Baby Steps :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR10 Category:General Articles, Nathele Graham

When we give our lives to Jesus, we sometimes expect everything to be easy. God never promised us smooth sailing, but be assured that we can count on Jesus for help when Satan attacks. The disciples followed Jesus and learned from Him, but they also had some very trying times that stretched their faith. They had to learn to trust Jesus by taking baby steps.

One day early in His ministry, Jesus had been teaching a multitude of people, and His body needed rest. He told the disciples that He wanted to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. What should have been an easy trip – because Peter, Andrew, James, and John were experienced fishermen and knew how to handle a ship – suddenly turned dangerous.

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full” (Mark 4:37).

I can understand why the disciples would be concerned. The ship was sinking. They didn’t have enough experience to know that they could trust Jesus to get them through the storm, and this was a step in building their faith. All they could see was the danger, not the hope found in Jesus. Where was Jesus?

“And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38).

Although they had spent some time with Jesus and were learning from Him, they categorized their faith; there were some things that faith in Jesus would help, but other things, like a major storm, they felt was up to them to deal with. Their faith was new, and they had to learn to truly trust Him, even in storms.

Do you ever find yourself in a situation like that? All you can see is the danger, and fear rules your reasoning instead of faith. Maybe the storm is a financial one or a health problem. These things can bring fear into your mind. I think of stories I’ve heard of wealthy people committing suicide during the financial collapse that led to the Great Depression. People had to decide about their priorities. Did they love their money so much that it was their god, or did they have faith in Jesus to see them through the storm? It wasn’t an easy time in history, but those who placed their faith in Jesus were far better off than those whose god was earthly treasure.

The disciples could only see the storm. They were in the baby steps of their faith and had to learn. It was Jesus’ will to cross the sea, and that should have assured them they would make it safely.

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). The disciples were in awe as Jesus calmed the storm. “And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40).

Jesus asked them about their lack of faith, and we need to have an answer to that question when we face the storms in our life with fear instead of faith.

“And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41).

What manner of man, indeed! He was God incarnate, and He had stepped into His creation as a man. Only He can calm the storms in life.

The above event happened early in Jesus’ ministry, and the disciples were just beginning to grow in their faith. We have the same problems as we stumble through this life. When we first meet Jesus, we have to take baby steps in faith and learn to trust Him. We all face uncertain times in life, and we feel our faith being tested. “I trusted Jesus, but now I face this great crisis. Is He sleeping while my ship sinks?” No, Jesus never sleeps, and He is always there. So many of the troubles we face in life are caused by our own choices and actions, but we blame Jesus for not saving us from the consequences of those choices.

Possibly, you’ve chosen to smoke cigarettes, and now you face lung disease. Maybe you’ve chosen to live a deviant sexual lifestyle, and now you’ve contracted a deadly disease. Jesus isn’t to blame. Are you facing prison because you were driving recklessly and had an accident where someone died? It was your choice to be irresponsible.

The thing we must remember is that no matter what mistakes or bad choices we make, Jesus never turns away from those who repent and truly accept His free gift of salvation. He will see you through the storms in life. That doesn’t mean it’s okay to keep making the same mistakes. Repent means to change your mind and turn away from sin. Whatever happens in this life, faith in Jesus will bring eternal salvation.

Of all the great men in Scripture, most people can relate to Peter. He meant well, but he made many blunders. With one breath, he declared Jesus as the “Christ, the Son of the Living God,” but in the next breath, he was pridefully telling Jesus what to do. Jesus very plainly told His disciples that He was going to Jerusalem and He would be killed there. Prophecy would be fulfilled there, but sometimes, prophecy being fulfilled can cause confusion and anxiety. Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him. Jesus knew what had to happen, and no man could hinder the events that had to take place.

“But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men” (Mark 8:33).

