As I sit here, typing on my computer, I’m thankful that I’m warm and comfortable. Outside is, as it’s called by weathermen, “a storm of historical proportions.” The snow is falling, and so is the temperature. I’m thankful that I know God will allow me to pay my heat bill, and I have food stored, so I don’t have to try to drive to town. I’ve done all I can to keep the well from freezing, so I will have water. I pray that the electricity won’t fail, so I can send out this commentary.
God is so good and provides for His children, and we need to praise Him, even in the storms. “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power” (Psalm 150:1). God is to be praised for all things and in all things.
I can’t help but marvel at God’s creation. As I sit here, my heart goes out to all who are caught in this terrible storm. There are many people I care about who are in the center of the snow and ice. I also think of the animals. Somehow, they survive. They didn’t evolve, but were created by God. Each one is designed for survival. As the temperatures drop to well below freezing, I’ve done what I can for my animals.
My dog is a Great Pyrenees who prefers the cold weather. I still load his dog house with straw so he can snuggle down. My ducks get extra straw to try to keep them from freezing, although God has made them to survive. The chickens also get extra straw and extra food, but they happily lay their eggs, providing food for me and a little income when I sell them.
God has made all of His creation unique and able to adapt to their environment. My dog gets extra straw, but the coyote and fox are able to find shelter. My chickens and ducks get a bit of pampering, but the wild birds survive because God has created them to live.
Soon, this bitter cold will pass. Spring will come, and the flowers will grow. The trees that were designed to drop their leaves in Autumn, to cover the ground and add nutrition, will start growing more leaves. The animals that survive by hibernating will begin to stir and forage for food, take mates, and produce after their own kind.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
God has created a wonderful world for us to enjoy. It amazes me that humans can see this amazing creation and claim it has evolved from nothing. That attitude mocks God. The result of the blindness and ignorance of those who reject God’s truth is described in chapter 1 of the Book of Romans. We can see that this judgment is gripping the world, and so many are deceived.
As I look out over the snow that fills my yard, I can’t help but know that under that pretty white snow is dirt. Ugly dirt. That reminds me of God’s love. The Law provided for the sacrifice of bulls and goats that could only cover sin but could never take it away. The dirt of sin was still there, and all it took was one envious thought, or angry word, or anything less than God’s standard of perfection to bring the dirt to the surface.
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4).
Still, God loves us. There is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is not remission” (Hebrews 9:22).
That’s why we love Jesus. He shed His own blood for our redemption. He was God incarnate, and stepped into His creation, shed His blood on the cross for the redemption of this fallen world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
You have to believe in order to find redemption in Christ. Those aren’t just idle words but truth that we all need to take to heart. He shed His blood for the final sacrifice to take our sin away, not just cover the dirt. If you truly accept the sacrifice of Jesus for the redemption of your sin, the dirt is gone, and you will live eternally with Him. You must repent of the sin and dirt that is in your life. That means you change your mind about the sin, turn from it, and embrace a new life in Christ’s love.
I live in a very rural area, miles from the nearest town. I own a few acres, and there are cow pastures all around. I love listening to the animal noises and watching the cattle, especially when there are calves frolicking about. Those cattle eat grass, but when winter comes, the grass is gone. That’s when the ranchers step in. They have planned for the winter storms, and mowed hay from their fields earlier in the year, baled it, and now they’re delivering this hay to their cattle. If they don’t watch for the signs that the cattle need food, their herds will die.
This makes me think of people who just go about living their lives as if they don’t have a care in the world. We all need Jesus for salvation, but too many people just don’t care. As Christians, we need to be aware of the signs of the times in which we live. The stage is being set for the Ezekiel 38 & 39 war. Now is when we need to feed on God’s word and share it with others.
Everyone will die one day, unless the Rapture takes Christians Home. As we see the prophetic signs happening more quickly, we need to do two things. We need to draw nearer to God and walk closer to His word. We also need to share with others. There are many people around you who haven’t had the Gospel explained to them, or they’ve had a bad experience with a Christian and blame God. You need to be the salt and light in this fallen world.
Time is short, and we need to be about our Father’s business. You can start by showing your friends that the world around us is amazing. It couldn’t have happened by a chaotic event any more than Leonardo DaVinci created the Mona Lisa by throwing paint at a canvas.
“[[To the chief Muscician, A Psalm of David.]] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1).
God has created a place where life can survive. More than that, He has given us the way to live eternally with Him. That way is Jesus Christ. Share God’s truth with everyone you encounter.
God has created a glorious world for us to appreciate, but it pales when compared to the world that awaits us in Heaven. The only way to spend eternity there is to accept the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no other way. The alternative is to spend eternity in the lake of fire that was created for the devil and his angels.
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).
That’s a place you don’t want to go. On the other hand, Jesus has created a mansion for Christians. My mind has a hard time grasping its beauty, but it’s described in Revelation chapter 21.
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27).
Only by faith in Jesus will your name be written in His book of life. Not by works, but only by faith. Not faith in Buddha, Allah, or any other false god. Jesus is the only way to life eternal.
Enjoy what God has created, and praise Him for His love.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com
All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).