Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  But evil people and imposters will flourish.  They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.  But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught.  You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.  You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.  2 Timothy 3:12-17

The Bible repeatedly lets us know that we will have trouble on this earth.  It’s just the truth.  Absence of conflict and trouble doesn’t indicate godliness.  I was once taught that it was, but I am so glad to now know the truth.  When you read Scripture, you see clearly that troubles are just part of life on earth.  But we have promises found in Scripture that show us where we can go during any trial…

But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide.  Psalm 94:22

Versions of that same verse are found in multiple places within the Word. 

The Word…we must constantly be reading it, learning it, memorizing it…it can’t be replaced with anything else.  It’s a discipline we must focus on.  It has the power to transform us.  It has the power to lay our fears to waste.  It is like a double-edged sword, separating bone from marrow.  It will show us exactly where our hearts are deceived.  It convicts. 

Conviction is uncomfortable, yes…but it is necessary if we want to grow. 

Joyful are those You discipline, Lord, those You teach with Your instructions.  You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug to capture the wicked.  The Lord will not reject His people; He will not abandon His special possession.  Judgment will again be founded on justice, and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it.  Psalm 94:12-15

Right in that Scripture, God promises that if we are disciplined by the Lord and taught His instructions, then He will give us relief.  It’s a promise!  What a wonderful Teacher God is to us. 

God is so amazing…He invites us to surrender to being taught and instructed by Him.  He invites us to be refined by Him…and He offers a reward for this surrender…His protection and relief.  I’d say that’s a pretty fair trade-off.  I will take that any day.

God, teach me Your ways.  Show me how to lead a disciplined life.  Guide me with Your word and Your Spirit.  I pray that You will also give me relief from trouble.  Lord, hold me close…the only way I can keep to Your path is with your relief.  Protect me and my entire family.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I wonder what might change in our lives, if our main motivation became to keep ourselves ready for the Master to use for every good work? 

This is the thought that I’ve been contemplating for years now.  It convicts me.  It motivates me.  It is slowly transforming me.  It is directing my steps. 

I don’t always live life perfectly.  I make mistakes.  I blow it sometimes.  My attitude is a challenge at certain times.  My mouth gets me in trouble on occasion…which reflects faults within my heart.  But I am trying…trying to be transformed.  I want always to be ready. 

But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”  In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay.  The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.  If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use.  Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.  Run from anything that stimulates youthfulness.  Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.  Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.  2 Timothy 2:19-22

About 10 years ago, God spoke to me during a fast.  I don’t remember why I was fasting, but I do remember that instead of speaking to me about the matter I found important, He spoke to me about something else in my life.  He instructed me to stop a certain behavior so that I was always ready to be used by Him.  Since then, I won’t say I haven’t struggled with that…because I have…but the thought is always in my mind…even today, it is there and beckoning me one more step closer to transformation.  I will press on…and I know eventually I will be free.

Are there things in your life that you know inhibit you from being constantly useful to the Master? 

Today, I encourage you to pray about those things and lay them down…even if you have tried before.  Each day is a new opportunity for transformation.  Never give up!! That’s really the point.  If we never give up trying, then we never lose. 

God, please forgive me for the things I struggle with.  I repent of every wrong deed I commit.  Please cleanse me on the inside and make me ready to do good work for You.  I want to be constantly at the ready.  I want to be clear headed, positive minded, and pure hearted.  Teach me Your ways and lead me down paths of righteousness.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I thought today would be a good day to focus on our Protector.  We are held and guarded by the Most High.  As we face a season of fighting for the future of, not only our families, but also our beloved country.  I pray this Psalm…

O Lord, come back to us!  How long will you delay?  Take pity on your servants!  Satisfy us each morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.  Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!  Replace the evil years with good.  Let us, Your servants, see You work again; let our children see Your glory.  And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful.  Yes, make our efforts successful!  Psalm 90:13-17

Only God can make our efforts successful.  It’s His blessing that causes us to advance and hold the ground.  We are in a war.  A battle not of flesh and blood, but against the principalities of darkness. 

