Accepting Change (or I'm not God!)

Change happens.  You can't stop it, and you can't deny it.  Trying to stop it will frustrate and exhaust you.  Denying it will just leave you in confusion.  What happened a minute ago will never happen the exact same way.  It can be repeated but never duplicated identically.  The variables are such that only the God of the Universe can fathom the calculations.

This same God knows the end from the beginning.  He knows that the old things must pass away in order for the new to come.  In our humanity we fear.  We fear what we cannot control, but the joke is on us because we were never in control to begin with.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to "lean not on our own understanding", but to "trust Him with ALL THINE HEART", and "acknowledge Him" in all our ways.  Trusting Him means getting out of our own heads, and letting Him be the one to move us, guide us, hold us in place or pull us out of the way.

Our humanity makes us flawed and prone to get it wrong, all-of-it WRONG! But God, the Lord and Savior of all who choose to submit to Him, has NEVER GOTTEN IT WRONG.  He is not dismayed by what is happening, and we shouldn't be either.  I am not ashamed of The Gospel, nor am I in fear of what lies ahead.  I know it isn't easy to accept or to wrap our minds around, but that is exactly why we have to give Him our heart because it's too much for our mind.  If we could reason it all out with our minds, then we (you or I) would be God.  Last time I checked I am not.  How 'bout you?

Stephanie Hart

Be Prepared!

All about are the weights and straining of the world and the world’s system and worldly thought processes.  They are evil and deadly.  We are not supposed to be conformed to the things of this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind.

I have always enjoyed learning and delving into a deeper understanding of the word.  I appreciate the revelation, which I believe has been given to me by the Lord through His Holy Spirit.  I have found myself recently hearing conspiracy and revolution in the words of those who are supposed to be smart “God fearing” people.  I have read Internet commentary on groups who’s existence, if true, completely destroys the foundation and understanding of who we are (Patriots and Christians).

In the days that Jesus walked on the earth, there were Pharisees, Seduces, Zealots, Essenes, “common” folks, mixed-breeds, and strangers. Out of each of these groups came followers of Christ, those who wanted more than what this world had to offer.  Some thought that Jesus was a revolutionary and would rise up in the natural realm and over-throw all the factions who ruled with evil hearts.  All were scattered when he took on the cross, and for some hope was irreversibly lost.  Jesus did not take on the Cross at Calvary.  He took it on the moment he stepped out of heaven and allowed himself to be placed in the “ark” of Mary’s womb.  Breaking forth out of the tomb on the 3^rd day was not a tremendous feet for our Lord.  HE IS GOD!!!

I recently spent several evenings listening to the conspiratorial commentary of a man of faith.  Each night I listened and asked questions.  I find it very easy to “ooo” and “ah”, and to get caught up in some of the information.  However, I find when I have come away (minutes, hours, days) later with feelings of disenchantment and fear.  This is not good.  The word says there will be wars and rumors of wars. There will be things done in the last days that will even deceive the elite.  It says a wicked and perverse generation seeks after a sign and wonder.

I am not a revolutionary, I am a Christian.  I am a believer in Pentecost, not the pentagon.  I believe that we as Christians, the Israeli people and even perhaps Muslims, though the latter two are not believers in Jesus as the Messiah, will be persecuted and could even die for their beliefs.  Anyone considered divisive toward the One World Government and its One World Religion will be considered a threat.

My hope is (like the early believers in Jesus while he walked the earth) that his second coming will rescue us from the wiles and dangers of the enemy.  Jesus will appear and catch away all those whose hearts are waiting.  I want to see my Jesus while I am still living, and with my family be taken home to heaven.  However, it is possible that the world could become a much more horrible place than we know it as today before that happens.  The collapse of the economic system and position of those in power make it possible to steal our very freedom, enslave, torture and murder those who will not conform to the things of this world.  This is biblically a definite possibility.

It doesn’t matter to me who the giants in the land are.  Just as God promised to drive out the inhabitants of the land as his children took it over, so I believe he will go before those who truly believe in Him and put them in the place He has ordained and carved out for us.  If  Jesus tarries will we be a Shadrack, Meshach, or Abednego who were cast (walking of their own free will) into the fiery furnace; Daniel cast into the lion’s den (because he chose not to conform to the law of the land, but that of the God of Israel); or Joseph sold into slavery by his own brothers (because he allowed himself to be different), all of which survived their persecution and became victorious because of their faith.

Should we revolt? Only if you’ve been called like Moses or John the Baptizer, and even then they did only as much as God would allow with humble and meek hearts.  Should we flee?  Only if you want to make things harder for yourself, like Jonah.  What should we do?  Be prepared.  Jesus told us that by worrying we could not gain, and the psalms (written by a man who was in constant struggle) tell us to not fret.  Know God, and let him know you, and you’ll find peace no matter the situation.  Know your word, which is the very essence of God.  Be prepared.

 Stephanie Hart