Signs of the Times

"And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back, and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place I am going."
John 14:1-4

Jesus said that to his disciples before he was
arrested and then crucified. he was warning them,
he told them, time after time, that he was leaving them.
Jesus knew when he would be arrested,
he knew everything that would happen to him, and knew it had to.
I however don't want to focus on his crucifixion or resurrection.
I want to focus on His return, He promised He would return
to take those who know Him to the place he was going.
Where was he going? back to the Father(God) to heaven.
He said I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through me.

We know the day and the hour is unknown.
God is the only one who knows the day of Christ's return.
I think we have become a little to blinded though,
I think we have taken the scripture in the bible out of context.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven
nor the son, only the father."
Matthew 24:36/ Mark 13:32

We established the fact that we don't know the day or hour,
But we should know the season. We may not know the exact day,
we should however know when the time is near.
Those of us who refuse to wake up, those of us who
refuse to be "on guard" are not doing what Christ told us to do.
We as followers of Christ, we will know the season..
because we are gifted and smarter then everyone else? No..
because Jesus Christ told us the signs to watch for.
It's in your bibles, you know that big book you let collect dust on the shelf.
The point I'm trying to make is...we are always suppose to be ready..

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner
of the house will come back- wether in the evening, or at midnight,
or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly,
do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you,
I say to everyone: WATCH!"
Mark 13:35-37

Yeah...I know there are those of you who just go:
"Yeah..I've heard this all before, what makes this time period any different"
are you that blind? look at where we are...how far we have fallen!
the disgust and filth that is all around us,
I sit and I wonder just how much longer God is going to take this.
How many more slaps in the face is he going to take?
This country....this world, It has changed so much from just twenty years ago.
I mean good Lord... we are Sodom and Gomorrah.
Not only are we morally wicked, but look how far we have come,
when it comes to science and technology.

So what are some of the signs of Christ's return?
Everyone should know Israel is very important in end time prophecy.
I mean isn't obvious? Israel is like the capital of the world,
it's the hot spot, and although people make the case..
"Israel and the middle east have always been in turmoil"
and I sure the hell can't argue that,
but you look, and you see how Israel is surrounded by enemies.
How Europe has turned there back on Israel,
How Russia and Iran are doing business with each other.
Christ said:

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be great earthquakes and famines and pestilence
in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."
Luke 21:10-11

"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,
you will know that its desolation is near"
Luke 21:20

You can't tell me with all that has been going on with Israel.
With Hamas/Hezbulah and Iran/Syria/Egypt/Jordan/Lebanon
all of which think Israel shouldn't even exist.
You can't tell me that israel isn't technically surrounded by enemies,
and you can't say that within minutes at any moment
Jerusalem can't literally be surrounded by armies.
That however is only one sign..that has been given.
Next week I will give you others,
If of course we are all still around next week =)

..To God be the glory forever and ever..

I'm Forgiven

Sin covered me
couldn't break free
Ignored all you had to say
.
.
I created this place
where pain covers my face
a fading hope i've let go
.
.
Scarred through the years
You reached out your hand
I pushed it away, and covered my ears
as you whispered I'm...Forgiven

You washed it all away
Inside my walls i'd stay
lost and broken
.
.
Hid in the dark
your words lie on the floor
piercing through my soul

Scarred through the years
you reached out your hand
I pushed it away, and covered my ears
as you whispered I'm...Forgiven

I screamed for death
Couldn't take anymore
there is nothing left
....I give up....

Fell to my knees
begged you please
change this man i've become
End this silence of numb
You reached down
covered my scars
made me new
changed my heart..
I'm forgiven
.
.
..Forgiven..

The Battlefield

We as human beings are on a battlefield,
it is a battle for our souls, a battle for our mind.
Christian or not, It doesn't matter what you are.
Doesn't matter if you know it or not, there is a war inside you, going on.
We all have our own personal "hurtles" to overcome..
our own mountains to climb, and demons to fight.
It is a struggle that can overwhelm any of us,
and it's easy to just surrender to your flesh/sins,
to just fall down, and stay there.
It doesn't get easier with time,
and it sure the hell doesn't become any easier to resist
just because you know the truth, that is the mercy,sacrifice,
Love and forgiveness that is Jesus Christ.
I know there are some people who think;

"Once I accept Jesus in my heart, I'm good to go,
things will be so much easier. I'll never sin, I'll never worry"

Technically thats true, of course except for the never sinning part.
We should never worry, after all
what do we have to fear? We don't have to fear the world,
We don't have to fear these struggling economic times.
for we know the truth, we know the maker of all things is on our side.
However, you will worry, things happen..and we all have
our little pity parties once in awhile.
You may accept Jesus in your heart,
but if you are not honoring him,
if you make no effort to change your ways,
then tell me, how are you any different then anyone else?
You're suppose to have a relationship with Jesus Christ,
and if we want to look at it like that,
then if we pay no attention to him, if we don't "work on our relationship"
then Christ is just going to say
"ok, you want to do everything yourself? You don't want my help?
you don't want my guidance? then your on your own"

So fact number one:
Things don't get easier because you believe in God,
as far as sinning, and the battle for your mind and soul go.
Paul said:

We know that the law is holy. But I am not.
I have been sold to be a slave of sin.
I don't understand what I do.
I don't do what I want to do. Instead, I do what I hate to do.
I do what I don't want to do.
Romans 7:14

The battle for control doesn't end,
and we will always screw up.
Our personal demons will always be in the back of our minds,
and we will be tempted,
even Jesus was tempted. He of course never failed,
we however will.
Jesus said in matthew..

