Daily Devotional; formerly Chaplains Corner

[Python]

Originally Posted by BlackEagle

Thanks for the daily message, Terry;
Wherever we go, there we are, along with whatever emotional baggage we are carrying with us.

Mathew 24 & 25 talk about the return of Christ, and the verse that has stood out to me over the years is 25:13--"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Nobody can tell for sure when it will happen; Jesus says only the Father knows. Our job is, like the faithful servant, to keep plugging away doing what God has given us to do until He comes.

There have been plenty of predictions of "The End Of The World". The first one I recall was to be on a particular day and hour when I was in junior high school. Well, that day I was walking home from school and suddenly realized that the world should have ended about an hour before, and everything was still going as usual. My parents were home, so I didn't miss the Rapture. Everyone was still going about thier business. I thought something like "Nobody knows the day or the hour; it's the Father's secret and He'll let us know when He's ready."

Lots of people have spent lots of time talking when the end will come. There is a whole section of Theology, called Escatology, devoted to the subject. God has given us some indications in His Word, but there have been countless times throughout history that those signs have been around but the world has not come to an end. It will come, sooner or later and that perfect time is in God's good hands.

First, the Rapture has nothing to do with the "End Of The World". It's true that no man knows the day or the hour, not even the Son, but the Father only. I've met very few people that actually understand what the Rapture is really all about. To begin, we all know that the church is the "Bride of Christ". In John 14:1 Jesus tells His disciples, "In my Father's house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am". The Rapture is a portrayal of a "Jewish wedding tradition" practiced in the days that Jesus walked this earth. In those days when a women accepted a man's proposal of marriage, they were considered as good as married, except that the marriage had yet to be consummated. Tradition was that when a couple would marry, the couple always went to live in the house of the Father of the Groom. Therefore, the groom must go away to the Father's house and build a room onto the Father's house for he and his bride to live. The bride would not see the groom again until the room was finished, regardless of how many months it took to build the room. The room had to be built to the Father's satisfaction, and only when the Father was satisfied would He tell His Son to go fetch His bride. Therefore, no one knew the day and the hour that the father would tell His Son to fetch His bride, not even the Son. It didn't matter what time of day or night that the Father made His decision, be it 3 o'clock in the morning or 11 o'clock in the evening, at that time the Son would fetch His bride, and the bride was always to be watching and be ready.

[RunningOnMT]

Originally Posted by Python

Regardless of if I die before the Rapture, this is the "last generation" and the only generation of Christians that will not experience physical death when the Rapture takes place. I don't put my primary focus on the Rapture, however, as the Lord said..Luke 21:31 "When you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until ALL of these things have happened". I hear the news everyday. I don't have a problem seeing and recognizing the "things" that the Lord instructed me to watch for and be aware of, maybe you do, but I don't.The end of the "Age of Grace" when the fullness of the gentile have been saved is the time of the Rapture that will take place in this last generation. Of course our primary focus should be on saving the lost, and knowing how short time is, it's just as important to focus on the Rapture in an effort to open the eyes of those thinking there's still ample time. I don't want to see anyone left behind, "We must work the works of Him who sent me, while it is day, the night is coming when no man can work".

Quite to the contrary, there are not enough preachers today focusing on the Rapture or the Last Days/Last Generation that we're presently living. Because of this, too many are asleep. Knowing that time is so short and the next thing for Christians to experience before the Tribulation begins is the Rapture, is a great reminder and encouragement to live each day walking close with the Lord. You can believe anything you want to and express that belief, so can I. We can agree to disagree as they say, but when it comes to the word of God, I will always say "I believe". I hope that I will never be so pompous as to tell anyone what they can or cannot say concerning their "belief". And so that you're not confused, my faith in the pending Rapture is as strong as my faith in Christ Himself. The Rapture is the word of God, therefor, it is a fact. Jesus Christ rose from the dead, that is a fact. To say that I believe God's word, and say that I would not state what I believe as God's word to be fact, would project the wisdom of a fool. God knowing the beginning and the end does not "speculate". Prophecy is the word of God, I don't have a problem understanding what God has prophesied. If anyone has a problem believing God's word only after it has already happened for it to be a fact that's their problem. I don't have that problem.

