2 Timothy 3:1 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
As we look at all that is going on in our world we can safely say that we are living in the last days. Our world is changing and we are seeing the scriptures unfolding before us.
Because of the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring many are succumbing to fear and anxiety. One thing that we can be certain of is the Word of God is true and unchanging. With all the uncertainties we can rest in this one thing. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times will come.” (2 Tim. 3:1)
I will challenge you to read all of 2 Timothy chapter 3.
We very seldom sit down and study the godless marks of the last days. This is a picture of what the last days of human history will be like, but I ask you, is it a picture of a future society or do we see the picture becoming clearer? I can see as the artist paints his picture with words it is a picture of our day and our time. It is very possible that the Lord’s return is at hand.
Perilous times mean difficult, trouble-some, trying, uneasy, violent, threatening, and dangerous days. This is a picture of unrest, people turning to and fro, here and there, not knowing which way to turn. The last days point to the end of the present age, the day’s right before Christ’s return. But the most profound picture is the godless world that we will see. Why will there be perilous times, why does this have to happen? Because the world is getting more and more godless. Read the marks of the godless society and see if we don’t see these things happening right before our eyes.
There has always been an injustice, and people will continue to suffer at the hands of injustice, it started way back in the book of Genesis with Cain and Abel and it will only intensify as the days get closer. Our hearts are broken by what we see, lives treated as if they were nothing, the anger, rage, and disrespect for one another’s souls.
Right now our whole world is dealing with the coronavirus, Covid-19 but we seem to have put that to the side for a moment to make ourselves heard. We can protest, that word means “an objection, complaint, or declaration of disapproval, a public expression.” But the rage that is following so close behind the protest is being fueled by the godlessness of this age. Rage means “a violent anger, wrath, and fury, something that arouses great enthusiasm, wild, haughtiness and insolence of men”. The rioting, the uproar, and the outrage. Look at the word outrage. It is a picture of what we have been watching unfold this past week in our cities. Outrage means “an act of shocking violence, cruelty, immorality or viciousness. A great insult, or to rape.”
Our homes have been pillaged and our cities have been raped at the hands of the godless. But remember who the author of all of this is. It is Satan himself. The adversary, the slandered, the deceiver, the evil one whose purpose is to make war against God and his people.
With all of our new advances in science, psychology, medicine, and technology you would think that mankind would be changed but we are not because science is not the answer to the woes of this world. It is only through Jesus Christ alone and the power of the cross, that mankind will ever be changed; He is the only hope that we have for this world.
Yes, there has been great destruction. Yes, our hearts are broken but, although we cannot bring a life back, what we can do is reach others before it is too late.
Yes, things will get better but we can expect them to get worse again because “for the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another.” (Gal. 5:17) There is a constant struggle, a battle that is going on and these two natures will never cease to battle.
For the one who has surrendered his life to Christ, for him it will get better because we know what the final outcome of this battle will be. We have hope, faith, we have prayer we have love, we have the full armor of God and when it seems that Satan and all of his adversaries are against you remember and do not be discouraged “Jehovah Nissi The Lord Our Banner” goes before us, He is Jehovah Rophi Our Healer, the healer of our wounds who will restore us and we will overcome the pain and injustice and our victory will be sweet. Someday there will be an end to the evildoer and the injustice will stop. Our responsibility is not to take vengeance, which alone belongs to God, but it is to pray, “Answer His Call, Tell His Story and Change our World.” Jesus the captain of our salvation assures us that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
This is not the time to be fearful but it is the time to do what Christ told us to do, to look up and take up the banner of love to a lost and dying world and prepare for His return. We can outrun the outrage (Outrun- Gr. protrecho- pro- forward or before, trecho – to run go beyond or exceed). Like the Father in the story of the Prodigal son, we can outrun the adversary to reach the soul of mankind before the adversary does.
We look forward to worshipping with you, our doors are now open or join us on our YouTube channel this Sunday Morning at 10:30 AM for a time of praise and worship and a powerful message by Pastor Rodriguez.
In His Service,
Francine
Prayer: If we can pray for you in a specific way you can send your prayer requests HERE.
Online Church Services: Click HERE to access our YouTube channel then hit the subscribe button and the bell next to it to be alerted of all our online services.
We need to live expecting and earnestly longing for that day but we also need to be preparing and taking this time to examine the priorities in our life. Are we investing in eternity or are we consumed with things that will one day burn up and be consumed by fire?
Living a holy life makes us the light that shines in the increasing darkness and uncertainty of our day and gives hope to the hopeless.
