DAFFODILS

There is something so lovely and refreshing in the first flowers of spring.  Truly the Lord’s creation is beautiful and speaks to our hearts!

DAFFODILS

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Acts 14:17  Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

THE THREAT OF CHRISTIAN ZIONISM

An excellent article regarding the dangers of Christian Zionism. 

You can read the entire article here … THE THREAT OF CHRISTIAN ZIONISM

Excerpt …

“… the impact that Christian Zionists have on international politics may bring about some very tragic results in the diplomacy of the Middle East, including very real bloodshed and bereavement which might have been avoided if the idea of Israel’s divine entitlement to the land had been abandoned (or rather, if it had been put in its proper perspective as that which guarantees that all of Abraham’s true children will inherit the new earth through much meekness and patient endurance). This effect of a wrong ideology, having such a vast and widespread capacity to do much harm, has no doubt been grossly underestimated by a great many Christian theologians who disagree with the basic premises underlying the Christian Zionist movement.

The Christian Zionist movement is the result of an aberrant theology, and is dangerous on several fronts: it tends to distract and confuse true believers in a vast segment of worldwide evangelicalism; it tends to obscure the true message of the gospel from the Jewish people, by presenting to them a false dichotomy which demands that they forfeit the Abrahamic promises if they should come to Christ (who actually fulfills them – tragic irony!); it tends towards greater doctrinal confusion and heresy, which has been seen even in the most respected and influential leaders of the movement, and not just on the radical fringe; and it tends to work against the preservation of peace in the Middle East, by obstinately refusing any sort of compromise. Any movement that has such a destructive potential, and that has in fact already had many such harmful effects, is no small issue. Perhaps it is time for the leaders of the worldwide Church to present a united front of opposition to a very widespread and alarming threat.”

UNWILLING TO EMBRACE TRUTH

Why do some understand God’s truth and others do not? God is not a respecter of persons. He will reveal His truth to one as well as to another. So why do some embrace truth, and why do others reject it?

This question can be asked of unbelievers, but it can also be asked of those who profess Christianity. I think one reason is the cost. There is a cost to believing certain truths, and that cost can be very high. This cost is not to be considered works, it is rather what we suffer as a result of genuine faith. This cost is what we suffer when we embrace, proclaim, and act on biblical truths. An unwillingness to suffer will blind our eyes to truth. Rejection and isolation are two examples of the suffering we may experience because we have embraced certain truths.

In a hard cold world we cling to family and friends for comfort. But what happens when a person is born again and becomes a lone believer among unbelievers? It is then that we will be called upon to forsake all for Christ. This principle will hold true throughout a believers life. It is not a one time event. When traveling through an apostate church world, we will again be called upon to forsake all for Christ.

A person will only forsake all for Christ if they value Him above all else. If He is their pearl of great price and their treasure, esteemed above all others, it is then that they will forsake all and follow Him.

I really believe that the unwillingness to embrace truth, even in the “church” among born again Christians is an unwillingness to suffer for that truth. Oh how foolish we are. Oh that we may all be like Peter who said ” … Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. John 6:68″

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Matthew 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

THE FLOWERS APPEAR

Song of Solomon 2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Song of Solomon 2:11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

Song of Solomon 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Song of Solomon 2:13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Song of Solomon 2:14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of theth stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

Song of Solomon 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Song of Solomon 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 2:17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

John Wesley’s Notes

Until the morning of that blessed day of the general resurrection, when all the shadows, not only of ignorance, and sin, and calamity, but even of outward administrations, shall cease.

DON’T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH

A recent visit to the nursing home gave us another opportunity to witness. As we stood up, getting ready to leave the lounge, a resident began to tell us about his visit to Italy. He was happy to say that he had seen the Pope, and had received the Pope’s “blessing.” I told him it was funny that I was of Italian ancestry but have never been to Italy, and he a Haitian had been there. My husband often prays for “divine appointments” and I must say this was definitely one answer to his prayers.

During our conversation, my husband and I eventually had an opportunity to share our testimonies with this gentleman, and with his sister who was visiting. He listened attentively and I thought his response was interesting. He said he knew that was what the Protestant’s say. His words led me to think that perhaps someone had been witnessing to him, maybe praying for him. His sister seemed to agree with a lot of what we said. We never know who the Lord is drawing to Himself.

I often tell those I witness to that the direct way I speak to them is the same way I spoke to my mother when she was alive. I wanted my mother to know truth, and I want them to know truth also. This always seems to soften their hearts, and let’s them know that I care for them. If someone is willing to listen, I want to tell the truth plainly and simply. I don’t want to “beat around the bush.” The person may not immediately accept what I’ve told them, but if they’re willing to listen it will be something for them to think about, and may eventually lead them to seek truth. It’s not good to be vague about Gospel truth. Speak the truth in love, pray, and let the Lord do the rest.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Beating Around The Bush

You are “beating around the bush” when you talk about things indirectly, not stating exactly what you mean. Example: “Why don’t you just come out and say what you want to say? Stop beating around the bush.” When you ask questions or hint at things without being clear about what you mean, you are beating around the bush. Example: “If you want to ask me, just ask; don’t beat around the bush.” Example: “We haven’t talked about it directly; we’ve been beating around the bush.”

(GoEnglish.com Idioms)