Matthew 11:28-30; “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Psalm 18:6; “In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.”

Psalm 55:22; “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Proverbs 3:5-6; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

And then, of course, John 16:33; “I have said these things to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV – all emphasis mine)

And the list goes on and on of Bible verses that instruct us to “Fear Not,” “Do not be troubled,” and that “All who call on the Lord will be saved.”

We are definitely at the time of this age when Luke 21:25-26 is happening. “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars; and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves; people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

What did Jesus say we should be doing when all this begins to happen? Luke 21:28; “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Well, the beginning started several years ago, so we are even closer today than ever.

Over the past several years, this world has taken a definite negative turn toward evil and also persecution of anyone who has Jesus as their Savior. In Matthew 24, Jesus said that many false prophets would be here giving out lies and leading people away from the truth. There will be wars and rumors of wars; nation will rise against nation; kingdom against kingdom; famines; earthquakes in various places, and this will be the beginning of birth pains. Every one of these is happening with increased frequency more than ever before.

He talks about many who will fall away and betray and hate one another, and lawlessness will increase. Do we see any such signs in today’s society? Groups that used to stay behind closed doors are now out in the open, and they take great pride in calling all believers “haters” because we won’t participate in their lifestyles. Satan is actually worshiped openly by numerous false prophets and antichrists, and they are influencing a substantial part of society.

Looking at the second greatest commandment from our Lord, we’re to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The first and second greatest commandments are given in Matthew 22:37-39, Mark 12:30-31, and Luke 27. Jesus was referring to Deuteronomy 6:5, in which Moses was giving the people of Israel the commandments that the Lord had given him to pass on. This should indicate that God does not change His mind.

Recent studies have shown that more people are accepting Satan and this earth over our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Some previously Bible-based evangelical churches are teaching that all the Bible abominations are no longer sinful but were only meant for people in ancient times.

Some organized “religious” services have become entertainment sessions with light shows, catchy music, and twisted biblical messages. After all, people shouldn’t be insulted with messages about sin and eternal damnation. That would lead to empty seats and reduced collections.

To believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are surprised about any of this, one need only to look at Matthew 7:13-14. Jesus was speaking; “Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow, and the way is hard that leads to life; and those who find it are few.”

It’s easy to go along with the world in order to be accepted and popular and to not have anyone speak against us. However, that would be Satan’s way, not the Father’s, and the so-called good times last only while on this earth. After that is our eternity, and that’s what we should be looking for.

The hard part is to go against the world and all the evil by receiving and accepting Jesus as our Savior. Jesus knew everything that would be happening and that the so-called “religious leaders” of His day would not accept Him. They witnessed miracles being performed and should have known the scriptures about the coming of the Messiah. However, they refused to turn from their lavish lifestyles, in which they received accolades from the public. If that was to be what would have saved us, Jesus would have arrived with all the pomp and circumstance and would have praised all those leaders for their piety. Instead, He constantly condemned their actions and tried to get them to repent and turn to the truth.

He came in a humble and lowly manner and willingly gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice for all who would believe in Him. Next time around, when He sets foot on this earth, He will be here to put down the rebellion (Tribulation/Wrath) and to rule for 1,000 years in Jerusalem.

Anyone would think that would settle the matter once and for all. However, humans will still have the sin nature, even though Satan will be bound for that millennial period. At the end, there will be one more rebellion against the Savior, and then it will become a sinless forever for all believers.

For all my Jesus has given, how could I not give Him honor, praise, and glory? To have even a small part in following the Great Commission should be in our hearts and on our minds.

There’s a song from 1877 by Charles Luther called “Must I Go and Empty-handed.” Verse 3 hits home for me, yet I know all my past sins were forgiven when I called out to have Jesus as my Savior. Further, He has provided a pathway in 1 John 1:8-10 for forgiveness of any current sins I will commit. He knows how imperfect we are, yet He loves us anyway.

1.) Must I go and empty-handed, thus my Redeemer meet? Not one day of service give Him; lay no trophy at His feet?

Ref.) Must I go and empty-handed? Must I meet my Savior so? Not one soul with which to greet Him; must I empty-handed go?

2.) Not at death I shrink or falter, for my Savior saves me now. But to meet Him empty-handed, thought of that now clouds my brow.

3.) Oh the years in sinning wasted; could I but recall them now? I would give them to my Savior; to His will I’d gladly bow.

4.) Oh ye saints arouse, be earnest up and work while yet ’tis day. Ere the night of death o’er takes thee, strive for souls while you still may.

We can’t go back in time to correct what we’ve already done, but we can strive to live for Him from now on. The path is found in Romans 10:9-13. Admit we’re sinners; Believe Jesus is the only path to eternal life; Call on Him to forgive and save us. That’s what is called the ABCs of Salvation. Don’t try to do any special works to “earn” it, nor try to offer any money or whatever to “buy” it.

Remember the hymn that says, “Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.”

Looking at all the signs that are here today, it won’t be long before all true believers will be taken up to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Call on Him today – now would not be too soon – and you will be ready when the Trumpet sounds and the shout from an archangel is given. You will be forever glad you did.

Ahavah B’Shem Yeshua! (Love in the name of Jesus!)

Huebshman46@gmail.com

 

 

(Jeremiah 20-22; 2 Timothy 1)

For several months, I’ve been attending our local school board meetings. When it came to light earlier this year that an email letter was sent to over 700 students in the high school under the principal’s signature that advocated for the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club and provided a link leading to – arguably – a wealth of pornographic materials, one parent who followed that link became incensed. Righteously indignant, she protested against this transgression of the values she and her husband were trying to instill in their daughters. This triggered their attendance at the next school board meeting and the awakening of others in the community as to what moral code the school was propagating. What had been occurring elsewhere in the nation had come to our area.