In His Service,
Francine
How are you doing today? How are you doing through all these changes? Yes, I really want to know how you are doing. As our city is slowly opening back up, are you excited or are you having second thoughts? Are you thinking, I don’t want to move too quickly, but I need to get back to work, I need to get back into the house of God, but what if…? Is all this news weighing you down, making you feel confused, and zapping your energy? All of this prolonged isolation certainly can make us feel disconnected and uncertain. God created us for community so its normal that we are feeling out of sorts. And this world is certainly different than it was a few months ago.
In the book of Joshua, we read about Joshua facing an uncertain future when Moses commissioned him to lead a nation to their homeland. The land of promise. In order to enter the promise land they had to drive out the present inhabitants, that meant a battle was about to begin. No one likes a battle, but there are times when we will be face to face with the enemy. What are we going to do? Run…or do we stop running and face our fears?
Elijah the great prophet of God ran when Jezebel vowed to kill him, but God patiently followed him and reminded him that he wasn’t finished with him yet. God gave him a new perspective and reminded him he wasn’t alone. God in His compassion renewed and refreshed the Prophet and he reentered the spiritual battle to which he had been called. Sometimes like Elijah we get our eyes off of God and His promises and we become fearful and run just like Elijah did. Or maybe we avoid, if I don’t look at the problem I don’t have to deal with it. It’s not going to go away so face it and stop pretending.
God told Joshua two things that would keep him strong and courageous: The promise of God and the presence of God would be with him. He wasn’t going alone into an unseen future, several times God had to tell him, fear not, why? Because he was afraid!
God gave Joshua an unconditional promise and he gave him two conditional promises:
Unconditional Promise: “I will be with you.”
Conditional Promise One: “Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left.”
Conditional Promise Two: “Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it… then you will be prosperous and successful.”
God would never leave him, but prosperity and success could if he did not follow God’s Book of the Law. What God told Joshua was, your responsibility is to stay focused on the Book of the Law (The Word of God) I’ll take care of the rest. The promises of God, gave Joshua the confidence that he needed to successfully fight the upcoming battle.
God wants us to carry the same confidence into the battles we face every day. He has armed us with an impenetrable armor so that we can stand our ground against our enemy Satan. (Eph. 6:13) God wants us to claim the land for His Kingdom, he wants us to be successful and prosperous but fear holds us back. Courage to move forward is found only in the promises of God and in His presence. God promised Joshua “I will give you every place where you set your foot as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend…” (Joshua 1:3) Fear paralyzes us and we freeze but remember the promise, and lift up that foot, now put in back down and lift the other, you can do it, pick up the sword in your hand (The Word of God) and with confidence march on and let’s take the land for Our Lord and extend our territory.
When we live in fear, we believe that God is unable to provide for us, protect us or defend us. The next time you are fearful ask yourself. What can man or my emotions or life’s circumstances do to me? When you remember that God is with you, you will find a remedy for your fear. Read it, it is written “the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8)
Psalms 1:1-3 (NKJV) “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
March on! And as you lift each foot watch how you walk, where you stand and who you sit with. As The Pastor always says “Keep your face in the book, (Bible) and get it out of face book.”
We look forward to worshipping with you on our YouTube channel this Sunday Morning at 10:30 AM for a time of praise and worship and a powerful message by Pastor Rodriguez.
In His Service,
Francine
Prayer: If we can pray for you in a specific way you can send your prayer requests HERE.
Online Church Services: Click HERE to access our YouTube channel then hit the subscribe button and the bell next to it to be alerted of all our online services.
In the ancient lands of the bible, the term shepherd was applied to Kings, especially in Israel. In Isaiah 40:11 God himself is viewed as the shepherd King of Israel. “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.” Ezekiel 34:11-16 gives us a description of the true Shepherd who searches and seeks out His sheep when they are scattered, He says “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; …”
One of the most familiar and comforting descriptions about our shepherd King is Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…” Here David describes God’s care in providing guidance, protection, and an abundance of refreshing rest even in our darkest days. The Hebrew translation of the first part of this verse is “Jehovah Rohi”, it means “The Lord my shepherd.” As we read this chapter we can envision a flock of beautiful white fluffy sheep grazing on a field of beautiful green grass with a brook of cool refreshing water for them to drink to their heart’s content. How peaceful, satisfied, and carefree are these sheep.
Hmm… life isn’t always like this picture I am imagining right now.
According to Isaiah some of the flock are weak, and even unable to walk, some are pregnant, and some are nursing their young. Isaiah is speaking of Christ our Jehovah Rohi our shepherd. And he didn’t come just to tend the strong and healthy sheep, but he came also for the scattered, weak, wounded, diseased, broken, and lost.
