Honor God :: By Nathele Graham

The events of the past few weeks, dare I say years, have been very emotional. Americans see our once-great nation slowly being destroyed by a group of people who have one agenda. They claim that the conservatives, in particular Christian conservatives, are intolerant, while they themselves spew hatred at anybody who disagrees with them. Their way of dealing with the perceived intolerance by others is to shoot, stab, and kill anybody who doesn’t agree with them. Yet, they see us as intolerant.

This same Satanic intolerance was around when Jesus walked this earth, and He warned us about it.  “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18).

Jesus is God’s love incarnate, and He’s our example to follow. Satan can only hate. How do we deal with this hatred? Certainly not with violence and hatred. “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).

It isn’t easy, but it is how we honor God. As Christians, we must always keep God first in our words, actions, and thoughts. We are to pray for those who oppose us, and forgive those who we see as enemies. Remember, people are not our enemy, but it is Satan and his minions driving them to evil acts and sin.

Centuries ago, a man named Jacob had twelve sons. These sons would become the foundation of the nation of Israel. Were they loving and kind? No, they weren’t. The older brothers were very jealous of their brother, Joseph. So much so that they sold him into slavery and told their father he had been killed by a wild animal. This evil act was used by God for good. Joseph eventually ended up in Egypt and never stopped honoring God in everything he did. Because of his honesty and integrity, he rose to a very high position in the Egyptian government. Under Joseph’s leadership, when a famine happened, Egypt had plenty of food so people didn’t starve.

Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy food, but they had no idea that the man they asked for help was their brother, Joseph. God sees the future, and He can take a very evil event and use it for good. Joseph understood this truth and told his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive (Genesis 50:20).

This was true thousands of years ago, and it is still true today. There are many events in life that seem horrific, but if we honor God in our thoughts and actions, He will use what seems evil for His good purpose. It may not be apparent immediately, but with His hand over any situation, the good will eventually become crystal clear.

A few months ago, my daughter and I were in what should have been a major, even fatal, wreck. Although she is a very good driver, somehow my daughter drove off a steep cliff, and we’re still not clear on how it happened. Her pickup was totaled. She and I only got bruised with some minor injuries, which have been mended by our chiropractor, and some lingering trauma on my part. Why did this happen? I cannot be certain, but mechanical things had been going wrong with the pickup, and it’s not a big stretch to assume some dangerous mechanical problem was about to happen. She could have been stranded in the dark on an ice-covered highway while commuting to work. I praise God for His protection.

Recently, Charlie Kirk was murdered. It was a tragic thing to happen, and my heart goes out to his family, but what was meant for evil, God has used for good. There are many thoughts that have run through my mind lately, and one that stands out is that Charlie Kirk was doing exactly what God wants us all to do. He was honoring God and sharing His truth at the moment of his death.

I think of my own life and how many times my thoughts don’t honor God, or my actions don’t show that I love Jesus. Shame on me. My mother used to ask me, “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” My teenage self could only answer that question, “Probably not.” Charlie Kirk spoke a message of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus. He didn’t compromise God’s truth. He wasn’t given a fair trial, but those who opposed his message convicted him and murdered him without a trial under the laws of the United States nor under God’s laws. Because of his faith, Charlie Kirk is with His Saviour right now.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Still, what was meant to silence the Christian voice has ignited a fire. This is the time for every Christian to share the Gospel. I pray that this opportunity to share God’s love with people who serve demon gods will not be swept under the rug.

Study Ephesians 6:10-19. God’s armor will keep you safe within His protection, even unto death. Indeed, study all of Scripture and don’t compromise. Peter tells us “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

The word “conversation” comes from the Greek “anastrophe,” which means “manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment.” In other words, live to honor Christ.

Let me take what may seem like a detour. Demons are real. Demons are servants of Satan and only want to destroy humans. It’s my belief that the entire world is under siege from demons. Daniel spoke of the powers behind Persia and Greece. These were evil forces that an angel had to fight against. These demonic powers are still working their evil today. Charlie Kirk spoke God’s truth to the demon-inspired crowds, and they killed him.

They can never kill the Holy Spirit living inside every Christian. There is a revival of sorts happening because of the murder of Charlie Kirk, but the demonic forces are also gathering power. Brothers and sisters, draw close to Jesus and stand firm upon God’s word. “Quench not the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). 

Now is the time to share the Gospel with others. Now is the time to stand firmly with fellow Christians upon God’s word. Onward Christian soldiers! We are marching to war against evil. Demand that schools stop teaching gender choice, evolution, and other satanic subjects. If you are a school teacher who claims to be a Christian but have no problem teaching these lies, then you need to dust off your Bible and study it. Honor God.

As we draw closer to the Rapture and the end of time, these evil entities know their time is about to end. They are becoming more “in your face.” Because Christians, who are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, deny the power of God, the demons are taking advantage of Christian ignorance. In the name of Jesus, we need to exorcise the demons that are possessing our nation.

Jesus knew demons are real and told a story of an unclean spirit returning to its house. “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation” (Matthew 12:43-45).

The demons must be cast out, but the house must then be filled with the Holy Spirit so they cannot return. America has systematically removed God from our schools, our government, and even our churches. Thus, our one nation under God is left empty. Demons are filling the empty spaces. Each of us must examine our own heart and be sure we are filled with the Holy Spirit and honoring God as we should. We must sweep the corners to be sure we get every cobweb of sin cleared away.

