Do you ever just sit quietly and think about Jesus? It’s harder to live a sinful life if your heart and mind are focused on Jesus. We read in Proverbs, “My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart” (Proverbs 7:1-3).

This relates to what God told Israel to do with His commandments. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes” (Deuteronomy 6:6-8). 

There are many distractions in life that pull us away from focusing on Jesus, but we need to take the time. Solomon should have paid attention to God’s words; he made many mistakes because he didn’t follow God’s directions. He became very rich, but there was no pleasure in his riches. Eventually, he learned how important it was to have God’s laws written on his heart. How different his life would have been if he had honored God in the way that his father, King David, had honored God. David committed very deep sin but truly and completely repented.

If God’s word is written on your heart, when you face challenges in life, you’ll react in a way that honors God. Anger will fade, judgment of others will stop, and you will see others as people like yourself, sinners who need forgiveness. Jesus is our example, and if we meditate upon His word and write it upon our hearts, we will love Him more and more.

Fanny Crosby faced many challenges in her life, but her faith and trust in Jesus are seen in the many hymns she wrote. She wrote so many hymns that she began writing under numerous aliases. These precious hymns reflect her love for Jesus and His love for us. I would be hard pressed to choose one of her songs as my favorite, but one that I like very much is entitled:

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS

By Fanny Crosby

Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word; tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard. Tell how the angels in chorus sang as they welcomed His birth, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.”

We tend to keep life in categories. For instance, we don’t think about Christmas until December, or maybe October, and then it’s often Santa Claus that we think about. Even though Jesus wasn’t born on December 25, that’s when we celebrate. Jesus’ birth is a wonderful story that we need to remember all year. It also isn’t confined to the New Testament. His birth fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah told of a virgin birth:

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

We read in Micah where He would be born: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

These are just two prophecies of His birth. When God says something will happen, it happens. The angels did sing of His birth to the shepherds who were amazed. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13-14). 

Later, wise men came from afar. “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).

These are just a few Scriptures that tell the story of Jesus’ birth. When these words are all written on your heart, you can call them to mind and be amazed at what God has done.

Fasting alone in the desert, tell of the days that are past, how for our sins He was tempted, yet was triumphant at last. Tell of the years of His labor, tell of the sorrow He bore; He was despised and afflicted, homeless, rejected, and poor.

Jesus grew, and soon it was time for Him to fulfill the reason for His birth, so He first went to John the Baptist to be baptized. “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11). 

Right there the Holy Trinity was manifest; what a sight that must have been! Right after that He went into the wilderness to be alone where He was tempted forty days by the devil. “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered” (Luke 4:1-2).

Satan tried to persuade Jesus to fail in His ministry, but Jesus answered every lie from Satan with Scripture. Do you feel as if you fail in your walk with the Lord? Every Christian has a mission from God, but we are sometimes weak. Using Jesus as our example, if Scripture is written on your heart, you can answer every temptation with Scripture and you won’t fail.

“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season” (Luke 4:13).

When you withstand temptation in your life, don’t let your guard down. The devil only ended his attack on Jesus for a “season” and he will attack you regularly, too.

From the wilderness His next action was to call men to follow Him and be disciples. “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him” (Matthew 4:18-20).

In all, He called twelve men to learn from Him. Many other people followed Him, but the twelve were the ones chosen to carry the Gospel to the far corners of the earth. All Christians must be discipled by Him through the Holy Spirit. Jesus had no riches in this world, so if someone tries to convince you of a “name it and claim it” type of faith, reject Satan’s temptation.

“And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20). 

As we read Scripture, we learn and write it upon our hearts. Jesus’ ministry included healing people, casting out demons, forgiving sin, and confronting the religious leaders who abused their positions. These Pharisees were angry over Jesus’ words to them and plotted to have Him crucified. They even convinced Judas, one of the disciples, to join in the plot.

Write all of these things on your heart, and when you face persecution because of your faith or friends turn on you, remember how Jesus reacted.

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, writhing in anguish and pain; tell of the grave where they laid Him, tell how He liveth again. Love in that story so tender, clearer than ever I see. Stay, let me weep while you whisper, love paid the ransom for me.

Jesus entered His creation knowing full well what He would face as He walked this earth. His time here fulfilled prophecy.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:3-7).

The suffering and pain He went through is so graphically described here. He was innocent of all charges against Him, but knew He had to shed His own blood…God’s pure blood…as the final sacrifice for our sin. Adam lost our place with God when he chose to sin, but Jesus shed His blood to redeem us.

“He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:8-11).

Jesus gave His life willingly so we can live eternally. He was crucified and laid in a borrowed grave. Isaiah saw the future so clearly, yet we look back and are blind. The third day He arose and conquered death for all who believe!

Jesus loves me, this I know. Do you know it too? There’s no other way for us to be forgiven of our sins than through the blood of Jesus. If you have any doubts as to your salvation, if your actions in life go against the example of Jesus, then go back to Scripture and study. Pray the words will be written upon your heart and that you will live the life of faith you profess. Love did, in fact, pay the ransom for you.

Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart ev’ry word; tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.

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).

 

Quick question. Can you think of war happening anywhere? I’m sure most of you answered that question easily. The Middle East is at war. Everybody seems to be mad at Israel. That’s not surprising.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zechariah 12:2-3). 

God certainly can be trusted to tell us what’s happening…and what will happen. This hatred has been going on for generations. I have no human explanation as to why the entire world seems to be against Israel, but I am absolutely certain that it’s inspired by Satan. Satan has always declared war against anyone who loves God, or any nation that honors God.

There’s another war raging. A spiritual one. This war began in the Garden of Eden. God had given Adam and Eve a perfect place to live. Food and water were plentiful. There were no hurricanes, tornadoes, or typhoons to hinder life there, and Adam and Eve should have been content with their life in the Garden. Unfortunately, Eve made a fatal mistake. She questioned God. She listened to Satan, who had taken the form of a serpent, and he planted doubt.

Satan is always wrong. God had given Adam one rule. “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17).

Notice it was a command, not a suggestion.  The command was given to Adam prior to Eve’s creation, but Eve usurped her husband’s authority and chatted with Satan, who caused her to question God’s truth.

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1-2).

Eve should have turned away right then, but she chose to debate with this evil entity. In doing so, she added to God’s words. She said they weren’t even to touch the fruit, which wasn’t what God said. The problem would come from eating it and making it a part of themselves, and that would cause death. If you touch rat poison, it won’t kill you, but if you eat it, you’ll die. That lying serpent convinced her that God didn’t want them to eat of the fruit because they would then know good and evil and be gods. The fruit looked good, and so she ate it. It tasted good, so she gave some to Adam.

Why did he just go along? He knew what God had commanded, but he chose to allow Eve to defy God. He joined her in sin, and the world hasn’t been the same since. We’re at war. A spiritual war that seems to be ignored by many Christians, who just go along.

Many pastors avoid two subjects. One is prophecy. Although prophecy fills approximately 1/3 of Scripture, this subject is ignored. The other subject is regarding spiritual matters. It seems as if most Christians are willingly blind to the spiritual realm. They claim to believe Scripture, and know there’s a Holy Spirit, and that God lives in another dimension, but refuse to acknowledge that there’s an evil side to the spirit realm.

Scripture wasn’t written by humans. The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets and guided their words. This means that every word is supernaturally from God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Since all Scripture is inspired by God, why isn’t it taught line upon line? That way, important spiritual truths, such as God is good and Satan is evil, won’t be ignored. You’ll understand there’s a difference between the spirituality of God and the Satanic spirituality of witchcraft and paganism. There’s a war raging, and until you understand the rules, you can’t be a soldier fit for the Lord’s army.

Jesus taught that there are many signs of the end, and two of them are evidence of Satan’s war on humanity. First, Jesus said, “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-27). 

Don’t be ignorant about what He meant. Genetic tampering by the fallen angels was happening, and all of creation was corrupted. The human genome was corrupted and no longer entirely human.

“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).

Just as Satan twisted God’s words and convinced Eve to sin, he has caused people to twist these words to mean that powerful and wicked men married sweet and innocent women. Satan doesn’t want you to know that this is talking about fallen angels having sexual relations with human women. There’s no other way to translate this unless you twist God’s words.

This ungodly relationship created hybrids known as Nephilim. These creatures weren’t angels nor were they human, and they were quite evil. God always has a plan, and first He raptured Enoch, a man who walked with God and wasn’t corrupted. Then He sent judgment in the form of a worldwide flood. Noah was directed to build an Ark, and pairs of animals were taken on board, as well as Noah and his family. All of creation was corrupted, and God selected genetically pure humans and animals. When judgment came, God shut the door.

Why was Noah and his family saved? They believed God and stayed away from the wickedness happening in the world. “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation” (Genesis 7:1). 

When your life is over, either by death or through the blessing of the Rapture, how will God view you? God saw Noah as righteous. There must have been many temptations for him and his family, but they obeyed God. Today, only Christians are seen as righteous. Not because we’re perfect in our own ways, but we are seen through the righteousness of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. We must repent and truly believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

Don’t be blinded; genetic tampering is happening today. Goats are crossed with spiders, cats are tampered with so they glow in the dark, and much more. Be very wary of vaccines. A quick look at the “ingredients” of these vaccines will shock you. DNA from sacrificed (aborted) babies, DNA from cattle, and poisonous substances are injected into babies. No wonder there’s so much autism and uncontrollable children. What happens when the DNA of a little boy is injected into a little girl? Are they gender confused?

The war rages, and Satan influences people to be politically correct and just go along – don’t judge and don’t trust God to know what’s best.

Are we in the days of Noah? I say we are.