Peter had followed Jesus but didn’t really know Him. Many Christians have the same problem. They say, “I’m a Christian,” but when their faith is tested, they turn to human solutions. Instead of studying Scripture in order to know Jesus better, some try to mold Him into what they want in order to justify their sins. We also see frightening world events happening and forget about studying prophecy. If we study Scripture, we can see that prophecy is being fulfilled exactly as God told us in His word. Sometimes we feel that Christ came to make life easier for us. He came to open eternal life for us.

Peter kept taking those baby steps and growing in faith. There was another storm, and we see that Peter had learned some lessons about faith. Once again, Jesus had been teaching a multitude of people.

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away” (Matthew 14:22).

They didn’t question Him as to why they were to set sail without Him, but they obeyed. When the multitude was gone, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. He was able to see His disciples as they struggled to cross over.

“But the ship was now in the midst of the sea tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them walking on the sea” (Matthew 14:24-25).

The fourth watch was around 3 AM, and that’s when the disciples saw a marvelous sight. They were frightened as they saw Jesus coming toward them, walking on the water. His disciples thought He was a spirit, and He told them not to be afraid. Peter was excited, and true to his character, he spoke up.

“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” (Matthew 14:28).

This is a good lesson for all of us. Rather than just jumping into the water, Peter first asked Jesus for permission. Peter was learning, and the baby steps were becoming more confident.

“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus” (Matthew 14:29).

Can you imagine the thrill? Peter stepped out in faith but then made a mistake.

“But when he saw the wind boisterous he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30).

Peter took his eyes off Jesus and saw the storm. His human “logic” told him that it was impossible to walk on water. Nothing is impossible with God. As always, Jesus answered his plea.

“And immediately, Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).

Peter took a big step of faith by getting out of the boat, but his fear caused him to sink. Had he kept his eyes fixed upon Jesus, he would have kept walking. Peter was learning to trust Jesus, and in the years to come, those baby steps would be confident steps of faith.

Brothers and sisters, we are headed into a storm. Are you still taking baby steps in your faith? If so, you need to get into God’s word and study. Prophecy is being fulfilled, but too many Christians feel fear as they hear of all the major things that are happening in the world.

Israel is at war with the Muslim nations around them, and many prophecies are on the verge of being fulfilled. The Jewish people want to build their temple, but the evil that surrounds them won’t allow it. It will be built in spite of the storms trying to stop them. If you study prophecy, you’ll know that the temple is an important part of end-times prophecy. It must be built before the halfway point of the Tribulation. That’s where the Antichrist will set up the abomination. All of the necessary items to fill the temple are ready, but there have to be ashes from a red heifer in order to purify the temple and the priests.

“This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke” (Numbers 19:2).

It’s very rare for a cow to have no white hairs. Today, there are 5 red heifers in Israel, and so far, they seem to qualify. The sacrifice will be made, and the only thing missing is permission to build the temple. It will happen when God says it will happen.

As bold as Peter was, he really had many fears. When Jesus was arrested, Peter hid and denied knowing Christ. Even though a few hours before that awful arrest, Peter had declared that he would lay his life down for Jesus. Sadly, he couldn’t live up to his proclamation. Aren’t we like that? We walk up to an altar and profess faith, but at the first sign of trouble, we go back to our sin. Maybe your friends mock your faith, or the temptation of living a life of sin is strong, and you return to your old ways. Remember that Jesus didn’t come to ruin your life, nor does He look for every chance to condemn you.

“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. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).

After the crucifixion, all of the disciples felt as if they had put their faith in the wrong man. His death, to them, was a tragedy, but in reality, it was the ultimate victory. He conquered death for all who truly believe in Him. The Roman tyranny would end one day, but everlasting life is forever. One day soon, true Christian believers will be taken to Heaven in the Rapture, but those left on earth will face unimaginable horrors. We need to share the Gospel with everyone we can. Time is getting short. Stop taking baby steps in your faith, and start walking strong in Christ.

The disciples continued to be together, which is what Christians should do. If we continue to hold onto old friends, it’s easy to fall back into old ways.

