On That Day

Malachi 4:1-3

Personalized:

O my precious daughter, I tell you that the Day is surely coming, and it will burn like a furnace, a crematory. For everyone who is arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble and that Day that is almost here will burn them up with fire. I am the Lord, Almighty over all the Earth. Not a root or a branch will be left of them. But for you, Bonnie, and everyone else who revere My Name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go out and leap and dance like frolicsome calves released from their stalls. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be the ashes under the soles of your feet on the Day that I do these things for you, daughter, dear; as your Lord Almighty you can be confident in trusting Me.

When Will Jesus Call Us Out?

Romans 5:9

Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him!

Daniel 3:17

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king." Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Daniel 6:22

"... My God sent His angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me." ... Daniel.

Revelation 3:10

. . . I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live upon the earth. To the Church at Philadelphia.

Let's do a little word study in the Greek:

'Hour' is 'hora' in the Greek: a day, an hour, an instant or a season; a period of time.

'Keep" is 'tereo' in the Greek: from the Greek word 'teres': to watch, to guard from loss or injury; differing from the Greek word 'phulasso': to prevent escaping.

So God has promised to keep the Philadelphia church from loss, injury or harm through the hour, the time period, of the trial, temptation or Tribulation that will test those who live upon the Earth, differing from preventing or escaping from that time of trial and testing.

Bible scholars have used this verse, Revelation 3:10, as a "proof" that the Church will be "Raptured" (a word not found anywhere in the Bible) before the 7 years of Tribulation and Great Tribulation.

However, seeing how God saved the three Hebrew children from the fire of the blazing furnace even though they were in the midst of it, without harm, and He also saved Daniel from the lions even though he spent the night in their den with them; He will also save His Church from His wrath that will be poured out upon the whole Earth.  

Psalm 91:7-8 says, A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. So Jesus will appear at the end of the Great Tribulation. He will "see us through" the 7 years of trials that will test everyone living, but His wrath will not come near or touch those of us who are His own.  We will be persecuted and even beheaded, but we will be saved from God's wrath, just as He promised.

Love One Another

John 13:34-35

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.

Three times Jesus repeats this command in these two verses: Love one another. We are to love each other the way Jesus loves us--freely, purely, whole-heartedly, sacrificially. Even while we are still sinners, He loves us, so much that He gave His all on our behalf. I want to love others, even my own family members, even when they are not living according to the way I think they "should" live. They will reap the fruit of their own choices, whether good or bad, and even though my heart may be breaking for them, I will rejoice with them and not rescue them. I will continue to pray for them, and look for ways to bless them.

One Answered Prayer

Psalm 118:5-7

In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.

My adult daughter texted me this morning that the old sewing machine was acting up again, and she didn't think she had time to finish the baby quilt by hand instead of machine in time for the baby shower this afternoon. I asked her what I could do for her, her answer was to please pray. Then God gave me this scripture in today's Our Daily Bread to give to her. 

She did finish the blanket, by hand, 20 minutes before the baby shower, but didn't embroider the baby's name and date in the corner like she had planned. But the quilt was given, and received, on time. Thank you, Lord.

God's Provision In Our Need

Habakkuk 5:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

When the hard times shall come and there would be no source of income or provision at all, and we would be totally and completely destitute; even then I will be able to have joy in my heart for my Lord and I will be able to sing praises, rejoicing in God my Savior. The joy of the Lord is my strength, and I know He will never leave me completely without provision; He has promised and He will provide for my needs out of His riches in Glory!

To Open Blind Eyes

Isaiah 42:7

To open eyes that are bind, to free the captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

O my dear Father, Lord over all the Earth and all the Universe! I pray for those who are dear to me who do not yet know You. I pray that You would open their blind eyes, that You would free them from the prisons that are holding them captive and release them from the dark dungeons in which they sit. Let Your light shine upon them that they may see You in Your goodness and Your majesty, in Your grace and compassion and in Your power and Your mercy. O Father, allow me to be Your conduit, Your channel, so that all who observe my life and hear my words may see Your light, to perceive and understand Your love that cannot allow evil to prevail. Let them see You, Father, and turn to You from their corrupted ways and know Your Truth.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Family Relationships

Galatians 6:1-10

Brothers - This is family truth.

If someone - Any of the family members.

is caught in a sin - Entangled in some habit, addiction or attitude.

you who are spiritual - If I understand the spiritual principle.

should restore him - Share my experience to show the Truth that works.

gently - with compassion and respect.

But watch yourself - Don't focus so much on fixing the other . . .

or you also may be tempted - . . . that I neglect to notice my own attitude.

Carry each others' burdens - Help and support so they won't be overcome by their grief, trouble or problem.

Fulfill the Law of Christ - This is how we love one another.

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing - Pride.

he deceives himself - I tend to lie to myself about myself.

Each one should test his own actions - Why do I do what I do?

Then he can take pride in himself - Self-worth, in that I have obeyed properly.

without comparing himself to somebody else - No competition here, compare myself only with Christ.

For each one should carry his own load - Be responsible for my own common, ordinary, daily responsibilities.

Anyone who receives instruction in the Word must share all good things with his instructor - Don't forget to thank and reward my mentors.

Do not be deceived - Don't fool myself.

God cannot be mocked - He is Almighty, Sovereign, Wise, etc, etc.

A man reaps what he sows - I need to pay attention to what I am saying and doing, not go off on auto-pilot.

The one who sows to the flesh - To satisfy my comforts.

will reap destruction - Poverty, illness, incapacity.

The one who sows to the Spirit - In the power and insight of God's Spirit.

will reap eternal life - Not only living forever, but a good quality of life right now.

Do not become weary in doing good - Persist, don't wimp out, don't quit.

At the proper time - Payday.

We will reap a harvest - Get the paycheck, experience the results.

if we do not give up - Don't quit before payday!

Therefore, as we have opportunity - Today, don't put it off.

do good to all people - Everybody, regardless.

Especially to those who belong to the family - Family members are due more respect and consideration than strangers and friends; have priorities.