Starry sky; God verses man

I looked up this morning on my walk with God and saw one of the prettiest starry sky's I've seen in what seems like days or weeks. Then in comparison I saw a satellite, and then another! (Possibly the space station) When I prayed later I was reminded of the difference between what God makes and what man is capable of. The starry host, and a couple of tiny devices that can do some pretty cool things. The comparison is stunning, in His ability versus ours. And we ever doubt Him? He is a God of order. And if He can watch over all of that, surely He can watch over our little lives. "But our problems seem so big!" Not compared to how big He is! Look at your life or problems and compare them like the tiny little satellites compared to the gigantic universe, because that's how God looks at it! Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Waiting...

When I was in the Army, in basic training, it was the first time I ever remember running two miles or more...and on many days it was more! This morning my wife had a dream that she was running the Red Jacket Trail from Rapidan to Mankato, and she was carrying this serving tray, and it was making it harder for her to run, it was really hard at first. Then she put the tray down it became easier for her to run. We are being presented with an opportunity to re-open our feeding center in Mankato possibly even this week or next. I am supposed to get a call today about it. Whenever I was required in the Army to hold something as I ran, even something light, it seemed to be the heaviest burden in the world. Anything added to Jesus is too much. Anything added to His Word will always be wrong, even if it seems to be true. I need God's Word. "Lord, let us receive Your words of life today, You're the only One who has them, and You freely give them. I will not add anything to Your Words, and I will take nothing away from them, in Jesus name. Amen." Isaiah 40:31 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