I hope you weren't offended by my comments, as I wasn't trying to pick a fight over doctrine. We pretty much agree on that as far as I can tell. It's more a matter of trying to figure out exactly makes you so sure that this is the only generation that wont see death?? Do you have specific scripture that makes that irrefutable, or is it based on signs which are open to interpretation?

[jack404]

i thought it was timed after the formation of Israel in 1948

but some folks have read it as when the last person born before the signing of the document that created the state of israel has passed then THAT gen will get a free ride to Glory

some say it the gen that was alive when isreal was created ,

either way, its on it way ..

[ampaterry]

I sure am not trying to pick any doctrinal tiffs either -
We all agree that it is near, just differing on HOW near!

For today:

I have noticed that, for most people, when their car makes a new noise - a click, a tick, or a wheeze - they pay no attention. If the sound repeats itself, a few people will notice it. If it becomes a regular knock-knock-knock every time the engine is running, almost everyone will take notice of it and take some action to rectify the situation.

The Holy Spirit that indwells every believer works that same way. He does not shriek bible passages to us, but merely speaks them quietly, as a close friend might whisper to us. Many do not hear those words, however, being so involved with their everyday lives. Then, He repeats them, and repeats them, until even the least sensitive person is aware of His voice, and of the scripture which is being directed to them.

We are told of the power of the Word of God:
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV);
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

We are told of the uses to which the Word of God is put:
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV);
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

And Jesus tells us that the Holy Ghost will bring it to our minds:
John 14:23-26 (KJV);
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

I pray that each one of you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit easily - -

[BlackEagle]

Thanks, Terry;
The voice Elijah heard in 1 Kings 19.

[Python]

Originally Posted by RunningOnMT

I hope you weren't offended by my comments, as I wasn't trying to pick a fight over doctrine. We pretty much agree on that as far as I can tell. It's more a matter of trying to figure out exactly makes you so sure that this is the only generation that wont see death?? Do you have specific scripture that makes that irrefutable, or is it based on signs which are open to interpretation?

We have Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-30, Luke 21:29-33 where Jesus speaks of the "End Of The Age" (last days). Jesus references the Fig tree (Israel) at the End Of The Age. Jesus reference is to the blossoming of the Fig tree (re-birth of Israel) at the End Of The Age. The re-birth of Israel was 1948. The re-birth of Israel in 1948 marked the beginning of the last generation. Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, this generation will surely not pass away until all of these things have happened". All these things..the 70th Week of Daniel/Day of Jacobs Trouble/7 years of Tribulation all referencing the reign of the anti-christ, Armageddon, and the Second Coming. Ezekiel 37 has already been fulfilled. We're currently witnessing the stage being set to begin the war of Psalm 83 (nations bordering Israel..Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon) that coincides with Isaiah 17 (Damascus) before our very eyes. Israel will be victorious in this war and accumulate even more land/territory that will enrage the Arab nations to invade Israel fulfilling Ezekiel 38-39.

Our current "global" scenario leading to a NWO, and the current events in the Middle East, to include the alignment of nations threatening Israel, perfectly coincide with prophecy pertaining to this "last generation". And, it is IMPOSSIBLE for all of these things to ever coincide and happen again in this order to fulfill prophecy. Regardless of what man presumes, God has said that a man's years (generation) will be "three score & ten" (70years). By our calendar we are presently 64 years into the last generation. I believe that the Rapture will precede all of these things to happen, for the Lord said...Luke 21:36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you will be counted worthy to escape all of these things about to happen and stand before the Son of Man". There are numerous other scripture pertaining to this subject, too many to reference them all here. This is my understanding, if you disagree, that's your prerogative. Peace.

