General Articles

What Are You Doing? :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR10

I remember the angst of my teenage years. The questions with no answers. “Why was I ever born?” “Why am I unlovable?” “Is there any purpose for my life?” The sad thing is, I was a Christian, but as I cried to my mother, her answers didn’t help. They were the truth, but I wanted more. She reassured me that she loved me, but even more so told me that God loved me and had a purpose for me. At 16, that just sounded like nice words with no meaning. Now, at age 70, I look back and see my mother’s wisdom. She was right.

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 139:14).

Each one of us fits into God’s plan, and God has a purpose for everyone. When life gets tough or lonely, remember that you are indeed “… fearfully and wonderfully made.” You aren’t an accident or a freak of nature; you certainly didn’t originate from pond scum or any form of evolution. God created mankind in His own image.

Jeremiah was a young man who had a calling from God. He felt inadequate and questioned God’s choice in choosing him as a prophet. God told him, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

What has God called you to do? Maybe a wise prophet like Jeremiah, or maybe a Godly witness to your community. It’s OK to question. Jeremiah did. “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold I cannot speak for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:6-8).

Jeremiah did go where God sent him and spoke God’s words. That’s what we all need to do. We need to take God’s message to a lost world. Will they mock you and laugh at you? Possibly, but that shouldn’t stop you. Your mission is to obey God and leave the results up to Him. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19).

Jesus said that to His disciples soon before He went to the cross. Thankfully, those men remembered His words and took the Gospel to the entire world. It’s only our human fear that stops us from sharing the Gospel.

What are you doing? Are you sitting back feeling pretty full of yourself because you’re saved and your neighbor isn’t? Quite often, we call to mind that precious promise in Ephesians “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Unfortunately, most Christians stop there. That’s called “one-verse theology.” Pick out a verse that suits you, and live by it. It’s true that we are saved by grace. We cannot do anything to save ourselves because Jesus Christ paid the price for our redemption. We can do nothing to earn it. We can show our gratitude to Him, though. Go back to your Bible and read on. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

You see, we are created to do good works even though we aren’t saved by those works. Grace is amazing, and it’s free. Yet, our gratitude should prompt us to live for Christ.

Jesus was God incarnate. His blood was pure and untainted by the sin that permeates our life. He had no sin of His own but willingly took the sin of the entire world upon Himself in order to give us the only way to live eternally with Him. That’s a lot that we have to be grateful for. Have you said, “Thank You”? Have you even tried to turn from your sin? “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

How do you go about becoming a living sacrifice? Start with Scripture. Learn God’s ways. Learn to discern the ways of God from the ways of the world, which is controlled by Satan. It’s a spiritual battle.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

The Holy Spirit is sealed inside of us from the moment we sincerely accept the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation. He will guide us if we allow it. “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

On our own, we can never be good enough to make it to Heaven. Only through the righteousness of Christ can we be good enough. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

We need to give our best to the Lord because we belong to Him. That’s what “peculiar” means. We need to ask Him to show us our sins and help us to live a life that pleases Him. His grace is a blessing, but He wants more from us and for us. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

The word “conversation” doesn’t mean the way you talk, although that is part of it. It’s from the Greek word “anastrophe” and means your manner of life, conduct, behavior, and deportment. The word “holy” is the Greek word “hagios” and doesn’t mean you run around with a halo and call yourself “saint.” God is holy and not a part of the worldly ways, and we are to be separated from the world, physically pure, morally blameless, and consecrated to God. We are to be like Him.

So, the question is, what are you doing? Are you resting peacefully in your salvation and not caring about others? Maybe you’re blending in with the crowd and not drawing any attention to the fact that you claim to be a Christian. As we look around at the world in which we live, we can see the moral decay of the entire world all around us. We need to be a light that shines in a dark place. Many people have never had anyone share the Gospel with them, and many others have rejected it. Christians need to wake up and understand that it’s up to us to share the Gospel. That means use words and speak to the lost.

I know too many who are ashamed to talk about Christ and believe the way to share is to do works and hope the recipient will understand the Gospel. Good works are beneficial, but putting a roof on a house never saved anybody. It’s the Gospel that has to be shared using words. Jesus gave the marching orders. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). If the Gospel is not shared, how can anybody hear the Good News of Jesus Christ?

Whatever you’re doing, be sure it’s directed by the Holy Spirit and that it glorifies God. If you’re doing all kinds of good things, but you take the credit, then your good works will be burned up like wood, hay, and stubble. Christians will face the judgment throne of Christ. It won’t be a judgment of “Heaven or Hell,” but ours will be a judgment of our works.

