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Hello Friends! I need to start off here with a disclaimer. I write because it is what I do, what I love, and oh how I love a good in depth look at myself and my God. I honestly never thought I would like the Beth Moore Bible Studies, just because it is intentionally geared to Women, and not Men, or not a co-ed audience. I soon put that idea aside as this fast talking Southern Belle is fantastic. My life group is going through Daniel, and all the nuts and bolts of this prophetic book and then some. For an hour plus, she goes from point to point and for the life of me, I can safely say she kept my attention through out. Below are my notes, so you will need to forgive me if they seem scattered at times.King Nebuchadnezzar made an image (90 feet high is an 8 story building) of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon (Iraq, near Bagdad). Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Daniel 3:1-7 ESV)POINT 1inspiration to create an image does not come from the spirit. This is not of God. Babylon is essentially a self image builder. If we are different than what we are inside, that is image building. In church as well as out of church…. The same person. Nebuchadnezzar was an image builder. Interesting how nearly all of the shows, movies, and musical artist all seem to be about image above all else. Welcome to America.Dan 2: 36-40 “This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold. Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these. (Daniel 2:36-40 ESV)Rom 8:29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29 ESV)2- absence of our resident strong one is a Devine move to step up.So when pastor is. Or near, we are to step up, and be the leader. Matt 10:33Dan 3:8-12Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:8-12 ESV)Dan 2:48-49Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court. (Daniel 2:48, 49 ESV)Where was Daniel? The other three refused to fall down and bow to the image made by NebDan 3: 13-18Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:13-18 ESV)O Neb not King Neb…. FYIWhen we face a trial.1-we can be delivered from the fire, completely.Dividend, our faith is built.2-We can be delivered through the fire.It is malignant and were gonna fightJohn 11:4But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4 ESV)1 peter:6-7In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6, 7 ESV)Dividen…our faith is refined.Refiners fire….. We burn through the trial.3-we can be delivered by the fire into his arms.Inability to grasp what awaits for us. We fight to stay.Hebrews12:1-2Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1, 2 ESV)1cor 15;26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:26 ESV)Dividen…. Our faith is perfectedIt meets it’s goal.James 1:12Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 ESV)Dan 3:17 –ouIf this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. (Daniel 3:17 ESV)r God can, but even if he does not. We will. It serve any other god.What kinds of gods are we tempted to bow to?All the sins of the flesh.Phil 1:12I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, (Philippians 1:12 ESV)Dan 3:19Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. (Daniel 3:19 ESV)Details on the furnaceMilk bottle shape, lowered into the furnace. V21…..Dan 3:20-21And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:20, 21 ESV)The guards were burned up and died.Dan 3:24-25Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:24, 25 ESV)The son of God… KJV4-son of the gods, NIV son of diety.JesusA son of Gon or the Son of God written by Rabbis who thought it was an angel.Gabriel Jews believe.Isaiah 43:1-3But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. (Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV)When not if!We will walk through the fires.theophany: means a manifestation of God.John 6:46not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. (John 6:46 ESV)I summon you by name…. In the fire.Their real names.Daniel 1:6Dan 3:25What happened to them.Not down but walking around, not running around.Only burned off their bonds.Their ropes were flammable.1peter 4:1Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (1 Peter 4:1 ESV)What does that mean?In Greek mean a willing sensation. When we go through something,There will be some sign of the trial or fire you went through.Dan 3:26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. (Daniel 3:26 ESV)Only asked for the three to come forth, and he don’t want none of the 4th…. LolAnd the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” (Daniel 3:27, 29 ESV)No smell of ven smoke!Full deliverance no longer smelled like smoke. Totally passed through the fire and even the smoke…Ex. Fajita smell and smoke.How do I handle tribulation?Dan 3:28Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. (Daniel 3:28 ESV)Only translation for trusted in above verse is….To lave the whole or part, to bath orwash the self.In Aramaic…The root Rhems…The way to avoid getting burned is to bath in his presenceDan 3:29-30Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. (Daniel 3:29, 30 ESV)This is the last we hear of them.The last mentions of their names was in the context of Gods fame.
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What are the essentials of the gospel message? It may shock you that so many have no real way of explaining this, so here is a good piece of wisdom.
The word gospel means “good news,” which is the message of forgiveness for sin through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is essentially God’s rescue plan of redemption for those who will trust in His divine Son in order to be reconciled to a just and holy God. The essential content of this saving message is clearly laid out for us in the Bible.