Isaiah 40:10 says “Behold, the Lord God will come with a strong hand, and his arm shall rule for Him;” His arm represents his power, ruling and in control. He comes not only with strength and power but with the tenderness of a shepherd who loves his flock. David the author of Psalm 23 himself was a shepherd, tending a few sheep in a desert wilderness. (1 Sam. 17:28)
The wilderness in the bible denotes a place of separation and solitude. In the wilderness, there are few distractions and the uncertainties of a wilderness create a need for God and a dependence upon God. This is a place where there was plenty of time to think. I’m sure David thought of all the times he led his sheep out of danger, how he had to fight for them against a lion or attacking hungry predator, what about all the times he had to bind up their bruises sometimes even having to carry them to safety, he would even sleep next to them. He knew each one by name and they knew his voice and most of the time followed close. I’m sure they didn’t know how well they were watched. David must have spent a lot of time thinking about how very much God is like a good shepherd.
David the shepherd boy draws us into the scene and shows us how our Shepherd God leads us to a place where will shall not want. Yes we may be in a wilderness right now, this pandemic has changed our routines and our lives, wherever we are at we can know that God knows us by name and His heart is wide open to us ready to bind up our wounds or to provide some refreshing life-giving water.
Sometimes we forget that we have a resting place and we wander off, He knows our pain, our grief, our limitations our weakness, and our bleating always reaches his ears Our Shepherd has tender care and concern for his lambs. God cares for the needs and problems of every individual in a personal way. We need to say like David did “The Lord is MY Shepherd. Make it personal, He is MY resting place. A lost sheep never has to go looking for the shepherd, the shepherd looks for the lost sheep.
As a King, he has all power and authority, yet as a shepherd, he has compassion and care. “Shepherd,” say it out loud it sounds so comforting, I feel the security, the tenderness, compassion, protection, and provision. But that word would mean nothing if I couldn’t say “The Lord is My Shepherd” Yes I may be a part of a flock but just the word ‘my’ tells me that this is personal. My shepherd watches over me, my shepherd loves me, my shepherd has compassion for me, and my shepherd even knows my name. “Every morning the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (John 10:3-4)
To know that God the King of Kings, Jehovah Rohi, the Great Shepherd is mine, brings such peace, that yes I can find rest even in the middle of the wilderness and calamities of this world because He is watching over me and He loves me with an everlasting love. Whatever tomorrow may bring whatever is lurking around the dark corner, He, my Shepherd, goes before me.
In the wilderness the secret to confidence is to delight in communion with God, beholding all His perfection. Use this time to get to know the Great Shepherd personally. When you are with the one you love, the most desolate place can become a well-watered garden, just their presence alone can transform the darkest of places into a place of beauty. So let’s take our eyes off of all that surrounds us and gaze upon the beauty and goodness of the Lord.
I will close our time together with part of my favorite chapter in the bible. Psalm 27 “One thing have I desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me…”
Maybe you don’t know this loving Shepherd, He is here watching and waiting for you. He says “I am the Good Shepherd. The shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) He has found you, now He is waiting for your response. It’s time to cast all your care on the One who loves you and wants to help you.
“The King of Love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His And He is mine forever.” Henry Baker
We look forward to worshipping with you on our YouTube channel this Sunday Morning at 10:30 AM for a time of praise and worship and a powerful message by Pastor Rodriguez.
In His Service,
Francine
Prayer: If we can pray for you in a specific way you can send your prayer requests HERE.
Online Church Services: Click HERE to access our YouTube channel then hit the subscribe button and the bell next to it to be alerted of all our online services.
We have become so accustomed to the speed of light technology. The media, cell phones, satellites, global positioning systems. It is hard to remember what life was like without the technology that we have today. How did we ever stay in touch before this era of such vast technology? And now with Social Distancing, it seems as if we need it even more. I can call you on my cell phone, zoom, email a document, and I can face time and see others on the other side of the world in an instant. It’s amazing, isn’t it?
I’m sitting here wondering how did they stay in touch in the Bible days, how did they navigate uncharted territory? They didn’t have what we have today but there was still a need to stay in touch, they needed organization and they had to convey plans to such a vast number of people.
Imagine you have twelve tribes of people, just one tribe the tribe of Judah alone had an army of 74,600. (Numbers 1- 2) There was a total of 603,550 men, Moses, Aaron the twelve leaders of Israel each representing his family and all the Israelites 20 years old or more who were able to serve in Israel’s army.