The enemy doesn’t fight fair.  He also is relentless and without mercy.  But I serve a God Who is more powerful than any demonic force…

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare about the Lord:  He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.  For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.  He will cover you with His feathers.  He will shelter you with His wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  Psalm 91:1-4

I love that His promises are armor and protection!! Isn’t that fantastic. 

A friend keeps asking me how she knows what God’s promises are for her life.  My response is, “Every promise in the Bible can be taken for yourself.”  We have access to everything because we were adopted into God’s family. 

When you read a promise in the Bible and feel a deep stirring inside…I encourage you to pause and re-read it and take that promise for yourself.  That stirring is most often God trying to speak to you. 

Remember, when the media and politicians are screaming at us and threatening us, etc…

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.  For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.  They will hold you up with their hands, so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.  You will trample the lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!  The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in My name.  When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them.  I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation.”  Psalm 91:9-16

And just in case you are worried about the current uptick in openly satanic behavior and celebration…remember this…

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.  Proverbs 26:2

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find that I’m unknowingly holding tight to the wrong things.  It is easy to start clinging to things without realizing it…because we are meant to cling.  Although, what we’re meant to cling to is God. 

We are born to fight for our faith and pursue righteousness.  We are called to hold tightly to eternal life.

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things.  Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight for the true faith.  Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.  And I charge you before God, Who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, Who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering.  Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.  1 Timothy 6:11-14

Fight the good fight for the true faith.  If we are called to fight for true faith, then that would suggest that there is also fake faith.  What does this mean?

When we learn to hold tight to eternal life, we are holding tight to truth.  To the Spirit of Truth.  Jesus. 

I know it may seem that I’m repeating myself a lot lately, but I am so burdened to implore you all to keep the One thing, the main thing.  I will continue to put this call out into the world.  I will continue to cry out for focus on Jesus…because the enemy of distraction is so prevalent.  We must be ever vigilant to train our focus.  We must lead lives of self-control, so we aren’t persuaded by the wrong influences. 

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.  Proverbs 25:28

Our countries porous border is merely a reflection of the lack of self-control in most Americans lives. For years, the enemy has chipped away at our desire for self-control by tricking people into blaming everyone else for their own faults, decisions, laziness, and short comings.  This is simply the truth.

Parents have raised children who know nothing about accountability and facing consequences.  Instead, they blame teachers, other students, neighbors…and anyone else so they can still feel good about themselves.  In selfishness and pride parents have raised kids this way.  And, “Why?”, you may be asking…because the parents want to feel like they are perfect.  They raise entitled and irresponsible kids so they can feel like they don’t do wrong.

News flash:  We all fall short of the glory of God.  Mistakes are a part of life.  We should be learning from them, not avoiding them.

How can you hold tight to eternal life, if you are unwilling to admit you make mistakes?

It’s time for a season of true honesty to come to the body of Christ. 

God, please forgive me for anytime that I have refused to take responsibility for my own mistakes.  Forgive me for any time I’ve blamed others for my kid’s mistakes.  Teach me your ways, O Lord.  I want to live a life holding tight to eternal life to which God has called me.  Open my eyes to Your ways.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you ever get stuck wondering, “What are the important things?  What lifestyle should I be living?  What practices are ok, and which are a hindrance?”

I do all the time.  It feels like a swirl, trying to be good and do good and serve God.  It can be overwhelming.  Let’s look at scripture to see what He has to say…

Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.  These teachings promote a godly life.  1 Timothy 6:3

When I read this, I noticed that good teachings about good practices will promote a godly life.  Again, we look to the fruit.  Is there a practice that is widely acceptable in Christian circles, but you feel a tug not to do it…and feel it draws you away from God?  Then I would reckon that behavior isn’t for you.  It’s ok to be different.  It’s ok to value godliness.  It’s ok to have a different perspective of things.  God made us individuals.  The day to day of godly life for me may look a little different than it does for you.  We are to live by our convictions. 

Certain things are the same for everyone, but a lot of things are personalized.

Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven…this is the same for everyone.

I can’t listen to secular music…that’s for me.  I recognize that it affects my spirit deeply.  Others don’t feel that way at all and simply enjoy it. 