In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he lays out the content of the gospel message, “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
In this passage, we see three essential elements of the gospel message. First, the phrase “died for our sins” is very important. As Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The reality of sin needs to be acknowledged by all who approach the throne of God for salvation. A sinner must acknowledge the hopelessness of his guilt before God in order for forgiveness to take place, and he must understand that the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Without this foundational truth, no gospel presentation is complete.
Second, the person and work of Christ are indispensable components of the gospel. Jesus is both God (Colossians 2:9) and man (John 1:14). Jesus lived the sinless life that we could never live (1 Peter 2:22), and, because of that, He is the only one who could die a substitutionary death for the sinner. Sin against an infinite God requires an infinite sacrifice. Therefore, either man, who is finite, must pay the penalty for an infinite length of time in hell, or the infinite Christ must pay for it once. Jesus went to the cross to pay the debt we owe to God for our sin, and those who are covered by His sacrifice will inherit the kingdom of God as sons of the king (John 1:12).
Third, the resurrection of Christ is an essential element of the gospel. The resurrection is the proof of the power of God. Only He who created life can resurrect it after death, only He can reverse the hideousness that is death itself, and only He can remove the sting that is death and the victory that is the grave’s (1 Corinthians 15:54–55). Further, unlike all other religions, Christianity alone possesses a Founder who transcends death and who promises that His followers will do the same. All other religions were founded by men and prophets whose end was the grave.
Finally, Christ offers His salvation as a free gift (Romans 5:15; 6:23), that can only be received by faith, apart from any works or merit on our part (Ephesians 2:8–9). As the apostle Paul tells us, the gospel is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). The same inspired author tells us, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
These, then, are the essential elements of the gospel: the sin of all men, the death of Christ on the cross to pay for those sins, the resurrection of Christ to provide life everlasting for those who follow Him, and the offer of the free gift of salvation to all.
Care of http://www.gotquestions.com
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A Mormon asks, “How is having faith in Christ… not a ‘work’ in the same way our ordinances are works?”
I think it’s a great question. In summary, saving faith:
(1) scripture itself distinguishes between faith and works;
(2) faith admits one’s own unworthiness and takes a needy, humble posture that receives eternal life as a free gift;
(3) faith trusts in a particular Savior who has made particular promises to believers.
Unpacking these:
(1) We are required by the text of scripture to distinguish between faith and works. See especially Romans 4:5 — “To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Paul also makes the distinction in Galatians 3:2,5.
He also insists that believers are saved “not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” (Titus 3:5) And he says that he has a righteousness, not “of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” So even before we answer *how* faith and works are different, we can at least see *that* they are different.
(2) Saving faith takes a needy posture or mode: it positions itself like a destitute beggar entirely dependent on another. It receives. It has nothing to offer. It holds out open, empty hands. It’s the posture of receiving a free gift, with humility that acknowledges one is unworthy and unqualified to receive it. “Lord, I am unrighteous. Please forgive me, because Jesus alone is righteous.”
Saving faith looks outside of itself to the righteousness of another. Saving faith distrusts its own works to earn eternal life, and entirely depends on the work Christ to earn it on our behalf.
(3) Lastly, there is the content of faith: Faith trusts Christ for particular promises. It does not say, “I am trusting Christ to help me earn, merit, and prove myself worthy of his presence.” Rather, it says, “Christ alone is worthy, he alone has merit, and he has earned eternal life for me on my behalf.” Saving faith hears and believes, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:25) – I must credit Pastor Aaron for this as he is leaps and bounds ahead of me, but the truth remains the truth.
In Hoc Signo Vinces,
Dan
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It is very surprising how we as Americans take so much of our religious freedom for granted. The very fact that we can worship Jesus Christ without fear, or little fear is a blessing beyond imagination. What’s even more, is that we see time and time again folks too busy in church life, also known as holy huddles, to actually apply what they’re studying and doing. We do great in churches on Sundays we do great when we see people at activities during the week, but at what level do you have boots on the ground? To what level do you actually talk to someone who you don’t know, who does not know christ, or seems like they could use the good news of the gospel? I think that’s my biggest concern right now is the direction the church as a whole is going. Are we actually taking the gospel to the people, or are we taking the people to the building? Many years ago I read a book from a pastor named mark slaughter, who had a great sentence and a great quote. He suggested more mission and less mortar, meaning less buildings less big places for people to gather, and more mission. He suggested that 80% of a church’s budget should go to missions. That’s pretty significant. I think it’s telling that the mission of the gospel sometimes gets buried in the ideas of the activities churched love in the church. Now, I am not saying the church I attend is all about activities, i am not. I am saying we as christians come out as the body of christ, we as the people who should be out there day in and day out talking to folks anyone someone that there is good news after this life, in this world to the next world.