One day, they were together at the sea of Tiberias. Even though Peter had denied knowing Jesus, he was still a part of the group. He was probably pretty down on himself for his failure. Like Peter, we often get tired of waiting for Jesus to give us direction in life, and that’s when we return to old ways. For Peter, it was fishing. That’s not a sin, but it wasn’t what Jesus had planned for Peter. The whole group went fishing together, but they caught no fish until Jesus appeared, and they followed His directions. They caught more fish than their boat could handle.

That’s another lesson we learn through Peter. Our own efforts are all for naught, but when we follow Jesus’ directions, we are blessed abundantly.

Peter had been stumbling around, taking baby steps in faith, and failing. It was now time for Jesus to restore Peter and to give him his purpose in life. Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me? In English, we miss the full meaning of the question. Jesus asked if Peter loved Him with a godly love. Peter could only say that he had a friendly love for Him. Jesus understood, but He gave Peter a purpose. Peter was to feed the flock, both sheep and lambs. The baby steps were over, and it was time for Peter to start walking like a man of God. Jesus told him to feed the flock…

both sheep and lambs. There wasn’t a flock to feed at the time, but when the day of Pentecost came, it was Peter who stood up and boldly gave a sermon that convicted about 3,000 men, and they gave their lives to Jesus.

Peter had to take baby steps and experience some failures in order to become the leader of Christians in Jerusalem. That took courage. He wrote letters that are filled with prophecy and encouragement. It was the storms he faced that made his faith grow stronger, and his failures helped him to learn to trust Jesus more.

When storms come into your life, instead of hiding out of fear and denying Christ, grow bolder in your faith. You have a testimony that can help other people to come to know Jesus. Share it with others. It’s not always easy, but it is always important. Step out in faith, and don’t take your eyes off of Jesus. If you do, you’ll sink.

Take those baby steps of faith, and grow. Peter did.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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Speculation :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR10 Category:Daymond Duck, General Articles

I constantly receive e-mails from readers who want me to give them my opinion on how close we are to the Rapture.

Some keep rephrasing the question and asking again and again.

Some say, “I know you don’t know the day or the hour, but will it be in the next few weeks, before the end of this year, what do you think, etc.?”

Many readers have been expecting the Rapture to happen for several years, but it has not happened, and they want to know, “How much longer will we have to wait?”

One reader recently wrote this:

  • I thought for sure the Rapture was going to happen during the Obama administration, then I thought for sure it was happening during Covid. I see things like AI, cashless society coming, LGBTQ and Trans. I see people who just don’t care anything about God or morals. I mean, we have to be on the cusp of this happening sometime soon, right? I’m not asking for a date; my question is, always, is there any chance we’re just wrong? Or seeing what we want to see?

This reader has gone from expecting the Rapture to happen anytime to wondering if it might still be a long time or if we could be misunderstanding the Bible.

I totally understand.

I have been expecting the Rapture to happen anytime for a long time myself.

Having said this, I want to speculate for just a minute, and hopefully, it will be helpful to some who are wondering about how long it will be.

I believe:

  • The Rapture will happen before the Tribulation Period begins (often called the Pre-Trib Rapture).
  • The Mark of the Beast (a global ID, cashless society, forcing everyone to take the name, number, or Mark of the Antichrist) will begin at the middle of the Tribulation Period.
  • The Tribulation Period will last for seven years (2,520 days) on the Jewish calendar.

If I am correct about these three beliefs, it means the Rapture will take place a minimum of three and one-half years before the Mark of the Beast (global ID, cashless society, forcing people to take the Mark, etc.) and perhaps more than that (because there could be a gap between the Rapture and the Tribulation Period).

The globalists’ goal is to establish a world government by 2030 or sooner.

If their world government begins in 2030, the Rapture would be between now and 2030.