The 4th Quarter

Jesus is coming back in the camp. Why is this world becoming so crazy, and everything seems to be becoming more and more evil? Because maybe the Lord is cleansing it before He comes back. If that's true, He has to cleanse it. This is todays study, for Days of Praise: July 31, 2014 Without the Camp “And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.” (Exodus 19:17) This is the first of more than 30 references to events that took place outside the camp of the Israelites in the wilderness under Moses. In this first mention, it was “without the camp” that God first met with His people and gave them the Ten Commandments. The first temporary tabernacle was also “pitched . . . without the camp” (Exodus 33:7). However, when the regular tabernacle was established, it was placed in the midst of the camp, and the camp was considered holy before the Lord. “For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp . . . therefore shall thy camp be holy” (Deuteronomy 23:14). Accordingly, anything unclean was commanded to be banned from the camp (vv. 10-13), including even “the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp” (Hebrews 13:11). Sad to say, however, the camp and the sanctuary did not remain holy, and God, in judgment, finally had to remove it from its place. Before its final removal, however, He whose blood had been foreshadowed by all the sacrifices did come personally to His people “to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26). This sacrifice, however, could no longer be offered in the defiled sanctuary. “Wherefore Jesus also . . . suffered without the gate” (Hebrews 13:12). Now again, as in the beginning, God must meet with His loved ones personally, outside the camp. The organized “camps” of religion generally treat His disciples as misfits, and so, like outcasts, they must seek Him outside the camp. “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (v. 13). HMM So if Jesus is coming back, soon, then He has to cleanse His camp, and He is asking all Christians to do the same; no more compromise. No more idols. No more almost good enough. No more 99.9%. No, He is demanding all. Hot or cold, sinner or Saint. Don't get me wrong, that's what He's always called for, but now it has to happen, there's no more time left, this is the 4th quarter, the final; this, is, it. The last time He said it is finished, He had accomplished all He needed to on the Cross. Now He is going to say it is finished and the new heavens and new earth will be established. I've always heard people talk about, "What would you do if you knew this was the last day on this earth? How would you live?" Would you go out and party, or go out and save, redeem. Didn't Jesus say, "Redeem the time for the days are evil." Ephesians 5: 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. So if this is it, if we have one last generation left before His return, how should we live? Matthew 24:33 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. The word “recognize” used in Matthew 24:33 in the original Greek is in the imperative mode which means it is a command! We are commanded by Jesus to know when His return is near.Romans 13:11-14 11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12The night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. 1 John 2:28 28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day We are not of night nor of darkness; 6so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ I believe Jesus is speaking of the time we are living in right now: Matthew 24:32-35 & Mark 13:28-31 (Both recorded the same) Luke 21:29-33 32(28) Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33(29) so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34(30) Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 29 Then He told them a parable: Behold the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. The question that arises when speaking of the fig tree is not what is the fig tree. That point is clear. Virtually every theologian will agree that in the Bible, Israel is referred to as the fig tree. (Hosea 9:10; Joel 1:6-8, 12; Luke 13:6-9; Jeremiah 24; Jeremiah 29:16-19). When Jesus is talking about the fig tree in the Olivet Discourse, he is referencing Jeremiah 24:1-10. The question that comes up is the fact that in the Gospel of Luke, it is recorded as “Behold the fig tree, and all the trees” where as in Matthew and Mark it is recorded as “Now learn a parable of the fig tree”. This too isn’t really of much debate. There is no difference between the two. The fig tree is Israel and all the trees are the men of Israel (Judges 9:8-20). Matthew and Mark were saying that Jesus said behold Israel while Luke recorded that he said Behold Israel and the men of Israel. For further clarification, the fig tree is a symbol used in Scripture which always refers to the nation of Israel. Figs were used by Jehovah Himself as a symbol for Israel in a parable recorded in Jeremiah 24:1-2. The Lord then explains that the good figs represent those of Israel whom He would return to the land of their fathers and the bad figs were those of Israel whom He would destroy (Jeremiah 24:4-10). Trees, when used as a symbol, refer to the men of Israel. The symbol of trees representing the men of Israel can be seen in a parable told by Jotham to the men of Shechem as recorded in Judges 9:7-15 of the Old Testament. The trees Jotham referred to, that had once gone forth to anoint a king over themselves were the men of Israel as recorded in Judges 8:22. (Luke 21:25-26) "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken” Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa)- "We look at the deteriorating moral values in our nation—the divorce rate, abortion, pornography, drug addiction and child abuse. We witness what has transpired in the homosexual community. We are shocked at the violent crimes, the drive-by shootings and the terrorism that plagues our world. What is the world coming to? Is the end near? What will be the signs of Jesus’ coming and the end of the world? This was the very same question Jesus’ disciples asked. Jesus’ answer to them and to us is found in Matthew 24:37-39: As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that [Noah] entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Genesis 6:5 tells us what was going on in the days of Noah. “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” As we look at our world today, we see the parallel—the movie industry corrupting our values, television defiling our homes, children’s video games teaching violence—all these are polluting people’s minds until the thoughts and the imagination of man’s heart is continually evil. We read in Genesis 6:11 that “the earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Pick up the newspaper and you will see the hostility that fills the earth. Our nation’s morality has sunk to the place where Ruth Graham once said, “If God doesn’t judge America, He will need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!" (Thanks to http://www.arewelivinginthelastdays.com/article/generation/generation.htm for all the source material, pasted here on 7/31/14) We are living in the last days, but it is up to God to decide the day & hour, we cannot know that, only the season. Many scoffers will look at this and say something to the effect of, "Ah, "they've" been saying that for centuries, where's the promise of His return." But He's coming back still. Please, look at this as a personal warning; live your life in such a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Live by the Spirit, in the Spirit, and not in the flesh. Chose life, and live for Christ. God bless you and save you, in Jesus name, Amen. The day before I wrote this, this appeared: July 29, 2014 Two more giant holes have formed in the remote region of Siberia, which makes a total of three holes mysteriously appearing in the last few weeks. One of the new holes appeared on the route that reindeer herders are known to travel, making this a dangerous place for them and their herd. According to Yahoo Finance on July 29, locals in Siberia just happened to witness the hole opening up and while there are two conflicting stories reported, both sound rather mysterious and somewhat bizarre. One group of locals said they saw smoke coming out of the ground before the crater developed and then there was a bright flash. Another group reports a “celestial body fell, which created the crater. The first hole that was discovered last week was the biggest of all three. That one was about 100-feet across and 300-feet deep. While the other holes are close to the same depth as the first hole, the second revealed crater was about 50-feet across. The third was only 15-feet across. The Washington Post suggests that with the news filled with downed planes lately, not too many are paying attention to the craters forming in Siberia. Now that three have suddenly appeared, it may be time for attention to be drawn towards detecting just how the holes were formed. The size of the hole isn’t where the danger lies for people herding in that area, it’s the depth. It is the smallest of the three craters that lies on the route that the reindeer herders travel. The two larger holes are in the same area, which is called “the end of the world.” The area is dubbed this because it is such a remote location on the Yamal Peninsula. The third hole is on the Taymyr Peninsula, which is just as desolate a location as the location of the first two craters. A permafrost expert from Russia, Marina Leibman, believes that at least the first hole was caused by the release of methane gas under the permafrost. The permafrost consists of ice, water and soil and when the methane gas released it exploded through the surface of the ground. She said that within a few years, the craters most likely will become a lake, as that is how lakes are formed on the frozen tundra of Siberia. At the bottom of the first hole, icy water is already rising from below, so this expert may be right! (Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/siberia-craters-3-mystery-holes-open-up-locals-report-smoke-and-bright-flash?cid=sm-facebook-073014-9.00pm-SiberiaNewHoles)