My hope is that we can be impactful to change lives and not RSVP for the next even .
It’s easy to be a Christian behind a book, but put the book down, and apply the commands, the commission to go our and take His message to the worl .
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Too often we do not take the necessary steps to clear our mind, calm our spirits, or just hit the personal reset button on life.
Doing so is not only a personal action, but something God mentions all over hos word, and even on the 7th day God rested. So we should also.
I was asked a few months back what am I going to do now that life has settled down a little. My work life personal life and most things in between have settled. “So, what now”, my friend asked.
I know the call to youth pastor has not been reaffirmed by the spirit, and volunteering is a solid capacity. Pastoring full time is not on the horizon, nor is there any call for that any longer. However, seeking to save the lost like Jesus did has always resonated in me like electrical current. If you get the example, you know what I mean.
So that my friends is now the direction. I am not sure if that is a life group of like hearted individuals or not, maybe speaking to groups or strangers. Either way I expect a great journey however it all plays out.
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The Symptoms of Stopped-up Ears
Adam and Eve knew God firsthand! The coming generations of their family members also knew God or at least knew of Him well. Slowly, over the many years, most people stopped thanking and acknowledging God as their source. Sin increased.
Most sins are just symptoms of a more deeply rooted sin: the sin of stopping up our ears to the truth of God and instead listening to a lie. When we stop recognizing God as the Giver of all good things, we stop seeing clearly. We stop thinking wisely. We refuse to listen to truth. Romans chapter one plainly reveals this reality.
And here’s a sobering statement: refusing to listen to the truth is, essentially, rejecting God. Now, as Christians, we obviously embrace God’s Word as truth. But we must keep our ears unclogged by recognizing and rejecting false truths and remaining tuned in to God’s voice.
Equally sobering is the fact that truth rejecters often drag others into their deception, as we learned from today’s reading in Genesis. Think about these questions. Who is at risk when you’re not listening to God? Your spouse? Your friends? Your boss? Your children? Maybe even a complete stranger whom God wanted you to minister to?
I think right now would be a good time for me to stop writing so you can prayerfully listen.
Ask the Father: Would You please show me any and every lie that I’m believing.
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The origin of sin started with these lies: God isn’t good, He can’t be trusted, and He’s holding out on us. Certainly this deception continues today. And if that’s not bad enough, like Eve, our natural cravings join forces with these lies! All this deception is needed in order for Satan to attempt to separate us from God.
Eve saw the fruit and thought it looked really good and pleasing. She was also seduced by the lure of greater enlightenment, knowledge, and possibly even power. You will be like God. Boy, was she duped!
How about you? How many times have you been overpowered by the lust of your eyes and your limited understanding? I’m not trying to depress you with that question but alert you because, friend, it doesn’t have to be that way!
Living connected to God’s voice means we follow His instructions to acknowledge Him. Give Him glory, thanks, and praise for each moment because He is with you! This holy connection means we desperately place our trust in Him in every circumstance and shut our ears and eyes from all that would deceive our hearts and minds.
This world isn’t my world, and it’s not yours, either! A new Heaven and Earth await those who with patient endurance continue to trust their Savior. We don’t have to settle for chasing the wind of every passing trend. We don’t have to be afraid of missing out on the “good stuff” because we know great eternal rewards await us. And, we know our God is truly the only Good Stuff! He is our All in All, our Sufficient One, our Completer!
Ask the Father: Is there anything I need to do or know to have my heart’s desire always be for you?
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It has been too long since I put thoughts together, and now after a wild and crazy election, I think it is time to get the word out once again. Here is what my Pastor sent out on the heel of the election to put things in the right light.