If they intend to have a global ID, a cashless society, force everyone to take the Mark, etc., by 2030, the Rapture would be in 2026 or sooner (and if there is a gap between the Rapture and the Tribulation Period, the Rapture could be very soon).

If the Battle of Gog and Magog were to take place soon, it would accelerate the development of world government (and, therefore, accelerate the Rapture).

It may not happen, but a breakthrough in the peace negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia might speed up the seven-year covenant with many (and, therefore, accelerate the Rapture).

Anyway, as I said, I am speculating.

Obviously, I could be wrong, but I do not think so, and I hope that my speculation helps those who are getting concerned because the Rapture has not happened.

God is in control; the Rapture will happen when He wants it to happen, and it will come upon the earth like a snare (catch multitudes by surprise), so be ready and stay ready.

Here are some signs that seem to indicate that we are getting close:

One, concerning pestilence and persecution: on Aug. 23, 2023, it was reported that the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Anthony Fauci, expressed his support for another global lockdown and the punishment of those who refuse to be vaccinated.

(More: I have seen several reports that say White House staffers have leaked reports that Biden is planning to declare another pandemic and order a few people (airline employees, passengers, etc.) to start wearing face masks as soon as Sept. or Oct. Then, starting in Dec., he hopes to order a full-scale lockdown, try to force vaccinations on everyone again, and require everyone to wear face masks. Some reports say there is no pandemic, but the Biden administration is already signing contracts, buying equipment, and hiring people to push pandemic protocols on the American public for the next several years.)

(More: On Aug. 24, 2023, it was reported that a new type of Covid-19 booster shots could be available by mid-Sept.)

(More: On Aug. 25, 2023, Pres. Biden told a group of reporters, “People should plan to receive another Covid-19 booster shot in response to a new rising variant.” It was also reported that Biden said, “I signed off this morning on a proposal to present to the Congress requests for additional funding for a new vaccine.”)

(More: On Aug. 26, 2023, it was reported that Riverton, Utah Mayor Trent Staggs said he will not enforce a repeat of the Covid protocols. He believes citizens should be allowed to make their own decisions about getting jabbed, locking down, wearing a mask, etc.)

(More: I have also seen one report by a Fact Check group that said most of the things reported above are false. It is an established fact that Biden lies, Biden gets confused, deceit is rampant, and it is hard to know what to believe. I find it more difficult by the day to believe everything he says and even what some Fact Check groups say. Biden said he “tentatively” plans to recommend another round of jabs, and that may be where the problem is. “Tentatively” could mean likely but not definitely. Nevertheless, there is a problem: Why has he already signed contracts if he is unsure about what he intends to do?)

Two, concerning deceit and pandemics: on Aug. 17, 2023, the Russian Embassy in Washington D.C. said (as I understand it):

  • The U.S. is conducting illegal research on biological agents that can be used to manage artificial pandemics.
  • The U.S. has established labs all over the world to carry out this illegal research under the guise of “epidemiological monitoring.”
  • The U.S. is seeking ways to create crises that can be used to advance their interests.

According to the article, in March of this year, Russia said the U.S. had built labs and was doing biological research in Ukraine, but the U.S. quickly dismissed it as Russian propaganda.

Since that time, the U.S. has admitted that it was supporting more than 40 labs in Ukraine that were working on worthy causes.

It makes me wonder, if the U.S. government was deceiving us in March, could they be deceiving us now?

Is Russia telling the truth when it accuses the U.S. of working on biological agents that can be used to manage “artificial pandemics?”

Three, concerning the return of Jews to the Promised Land at the end of the age: on Aug. 17, 2023, it was reported that about 75,000 Jews immigrated to Israel in 2022, another 34,530 immigrated during the first six months of 2023, and there are about 60,000 in Russia that want to immigrate, but Russia will only allow 2,500 to leave each month.

Four, Jesus revealed that there will be Jews in Judaea at the middle of the Tribulation Period (Matt. 24:16).

