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Entries for April 2014
"...He ascended --- what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things." Ephesians 4:9-10
It was over. They buried him; a lifeless body entombed, waiting for resurrection. They thought It was the sad conclusion of the amazing life of Jesus, the most extraordinary person to ever walk on earth. But, they were wrong. The angel announced the next morning, "He is not here! He is risen!"
In the interval between his death and resurrection, Jesus himself descended into Hades. On earth his friends wept and Roman guards vainly sealed the tomb and watched his grave, but Jesus went into the lower regions of darkness, delivered captives, snatched the keys of that dreaded abode from death and the devil. He arose The Supreme Victor over death, hell and the grave...(to read more click on article title)
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"Godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death." II Cor. 7:10
During a television news hour a reporter asks,"Are those tears real?" He is watching the confession of Oscar Pistorius. The 27 year old star athlete, who was the first amputee to run in the Olympics, relived "the moment that everything changed", recounting for the first time the night that he shot dead his girlfriend. His wild howls broke the silence of the emotionally controlled courtroom. The wrenching end of the 18th day of the trial left everyone stunned. Were his tears real heart-felt grief, or was it all a staged to influence the court? Only God knew if he shed tears of regret or tears of repentance...(to read more click on article title)
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"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
Evil rises to invade nations when the lust for power takes control. Recent events in our world should cause concern.
There are those of us who remember when proud dictators plunged millions of people into years of world war. We remember how tanks rolled over borders of European countries with no resistance; troops moved in and took control of governments. It all happened so quickly and quietly, like a thief. Few were disturbed.
Even the church chose to be silent and to pretend nothing was wrong. They held their breath and hoped if they were quiet the thief would go away.
Today modern tanks and more troops are doing the same thing. Again, few seem alarmed, or say, 'This is not right..not legal..not moral.' The silence is ominous, the apathy scary.
Neutrality is not an option when freedom is at stake. I am not a rabble rouser, but I would like to be a watchman on the wall who refuses to ignore the early signs of an approaching destroyer on the horizon.
"WATCH AND PRAY" our Savior said. The thief is on the move to steal, kill and destroy.
PRAYER: Lord, those around me must be warned of the thief who comes to destroy and how You come to save. Don't let me be silent in prayer or testimony. In Jesus name, Amen
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