The other thing Jesus mentioned was the days of Lot. The Spiritual war didn’t end with Noah. After the Flood subsided, the Ark came to rest, and life began anew. God chose Abraham and led him to the promised land.  After a time, Abraham’s nephew Lot needed to leave because his herds were growing, as was Abraham’s herd. Rather than argue, Abraham suggested Lot choose where he wanted to go, and Abraham would go the opposite way. Lot chose to go to Sodom.

“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly” (Genesis 13:13).

Lot wasn’t a part of their wicked ways, so he was a target for their evil. The greatest sin in Sodom and Gomorrah was homosexuality. Once again, the evil was so bad that God had to send judgment.

“And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know” (Genesis 18:20-21).

God is slow to anger, but there comes a point when judgment must come in order to protect humanity. So it was with Sodom and Gomorrah. The two angels who had been sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah stopped at the gate of the city and talked with Lot, who invited them to stay with him and his family that night.

The men of Sodom wouldn’t leave them alone. They surrounded Lot’s house. “And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them” (Genesis 19:5).

Yes, sin abounded in Sodom. Lot tried to bargain with those wicked men, even offering his two daughters for them to have their way with, but those men only wanted the men who were Lot’s guests. Then those wicked men decided to have their way with Lot. He was saved by his guests.

“But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door” (Genesis 19:10-11).

Homosexuality is a sin. Jesus said the end would be like the days of Noah and like the days of Lot. “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:28-30). 

I think we’re there. God’s judgment will come soon, but like Enoch and Lot, Christians will be taken away before God’s judgment.

Brothers and sisters, don’t ignore what’s happening. The war is spiritual, and it’s raging. Are you just going along and not paying attention? Is it more important to you to be politically correct than to be Biblically correct?

Jesus Christ came to save us from sin, but we can’t look back to our old ways. Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32).

We must remember that this is all spiritual warfare. It may look as if the enemy is the people who participate in the wickedness of sin, but the real enemy is Satan, who only wants to destroy humanity.

The supernatural world is real, and in order to navigate this life, we must be aware of the supernatural war that’s raging. We aren’t forbidden from learning about the wiles of the devil, but we aren’t to take his yoke upon us by being a part of the evil. It’s somewhat like the forbidden fruit. We can know about it and understand it, but we aren’t to make it part of us. Be sure you understand that we don’t wrestle against humans, but against principalities, powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world.

Scripture will arm us. God has been very open about the spiritual adversary we face. He has also told us how to fight the battle. The Apostle Paul faced many spiritual fights, and his experience and knowledge of Old Testament facts enabled him to give us information about fighting this battle. We have God’s armor to protect us.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).

How can you fight a spiritual battle if you don’t know God’s armor even exists? Study Scripture, and don’t twist God’s words. When He says something is a sin, believe Him. The supernatural evil that hates you wants you to doubt God’s truth and change it to fit your own lifestyle.

“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).

Does that sound as if you’re to be ignorant about the evil that wants to destroy you? Those principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness are ranks of Satan’s demons. Are you ready to fight? Unless you stand firm upon Scripture without compromise, you’re fair game to the enemy.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

You must have the armor of God for protection. We are at war, and as we draw nearer to the time of Jacob’s trouble, evil grows stronger. God isn’t getting weaker, but as Christians compromise His word, our strength is weakening.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

We are at war, and these are attributes of people who have sided with Satan. Brothers and sisters, don’t deny the power of God by compromising His truth. Live for Him, and put on His armor. Fight in the battle, but be sure you’re on God’s side.

Many good Bible teachers say the “veil is thinning.” That means the veil that has kept evil at bay is weakening. I agree. More and more people report UFO sightings and abductions. Do I believe these stories? Yes, I do. These entities come from Satan, and they cannot stand against the name of Jesus. If you happen to see one, don’t try to chat with it, but call on Jesus. What about Bigfoot? I’ve never seen one, but I do believe it’s real and also needs to be rebuked in the name of Jesus.

There’s a growing fascination with the evil supernatural, and Christians are following the world. Much of the spiritual breakdown comes in the form of entertainment. What movies do you watch? Are they violent? Do they make evil look like fun?

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

The music industry is no better. Many songs glorify one-night stands, drugs, and violence. Why take such evil into yourself? It only opens doors to sin and all things the enemy promotes. If you’re a Christian, you must declare which side you’re on. Actually, no true Christian can take any pleasure in sin. Put on His armor, and understand how to use it.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:14-18).

Don’t compromise. Study Scripture as it’s written, and don’t twist God’s word. Learn to use each item of God’s armor. It’s spiritual armor to fight a spiritual war.

Whose side are you on? You can’t stand in the middle with one foot in the world. Remember, we wrestle with the powers of darkness, but the war has already been won. When Jesus was crucified, His blood was shed for us so that we can be forgiven of our sins and live eternally with Him. Repent, turn from your sin, and accept the free gift of salvation that Jesus offers.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30).

The war is finished, but there are lingering battles. Put God’s armor on and fight.

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).