You see the difference?

That’s only one example…but I hope you get the picture.  We shouldn’t do things that lead to ungodliness in our lives.  That’s pretty simple.

The next portion of 1 Timothy really rocked my heart and reminded me that people are the same now, as they were way back then…

Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding.  Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words.  This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.  These people always cause trouble.  Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth.  To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.  Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.  1 Timothy 6:4-6

There have always been those who use Christianity as a tool for self-promotion and there will always be people like that.  This is not new.  We should be aware and always remain under submission to Holy Spirit and educate ourselves through daily scripture reading, prayer, and worship so we are not led astray by one of them.  You may be shocked to find out just how many people have simply turned to Christianity through preaching, singing, and many other things…as simply a job.  It was never meant to simply be a job.  A means to your end.  That’s missing the whole thing.

It’s all about Jesus.

Oh Lord, make us aware of anytime I have prostituted Your gospel for my gain.  Forgive me, Lord.  I want to serve You with a pure heart.  Lead me to others who also seek to live from a pure heart and protect me against all the wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Protect me from those who simply want to be famous by using Your name and the talents You’ve given them.  I want to be holy and wholly Yours.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I’ve been reading through the book of Jeremiah for the last bit, and if I’m honest, I usually only notice how hard his life was.  Here he was simply delivering God’s messages, and time and time again he gets imprisoned or flogged…even thrown into a cistern.  It’s a crazy story.

This morning while reading more in Jeremiah, I felt a nudge from God…”Look deeper”.  I paused and focused my heart and mind again, then continued reading.  I was so amazed because as I pressed on in scripture, I heard God speak to me, “Look at how brave Jeremiah was.  See how uncompromising he was.  He didn’t demand respect or for life to be easy.  He gave himself to Me and trusted.  His life was hard, but that wasn’t a marker of him doing wrong…it was a marker of him choosing Me.”

Wow.  Another gasping moment. 

Just an hour before, I had woken up and felt the crushing weight of fear for the future…particularly our financial future.  I had laid in bed staring at the ceiling and saying, “I believe for the good things.  I refuse to partner with the bad thoughts.”  Then I got up and started my morning routine or exercise, bath, and Bible time…as I surrendered to my normal day, I felt the weight lift.  I forced my mind to entertain thoughts of our dreams and not our current perceived “stalemate”.  I was winning the battle of the mind…perhaps, one of the greatest battles I face every day. 

Thoughts.  They make or break us.  Our mind life consumes us in either a positive or negative way.  There’s no avoiding it.  We can’t simply get away from it.  Our mind is with us all the time.  We either decide to take every thought captive, or we don’t.  We either decide to command our future by believing God’s best for us, or we don’t.  We either perceive ourselves as victims or surrender to the victory we carry through Jesus.  It’s so simple really.

Back to Jeremiah…

If anyone had a right to question whether he’d mis-heard God or not, it was Jeremiah.  If anyone had the right to question God’s goodness in his life, it was Jeremiah.  The weeping prophet.

This reminds me, yet again, that we cannot focus on the world’s standard.  Our success is weighed heavenly, not earthly.  Earthly success is temporary.  Heavenly success is eternal.  Giving in to the world today for a temporary pleasure or comfort, is a sorry exchange for something eternal. 

Jeremiah had courage.  He was questioned by kings, flogged by soldiers, and hated by many, but his heart remained steady…and I have no doubt he has received his heavenly reward.  I’m sure he’d tell you it was all worth it, for now he is with God and receiving his heavenly reward. 

The hatred of the masses doesn’t indicate wrongdoing.  God is our judge.  We are accountable to Him.

Oh, that every pastor, prophet, teacher, and evangelist would have the same courage as Jeremiah.  Even when he knew what he said would land him back in prison, he stood firm on the word of God. 

Let that sink in.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”  “Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”  But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.  You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.  Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put My words in your mouth.  See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”  Jeremiah 1:4-10

One day King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and had him brought to the third entrance of the Lord’s Temple.  “I want to ask you something,” the king said.  “And don’t try to hide the truth.”  Jeremiah said, “If I tell you the truth, you will kill me.  And if I give you advice, you won’t listen to me anyway.”  Jeremiah 38:14-15

The church is polluted.  How did it get that way? 

