“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).

Scripture warns us against pride. It has caused the downfall of many strong leaders and stops us from humbling ourselves before God. Many times, pride is referred to as being “puffed up.” It causes us to judge people and think that we are better than others. In truth, pride is a tool of Satan.

In many congregations, the Old Testament is ignored. There are many lessons to be learned from the Old Testament accounts of history. For instance, Satan was very puffed up about himself, and pride caused him to think he could raise himself above God. There’s nothing in all of creation higher than God. Pride is what Satan used against Eve. He first twisted God’s words to confuse her into questioning God’s truth, then he convinced her she could be like God if she only would eat the forbidden fruit.

“For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).

I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to be God. He is the only one I want to follow. Satan had touched the pride in Eve and convinced her to go against God’s truth. When life is lived according to God’s words, there is peace within you.

Let me say that just because something is spoken from the pulpit, that doesn’t mean it’s correct. I saw a video clip of a woman preacher (she shouldn’t have been in the pulpit in the first place) teaching that God really wants to worship you. That’s a lie straight from Satan.

We all know what happened to Adam and Eve. Eve believed Satan, then convinced Adam to ignore God’s truth, and all of creation has been under the curse of death ever since. Set your foolish pride aside and humble yourself before the Lord.

God has given us Scripture to guide our path. A wise person will prayerfully study Scripture and conform to God’s word. People have never stopped twisting God’s words into something other than what is clearly stated. For instance, we read in Genesis about the corruption of mankind.

“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Genesis 6:1-2).

People twist these words to mean that Seth’s sons married Cain’s daughters. How that ever came to be believed is beyond me. “Ben ‘elohim” is translated “sons of God” and is always “angels”, but “ben set” would be “sons of Seth.” “Bat adam” is translated “daughters of men,” while “bat qayin” would be “daughters of Cain.” This misinterpretation has led to many wrong ideas.

By missing the point that the fallen angels had children with humans, you can only conclude that God was unfair for sending the flood to kill all life just because humans were naughty. The naughtiness went far deeper than just being mean to each other; genetic tampering was happening. We are living in a time that is similar to Noah’s time. Scientists today are genetically altering food and also the genetics of people and animals. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Christians have freedom in Christ, but that doesn’t mean we should allow our pride to corrupt us.

It’s very important for Christians to study all of God’s truth and believe it. There are many accounts of good and bad behavior, pride and humility, throughout Scripture. It’s important to study in context and glean lessons for our own lives. First and foremost, we need to seek God and His righteousness in all we do.

Israel is the one nation established by God. Other nations may support Israel, or claim to be Christian, but if God isn’t kept first, then the nation will fail. Israel didn’t always honor Him, but He has always provided for their well-being.

The greatest king over Israel was David, although he didn’t always fully honor God. The important lesson from David is that when he sinned, he recognized it and humbly and desperately went to God for forgiveness.

When David died, his son Solomon became king. When Solomon died, his son Jeroboam became king, but there was a split in the kingdom, and it became two kingdoms. The Northern Kingdom, called Israel, fell deep into idolatry and sin. The Southern Kingdom, called Judah, was also guilty of sins against the Lord. Eventually, Ahab became king over Israel, and Jehoshaphat became king over Judah. Ahab wanted to go to war with Syria and asked Jehoshaphat to join him. Jehoshaphat was willing, but wanted God’s approval.

“And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day” (1 Kings 22:5).

That was wise advice. Ahab was prideful and wanted no advice that was contrary to his own desire. He gathered 400 of his own prophets and asked them if he should go to war. Jehoshaphat didn’t trust Ahab’s prophets.

“And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?” (1 Kings 22:7).

The 400 prophets were not true prophets, but men who would only give Ahab the advice he wanted to hear. Ahab was very evil and full of pride; he didn’t want to know what God had to say.

“And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so” (1 Kings 22:8).

Micaiah was called. He was told that all the prophets said to go to war so he should say the same thing. “And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak” (1 Kings 22:14).

So it was, Micaiah didn’t say what Ahab wanted to hear. It takes courage to stand firm on God’s word in the face of opposition, but Micaiah was a man of integrity. Because he spoke truth that didn’t please Ahab, he was sent to prison and fed only bread and water. Ahab insisted on war but should have humbly followed the advice of the man of God. Because of pride, Ahab was killed.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

Remember that as you face challenges in life.