On Aug. 23, 2023, after a year of working on it, a group of architects, engineers, and others presented a plan to Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu for the construction of cities, industrial parks, a hospital, a railroad, and an airport to boost the Jewish population of Judaea and Samaria to one million people.

Five, the Bible teaches that Jerusalem will be expanded and be a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone for the entire world at the end of the age (Zech. 1:16-17; 12:1-3).

On Aug. 20, 2023, Israel approved a plan to spend the equivalent of $840 million on improvements and expansion in East Jerusalem over the next five years.

The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem; they want it to be the capital of their desired Palestinian state; the Temple Mount is there, and more, but Israel is now going to grow the area, make it more secure, and strengthen her sovereignty over it.

Six, concerning the Antichrist’s confirmation of a worthless seven-year covenant with many for peace in the Middle East: last week, I reported that UN Sec. Gen. Guterres has scheduled a meeting for Sept. 18-19 to push world leaders to commit to “seven years of accelerated, sustained, and transformative action, both nationally and internationally, to deliver on the promise of the SDGs” (Sustainable Development Goals that are in essence the creation of a world government).

I also noted that the Biden administration wants to conclude a deal by March 2024 (or at least in the next 9-12 months) to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel (something that they think will lead to peace and safety in the Middle East).

Now for the latest.

Following three recent visits by U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 23, 2023, an unidentified senior Israeli official said on the condition of anonymity:

  • Progress has been made in discussions between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, and an agreement could be reached as “early as next year.”
  • “We’re talking about a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel next year, likely early next year.”
  • “We’re navigating this diplomatically, and there’s still ground to cover. We’re in talks with both the Saudis and Israelis.”

Concerning the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the talks have been mostly about the safety of Saudi Arabia (the U.S. protecting Saudi Arabia from Iran, the U.S. sending weapons to Saudi Arabia, helping the Saudis build a nuclear reactor, etc.).

Concerning the Palestinians and the demands that are being placed on Israel: Ron Dermer, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister, said the talks have been mostly about the U.S. and Saudi Arabia giving economic aid to the Palestinians, not about Jewish settlement construction or halts in Jewish settlement construction.

Understand that a UN agreement to establish a world government in seven years, a likely agreement to establish peace between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and protection (safety) for the Saudis against Iran in early 2024 are extremely big events in Bible prophecy.

(More: On Aug. 27, 2023, it was reported that the U.S. has advised Israel that it will have to make major concessions to the Palestinians for a deal to succeed.)

Seven, concerning the decline of America and an economic collapse: on Aug. 25, 2025, it was reported that the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) will be joined by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Officials expected the BRICS nations to control 60% of the world’s oil.

The addition of these other six nations on Jan. 1, 2024, will give the group control of 80% of the world’s oil.

Biden’s decision to shut down the Keystone XL pipeline, suspend new oil and gas drilling permits, sell about 75% of America’s strategic oil reserves, etc., has now left the U.S. in a bad position.

It may take a while, but some officials say the price of oil will drastically increase, and that will drive up the price of everything average U.S. citizens buy.

(FYI: Russia and Iran are riding high right now, but they will be brought down, and BRICS will be weakened when the Battle of Gog and Magog takes place.)

Eight, it has recently been reported that the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are calling for a global digital ID and a global digital currency system that uses trackable Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

We have even been told that these could soon become a reality.

Leo Hohmann, a very highly respected researcher and writer, put it like this:

Digital ID + CBDC = Total control/tracking of all human activity.

Hohmann added, “Once these two totalitarian tools are in place, there will be no turning back.”

As I understand it, he was saying (and I agree with him) the system that will lead to the Mark of the Beast will be in place, and it will be unstoppable.

Nine, concerning the decline of America: on Aug. 22, 2023, it was reported that the Biben administration has opened 114 gates in Trump’s border wall and welded them open so they cannot be closed by border control agents.

(More: On Aug. 28, 2023, it was reported that the DHS has spent $770 million to facilitate illegal immigration.)

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com