God's grace

God's power, it's unlike ours in that it has no limits, no wearing out, and it's not at all dependant upon any others. Terrible storm last night. Torrential rain, high winds, basement flooded when the sump pump failed. We had an 8 gallon, 4 hp shop vac someone had just given us, what a blessing. But it was taking forever! Then I walked over to the sump, lifted it up, set it back down, and it worked! After an hour of "shop-vaccing" I felt we had gotten no where, but after seconds of the right tool for the job was turned back on, all the water was gone. The power of God verses our own power and strength is a lot like that. Except a lot more! I was going to wear out, literally. My strength was waning big time. Then God showed up, yes, in the form of a working sump pump. As I was sitting here this morning I was thinking about how much we need God's provision for our family, how much we need His power and strength, versus our own. As I was saying this to my wife, she pulled out a power cord she had just found, and was looking for. The power of God, that's what we need, and we prayed for that together, for our family and for our ministry. God uses little things like lost power cords and properly working sump pumps to remind us of His strength, His power. Without it, we are like a shop vac trying to clean out the ocean. During the storm God had me praying, intensely. Normally I just enjoy the beauty of a storm, this was different. I found out later there was much damage in many places. But my prayer was a reminder, we are in a storm, a storm that is claiming souls, and we need to be praying Church, and we need your prayers to do the work we are trying to do. As I was hauling bucket load after bucket load, up and down the stairs, that was my prayer, that we, The Church, would pray more, and more people praying, for our work. Our work of evangelism, our work of taking people to God who need a major cleansing, that only Christ can provide. Please Church, pray, intently, as if lives depend on it, because they do, everyday. After the storm, the next morning, I walked around, and there was debris everywhere. It reminded me of the state of people's hearts, and it made me sad. I remembered after the storm, the night before, I had watched a story about WWII, and Hitler and his men. They have video of them walking and laughing, carrying on as if they hadn't committed some of the greatest atrocities in all of history, and I asked how, why? Sin was the Lord's response. People are not a good judge of their own hearts, they can't see how evil they've become. As I looked at the wreckage from the storm, and remembered the carnage of Hitler and crew, I was reminded of what sin does to people, and how horrible it is. God has given me compassion for them, for the lost. They need Jesus, just like I need Him so badly. He wants us to be clean, just like that shower I took after my basement workout, dead things floating around in the water I was in, that shower never felt so good. And so His grace will feel even better as the graceless world gets to feel His grace for the very first time. They are reaching, and we need to be giving. "Lord help us. help us to give all we can, and receive all You have. It will always be enough, Your grace always is." In grace, Tim

My hope for the Dakota nation.

I spoke this May 18th 2014 at the Dakota Peace Celebration in Mankato MN, where 38 Dakota's were hung. We are one blood, one nation. Adam and Eve were God's first creation. One blood. Then Noah, eight souls on the ark, one family, one blood. It is important that we realize, we are all of one blood, we are one nation. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17 NIV) 13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” Exodus 33:13 May 18, 2014 The Way and the Glory “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.” (Exodus 33:13) “Moses the man of God” (Deuteronomy 33:1) was surely one of the greatest men who ever lived. He was the leader of a great nation, he received the tablets of the law from God. It was said that “there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10). Yet, “the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). It was such a man as this who made two remarkable requests of God. The first was, as above: “Show me now Your way.” The second, just a moment later, was: “Show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:18). These were not selfish requests. Moses desired the way of the Lord on behalf of his people. God answered this request with the gracious promise: “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). But then he also asked to see the glory of God. So God placed Moses “in a clift of the rock,” covering him with His hand as His glory passed by, allowing him to see the remnants of His glory, as it were (Exodus 33:22-23), since he could not have endured any more. With such a vision of God’s glory, Moses was then able to lead the Israelite multitude for 40 years in a terrible wilderness, transforming them from a mob of slaves into God’s chosen nation, ready to bring God’s Word, and God’s Son, into the world. We also can see His way and His glory. Jesus said: “I am the way” (John 14:6). Then He prayed: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory” (John 17:24). Interesting, this was yesterday’s message, and would have fit perfectly with Emmitt Eastman! May 17, 2014 Running to Christ “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) When one realizes that he is lost and that only Christ can save him, he should not delay a moment but come immediately to Christ. There are, in fact, several men in the New Testament who actually ran to Him. There was the man possessed with a whole legion of demons. “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him” (Mark 5:6), and Jesus set him free. Then there was a young man who wanted to learn of Christ. When he found that Jesus was going away, he came “running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). Unfortunately, his sincerity failed when he realized the cost. Zeal without sacrifice is dead, as is faith without works. There was another wealthy man who was willing to pay the price. “And [Zacchaeus] ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way” (Luke 19:4). The conversion of Zacchaeus was genuine, and he demonstrated it by a changed and sacrificial life. In Christ’s suffering on the cross, He spoke of His awful thirst, and an unknown observer “ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink” (Mark 15:36). Christ will not forget this expression of concern and sympathy. After His burial, Mary Magdalene came back to tell Peter and John that the tomb was open. “So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. . . . and he saw, and believed” (John 20:4-8). All who hasten wholeheartedly to Christ, sincerely seeking to know and serve Him, will find salvation in His name, for “the name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” HMM