[pipeman525]

Thanks for that one Terry. I'm glad someone else hears that voice as they go along with what they want to accomplish.

[ampaterry]

I slept in today, so this is LATE -

I have spoken to you regarding one of the purposes of the indwelling Holy Ghost in the life of a believer: bringing scripture to mind at those times when we need it's guidance.
Does this mean we don’t have to study scripture, since the Holy Ghost is going to bring it to our minds when we need it?
Paul would say God Forbid!
The Holy Ghost is not responsible for bringing things to our mind which we have never bothered to study in the first place! If you have not read it, how can the Holy Ghost REMIND you of it?

Bible reading is a CRUCIAL activity for all Christians! We are not fortunate enough to have lived during the time when Jesus walked the earth and we could hear him speak with his own human lips - but we are fortunate enough to live in a nation where we have the freedom to study the written records of many of the things which Jesus did say!

How are we doing?

Barna Research Group surveyed and found the following statistics over the last 20 years with regard to Bible reading:
Bible reading has dropped from 42% to 37% among white adults.
It has plunged from 55% to 30% among Hispanics.
Bible reading among blacks remains high, and unchanged (no % given).
By age group, Bible reading among young adults rose the most – from 33 % to 42%.
Among median aged adults it remained unchanged (no % given).
In older adults it declined from 54% to 46%

It would seem the blacks, middle aged and the young people fare the best, even though not good, while the rest of us are getting worse as time passes.

Deuteronomy 17:19 (KJV);
"And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:"

John 5:39 (KJV);
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

May God bless you, guys!

[tcox4freedom]

That's why I'm so glad for those "audio" Bible links. I used to read the Bible "religiously" (pun intended). But, since I've had the onset of health issues, reading has become a lot more difficult.

I'm hoping listening to the Bible & reading what I can will help me get back to the place where I used to read the WORD for hours on end.

-

[BlackEagle]

Thanks, Terry;
Can't bring water up out of a dry well.
Joshua 1:8

[ampaterry]

Today is the First Saturday of Souls. This day is celebrated in the Orthodox church, and is the day when those who have died and hope for resurrection and eternal life are remembered at a special service named “Saturday of the Souls.”

The Orthodox church members bring small dishes of kollyva to the church today. Kollyva is a dish that is served among the Orthodox at funerals and memorial services that consists mainly of boiled wheat, but can have almonds, raisins, pomegranate seeds as well. It is served into individual small containers from a large tray.

The church members also bring the first names of deceased loved ones to the priest. The priest then commends them to God, and they are thus remembered with love.

Most protestants differ on such doctrines as this due to the fact that we simply interpret the Bible differently. We do not believe in purgatory, soul sleep, nor any other doctrine that expresses some kind of a waiting period between death and eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Everything we here at Bethany Church believe is based not on tradition, nor even upon pronouncements from some ecclesiastical body somewhere, but on the Word of God alone.

Paul tells us that we are with him when we die:
2 Corinthians 5:6-9 (KJV);
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

And Jesus tells us that it is the same day in which we die:
Luke 23:42-43 (KJV);
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Have a blessed day, guys -

[jack404]

and why some of us , who others think are nuts , never fear the afterlife and in fact look forward to it in lot's a ways



Cheers Terry

[ampaterry]

I feel more ready every day, Jack -

And THANK YOU, guys, for the support, interest, and comments!!

Today is Quinguagesima Sunday, a noted day in the Catholic calendar. The name means 50th day because this is the 50th day before Easter.
But this is Sunday, and Easter is Sunday, and weeks are still 7 days I think – so this could be the 49th day before Easter (seven weeks, 7X7=49), but I don't see how this could be the 50th. But I did not understand last Sunday being the 60th day either, so maybe I am mathematically challenged.
But it does not matter how well you perform mathematical calculations! We do not need this ceremony, that veneration, some other rite or to have the proper words spoken over us when we are nearing death. We do not need a human being to listen to our sins and pronounce that we are absolved from them. We do not need special clothes. We do not need years of special teaching. We do not need a Small Catechism or a Big Catechism. We do not need a certain name over the door of the church we attend. We do not need our names to be inscribed on a membership role. We don't need a cross on our necklace or a fish on our car.