Like many of you, I sat up late Tuesday evening watching as poll results flowed in, and the future of our country’s leadership was revealed. In all my years, I’ve never seen an election so bitterly contested by both sides of the political divide. The words passed between candidates and their supporters always seemed cross and accusatory. Our democratic process failed, again and again, to meet the biblical standards of edification in communication. Paul told the Ephesians to “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29).
I told you Sunday that regardless of the results of this vote, God remains in control of all things. As our Sovereign, He desires us to be the outliers in our culture, for us to rise above the rhetoric to bring peace to an otherwise hostile dialogue. Paul goes on in his letter to Ephesus and says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph 4:31).
This Sunday, I am teaching what James has to say about the tongue and its effects on the lives God has given us, both for good and for evil. As we forge ahead into this new era as a nation, my prayer is that God will remain our first and sovereign leader, that He will show us that He has things securely in His grip and that He would grant us the grace and strength to obey Him in all things; especially with our words. Hope to see you this weekend as we talk about just that from James 3. – Mark Saunders
Lead Pastor Bay Life Church Brandon. -
Here is a statement from a friend. I was moved to repost. I have wanted to gather my thoughts on this very thing, and I am blessed to have found someone who did it for me, in a sense.
Enjoy….
Wouldn’t it be a terribly shameful thing to realize that we bought into a handful of good sounding plans out of a sincere heart to attempt to correct a real and sad problem only to find that we’ve been complicit in our own slow, methodical subjugation to tyranny. Wouldn’t it be even worse to realize that we had been so distracted with the pursuit of wealth, entertainment, being good and doing “good things” and general distractions and fancies that we never did due diligence to educate ourselves on the particulars of the why’s , where’s , how’s, who’s and what for’s of the constitution. Kids are becoming legal adults without understanding, likely because they’ve been entrusted to an education system who (for whatever the reason) does not teach it or teach it well nor are they being taught at home (likely because parents are not confident they know enough to teach it well…nor did I before I began to pursue educating myself as part of my commitment to educate my own children). I’m not talking about pet amendments. I’m talking the overall scope of the constitution, separation of powers, states vs federal rights and jurisdictions, etc. I’m talking about government vs private responsibility for the poor, widows and orphans and others. I’m talking about an informed people who are served by a humble, sacrificing representative of the conscience of the constituency vs an apathetic, ignorant , impressionable people who shirk the responsibilities to protect and defend against the lion of control and oppression the crouches at the door, salivating. What if we are derelict in our responsibility to steward our freedoms? What if we choose ignorance? What if we entrust those that we don’t know, who consistently demonstrate a lack of character and integrity to tell us what is in our best interest? What if we continue to tsk, rant a minute on social media to off gas our frustrations or aggressively argue with some stranger on some thread or alternatively avoid all discussions of “religion and politics” out of a desire to avoid contentions and get along then shrug our shoulders and click the button to pull up the dvr list of our favorite shows until something else shows up on our news feed to stir our passions? Could not our news feed be and effective syllabus to guide our study before it fuels ill researched or ill informed arguments? Would our time and influence be more effectively used in this way?
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The end is near and there is nothing we can do to stop it from coming. We have always heard that the end would come, but so many of us brush off such news like yesterday’s paper. Why are so many unwilling to see the significance of the end, that is coming.
As a young man I was never overly interested in how that, the end would play out for me when it comes. I too was like traffic in an overcrowded Brandon, Florida; a stand still most of the time. I thought of the next day more so than anything. I focused my energy and attention on thing that were quantified by lesser means of definition and goal. It was what I did.
As a young adult, that began to change and I was no longer keyed in on the one off goals, I began to refocus the scope of my view. It was not easy, as the end in and of it self was a goal both welcomed and feared. How would I see the end and where would I be. It was and from time to time is a conundrum. I must understand the end for me.
Now as a man who is closer to 50 than 40, I see the end with joy and gladness. I yearn for the end. I know that in the end all will be new. I am certain there will be things I have no clear understanding of, and that is to be expected given our limited vision of this particular end time. One can never know how their life and their soul will be affected by the end, however I promise you this, we will all be there.
The good and the bad, the righteous and the unrighteous, the sinner and the Saint, which is one in the same by the way, and then the lot of all to follow. It is my desire to be ready for the end, but who is really ever completely ready for the end. The time in the end is scary, and can be a point of contention for some, but my hope is that you will accept the prophesied end with joy and happiness.
Have a Happy New Year!