A little pride is good; it helps us to dress appropriately and to comb our hair and brush our teeth. Rainbow-colored hair is a symbol of pride taken to the extreme. Paul had good advice for men and women about how they should behave.

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” (1 Timothy 2:8-10).

The world today encourages extreme attitudes that are ungodly. When you go out into a public place, such as a store, it’s easy to see very revealing clothing, multi-colored hair, heavy makeup, vulgar words on t-shirts, and more. This is all evidence of foolish pride. We might expect such behavior from worldly people, but as Christians, we should always point people to Christ.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

Model your life after Christ, and honor Him in all you do.

Pride will always lead to trouble. Unfortunately, it’s easy to give into a prideful attitude, and we must learn from an early age to submit. Children must submit to their parents, a wife must submit to her husband, and a husband must submit to Jesus. God’s ways are always best, and everybody needs to submit to God.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

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

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

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6.

 

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).

What is a Christian? Christians are just sinners saved by grace. It isn’t how we behave, or how many times we attend church services in a week, or how many good deeds we do that determines our salvation.

“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). 

We may look at someone who attends worship services or is just a very nice person and think they are a Christian, but if they haven’t accepted Christ for salvation, they are a lost sinner. Christians know that we sin, but we have faith that Jesus died to take our sin away. We still live in this fallen world and face challenges and troubles in life, but Jesus shares our troubles and guides us through.

The difference between us and the unsaved is Jesus. We have faith that He entered His creation to forgive the sins of everyone who believes in Him. Christians know that the only way to eternal life is through Jesus. When we accept His free gift of salvation, we don’t stop sinning, but we recognize when we sin and turn to Him for forgiveness. We become righteous in God’s eyes only because He sees us through the blood of Jesus. When we truly accept Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we have assurance that our sins are forgiven and that we will spend eternity with Him.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). 

Christ died for everyone, but you must accept His gift in order to receive eternal life. Once you accept it, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit; God lives in you. Let Him shine through you.

Do you fail in your walk with Christ? We all do. Sometimes we fail in spectacular ways, but more often than not, we fail in many little ways. Does God write us off when we sin? No, He doesn’t. He still loves us and will help us to draw nearer to Him.

I should have an easy time not sinning, because I’m by myself most of the time. Still, my thoughts get me in trouble. I think back to times when people have hurt me, and immediately, my mind thinks of all sorts of non-Christian thoughts. Jesus said that thinking those thoughts is as bad as acting on them. That’s when I need to pray for those people and ask God to forgive my evil thoughts.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

That isn’t always easy. When you pray for your enemies, you take them before the throne of God. You can see how much they need to know Jesus and how much you need His mercy. When you ask God to forgive your own wicked thoughts, you’ll see yourself as a sinner saved by grace, and it will humble you before Jesus.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:44-45).

God wants everybody to come to repentance, and He blesses even those who reject Him.

In this day and age, it’s very important that we live closer to Jesus. We are living in the end of days, and Satan knows his time is short. He wants to destroy as many lives as he can as fast as he can, and his wickedness is everywhere.

I remember a time when people weren’t as open in their satanic ways as they are today. Even if a person didn’t claim to be a Christian, they had some respect for Jesus. Today is very different. So many people take pride in wearing satanic jewelry and have satanic tattoos that glorify sin. They get offended if you wear a cross or have a Christian saying on your t-shirt, but they want you to accept their evil ways. That may not seem fair, but you need to feel pity for them and even say a prayer. We are nearing the end of time, and wickedness will increase. These people are very lost souls who need to know Jesus.

Everyone will live forever, but the question is, where? Will it be with Satan in the lake of fire, or will it be with Jesus in Heaven? The choice is up to the individual and must be made before taking their final breath in this life.

Jesus told His disciples, “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. 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 14:2-3).

This promise from the Creator of the universe should be on our minds continually.

To understand that verse a little better, we must remember that Jesus was Jewish and speaking to His Jewish disciples. For a traditional Jewish wedding to take place, when the man and woman were betrothed, the man would usually return to his father’s house and make a place for them to live as man and wife. When the home was prepared for his bride, the man would return to whisk his bride away to their new home. This is what Jesus meant when He told his disciples that He was going to prepare a place. Christians are His bride, and He will return for us and take us to the beautiful mansion He has prepared. This is known as the Rapture, and I can hardly wait.