Well, it’s been a long time coming.  Honestly, I believe what probably began with a pure desire to increase the body of Christ, churches became so financially dependent and church growth became such a competition, that the waters became muddy.  Churches began to pander to the crowd instead of simply hosting the Presence.  I believe this probably began way before any of us were ever born.   Actually, the New Testament shows us that as soon as the church began people started screwing things up. 

God is the only reason we should be doing anything.  His Presence and His word should be our most intense focus.  When we focus on scripture, Presence, and simply loving Jesus, people are drawn to that.  People don’t need to be convinced to come into His Presence.  His Presence draws hearts.  His word guides and convicts.  It doesn’t need to be watered down or omitted.  It just needs to be able to do its work. 

When church is overly focused on lights and sound, on programs and being seen, when pastors desire to be celebrities…it draws people, but it draws the wrong things in them.  That kind of church pulls on the pride and haughtiness in people. 

If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.  Proverbs 25:26

This scripture gives us the insight to what we saw when Covid ravaged our country.  The godly gave into the wicked by closing churches, while bars and strip clubs remained open.  It was all a lie friends.  The church should’ve been hosting the Presence in that time.  Instead, they all closed.  I never imagined it would/could happen.  I was appalled when it did.  I remember wondering what the heck all the pastors were reading, because the Bible I read was very clear on matters such as this.  I kept wondering why so many people lost sight of God as Healer. 

I kept thinking, “Come on church!!!  This is our moment!!! Let’s show the world that we believe the songs we sing every Sunday and in our cars all week long.  Let’s show the world we have what they need.”  Instead, we fumbled.

Churches are places of healing.  Coming before the Lord with worship is what we were created to do…so why would we allow anyone to stop us?

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching.  Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear You.  1 Timothy 4:16

The time of Covid did make me watch more closely what I was being taught from the pulpit…or more importantly what I wasn’t being taught. 

We need a genuine move of God.  We need churches that are desperate for God’s Presence.  More desperate for Him than they are for their own agenda and pocketbooks.  How can churches raise up laid down lovers of God, when they themselves are busier serving their own kingdoms?

The waters are polluted, but God can make it pure in a moment. 

Come Lord Jesus Come and purify our churches.  Purify our hearts.  We need You to move in our world.  Help us to be conduits of Your Presence.  Teach us how to steward Your Presence.  Teach us how to wait on You.  Come and teach us Your ways.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I love thinking about the glory of God.  I love the glory of His faithfulness.   I love the glory of His unfailing love.  I long for the day when I will behold the full glory of God in heaven.  Even on my worst days, I love to remember His glory and that He is the One I’m looking forward to…He is my reward.

I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!  Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.  Your unfailing love will last forever.  Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.  The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant.  I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”  All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness.  For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord?  What mightiest angel is anything like the Lord?  The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God.  He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne.  O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies!  Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord?  You are entirely faithful.  You rule the oceans.  You subdue their storm-tossed waves.  You crushed the great sea monster.  You scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.  The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours- you created it all.  You created north and south.  Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise your name.  Powerful is your arm!  Strong is your hand!  Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.  Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.  Psalm 89:1-14

Sometimes it’s so good to just boast about God.  How great He is!!! He is so wonderful and righteous.  His throne can never be taken or even threatened.  When we are looking for something firm to count on, He is it.  The only One Who can never be shaken…Never.

It’s so important to remember how mighty He is and how powerful.  It’s so crucial to remember He did create all things.  Out of nothing, He made the earth and every living thing. 

Every creature in Heaven acknowledges His greatness!! They don’t wrestle Him for glory or even try to compare because He is so obviously great. 

We would do good to remember this too.  We never want to act like we have anything that He hasn’t given us.  He is the Source.  His glory is way more important than ours.  When we truly know Him, we desire for His glory to eclipse all of our selfish agenda.  Then, laid bare before Him, soaking in all that He is…we will find the fullness we’ve been searching for all this time. 

