Two years ago I wrote a song called “When The Sun Comes Up” on behalf of those faithful Christians who wish nothing more than to serve Jesus by telling others the Good News. It is as follows:

 

When the sun comes up in the morning, and warms my window pane

And birds begin, to sing their songs, I’m reminded once again

That He is there all through the day, and through the night time too

When the moon, casts its soft white glow and I bid the day adieu

Each day brings, its own reward, of the ones who need Him so

I must tell them, about my Savior whom I know

I look, upon their face, and know how much He cares

I know the joy, He gives that surely can be theirs

As His child, I look around, and see all He has made

But there are those, who hate His name, and others just afraid

So those He calls, He sends me to, to share the Gospel news

And once I share, with them and pray, it’s up to them to choose

 

CHORUS

When the sun, comes up, in the morning, it is another day He gives to me

Not deserving, of my yesterday, He reminds me that He set me free

Each day I’m in His charge, to help another see

All that matters, is that I serve Him, each day He gives to me

It’s always hard for soldiers in the foxholes. The battle rages around them, bullets fly, bombs go off, exhaustion sets in, and thoughts of home and loved ones persist. However, when the battle is over, the war is won, and the message comes that it’s time to go home, absolute elation comes to one and all.

Servants of Christ fit this description. We are at war, a spiritual war. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Soldiers of the cross know this. They know that time may be short for a lost soul they told about Jesus. They know that the rejections aren’t against them, but against the One who died for them upon the cross of Calvary, so they don’t take it personally. They know that Satan is blinding the hearts of as many as he can, so they will not hear, understand, or accept the glorious Good News.

If you are one of these warriors of Christ, you know that sometimes you get tired, physically and spiritually. We are human, but each day the Lord gives us is a new day, another day we can be rejuvenated by His presence in Word and prayer. We know that we don’t even deserve our yesterdays, but all that matters is that we serve our Lord today. The rewards come when those few will heed the call, and come to Jesus, and there is nothing like a quickening of the soul than to see one come to Christ or to see a prodigal child return to the Father.

Some of those who do not know Jesus hate His very name, but others are just afraid. This is when we can tell them that Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Perhaps what drives us on is knowing the love Jesus has for us all, and how much He cares for each and every one. We know because we experience it. Therefore, we must share it.

Be encouraged, for each day brings its own reward. Our Master’s creation shines upon us at night, and wakes us in the morning. It is then we are reminded of what an awesome God we serve.

 

Grant Phillips

The phrase “ignorance is bliss” supposedly found its origin in a Thomas Gray poem of 1742 called “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College.” Be that as it may, is it really advisable to turn a deaf ear to God’s prophetic warnings? Another saying, “what you don’t know won’t hurt you,” seems to dominate today’s society toward God’s warnings that are so evident today. Another, “ignorance of the law excuses no one” comes from Roman law, signifying that all are without excuse under the law.

Faithful followers of Christ are working hard to identify the warnings of God to a world that is being prepared for judgment. Yet, I am reminded of Proverbs 23:9 which says, “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”  I hear and read prophetic teachers of today patiently revealing what our Lord has said will occur in the last days, but few are listening, just as those in the days of Noah. Only fools do not listen. Should the prophetic voices be silenced or continue proclaiming God’s warnings to a deaf world? Obviously, the message must continue. Some will listen. Therefore, some will be saved from what God has in store for this fallen world.

Jesus said, “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24) The completion of the “times of the Gentiles” is quickly approaching, but most people continue through life with a deaf ear, laughing off the cry of the watchmen on the wall.

Iran is almost ready to introduce its first nuclear onslaught upon the world. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has vowed to blast Israel into the sea. The wise believe him, and Israel is in the pounce position, like a cat, ready to strike first.

Record breaking torrential rains, mud slides, earthquakes, extreme cold, extreme heat, hurricanes, riots, economic collapse, and other warnings have dotted the calendar throughout 2011, but few are paying attention.

The ten toes of Daniel’s prophecy are forming before our very eyes, but how many really care?

In my study of God’s Word, the Bible, there is not one incident that I can find where God did not warn those first who were in line for judgment. He is warning us today. Will we be like Nineveh or Jericho?

Every fulfilled prophecy God has uttered has come true right down to every minute detail. That is a 100% accuracy rating. Every prophecy yet to be fulfilled will happen in like manner. Yet mankind never learns from the past. Because of that willful ignorance, many will go headlong into the coming Tribulation, the Lord’s Day, which is rapidly approaching this earth. I suspect there will be some who will realize that what those irritating Christians said was true, but the clock does not run backwards.

No, ignorance is not bliss, what you don’t know can hurt you, and there will be no excuses accepted. If you miss Jesus’ call for His bride (the Rapture you mock), what will be your chance of surviving during this time? The only survival will be to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul, but by doing so you will most likely become a martyr since you will immediately be an enemy of the Antichrist. And folks, that is the good news. The bad news is; to die without Jesus now, is to be separated from Him throughout eternity in hell. More bad news is; to experience the seven year judgment that is coming will be a taste of hell, then the real thing, if you yet die without Him during that terrible time.

Know this. Jesus loves you unconditionally, and gave His life as a sacrifice for 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.” (John 3:16) He wants you to know Him. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30) He wants you to spend eternity with Him in a glorious place that he has prepared just for you. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1-2) Come to Him now, and He will call your name when He comes for His Church at the Rapture. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  (John 14:3)

If you are reading this article, you cannot claim ignorance. Even if you did, it would not matter.

Grant Phillips