait for God to heal,  Keep in mind that you are both imperfect people.  Look to God as the source of all you want to see in your marriage and don't worry how it will happen.... leave it in His hands.

LIFTING UP MY CHILDREN THROUGH PRAYER

Lord, I life my children/grandchildren to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

*They will know Christ as Savior early in life and desire a close relationship with You throughout their childhood, teen and adult years (Mark 10:13-16; Luke 2:52; 2 Timothy 3:15).

*They will develop the discipline of prayer and time in Your Word (Joshua 1:8; Daniel 6:10; Matthew 4:4; Philippians 4:6-7).

*You will bring into their lives Godly adults and friends who will help them grown in Godly living (Psalm1:1-3; Philippians 1:27; Proverbs 27:17; 1 Corinthians 4:15).

*You will keep them pure and strengthen them against temptation (Job 17:9; Psalm 24:3-4; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

* They would develop discernment, wisdom, responsibility, and a strong conscience (1 Kings 3:11-12; 1 Timothy 1:5; Daniel 6:3).

*They will be caught if they wander into cheating, lies, or mischief (Psalm 119:71; Proverbs 20:30).

* They will see other people as You do, treating them with love and kindness (Matthew 25:35-40; Psalm 41; John 17:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

*You will protect them from emotional, physical, and spiritual danger (Psalm 28:7-9; Psalm 41; John 17:15; 2Thessalonians 3:3)

*You will prepare them to be a Godly, loving and faithful spouse or prepare them to glorify you in their singleness (1 Corinthians 7:7-8); and that You also prepare their future spouse (2 Corinthians 6:14-15; Ephesians 5:21-33

*They would leave home with an eternal perspective and Christ-like values (Matthew 28:18-20; Galations 2:20; Philippians 1:21).

*They will sense Your calling on their lives and their lives will count for Your kingdom (Psalm 78:1-8; 103:12-18; 2 Timothy 1:9).

~Food for Thought~

True happiness doesn’t have to be vocalized, it radiates.

~

For there is no other fountain

Where I can be more satisfied

Than in the arms of Christ my Savior

No blessing I will be denied.

I will draw my strength from Jesus

As I lay upon his breast

I will take my comfort from Him

I will find in Him sweet rest

For there is no other fountain

Where I can be more satisfied

Than in the arms of Christ my Savior

No blessing I will be denied.

All pain can leave my aching body

As His sweet healing virtue flows

And demons, they will tremble

In Jesus name, they have to go!

For there is no other fountain

Where I can be more satisfied

Than in the arms of Christ my Savior

No blessing I will be denied.

~

There is nothing or no one that satisfies that thing that my soul longs for, ONLY Jesus. He is the fountain that we can drink from and never thirst again. The river of living water, Jesus is our only hope and He is the only answer. What a great hope Jesus gives!

I’m not looking back at yesterday. There is nothing to go back to. I am pressing onward to that city whose builder and maker is God. I want to see Jesus. I want more than anything to know that he is pleased with me. Day by day I want this old Adam nature to fall off and Jesus to shine through more and more.

Is He satisfied?

Is He satisfied?

Is He satisfied with me?

Have I done my best?

Have I stood the test?

Is He satisfied with me?

 
 

The one and only living God doesn't share the stage with anyone.  He is either all or nothing.  The Bible tells us we cannot serve two masters.  We are too close to the end to get our eyes off of Jesus.  Nothing is worth missing heaven.  Time is running out to get things right with God.  Please don't wait until it's too late!

 

~

 

Matthew 24

 

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Behold, I have told you before.

Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

~

Mark 13

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

~

Luke 21:5-36

And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

In your patience possess ye your souls.

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

~

Revelation 21:1-7

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.