What do we need?

We need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. We need to say “Good morning!” to him when we wake up, we need to commune with Him all day long, and we need to say “Good night, Lord!” when we go to sleep at night. We need to put at least 10% of our increase into His work. We need to follow Him in Baptism. We need to have a periodic memorial service at which we remember the sacrifice He made for you and for me. We need to deliver ourselves at LEAST once a week into the company of a local church where we can fellowship with other believers. And we need to do all these things because Jesus told us to do them.

Do you think that is a lot?

Compared to what He has done for us, it is a pitifully small amount.
Matthew 22:35-38 (KJV);
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”

Help all of us, Lord, to remember you and all that you have done and continue to do for us every day of our lives.

[cutter]

Thanks Terry!!!

[pipeman525]

Thanks Terry for another good one. Seems you and my pastor are on the same page today. When it comes to the math maybe you should try that " NEW" math they came up with in the 60s. I'm sure there is something there that would work LOL.

[ampaterry]

Thank you, guys, for the support!

Pipeman, I was lucky enough to miss that "new" math, but my wife got caught up in it. She gets the right ANSWER to math problems, but it causes my brain to overheat when she explains HOW she got that answer -
And - worst of all - it only applies to the base 10 system, so Hex calculations, DMS calculations, even DATE calculations, all pose an obsticle to it -
Another bright idea that the kids paid the penalty for - -

For today:

Today is Presidents Day. There was a time when we gave special accord to the greatest of our leaders. There was a time when we performed huge feats of engineering to remind future generations of what greatness truly was. The Washington Monument is one example. The Lincoln Memorial is another. Mt. Rushmore is the largest and most difficult example.
Designation of their birthdays as a national holiday was another way. The two presidents who did more to preserve the United States as a viable entity on the world stage were George Washington, the father of our country, and Abraham Lincoln, who had to make some very unpopular decisions to ensure that the USA remained a strong union capable of surviving in an increasingly militant world. Each of these had their own special day, until the decision was made to lump them together – along with any future great leaders – into this day; a generic day for Presidents. So Happy Presidents Day to all presidents who were great, were thought to be great, or thought themselves great. I guess this is the Politically Correct thing to do; this way no president needs to feel slighted because they do not have their own special day. Of course they still have that VERY special pension, the lifetime Secret Service protection, and perks that far surpass anything in the private sector.

The Bible speaks of how we are to treat our leaders:
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (KJV);
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

And, to be perfectly honest, the president and the lower leadership live lives that few of us would actually enjoy. Imagine having your every word, your every gesture, from the time you were born until this morning at breakfast, examined by hundreds of news agencies, all looking to make some point either for or against you.
God bless our leaders, if for no other reason than to keep one of us from having to fill their place.

And may God bless each one of you -

[Python]

PROVERBS 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

[ampaterry]

I've been mourning for three years now, Python -

Today is Shrove Tuesday in the Catholic and some other churches which start their Lent observance tomorrow. Shrove means to hear someone acknowledge their sins, assure them of God's forgiveness, and give them appropriate spiritual advice.
Another name for this day is Fat Tuesday. During Lent, there is fasting and dietary restrictions on fat, butter, eggs, etc. Lent is a time of abstinence, so this, being the last day before Lent, is a day to indulge on those things not allowed during Lent. A wise housewife will use up her butter, fats and eggs today because she will not be using any of these during Lent. All three of these are used in Pancakes, and for this reason Pancakes are traditionally eaten today, to the extent that today is also known as Pancake Day, particularly in Great Britain.

