General Articles

Being a Christian Isn’t Easy :: By Jim Towers

Published on: by RR7

We all go through trials and tribulations – even us Christians. Illness, loss and disappointment often overtake us when we least expect it. In fact, there are a million things that can happen to us during life’s journey – some good, some bad. When bad things happen to us, we have to decide how to let it affect us.

When things are going our way, we have a tendency to forget all about God, and most people even fail to thank Him for our food – (especially in a restaurant setting). While many third-world countries barely get enough to eat and basically live in huts or hovels, and even on the streets struggling to survive, most Americans have a tendency to whine when we fail to have three meals a day topped with dessert.

I’m not one to complain about my lot in life (and believe me, it hasn’t been easy.) I’ve also had many mountaintop experiences for which I am eternally grateful. Although I enjoyed a topsy-turvy career in the movie business, I had to pay my dues too – even as a Christian.

Presently, in attempting to make a movie, I’ve never run up against such opposition in my life! So, apparently, it wasn’t in the cards for me to do, and I’m throwing in the towel. It appears God has other plans for me. No, being a Christian isn’t easy.

As I come up against obstacles such as not being able to acquire funding for my films, I just count my blessings and go on with life – which is much more than just achieving one’s aspirations. But in spite of this, I’d rather be a follower of Christ than anything else, and just being a movie actor/writer and director pales in comparison. Although I’ve been blessed in various ways, receiving Christ is by far the greatest good that ever happened in my life. That relationship I’ve had with my Creator has helped carry me through numerous trials and tribulations. Yes, life can be daunting, even for Christians.

The Bible warns us that we will have trials and tribulations to test us and make us stronger. And so, we call out to God for strength to overcome adversity, which is sure to come in everyone’s life. For some lukewarm or new Christians, trials and tribulations are usually hard to take, especially when Satan taunts us about these and other calamities. But Jesus warned us and commanded, “Take up your cross and follow me.”

Then, on top of these trials and tribulations, there is the rejection we Christians face on all sides. The book of second Timothy warns us explicitly that others, even family members, will turn against us, even though it makes no sense for non-Christians to shun someone who cares for them and their sense of wellbeing. They seem to think that we Christians are just oddballs they just can’t figure out because they have been blinded by the Evil One (although, sometimes we bring these things upon ourselves for the hypocrisy we display).

Because of Christ, I treat my neighbors with dignity and respect, even though they may shun me. But then again, the Bible warns us that this too is going to happen, especially in the Last Days. It’s good to know what to expect from others as followers of Christ.

Jesus did nothing to harm others. In fact, he was always blessing them and healing them of their infirmities. Yet they nailed Him on a cross after beating Him to a bloody pulp for no reason at all. The only explanation is that His persecutors were blinded by Satan as well, and it was foreordained by God the Father that He would die for our sins, not His own. He had none.

It can be especially hurtful when our own children turn against our Christian values and side with worldly philosophies, but I’m not surprised by ignorance nor avoidance, even when it involves a wayward offspring.

Being followers of Christ, we should expect adversity to happen since Jesus warned us of this. “In this life you shall have many trials and afflictions, but fear not for I have overcome them all.” But we must remember that this life is but a drop in the bucket of eternity. Plus, we Christians have inner peace, “a perfect peace that surpasses all understanding,” and we should be grateful for our understanding of scripture.

It won’t be long now until we will be with our maker, and so we are encouraged by Holy Scripture. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Latest Book:

The book I’m finishing up was very revealing about how the National News Media often distorts the truth, especially when it comes to politics. Although MSM reporters are supposed to be unbiased in reporting the news, they seldom are – especially in present times. They seem to have even been given the license to tell outright lies to push their agenda. Is it any wonder that well-read citizens can’t believe anything they say anymore?

These reporters must think we “deplorables” (as Hillary Clinton calls us) are illiterate or just plain stupid. The irony in that way of thinking is that they are the ones in “the emperor’s new clothes,” and their followers prove that point with their mode of dress, outrageous behavior and tattooed eyeballs.

In the last half of this book titled SLANTED, our veteran news reporter Sharyl Attkisson has given us incidents of outright lies that were actually reported in prominent American newspapers recently.

An example of this is,

On Oct. 18, 2016, in the Washington Post piece not labeled opinion or analysis, Stuart Rothenberg incorrectly reported that Trump’s path to an electoral college victory is “nonexistent.”

Sorry to say, but many Democrats are experts in that area of life, as many have sold their souls to the devil for monetary gain and power.

YBIC

Jim Towers

Write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com or visit my website www.propheticsignsandwonders or www.dropzonedelta.com – Warriors following Christ.

Giving Thanks :: By Dennis Huebshman

Published on: by RR7

Today, we’re in the heart of the holiday season of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. This year is different than any other we’ve had before because of the so-called “pandemic” and all the radical changes that it has caused. Even though everything seems to be getting worse, we need to be constantly giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for this time that we are privileged to live in. (any emphasis mine)

Psalms 95:1-3; “Oh come let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all other gods.” (Note: the “gods” are man-made, thus the small “g.”)