Over these months, various parents and concerned citizens have spoken out as more violations of children’s rights have been revealed. If you’ve watched what has gone on elsewhere in various, more publicized meetings, it will come as no surprise to you that the members of our school board ignored our concerns. In fact, the board enlisted allies among teachers and other left-leaning community members to also attend the meetings to counter and mute our voices.

Over the course of these months, some of the outspoken families protesting the direction of the school have experienced retaliation. This has come in the form of subtle attacks on their homes, e.g. loosening lug nuts on their car tires, and other more direct assaults. They have received threatening letters, and their children have been the object of bullying. These reprisals have caused many of these families to pull back in fear for their safety and for concern about the potential for opportunity lost in various school activities, e.g. sports or band participation.

At one of the school board meetings, those of us in attendance were told that all members of the board had received a threatening letter in the mail. One member, who is a policeman, recounted how when his daughter got the mail and read the letter, he feared for his family. The board president spoke of these letters and clearly indicted all of us who were present as being responsible for the content and implied threats.

This didn’t go over well with many of us. One question that arose was why the policeman would allow his daughter to open and read his mail. That was curious. Additionally, why were all of us deemed guilty for the presumed actions of one individual? These issues caused some of us to question the validity of the letter: Was there one, or was it made up in order to project shame upon the audience for daring to object to school board policy?

Interestingly, two weeks following the revealing of this letter incident, the national school board association wrote to the U.S. attorney general complaining about parents as domestic terrorists, with the AG promising to have the FBI investigate.

Since this time, few actual parents remain actively involved in contesting what the board continues to stand for. The majority of us remaining are older and don’t necessarily even have a direct stake in the matter, other than wanting to stand for what is right. I don’t know what has happened in this respect elsewhere in the nation, but with fewer involved parents, it certainly appears as if the unresponsive school board will continue on the path they’ve been following. They simply don’t care.

All this came to mind in reading about the response of the king of Judah when Jeremiah called out the sins of the people and what God intended to do as judgment. The Lord, through the prophet, said to the king of Judah in Jeremiah 22:3:

“Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”

Jeremiah had made the king, the rulers of Judah, and all the people well aware of their transgressions against the Lord. He urged them continually to repent and turn back to following Yahweh and His commands. If they didn’t, He would bring disaster upon them. Here was the response as recounted in Jeremiah 22:21:

“I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, ‘I will not listen.’ This has been your way from your youth, that you have not obeyed my voice.”

No one would listen because no one cared. Sound familiar with what I related above? Those in power thought they were untouchable. They could do what they pleased and simply ignore the righteous claims arising from those injured by their policies and actions. Yet, God had a Word for such people, as Jeremiah 22:5 tells us:

“But if you will not obey these words, I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation.”

God would not let unrighteousness remain among His people at that time. I have confidence that He will not allow wrongful actions to remain unpunished. The only question as to such retribution by the Lord is when He will bring it. Will it be while we who are in Christ remain on this earth or after the Rapture? Will these people harming children as they pretend to watch for their welfare suffer judgment during the Tribulation or only at the end when they stand before God?

Ironically, the school board president is the “pastor” of a very liberal church, which welcomes homosexuals and has no intention of preaching righteousness and transformation to them. Like the king of Judah, whom God declared he and his sons would perish in captivity in Babylon, one wonders the fate of such a man who pretends to represent God. In those meetings, I can only speak the Word of God and warn him and the others that they are treading in very deep water.

The Lord desires that there be justice and righteousness practiced throughout the land – whether Israel or any other nation. When it is not – when abominations arise – God is angered. He allows such transgressions to continue for a time in the hopes that some of those committing evil will relent and turn to Him.

Let us pray that some now embracing wickedness will have Saul to Paul conversions. Wouldn’t that be something to witness?

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The Lord has put it on my heart to always read completely through His Word at least once each year. From that practice, it resulted in my producing the Awaken Bible Study Notes, a 4-volume set correlating with each quarter’s readings. This is the link to Amazon for Volume 1 covering January – March (Genesis 1 – Judges 5; Matthew 1 – Luke 7): Awaken Bible Study Notes series Volume 1

Following that year’s efforts, God gave me the “assignment” of writing a daily essay on what I had read. That produced the 4-volume Awaken Bible Commentary and Reflections series. Here is the link on Amazon to Volume 1, which covers January – March (Genesis 1 – Judges 5; Matthew 1 – Luke 7): Awaken Bible Commentary and Reflections series Volume 1

If these daily writings have been a blessing to you, I hope that you’ll acquire these books for further study. My intent in all I write is to bring God the glory and to make His people think. Both the Study Notes and the Commentary and Reflections delve into the prophetic and supernatural nature of God’s Word, a combination you simply won’t find elsewhere. They attempt to show the parallels to our times with the peril from the past when God’s people turn away from Him and His commands. Scripture is very much a blueprint for today.

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Gary W. Ritter is a lay pastor, Bible teacher, and prolific author. His Whirlwind Series comprises three end-times books: Sow the Wind, Reap the Whirlwind, and There Is a Time. These books are contained in the collected volume of the Whirlwind Omnibus. Gary has written many other Christian thrillers that will challenge you, and which you can learn about at his website:www.GaryRitter.com. You can also watch Gary’s video Prophecy Updates on Rumble at his Awaken Bible Prophecy channel: https://rumble.com/c/c-783217.