No more tickling ears

I believe we are living in a time when teaching the truth isn't good enough, apart from being filled with the Spirit. If you are a teacher, pastor, leader, we need to be filled with God's Spirit in order to be far away from this promise: "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Tim 4:3) I believe we have seen the last generation that has come, and is going on now, that could simply teach without power. (Luke 24:14) "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." If we are trying to do this, to live, or to teach in Christ, we must receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit that was promised. You must no longer teach in your own power and strength. You must be clothed in His power and authority, and not your own anymore. The world does not need more of us, it needs more of Christ. Beware Christian leaders, beware of the seduction of your own abilities. They at best are failing.

Waiting on The Lord: No Compromise, and staying in the fear of the Lord

From my facebook post today: I feel like I am being asked to join a circus, complete with a merry-go-round. (My wife had a vision of this this morning as we prayed!) I am being asked to consider some things, so could still use prayer. From "The Great House of God", (Lucado), Just like we need forgiveness other people do too. There comes a time in every relationship where it can be damaging to seek justice, and settling the score only starts a fire. There comes a time when the best thing you can do is accept your brother and offer him the same grace you've been given. (My paraphrase) I have given up the right to choose what is best for me, I have given that choice to the Lord, who always knows better anyhow. Don't forget, "You alone are wise, oh Lord." Like · · Share Tim Stromer A friend just showed up yesterday after work, exactly where I was helping out, and he said, "I really felt like God was telling me to come here, and now I know why." He had no idea I would be there. Yet another friend felt strongly he was supposed to call me and counseled me, and prayed over me. Man it's sweet to have Godly friends! Another friend sent me this last night:April 29 Listening with Purpose 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Yesterday we learned about hearing the Word with eagerness and attentiveness. Now, let’s think about approaching the Bible purposefully, expectantly, and prayerfully. Christians study the Scriptures not just individually but also corporately to learn more about God and His ways. Underlying this simple concept is a big challenge. To gather biblical knowledge with purpose means determining in our heart to obey what we hear (Ps. 119:33). And to do so expectantly means we believe that the Lord is going to speak specifically to us (Ps. 25:4). Sermons, Sunday school lessons, and quiet times on our own are all things to be anticipated. God uses these to build us up, strengthen us, or offer us comfort—He certainly makes listening to Him worthwhile. And obedience is the only proper response to this kind of personal attention. Approaching the reading of Scripture prayerfully prepares our hearts to listen well and ushers in an attitude of purpose and expectancy. Today’s passage tells the story of young Samuel’s first encounter with God. The priest Eli gives the boy valuable advice—that when the Lord calls, he should say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (v. 9). Pray those simple words with conviction before you open your Bible, and you will hear God more clearly. If you want to experience God working in your life, come to Scripture with a prayerful, expectant, purpose-filled attitude. The mourner will be comforted. The weary will gain strength. Those convicted of their sin will repent and know peace. All will sense joy. Recognize what a gift God’s Word is. 12 mins · Like Tim Stromer Also from my daily study today: May 1, 2014 Waiting “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4) Whether things are going well or not, we must not be misled into a false sense of security. The disciples were looking at the beautiful and serene temple and grounds, but Christ predicted unprecedented destruction. “There shall not be left one stone upon another” (v. 2). Nor should we allow ourselves to be deceived by false prophets (vv. 5-6). Scripture gives ample information to allow us to identify and shun these “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” But to our shame, false teachings permeate our churches and television airwaves. Furthermore, when natural calamities and world turmoil cascade in on us (vv. 7-8), we must not be frozen with fear. These things must come (v. 7). Persecution must come also (vv. 9-12). We must not allow ourselves to be intimidated in our witness or tripped up by bitterness. Instead, we must “endure” and remain loyal to Him (v. 13). We must be at work to spread the gospel to all nations (v. 10) in spite of the opposition. And, “take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is” (v. 33). Let us commit ourselves to the attitude of heart and life He commanded. 4 mins · Like Tim Stromer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6X71sXagUY This came to mind as well. Man I LOVE the Lord, He is SO kind! Thank You Lord, I will wait.