He is the only One Who can make us full. 

Lord, I lay before You today and simply ask for Your glory to fall around me.  I know that in Your Presence is the only place I feel full.  The world is empty and makes me feel emptier.  But in Your Presence, I find fullness.  Hold me in that place God.  Hold me in Your arms.  I belong to You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We’ve talked about dreaming before, but it keeps coming back around…so here we are again.

I’ve been noticing that often I will stop dreaming and not even notice.  The hum drum of life, with all its troubles and restraints can choke out dreaming if we aren’t careful. 

But we MUST dream.  It’s not an optional thing if you want a life truly led by God.  God does exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask or imagine.  That sounds like a dream to me. 

Dreams should be too big for you to accomplish on your own.  They push you to rely on God.  It’s a wonderful exchange. 

If you are feeling stuck, or nervous about the future…a great thing to do is DREAM.  Dream big!!  That’s like a kick in the gut to the enemy of our souls.  There’s nothing more infuriating, I imagine, than to be one who steals, kills, and destroys…yet, they keep dreaming and hoping.

Yes, dreams are connected to HOPE.  Hope deferred makes us heart sick, remember.  If you stay willing to dream, then you are acknowledging that you hope for a future.  Partnering with hope is always a good decision. 

Today is a day to dream and dream big!!!!  Then invite God to come dream over you.  Listen to Him and believe Him.  Remember, all you have to do at first is say, “Yes”.

A great Biblical example of God loving to dream over us, is Abraham.  God met Him and dreamed over him…telling him that he would be the father of many nations.  He reaffirmed the dream later too.  This seemed impossible since they didn’t have kids and were very old.  But the only thing God needed was simple agreement.  Even though Abraham tried to help God along, God still redeemed the moment.  He still gave them Isaac.  God knows our way…He dreams over us…We can trust Him…

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you.” declares the Lord.  Jeremiah 29:11-14a

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before Me faithfully and be blameless.  Then I will make My covenant between Me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”  Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.  No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.  I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.  I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”  Genesis 17:1-7

I love the Bible.  I love how much it reveals to our hearts, and how it guides us in all seasons.  I love how alive the Word of God is and how it bolsters our faith.  I love the way it teaches us.  I love the peace that reading God’s Word brings.  Peace that surpasses understanding.  The peace of revelation, knowing, and understanding.  When I read the Bible, I find myself lost in the mystery of it all.  I enjoy the mystery.  I delight in not having to figure everything out.  I love that when God wants me to know something, He will show me…otherwise, as a simple person, I sit soaking it all in and wondering…pondering.

God is mysterious to me.  I love to search Him out. 

This morning, while reading scripture I came across this portion in 2 Thessalonians 2…

Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet Him.  Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun.  Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly form us.  Don’t be fooled by what they say.  For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed- the one who brings destruction.  He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship.  He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.  Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you?  And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes.  For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.  Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and destroy him by the splendor of His coming.  This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.  He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.  So, God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.  Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.  2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Lots of people talk about where we are, as far as end times are concerned.  I prefer to not discuss it much, rather to read God’s Word and let Him inform me.  As He says, He will teach me all I need to know.  So, if He’s not showing me, then I must not need to know it yet. 

The above verses though, show us several things to be on the lookout for…the anti-Christ.  We can’t forget that the spirit of the anti-Christ is already moving on the earth…but there will also be this man of lawlessness that will be revealed.  He will remain secret until…just like the above scripture says. 

I hope that today’s scripture reading will bring you a feeling of hope because you are now more aware.  Awareness can help take fear of the future away.  Knowing what to expect on a certain level can help remind you that God is in it all. 

The above scripture gives you things to be looking out for…things we know are markers of the end. 

Reading it reminded me that there is still a lot that must happen before the final countdown, and I bring this up to remind you that we need to still be living life to the full.  Sowing and reaping.  Building and establishing.  Advancing the Kingdom of God.  Learning and dreaming. 

This is our hour.  Don’t pack it up and just sit waiting.  Conquer and advance until…