Hope for the Future

Those who try to hide their plans from the LORD are doomed! They carry out their schemes in secret and think no one will see them or know what they are doing. 16 They turn everything upside down. Which is more important, the potter or the clay? Can something you have made say, “You didn’t make me”? Or can it say, “You don’t know what you are doing”?

17 As the saying goes, before long the dense forest will become farmland, and the farmland will go back to forest.

18 When that day comes, the deaf will be able to hear a book being read aloud, and the blind, who have been living in darkness, will open their eyes and see. 19 Poor and humble people will once again find the happiness which the LORD, the holy God of Israel, gives. 20 It will be the end of those who oppress others and show contempt for God. Every sinner will be destroyed. 21 God will destroy those who slander others, those who prevent the punishment of criminals, and those who tell lies to keep honest people from getting justice.

22 So now the LORD, the God of Israel, who rescued Abraham from trouble, says, “My people, you will not be disgraced any longer, and your faces will no longer be pale with shame. 23 When you see the children that I will give you, then you will acknowledge that I am the holy God of Israel. You will honor me and stand in awe of me. 24 Foolish people will learn to understand, and those who are always grumbling will be glad to be taught.”

Isaiah 29:15-24 (GNT with Deuterocanon)

The Message

We Christians who are oppressed and mistreated have hope for the future. God’s plan is to prosper us and not to harm us as He promised, and I have faith this will happen. So, don’t lose hope!

These terrible things happening around the world is part of God’s plan, and we must acknowledge that God is always good. He is working for our future, and for our children’s future. I will be here to see it coming.

So, what must we do? Pray and share the gospel of Christ with others. Don’t stop preaching and teaching God’s Word. They need God, and they will listen. They may say, “Look at you! Why will we obey God when your life is difficult?” Then, tell them these verses: Isaiah 29:15-24. Our hope is in the Lord!

God Stops Wars

God Is with Us

1 God is our shelter and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken
and mountains fall into the ocean depths;
3 even if the seas roar and rage,
and the hills are shaken by the violence.
4 There is a river that brings joy to the city of God,
to the sacred house of the Most High.
5 God is in that city, and it will never be destroyed;
at early dawn he will come to its aid.
6 Nations are terrified, kingdoms are shaken;
God thunders, and the earth dissolves.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done.
See what amazing things he has done on earth.
9 He stops wars all over the world;
he breaks bows, destroys spears,
and sets shields on fire.
10 “Stop fighting,” he says, “and know that I am God,
supreme among the nations,
supreme over the world.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Psalms 46 (GNT with Deuterocanon)

This is what I received today as God’s message: “Yes, God can stop wars!”

At first, I was expecting to see wars exploding all over the world, and people are saying it is the end of the world as predicted in the Bible. However, today I received this encouraging news that God can stop wars.

Remember Jonah? He went to Nineveh to announce God’s judgement to them, the people heard him and everyone repented? So, God did not punish Nineveh for their sins because they repented. Jonah was angry about it, but God told him there were many children and animals in Nineveh, so Jonah realized his fault.

I like to be wrong about world war 3 coming soon because I yearn for peace. My life is full of strife already and the last thing I want is war. I would really love to see people repent for their sins and make the whole world better. Just like God, I don’t like any kind of violence because I’ve seen so many sufferings already, and having a war in our country is just heart breaking.

So, I pray that this encouraging news will bear fruit. I just hope that the leaders of our nations will join hands and sing a song of peace.

God Our Protector

Psalms 91 (GNT)

God Our Protector 1 Whoever goes to the LORD for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, 2 can say to him, “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.”

3 He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases. 4 He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you.

5 You need not fear any dangers at night or sudden attacks during the day 6 or the plagues that strike in the dark or the evils that kill in daylight.

7 A thousand may fall dead beside you, ten thousand all around you, but you will not be harmed. 8 You will look and see how the wicked are punished. 9 You have made the LORD your defender, the Most High your protector, 10 and so no disaster will strike you, no violence will come near your home.

11 God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones. 13 You will trample down lions and snakes, fierce lions and poisonous snakes.

14 God says, “I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as LORD. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.

16 I will reward them with long life; I will save them.”

(My personal thanks to pastor prince for recommending this verse.)

War is Inevitable

Joel 3:9 (GNT with Deuterocanon) “Make this announcement among the nations:
‘Prepare for war;
call your warriors;
gather all your soldiers and march!

I could remember the marvel movie the avengers infinity war, when thanos said that war is inevitable. It sent me shivers. Of course, we know who won on that part one. Many just disappeared and they call it the ‘blip!’ because they just disappeared in just a snap of Thanos fingers. He killed many people, but he had good reasons.

This verse is not a drill, it’s an announcement.  We must be prepared and sober because these days are evil. We Christians are lucky because we have a God who will take care of us and hear us in times of trouble. The wicked is in the valley of judgment.

As Jesus Christ says, “Do not be afraid because I’m with you.” This is God’s word, His promise,  and we’re sure to trust in Him.

There is a time for war, and a time for peace.