Romans 8:28; “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Hebrews 13:14; “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek “the City” that is to come.”

We are seeing all the signs that are indicating that the end of this age is very near – imminent – right at the door. It can be very unsettling for all who do not have Jesus as their Savior. He is our absolute reason for the Hope that we have, no matter what is happening around us.

As given in 1 Peter 3:15-16; “but in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as Holy; always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the Hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect; having a good conscience so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

Jesus knew that just before He will come for His “Church” (all true believers) that there would be a turning away from the true word of the Father. John 16:33; “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Today, only about 10% of the total world population have Jesus as their Savior. For His chosen – the Jews – the total is about 1%-2%.

In today’s world, anything that has to do with Jesus or Christianity is being called “hatred” toward everyone else. We are to love everyone as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-31 and Luke 10:27. Even so, we do not have to like what they do. Jesus loved even those who put Him to death, but warned them that their ways would cause them to be in the eternal fire with Satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41). It was totally up to each of them to repent and accept Him as their Savior, or not.

Matthew 24; 2 Timothy 3; 1 John 2-5; 2 Peter 3, and even going all the way back to the book of Daniel gives us signs and attitudes of what is to come. There will be tribulations on this earth for seven years as has never been before. Yes, there have been some awful times in the past, but this will be when Satan is unleashed. His ultimate antichrist and false prophet will cause a lot of misery for anyone who does not pledge allegiance to them, and the outcome for all who do this will be eternally in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:11-15).

All who receive and accept the gift that our Savior paid for in full for us will not have to worry about going through that time. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, there’s talk about a coming “rebellion” when the “man of lawlessness” is revealed. This is the ultimate antichrist, the ultimate evil servant of Satan. Verse 6 states, “And you know what is restraining him now, so that he may be revealed in his time.” This is the Holy Spirit. Verse 7; “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only He [the Holy Spirit] who now restrains “it” [the beast] will do so until He is out of the way.”

All who call on the name of the Lord and have accepted Him as their Savior have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Timothy 1:14; Acts 6:5; Romans 8:9-11; John 16:13). Therefore, to remove the “Restrainer” is to remove all those whom He indwells. God promised that we would not go through the wrath in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10, just to name a few verses.

The act of removing all true believers is the “harpazo,” “Rapture”, or “taking up.” This is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. This is the last major prophecy to be fulfilled prior to the coming of the tribulation/wrath, and will fulfill God’s covenant to keep those who are saved from going through that terrible time.

The false prophets and antichrists are becoming more evident and out in the open daily. They have been here from the time that Jesus was on earth, but never to the extent that we see now. There are even “pastors” in some churches that claim to be “evangelical” that are speaking of many ways to heaven without Jesus, and that the abominations given in the Bible are no longer in effect. By the way, “evangelical” derives from a word meaning “gospel” or “good news,” and refers to a person, church or organization that is “committed to the Christian gospel message that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all Humanity.” Nowhere is there a definition that says, “according to man’s will.”

The “delusion” of 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 appears to have already been started. Those who have a desire to worship Satan will believe it is right, and God will send them a strong delusion to make this seem perfectly fine to them. It’s also what will condemn them at the Great White Throne Judgment. This delusion will be in full force after we are gone and the tribulation is in progress.

For today, all still have the opportunity to call on the name of Jesus and be saved from that terrible time (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). Romans 8:1 states, “There is therefore now no condemnation, for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This alone is reason for all believers to give thanks. Our Heavenly Father has promised that we will be forgiven of all sins, and they will be remembered no more (Psalms 103:11-12).

This does not mean we will never sin again, as all of us have the sin-nature within us (Romans 3:23). However, when we have Jesus as our Savior, and we slip and sin, God has promised to forgive us when we confess what we have done and ask His forgiveness (1 John 1:8-10). This is not a license to continue in habitual sin, but it means that the Father knows and understands our weaknesses, and wants all who will to repent and have Jesus as Savior and be with Him forever (2 Peter 3:9).

Once we have been taken up from this evil world, we will have new, immortal, imperishable bodies with a mindset that will not be subject to temptation and sin ever again. If that isn’t worth giving thanks for, then nothing is. Our God does not lie (Titus 1:2), and His covenant of eternal life in Heaven for all who have received and accepted the gift from Jesus is absolute. Likewise, all who reject Jesus will spend eternity in hell with Satan. There is no other option; it’s “either/or” and totally up to each person to choose.

My prayer is that you will join me on that day at the feet of our Jesus, giving Him all the thanks, praise and glory He so richly deserves. After all, He came willingly to take our punishment (John 10:18) for our sins. Today would not be too early to call out to Him. He will be calling up His flock to meet Him in the air any day now.

Maranatha!

huebshman46@gmail.com