God was ordering Moses to move on from Sinai, and now they were preparing to march on to Canaan which was around 316 miles away. Their armies were organized, they had laws, (Ten Commandments) and the tabernacle to worship. They not only had to move a lot of people they had to move a lot of stuff even the furnishings for the tabernacle, but they also had to set up tents, and they had to do it all without a GPS system, cell phone, computers to email each tribe, or moving trucks they didn’t even have Walkie Talkies. Wow! How did they do it? We seem to have a difficult time getting everyone ready and out the door on Sunday morning.
Sometimes, God’s ways don’t make sense to us, but they always work. Before this age of technological advancement in the days of the bible, they used banners- flags that identified, designated, and communicated to the different groups. A banner was a flag bearing a symbol, or message also called a standard. In Exodus 17:15 Moses built an altar to the Lord after the defeat of the Amalekites and he called it Jehovah-Nissi “The Lord is my Banner”. If we put our trust in “The Lord our Banner” He will lead us, guide us, and give us victory. The Bible is God’s standard and is like a banner that can be raised to proclaim the Word of God. When we follow the banner we are safe and are reminded that God, our Warrior, stands against the enemies of His people. (Read Isaiah 59:15-21)
Under God’s leadership, Moses transformed and organized a mass of people. Twelve tribes were organized into four groups of three tribes each. The lead tribes of the four groups had banners or standards. Every man knew his place by their banners or standards, they knew when to pitch their tent and when to move forward. They marched in formation and moved to the next place as God gave them instruction. The banner gave one a place of identity, a rallying point, and a reference point. The raising of a banner would instantly bring order to chaos. It conveyed the message and gave direction. The trumpets sounding called the community together or sounded for battle, there was a different sound for each command and they all knew what each sound meant.
I’m thinking of the uncharted territory we are going through right now and I need a banner to follow. At this time we can’t congregate in our church houses and that leaves me feeling a little lost and alone, although I know I have Jesus and I am never alone, we were created to be social beings and we need each other.
Judah was the first of the warrior tribes to march (Judah means “Praise”) and then the tribe of Dan (Dan means “a judge”) would lead the tribes responsible for protecting the Israelites from behind. The other tribes fell in between. God goes before us and he is our rearguard. He will judge the situation for us. We just have to fall into place under the banner and listen for the trumpet sound.
Our God is an awesome God. Whenever we find ourselves going into uncharted territory remember like the tribe of Judah at the front, Praise to Our God should always go before us. There is power and direction in praise.
Stop and take a breath if you’re feeling like you need some direction and remember that you were once lost and Jesus was lifted up for you. He said, “if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.” The banner was lifted up that day that Jesus was lifted up on the cross for you and for me. You have been chosen by God, you are His very elect. How precious is His unfailing love for us!
This takes me to Song of Solomon 2:4 When the Shulamite says, “He brought me to the banqueting house and His banner over me was love,” She knew and so did everyone else that when he publicly lifted up his banner over her his intentions towards her was love, she knew that she was set apart from all others, there was no doubt that she belonged to him and he to her.
We are the beloved of God and He is raising His banner over us in this chaotic world. When we are under the banner of love we will know whose we are and to whom we belong. Uncharted territory, a new normal who knows what tomorrow will bring? One thing I do know is that I don’t go alone. God’s banner over me is love! Yes, I am my beloved and He is mine, his banner over me is love. God can bring order out of chaos just look to the banner.
If you’re looking for direction look up and look for the blood-stained banner (The Cross) the one with the heart in the center that has your name on it and as you look remember the forgiveness, acceptance, and God’s unfailing love. Now that’s something to praise God for! Excuse me I think I feel a jubilant praise coming on.!
“Whenever we find ourselves going into uncharted territory remember: “Praise to Our God should always go before us.”
We look forward to worshipping with you on our YouTube channel this Sunday Morning at 10:30 AM for a time of praise and worship and a powerful message by Pastor Rodriguez.
In His Service,
Francine
Prayer:
If we can pray for you in a specific way you can send your prayer requests HERE.
Online Church Services:
Click HERE to access our YouTube channel then hit the subscribe button and the bell next to it to be alerted of all our online services.
Let’s face it we are living in a difficult time, or should we call it a different time, either way, we are not used to this lifestyle. We are used to running, doing and going. We didn’t see this coming did we? But no matter what the world throws at us, a virus, sickness, fear, anxiety, financial distress, being quarantined, being overwhelmed, temptations and even confusion- yes it does seem like a lot to deal with, but we have a choice on how we are going to respond to it all.