I know that abstinence is a good thing for us. We should keep our bodies in check by not overly indulging in any of the physical pleasure. And Fasting, for the right reasons, is also a very good thing. It frees up our bodies energy for spiritual pursuits. If some skinny person is fasting to lose even more weight, that is not a good thing at all.
But if one is facing a fast, I don't think pigging out the day before it starts is a very spiritual approach to the fast. I know folks who make a big deal about a 24 hour fast. Their method, though, is to eat their evening meal an hour early one day, then skip breakfast and lunch the next day and eat their evening meal at the usual time. Somehow, that seems like cheating to me, and I doubt that going into a fast with a gorged stomach would put one in a good condition for spiritual pursuits.
Jesus told us that we need to deny ourselves and bear our burdens;

Mark 8:34 (KJV);
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Deny himself and take up his cross.
Not indulge himself and hire a U -haul.

May God bless you, guys -

[ampaterry]

Today is George Washington's birthday. When I was in school, they told us the story about Washington cutting down his fathers cherry tree, and his extreme honesty in telling his father about it. There is no record of such a thing actually happening. But today, I want to tell you what the record does show about this man, including some things I was NOT taught in school.

He was born in 1732, and his father died when he was 11 years old. He entered the military in 1753, and rose to head the military during the revolution. In 1783 he was invited to be King of the new country by a group of officers who planned to revolt and take control of the government. He strode into a meeting of the conspirators in Newburgh and gave a speech which utterly destroyed the plan, known as the Newburgh Conspiracy. He then resigned his commission and returned to his plantation. He continued to work to get the government established for the fledgling nation, and was elected by Virginia to the constitutional convention, which he was chosen to chair. Some say that the delegates designed the presidency with the assumption that it would be Washington.
He was elected to the first office of President in 1789 and designed and put into place the first cabinet, which he acted as chief of staff over. After his first extremely successful term he was easily elected to a second term in 1793, which he reluctantly accepted. Nearing the end of that term in 1796, he was exhausted and refused to run for a third term in office, leaving in 1797. The next year, in declining health, he accepted leadership of the army, and died the next year from acute eppiglotitis during the flu epidemic while his doctors argued over the proper treatment.
This strong Christian man entered public service when he was 21, and continued in that service until removed from it by death 46 years later.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing us here in the United States to have the privilege of such a leader as George Washington. I ask that you would be merciful to us these many years later, and would bless us with someone only one tenth as dedicated as he was to our nation, to lead us in the path you would have us to follow.
Amen -

May God bless each and every one of us as we go into the election process -

[BlackEagle]

Thanks, Terry. God protected George Washington in many ways while he was in the military. Oh that government would acknowledge God now as they did back then.

Spot on, Python, with the Proverbs passage. I have thought of that many times.

[Iron Eagle]

2 Chronicles 7:14 has the answer to turning this nation back to Father God. If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
This country has strayed way off of the path that the founding fathers started us on. It seems that there are more ungodly people out there then there are Godly people. We, as children of the one, true, living God, should not have to put up with what is going on. I believe that Father God is frustrated with what is happening! Father, have mercy on the USA.

[ampaterry]

Thank you, guys!

Yesterday, in many Christian churches, they celebrate Ash Wednesday. For these churches, they consider this the first day of Lent, and the start of the 40 day countdown to Easter. Of course that does not work out, but since neither Lent nor Ash Wednesday is mentioned in scripture, it is fine for anyone to celebrate it whenever they choose to do so.

The practice of marking the forehead with ashes can be traced back to the sixth century, when it was used to mark a gravely ill person when they entered the Order of Penitents. As part of a regular church service, it is traced to 960. At that time, ashes were sprinkled on the men, and the sign of the cross was made on the forehead of the women.

In the 12th century, it was decided that the palm branches from Palm Sunday should be burned and the ashes from this were to be blessed and then used in the Ash Wednesday service of the following year.