“Now if any man build upon the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Our works won’t save us, but any works we do for our own glory will be burned up on the day of judgment. The things we’ve done for Christ will earn rewards which we will throw at Jesus’ feet out of humble gratitude for what He’s done for us. I want a crown so I can say, “Thank You, Jesus, for what You’ve done for me.”

I know I’m not doing enough, but I’m praying that I’ll hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit in my life. Are you listening for His voice, too?

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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Deadly Delusions :: By Jonathan Brentner

Published on: by RR10

The books of Daniel and Revelation tell us that in the years prior to the Second Coming, a vicious and exceedingly evil world empire will emerge and briefly rule over the nations. The Apostle Paul describes its leader as the “man of lawlessness” who will defile a Jewish temple in Jerusalem before Jesus destroys him at His at His return to earth (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10).

Do we see evidence today of Satan’s minions preparing the way for the antichrist to enslave humanity? Absolutely! It’s like a bear coming out of hibernation.

The beast kingdom is gaining strength throughout the world, just as Scripture said would happen in the last days. For over a century, the globalists have been putting the pieces in place for the coming new world order. Now it’s coming to fruition.

The majority of people do not want the Luciferian agenda of the elite powerbrokers of our day, but that doesn’t matter. They will impose their will on the unsuspecting, slowly but surely.

They will do so through many dangerous delusions that will turn deadly:

Delusion #1: The Globalists Desire a Worldwide Democracy

Peter Koenig, a geopolitical analyst and a former Senior Economist at the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), wrote the following about the January 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos:

Criticism and even ridicule of the WEF’s dictatorial and dystopian approach to the world’s problems has reached in 2023 a new pinnacle. Though the words “democracy” and “freedom” are always in the forefront, they are hardly applied. They are merely the deed of nonstop propaganda for something that isn’t. And as Goebbels, Hitler’s Propaganda Minister, said already almost 80 years ago, “If a lie is often enough repeated, it becomes the truth.”

This false truth has brainwashed almost every Western citizen. We are being gradually enslaved while still believing we are living in a democracy. The WEF is part of the steady flow of propaganda but also a master tyrant, in the person of Klaus Schwab and his Israeli top adviser, “You useless eaters” Mr. Yuval Noah Harari.[i]

The elite of our day tell us their true aim is “democracy” and “freedom.” However, their true intent is a totalitarian Marxist one-world government.

A video appeared on the WEF website that I watched many times in the past. It pictured a happy young man as a voice told us that in the future, “You will own nothing and be happy.” That’s the true objective of the globalists, and it rings of servitude, not freedom.

Delusion #2: Digital Currencies Will Be Advantageous

Ten nations have already implemented digital currencies, with another one hundred considering such a move. Many predict that a central bank digital currency (CBDC) will arrive in America during 2023.

During their initial appearing, the elite will showcase the advantages of CBDCs. They will increase the speed and accuracy of electronic financial transactions and provide much-improved protection against fraud. Many will welcome the introduction of a CBDC, especially during its initial, and perhaps limited, implementation. It may seem like using a debit card.

However, there’s a huge downside to CBDCs via their programable feature. This will not only give the state access to all financial transactions but also enable it, perhaps at a later date, to penalize people for spending their allotted funds in socially unacceptable ways.

The CBDCs are a trap; many who bemoan the idea of a totalitarian state will find themselves subjected to one against their will as they discover far too late that a future government entity decides the amount of funds available to them and prescribes how they spend them.

Delusion #3: Vaccine Passports Will Only Store Medical Information

Another item high on the agenda at the January WEF gathering was the matter of vaccine passports. The objective of the attendees is to have the vaccine status of everyone in the world digitally available in the form of a passport.

This might seem reasonable to a few, but it’s also a ruse for the globalists to gather data on everyone and then later use that information to control them.

The ultimate goal of the globalists’ is to combine one’s vaccine information with all other personal data, including financial transactions from the CBDCs. The passport will connect everyone to a massive database where all there is to know about everyone will be readily available to the elite.

Below is a quote from a Townhall article concerning vaccine passports:

Even liberal author Naomi Wolf understands the dangers that vaccine passports represent. She says that if these plans are implemented, it will mean “the end of human liberty in the West.” Wolf believes the real threat is the government’s access to the personal data of millions of Americans. According to Wolf, a vaccine passport will lead to “the end of civil society….it has the power to turn off your life, or to turn on your life, to let you engage in society or be marginalized.”[ii]

What the globalists peddle as “democracy” will lead to the end of “human liberty,” and vaccine passports will play a key role in the loss of freedoms.