As the people of God we do not give in to defeat because we were created for victory. Of course it is easy to say I have the victory but a completely different thing to walk out that victory. I’m reminded of a story in the bible I’m sure you are familiar with, David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
The bible says that the Philistines had gathered their armies together to battle against Israel and that a champion went out from the Philistines camp and he struck a great fear in them. The Israelites were in a panic, fleeing in terror from the giant Goliath of Gath, a champion warrior, experienced in combat. For *forty days Goliath challenged the Israelites and defied the armies of the living God. (*The number 40 represents a time of trial and testing. It is a probationary time, God does not allow the testing so that He can know if our faith is real but He allows it so that we can know He is real.)
The bible says “They were dismayed (discouraged) and greatly afraid”. A once victorious army is now a paralyzed army in isolation. Goliath mentally and emotionally immobilized the armies of Israel. They were overwhelmed but God says “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will raise up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:15)
That’s when a young shepherd boy named David comes on the scene. His father sends him to take provisions for his brothers who were on the battlefield and that is when he catches his first glimpse of Goliath. David sees the Philistine step up and shout out a terrorizing challenge. A deep concern and anger rose up in David “I can’t sit back and watch this happen to my people, he becomes very courageous as he shouts out “how dare you defy the armies of the living God.” When Goliath insulted the army of God he was insulting God.
When David’s older brother saw him at the battlefield he was angry and asked him what he was doing there. And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?”
We know at the end of the story David a young shepherd boy kills the giant Goliath. How did he kill the giant? David put his hand in his bag and pulled out a rock and with just one rock, he put it in his sling and flung it at the giant, smack right in the forehead and down he went flat on his face. (Read the rest of the story.)
You might be facing a giant in your life, you may be in a time of testing and those forty days may seem as if they are never going to come to an end.
Let me remind you that just like David, you have a rock and His name is Jesus.
There was a battle of two champions and David was on the winning side. You also are on the winning side. I’ll ask you the same question David asked his brother that day “is there not a cause?” You were created for such a time as this. Yes there are giants but remember the Word, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust” ( Psalm 18:2). Yes there is a cause, we must stand up and fight. It’s not time to be passive or dormant because we are in isolation, but this is a time to be more determined because God has a plan for this world and you are it! The enemy will oppose us and try to distract and intimidate us just like he did David. What was David’s response to the opposition? Even his own family said go back to the field with your sheep. You’re just a kid. But David knew he had been chosen and anointed by the Lord. When you know that God has changed you and called you don’t let anything distract you.
Where did David get his courage to stand up against Goliath? It was in those seasons of his life when he spent his days and nights alone out in a field, in isolation. He knew God experientially; God was his helper, his defender, and his teacher, and he became the greatest warrior that we read about in the bible.
You and I need that same courage, bold courage to face the enemies that are trying to stop us. That strong determination and courage that David had was a result of knowing God.
The giants will come and many of us are experiencing them even now; what will we do? The taunting by our enemy does not have to send us running in fear but we can have the same courage to stand in the face of the enemy and say enough is enough. Yes there is a cause! Devil give me back my brother, my sister, you can’t have what God has given to me. I will stand as a soldier of the Lord, I won’t give up or give in.
God will teach your hands to war, this quarantine, this time of isolation may be just your time so that you can get into the presence of God and be still and know Him. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, they are spiritual.
The sling David had was the vessel or the tool that he used to project the rock right smack into the enemies forehead.
You are a vessel that holds the word of God, you are like that sling, now take the word of God and thrust it at the giant that is coming against you. Hit him right between the eyes with the Word of God and render him powerless.
The many days and nights David sat alone out in a field doing the routine, the monotonous and menial tasks, taking care of sheep- that was God’s training ground. It was out in that lonely isolated pasture that God got David alone so he could talk to him and teach him. Maybe this is your time- is God trying to get you alone to teach you?
You may feel discouraged because you want to do great things for God. And it seems that God has forgotten that you are sitting out in a field somewhere in a place of solitude but remember you may not like the place you are at right now but it is God’s place for you, embrace it.
It was not the training or armor that gave David courage. His courage was based on his knowledge of God. He knew there was no one strong enough to defy and insult God or his people.
So today think about this: this is God’s plan and there is a cause, giants, yes there are many but God is greater. Many are dying without Jesus and you are the answer, don’t give up, don’t give in! God is teaching you to be a disciplined soldier, this giant that you are fighting against is just a distraction. “The One who is in you is greater than any Goliath that will ever come against you.”
We look forward to worshiping with you on our YouTube channel this Sunday Morning at 10:30 AM for a time of praise and worship and a powerful message by Pastor Rodriguez.
In His Service,
Francine
Prayer:
If we can pray for you in a specific way you can send your prayer requests HERE.
Online Church Services:
Click HERE to access our YouTube channel then hit the subscribe button and the bell next to it to be alerted of all our online services.