When an evil spirit comes out of a man,
it goes through arid places seeking rest
and does not find it. Then it says, "I will return
to the house I left." When it arrives,
it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean
and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it
seven other spirits more wicked then itself,
and they go in and live there. And the final
condition of that man is worse then the first.
Matthew 12:43-45

My view of that is we can never relax,
we can never be satisfied that we just know of God.
We have to study, we have to worship to set him above all.
We will always fail, if we think we can fight off our personal
demons ourselves. We need God, because without him we are nothing.
Nothing I do is worth a thing, I'm just a total wreck,
I'm a screw up and a failure. However through Jesus Christ,
I have been reborn into something useful.
If I, or anyone for that matter, Could follow the law
(the old testament laws) then Jesus dying on the cross was pointless.
I cannot save myself, I cannot free myself from sin.
Jesus Christ did that for me and you.
I go walking into this relationship with Christ
baggage and all, I know full well there is nothing I can do..
to make him love me anymore then he does.
I know, I will never deserve his grace and forgiveness,
I know I deserve hell.

Where is the honor and respect?

Are we putting our needs before Gods?
Are we lifting our names on high?

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master.
If I am a father, where is the honor due me?
If I am a master,where is the respect due me?"
Says the Lord almighty.
Malachi 1:6

Are we honoring God in our lives?
putting him first above ALL things?
are we disrespecting God.. by calling ourselves one thing,
and then acting the complete opposite?
If you want to call yourself a Christian,
then act like one.
The fact is you can scream it all you want,
it's not what you say, it's what you do, it's how you act.
God could careless if you say you're a "Christian",
He wants you to prove it.
Despite what some people believe,
just because your parents are "Christian"
that doesn't mean you are one.
It's not something you work for (per say)
You can't buy your way into heaven.
It's about having a relationship with him.
Putting him first, honoring, and being that example you're suppose to be.
(seems to be the theme for this month huh?)

The one who comes to me, and listens to me
the one who puts my words to practice.
He is like a house thats foundation was built into Rock.
When a flood came it could not strike down the house,
because it was well built.
But the one who hears my words,
and does not put them into practice.
He is like a house built without a foundation,
and the moment the torrent struck the house,
it collapsed and its destruction was complete.
Luke 6:46-49

What God wants is actual obedience,
not lip service.
You can look at Jesus and his parable of the two sons.
The father went to the first son and said:
"I want you to work in the field"
he replied: "I will not" but later changed his mind and did.
The father went to the second and said:
"I want you to work in the field"
and he replied "I will" but didn't do it.
Which did what their father wanted?
The first..right?
Jesus used this parable more so, to show the Jewish people
that the prostitutes and tax collectors
are entering the Kingdom of heaven ahead of them.
Because they recognized the truth, and changed their ways.
The point I'm trying to make with this is simple.
You can know the word of God, you can quote from the bible all you want.
However, If you are not putting it into action.
If you are not doing what God says,
then you are no different from the world,
and you are not of Christ at all.
Lets go back to Malachi and the first chapter...

it is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name.
But you ask,
"how have we shown contempt for your name?"
You place defiled food on my altar.
But you ask,
"how have we defiled you?"
By saying, that the Lord's table is contemptible.
When you bring blind animals for sacrifice,
is that not wrong?
When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals,
is that not wrong?
Try offering them to your governor!
would he be pleased with you?
would he accept you..says the Lord God almighty.
Malachi 1:6-8

You see, the priests were not putting God first.
They were keeping the good, and healthy animals for themselves,
and giving to God what they didn't want in the first place.
Are we today, giving to God are all?
or are we just giving him just enough,
just enough to make ourselves feel better?
Are we just praying to God, when trouble comes?
Are we only seeking him,when we want something?
Same could be said for a lot of church leaders.
Are some just preaching, and treating it as a way to make money?
just a job?
Are some doing it to be glorified in their own eyes?
I know Paul wasn't like that.

This is why, I fear for the church in these times.
Church is suppose to be about glorifying God,
It's suppose to be about lifting each-other up, and our relationships with Christ.
However, most (not all) have become something else along the way.
It's become more about the money brought in, more about the "tithe"
rather then worshiping God.
It's about condemning one group of people over another,
We would rather point fingers at each-other,
instead of embrace, and learn from each-other.
I don't claim to know all there is to know,
In fact, if you ask me I'm a very "simple minded" person.
To God be the glory, when I read and understand his word.
I know there are people who understand more then I do,
God gave them more wisdom and understanding,
and I'm willing to listen, I'm willing to learn and grow.
However, it seems a lot of people,
they don't want to grow, they would rather pick at each-others flaws.