Other Godly men have also recently died. Their deaths didn’t make headlines like Charlie Kirk, but, nonetheless, they are missed. Men such as Voddie Baucham, who was a man who stood solid on God’s truth. His firm and gentle stand upon the Word of God was a blessing, and his death leaves an empty space that needs to be filled by men who truly serve the Lord with no fear.

There are plenty of false teachers around, but we need God-fearing men to step up and honor God by sharing His truth. We all have a voice that God can and will use if a person is willing not to compromise Scripture. Your voice may be small, but remember, David was small when he fought Goliath. David knew God was with him and had no fear; Goliath lost the battle. God is with all of us who love Him and serve Him. Don’t fear giants, but honor God. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

Brothers and sisters, honor God by serving Him without compromise. Don’t change His word to fit your agenda, but fit yourself to His word.

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).

 

Draw Near to the Heart of God :: By Nathele Graham

Sometimes it seems that peace is only a dream, something that is as hard to attain as trapping a sunbeam in a jar. The world is in turmoil, and everywhere we look, there’s a disaster happening. Earthquakes are getting stronger and causing loss of life, war is engulfing the world, and hatred is destroying people.

Where is God? He is still near to us, but it is people who have moved away from Him. Instead of drawing closer to His heart, we choose sin as a habit. Sin is what separates us from God and causes our lives to be in turmoil. As Christians, we are to be more like God. We cannot find peace in life until we allow God to rule our hearts. It isn’t easy, but it is the way to find peace in a world filled with turmoil.

There has never been true peace in the world since sin entered. Generation after generation has wanted peace, but on their own terms. Instead of drawing near to the heart of God, we want our own way. God’s heart is love. He sent His Son to be our Redeemer, but evil-hearted people rejected Him. God doesn’t want anybody to spend eternity parted from Him, but His desire is that everybody will choose to believe in Him.

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15).

Draw near to the heart of God in faith and find His peace.

NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD

By Cleland Boyd McAfee

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

The Apostle Paul had a strong calling from God to spread the Gospel. Actually, every Christian is called to share the Gospel with everyone we meet. Paul did all that God asked of him, but it wasn’t always easy for him to share the Gospel. In spite of everything, He knew what he was called to do, and did it. He knew what God’s heart was. God loves no matter if we are tall, short, curly-haired, or bearded. He loves every skin color and nationality. He loves sinners who reject Him and wants all of us to repent.

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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

God’s hope is for all to choose salvation through Jesus. It is a choice, but those of us who have chosen life through Jesus must share that truth with the lost people around us. We are all sinners, but Christians are forgiven. When a person finally stops fighting God and draws near to Him, peace will follow.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Bad things happen, but knowing that God will use all things for good will bring peace. The murder of Charlie Kirk was an act of evil, but God is using it for His purpose. The memorial service was seen by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. The Gospel was preached, and Erika Kirk showed strength and faith as she publicly stated to the world that she forgave the one who murdered her husband. That’s what being near to the heart of God looks like. That forgiveness probably means little to the one who pulled the trigger, but Erika Kirk has found a place of quiet rest. May God continue to strengthen her.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

When Jesus walked this earth, it wouldn’t have been easy to walk with Him. There were many hardships along the way and hard choices. Most who followed Him were Jewish men and women who risked losing family, friends, and status in the Temple just by associating with Jesus. After the crucifixion, following Jesus was a life-threatening choice. Peter, John, James, Andrew, and the rest gathered together for strength. Then Jesus showed up! He was right there with them all the time, but they weren’t aware of His presence until He greeted them.

We must spend time with fellow Christians. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

Jesus is always with us, and when we gather together in His name, His presence is even stronger. You cannot have this comfort when you’re gathered with friends and family who reject Christ. That is, unless you are sharing the Gospel with lost friends and family. When Jesus sent men out to share His message, He never sent them alone. Christians need each other.

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.

We also need time alone with Jesus. A time when we can pour out our heart to Him. Do you need His guidance in making a decision? Tell Him about it. Are you afraid of the future? His promises to never leave or abandon us is real. Have a quiet talk with Him and hear His voice. We all need time for prayer and Bible study.

If you hold onto your worries and fears, these will come between you and God. Even Jesus needed to be alone with His Father. When He was just starting His ministry, He went into the desert for 40 days and faced temptation by Satan, but was strengthened by the Holy Spirit. There were other times when He just needed to be alone with God the Father, for fellowship and to gather strength.

If we don’t have time alone with God, we tend to think we are in control of everything. It isn’t until we fully release our feelings to God that we can fully serve Him. That’s when peace and joy truly come to us.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The closer we are to God’s heart and live life in His ways, the more joy and peace we will find each day.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

Know who Jesus was, and is. He is our Kinsman Redeemer. He redeemed us through His shed blood on the cross. Through Him, our sin is forgiven, and we can draw near to the heart of God.

How could blood that was shed nearly 2,000 years ago redeem us from our sin? Jesus was fully God (blood untainted by sin from His Father), and that qualified Him to redeem us from sin passed by human blood from father to son. His mother was merely human, which qualified Him to be our kinsman. Because God loves us in spite of Adam’s sin, He sent His Son to make a way to redeem us from the sin that separates us from God.

O Jesus, my Lord and my God, thank you for shedding Your blood for me. Please, Jesus, hold me tight as I wait for you to call me and all Christians Home to be with you forever. Until then, give me strength and courage to boldly serve You in love. Help me to draw near to Your heart.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus wants fellowship with us. Draw near to the heart of 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).