Many people have a hard time thinking there will be a Rapture, but they just misunderstand Scripture. We were given prophetic signs to watch for, and they are happening quickly. He’s coming to whisk us away very soon.

It’s easy to see the events happening in the world and feel afraid. Fear comes from not fully trusting the Lord. I think of Peter when he and the other disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. There was a storm, but Jesus walked to them on the water. Peter had faith in the Lord and enthusiastically asked if he could walk out to Jesus. Jesus said yes, and Peter did walk on the water.

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31).

It’s really the storms in life that encourage us to cry out to Jesus. If we continue to trust Him, we will get through the storm, but if we focus on the storm, we will begin to sink. That’s when many people begin to doubt their salvation or make decisions that make the storm worse.

As we see the wickedness and evil permeating this world, and the major war about to explode in the Middle East, Christians must keep our focus on Jesus. He will keep us safe.

I’ve noticed a failure in myself. When life is easy, I don’t pray as much as when times get rough. Believe me when I say, I’ve been praying a lot lately. I know Jesus will see me through my struggles, but I need to praise Him more during the good times and struggles.

Soon, there will be war in the Middle East, and many lives will be lost. Have you prayed for the military men as they face battle? I pray they all have accepted Christ for salvation. As it all begins to happen, Christians need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

God hasn’t replaced His love for Israel, and we need to love them, too.

Bible prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly, but too many scoffers think it’s all very slow to be fulfilled, and doubt it will be fulfilled. Take heed to what Peter says: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

God wants everyone to repent and find salvation through Christ, so as Christians, we need to love our enemies and represent our Lord in this fallen world. If you study Bible prophecy, you can see what’s about to happen. I’m very interested in the Board of Peace that President Trump has organized. It seems to me as if this has been drafted right out of the prophecy in Daniel.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27). The Anti-Christ will confirm the covenant for seven years. Don’t twist my words. I’m not suggesting that President Trump is the Anti-Christ, but this tells us that the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt and that there will be a covenant in place that the Anti-Christ will enforce.

In all of the turmoil in the world, Christians need to grow stronger in our faith and bolder in our witness. Jesus said He will return for us, and a study of Scripture tells us He will come for us before God’s judgment is poured out. Judgment is coming, and there are many people who will be left here to face the worst seven years that have ever happened.

How can I say that? Well, Jesus said it first. His disciples had asked when He would return, and He described signs to look for. Remember, they didn’t ask about the Rapture (they didn’t know about the Rapture), but asked about His Second Coming. There is a difference, and many people confuse the two events. The signs listed in Matthew chapter 24 are all very Jewish, so we know God has not turned away from His chosen people. The Jewish Temple will be rebuilt, and that’s where the Anti-Christ will set up his evil empire.

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judah flee into the mountains:” (Matthew 24:15-16).

It’s a Jewish temple, and Judah belongs to Israel. The Rapture will take Christians Home prior to this, and that’s a true blessing. That’s also why Christians need to witness to friends, family, and enemies now. If God opens a door for you to share the Gospel, be bold and do it. Let the Holy Spirit lead your actions towards others. Tomorrow may be too late.

It’s easy to be afraid as we see Iran claiming they will wipe Israel off the map, but they are only spewing Satan’s lies.  A prophetic battle is brewing, but God won’t allow the total destruction of Israel. As I watch all that’s happening, I begin to let fear enter my heart, but my fears are relieved when I read Scripture and believe God’s promises.

I expect the Rapture at any moment, and I pray there will be many people who come to faith soon. I know of too many people who have rejected Jesus, and I pray for them. If God opens a door for me to witness to them, I will, but prayer is my greatest tool. It’s also important to witness to professing Christians who are openly living lifestyles opposed to God’s will.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:29-32). 

Each of us needs to examine our own walk with Christ and be sure we are walking the walk as we talk the talk.

Prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly, and Christians need to be strong in our faith as we anxiously await the call from Jesus to come with Him to the place He has prepared. It will be soon.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

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

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

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).