I'm leaving this, with where we started..

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master.
If I am a father, where is the honor due me?
If I am a master,where is the respect due me?"
Says the Lord almighty.
Malachi 1:6

We must ask ourselves if we are honoring God,
and giving him the respect he deserves...daily.

Serve sin and die or serve Christ and live forever

It's really as simple as the title suggests.
I always get this feeling from non-christians,
or maybe I should just say non-believers...
that believing in God means you're simple minded.
That it's just so easy, to believe in God,
and it's just so easy, to be a true believer.
Now, is it easy for me to believe in God?
Yes, in fact, I really can't understand how somebody could not.
Sure, I can remember back to the time I didn't believe,
but thats a long story for another time.
The point I'm trying to make here, in my little ramble, is this..
Yes, it's easy to believe there is a God.
However, it isn't easy to follow the path,

The path of righteousness that we are suppose to.
In fact, it would be so much easier if I was just blind,
If I didn't see Gods truth, His perfect will, His righteousness.
It's hard to live how we are suppose to live,
we are suppose to be of Christ,
Martyrs for the truth, for the righteousness and faith we know is real.
The simple fact is, we are suppose to be living
the example Christ set for everyone while he was on earth.
Paul says we are suppose to be a slave of righteousness.
Now, does this mean we never screw up?
Does this mean we never sin?
of course not! I know I say this a lot...but here we go again:

Jesus Christ died for every sin we ever, and will ever do.
Jesus Christ, being the son of the most High, is the only one
in a human body to never have sinned.
However, just because, while we are in this form,
we will never be free from sin.
Just because Christ died for every sin we would ever do.
doesn't mean we can just do whatever we want.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law
but under grace? By no means! don't you know that
when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him
as slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey.
Wether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death,
to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
But thanks be to God that, though you
used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed
the form of teaching to which you entrusted.

You have been set free from sin,

and have become slaves to righteousness.
I put this in human terms because you are weak
in your natural selves...

Just as you used to offer your parts of your body
in slavery to impurity and to ever increasing wickedness, so
now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of
righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time
from the things you are now ashamed of?
those things result in DEATH! but now that you have been set free
from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads
to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:15-23

The New Testament, it's just so straight across, and simple to understand.
We can see how much wisdom, from God, Paul had here.
Because we are saved from our sins by Jesus Christ,
does not at all mean we ignore the law(the old testament laws).
The Law was not good enough by itself.
We were to consumed by our flesh,
we could not be trusted to follow the law,
simply because we are sinners. So Christ was sent as an example,
of course, not only showing us how we should live, but sacrificing himself
for our human nature(sin).

All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written:
"Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written
in the book of the Law."

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law,
because, "The righteous will live by faith"

The law is not based on faith; on the contrary,

"The man who does these things will live by them."
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law

by becoming a curse for us.
Galatians 3:10-13

The role of the law is to lead us to Christ. We are not saved by it,
we are saved by Jesus Christ.

We are to strive to be the kind of people God wants us to be.

We are to be faithful servants, to love everyone equal,
as he did, by dying for EVERYONES sins. We can not "work" our way into Gods grace, into eternal life. There is only one way to salvation and eternal life and that is through Jesus Christ, who saved us from our sins. We are to stand up for not only
our God, but for his morals, and for what is right.

How do we know what is right?
and what is wrong? well you know what is right, and what is wrong,
by the laws that were given to us through-out the Old Testament.

We are living in a time, where this world wants nothing

absolutely nothing, to do with morals.
We are living in a time of selfishness,

and doing "what feels right to us"
Doing what is "good for us, and our needs". We don't want to follow
what God wants for our lives. We are the outsiders folks,
In this politicly correct nation, we are told to "tolerate"
to live and let live, to keep our mouth shut.
Judge not unless ye be judged right? that is being used against us!
as a form of "political correctness".

Do you think Jesus would just stand there,

and keep his mouth shut, in our world today?

Do you think, with what is going on with Gay marriage,
Jesus would say: "Aw well, I believe it's wrong, but live and let live."
I think not! in fact I KNOW not!

Jesus flipped out over the money changers selling doves in the temple,

did he not?
Jesus would stand up, as we are suppose to, he would say
"This is wrong, man is not to lay with man, nor woman with woman"
Judge not unless ye be judged is correct, but that by far doesn't
mean we are to keep silent, and not stand up for what is right!
we are to have a voice, we are to set an example for everyone.
We are to be the speakers for Jesus Christ,

be those vessels God can speak his truth through.

We are told to shut up, and just live and let live,
We are told we are in the wrong. Let me asure you,
standing up for God, and his morals, is not WRONG!
It is wrong not to. We all one day will stand before our creator,
and I know I don't want him asking me
"Zac, how come you didn't defend me? how come you let them defile my word and command?"
Just take a look at this video, and what James White has to say about Sean Penn.
Penn seems to think that we should be ashamed of ourselves...YES
Ashamed for standing up for the word of God.