After Another

If you watch the news, it seems that judgement is coming. The Lord will test us, and we must not fail to trust in Him who is faithful. I guess this is the time to be serious and prepare of what is ahead.

Be Honest

Jesus the Light of the World

12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”

13 The Pharisees said to him, “Now you are testifying on your own behalf; what you say proves nothing.”

14 “No,” Jesus answered, “even though I do testify on my own behalf, what I say is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. You do not know where I came from or where I am going. 15 You make judgments in a purely human way; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I were to do so, my judgment would be true, because I am not alone in this; the Father who sent me is with me. 17 It is written in your Law that when two witnesses agree, what they say is true. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me also testifies on my behalf.”

19 “Where is your father?” they asked him.

“You know neither me nor my Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

20 Jesus said all this as he taught in the Temple, in the room where the offering boxes were placed. And no one arrested him, because his hour had not come.

John 8:12-20 (GNT with Deuterocanon) 

The Message

The reason why they are in the treasury area in the temple because of this verse in the Old Testament:

Isaiah 45:3 (GNT with Deuterocanon)

3 I will give you treasures from dark, secret places;

then you will know that I am the LORD

and that the God of Israel has called you by name.

This is why the LORD Jesus said He is the Light of the world. The pharisees are hiding something that is why they are angry with Jesus.

Jesus continued by saying He passes judgment on no one, and if He judge others then He has a witness and that is God the Father that is why the pharisees are looking for Jesus’ father. They thought that Jesus’ father is just a human being.

Jesus was saying that anything hidden will be put into the light, no matter how hard you try to hide your wrongdoing. Everything will be put into the light for everyone to see, and there is judgement. God will judge you in all that you do, right or wrong, and He will give you the right verdict.

So, if you stole something, confess your sin! If you wronged someone, tell the truth! It is better to confess your guilt earlier than get punished in the end. God is Light, and He will see to it that there is justice.

Psalms 7:11 (GNT with Deuterocanon)

11 God is a righteous judge

and always condemns the wicked.

A Sense of Urgency

“Wake up, sleeper,

            and rise from death,

            and Christ will shine on you.”

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like ignorant people, but like wise people. 16 Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. 17 Don’t be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.

18 Do not get drunk with wine, which will only ruin you; instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with the words of psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts. 20 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father.

American Bible Society, The Good News Translation with Apocrypha (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Eph 5:14–20.

The Message

Many people nowadays are struggling to make ends meet because these days are evil days. We are already in a time when we are waiting for the “second” coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will take us to our new home called, “New Earth.” So, do not be anxious, for your problems will vanish away when you believe that the Lord’s coming is near. Nothing would really matter when He comes.

Therefore, there is a sense of urgency for us Christians to spread the gospel to those who are still “sleeping.” Those people who are searching for a God that can save them. We believe that God will save us, putting our trust in Him that He will take us safely to His Kingdom.

Keep sober, stay alert, you don’t want God to catch us sleeping on the job when Jesus comes, or you will be left behind. This is the time to pray for wisdom in everything we do, and ask God what we should be doing not later, but today. And, He will pour out His Spirit to us and give us peace beyond all understanding:

And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.^[1]

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^[1] American Bible Society, The Good News Translation with Apocrypha (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Php 4:7.

Forgotten Stories of Yesteryears Music Album

Give this album a listen: Forgotten Stories of Yesteryears https://open.spotify.com/album/525CDZjdg6fp0aCcdgzlGK?si=WyAp30JpRqiATWMb55fhGA

God’s Mercy Has Its Limits

Make it your aim to do what is right, not what is evil, so that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty really will be with you, as you claim he is. 15 Hate what is evil, love what is right, and see that justice prevails in the courts. Perhaps the LORD will be merciful to the people of this nation who are still left alive.

American Bible Society, The Good News Translation with Apocrypha (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Am 5:14–15.

The Message

It is not true that God can give unlimited mercy, in the Bible, God sets limits. Remember, God did not forgive Moses when he made a mistake of striking a rock instead of speaking to it. Moses did not enter the Promised Land because of that.

God is Soveriegn. If He wants to forgive you, He will forgive you, but if He doesn’t want to forgive you, then He will not forgive you that is why we must have God’s Spirit. Without God’s Spirit, we cannot do anything. In the scriptures it says,

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.

American Bible Society, The Good News Translation with Apocrypha (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Jn 15:5.

Remember? The Lord Jesus Christ said that there are sins that cannot be forgiven?

³¹ For this reason I tell you: people can be forgiven any sin and any evil thing they say; but whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Matthew 12:31

If you are a child of God, don’t worry. God cannot sin against Himself, and we are sure that He will fulfill His purpose for us because of His loving Holy Spirit:

⁴ At the same time God added his witness to theirs by performing all kinds of miracles and wonders and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will.
Hebrews 2:4

So, let your life be controlled by the Holy Spirit, and not controlled by the flesh, and you will bear a bountiful harvest of God’s goodness.

Charity

The Message to Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
“This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created. 15 I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich and well off; I have all I need.’ But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. 18 I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see. 19 I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. 21 To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne.
22 “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

American Bible Society, The Good News Translation with Apocrypha (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Re 3:14–22.