The abusive use of information will become especially nightmarish for those left behind after the Rapture. Vaccine passports, along with the CBDCs, will enable the “man of lawlessness” to control all buying and selling throughout the world.

Delusion #4: The Pandemic Treaty Will Be Beneficial in Stopping Pandemics

The World Health Organization (WHO) met a week before the 2,700 powerbrokers descended upon Davos, Switzerland. High on their agenda was discussion of a Pandemic Treaty. They sell this as something that will result in a prompt and unified response to future pandemics.

However, if approved by member nations during their May 2023 meeting, it would give the WHO and its head absolute control over member nations in regard to what it deems as a health emergency.

Should the WHO declare such a crisis, they would prescribe a mandatory course of action for everyone. It wouldn’t matter if the president of a nation disagreed, the dictates of the WHO would become law in his or her country. Should a U.S. governor say “No!” to the WHO mandates, that also wouldn’t matter. The WHO would have the power to militarily enforce compliance with its health dictates.

Those not deceived by the agenda and techniques of the WEF won’t be able to resist the mandates of the WHO. Make no mistake: the globalists are liars and coldhearted murderers just like the spirit that’s leading them (John 8:44). The Pandemic Treaty, if approved, will kill many more people than it will protect.

Delusion #5: Defeating Russia in Ukraine Will Lead to Peace

The globalists tell us we must defeat Russia in Ukraine but don’t explain why that’s better than directly attacking them. Why put its people in the middle of such a conflict?

Could it be that the real reason for the conflict is to weaken America, which is an outcome celebrated in many posts on the WEF website?

The war in Ukraine has already drained America’s supply of military assets and greatly weakened its ability to respond if attacked. President Biden, just this week, announced that the U.S. will send thirty-one advanced Abrams tanks to Ukraine, which will further agitate an already furious Putin. What better way to provoke WW III and appear to be the victim rather than the aggressor?

Leo Hohmann recently wrote an excellent article entitled America 2023: Sleepwalking into World War III. Here’s a quote from it:

China and Russia are both in full-on war mode, mobilizing their economies, their armies, and navies for World War III with America.

Notice I said “America.” Not “NATO.” NATO is America, and America is NATO, along with its vassal states.

NATO has always been built upon American power. The problem is America has lost its power, and any that remains is largely about perception, not reality.

Once the world figures this out, it’s game over. Once they see that the Emperor has no clothes, that it’s all smoke and mirrors — and the balloon incident has started to open people’s eyes — they will be shocked at how weak America actually is.

While it might sound reasonable to many, the ruse that we must defeat Russia in Ukraine has become a key factor in the weakening of America’s military and an invitation for a much greater conflict.

How much longer can the U.S. president keep poking Putin in the eye without a devastating response for both America and Europe?

Hope

For those of us in Christ, we have joyous hope! I cannot end such an ominous post without turning all our eyes upward.

Please remember that God controls all the outcomes of those plotting to destroy humanity. What the Bible long ago said would happen in the last days is happening before our eyes. The Lord declares the “end from the beginning,” and He “will accomplish” His “purpose” despite the deadly and vile agenda of the wicked (Isaiah 46:8-11).

I believe the Lord is warning mankind (and the church) that He’s coming soon. He’s giving the world glimpses of what the devastation will look like during the Tribulation.

With everything that’s happened in 2023, or even in just the past two weeks, I can’t imagine we will have to wait much longer for Jesus’ appearing, but as always, the timing rests in God’s sovereignty.

During these perilous times when deadly delusions increase in popularity and biblical truth seems nowhere to be found, it’s vital that we keep our hope focused on Jesus’ imminent appearing.

It’s passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, Philippians 3:20-21, and Colossians 3:1-4 that encourage me on almost a daily basis and keep me from despair as I watch what’s happening in America and around the world.

Maranatha!

My book, The Triumph of the Redeemed-An eternal Perspective that Calms Our Fears in Perilous Times, is available on Amazon.

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[i] Peter Koenig, WEF Davos – The New Sodom and Gomorrah? January 19, 2023, @ https://www.globalresearch.ca/wef-davos-new-sodom-gomorrah/5805074

[ii] Jeff Crouere, Vaccine Passports to Hell, April 4, 2021, on the Townhall Website: https://townhall.com/columnists/jeffcrouere/2021/04/04/vaccine-passports-to-hell-n2587372