This practice is tied in to Lent through the scriptural practice of repentance and lamentation using ashes:
Job 42:6 (KJV);
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

But the practice seems to be spoken against in other scripture:
Isaiah 58:4-5 (KJV); Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

But here, Isaiah is contrasting a counterfeit fast with a true fast, and the words may be against it being insincere rather than the use of the ashes themselves.

Like every single action that we as Christians take, it is the condition of the heart that truly matters. It is our intention, rather than the practice itself, that is important.

A hypocrite sitting in a confessional with ashes on his forehead, a fish on his car, WWJD bracelet on his wrist and a cross around his neck is not as right with God as a sincere seeker who handles a deadly snake because he believes this is what God wants him to do.

Seek God's will for you, guys - and then follow it no matter what!

[BlackEagle]

Thanks, Terry;
That reminds me of Psalm 51. True repentance is from the inside out and is necessary for the healing of the nation.

Goes right along with what Iron Eagle was saying.

Selected verses from the NIV:

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Once the personal spiritual life is sorted, then the national health can be rebuilt.

18In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.

[Python]

Originally Posted by Iron Eagle

2 Chronicles 7:14 has the answer to turning this nation back to Father God. If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
This country has strayed way off of the path that the founding fathers started us on. It seems that there are more ungodly people out there then there are Godly people. We, as children of the one, true, living God, should not have to put up with what is going on. I believe that Father God is frustrated with what is happening! Father, have mercy on the USA.

Chronicles 7:14 is the answer, but that's all it is. As for more people being ungodly, that's a given (2nd Timothy 3) and why there is the broad road and a wide gate. We as the children of God should have to put up with whats going on, after all, it's because of the church being complacent that we're in the mess we're in. There are so few churches (denominations) today that haven't fallen away that the "born again" don't stand a chance at the polls. Just look at what the Liberal Progressive Democratic Party stands for and promotes today, then consider that 90% of Catholics (yes, Christians) vote Democrat along with the majority of Protestants. If we were a "Christian nation" or even a nation of Christians, we wouldn't have any of the problems we face today. God said, "My spirit will not always strive with man", and I believe that time has come. God who knows the future controls the future, He doesn't become frustrated with it.

[ampaterry]

Judy and I lived in Alaska for five years back in the Sixties. We didn't live down in the WARM part of the state, but in the frozen interior; Fairbanks. There are many things which one must learn to get along in that kind of climate. Things act very differently in fifty or more degrees below zero temperatures.

If you have propane for a hot water heater or for cooking, you must find a way to keep the propane tank warm, because when the temperature gets down in the 40 below zero range, propane remains a liquid, and stops flowing to the burner.

If you have to work outside, there are special precautions you must take to keep yourself safe from frostbiting your skin, eyes OR your lungs!

If you enjoy shooting in the winter, be sure to remove every trace of oil from your gun's barrel, or you risk a bullet being stopped by the thickened lubricant and the gun exploding as a result.

Cars are another story! Their tires freeze, and if you hit a bump before they are warmed up, they will shatter like glass. The oil thickens and holds engine parts like cement. Cold batteries have almost no cranking power, and will fail to start the engine. You must warm and charge your battery in order for your car to start. Batteries left unused for too long will freeze. If you attempt to charge a frozen battery, it can explode.

What is the point of all that? Just this: This world is an arctic place to a believer. We have many precautions which we must take to survive. Unused spiritual batteries will die in the frigid air of unbelief. Only by regular use and by receiving power from an outside source can spiritual power be maintained. And any attempt to infuse power into a frozen spirit seldom works. Only a warm spiritual life can be charged with power by God.

Daniel understood how to keep his spiritual battery warm and charged. As recorded in Daniel 6:10 (KJV);
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed," (which prohibited worship of the true God) "he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."

This is our pattern.
We never give up doing what God wants us to do, what we KNOW is right, no matter what the law or custom of man becomes.

May God bless you, guys, and keep you warm and charged up!