I am a Christian. A devoted Christ follower.

As far as which ‘denominational camp’ I identify with, (and I don’t like labels), the best I can tell you is that I am a conservative, reformed, evangelical, protestant, and that still doesn’t tell it all.

Some will ask, ‘are you a Calvinist or an Armenian’ in your views?’, to which, if forced to answer, I would say from ’50 – 50′ to zero. (And, I am not a fence sitter.)

What I do believe: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy universal Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, and the Life everlasting.

With all of this said, If asked, ‘do you believe in miracles’, my answer is ‘I believe in Jesus, the worker of miracles. And if He performs a miracle, I believe it! Both then and now’. (Although I do not identify with the Pentecostal Movement, the Charismatic movement and certainly not the Word of Faith movement, I do believe that each have offered something of value, each have offered something of value to Christianity, in their own way. But I also believe each have veered away from the final teachings of Jesus, in significant ways – the most egregious is the over-emphasis of spiritual gifts as used by a believer.)

NOTWITHSTANDING, I believe that pastor David Wilkerson was one of the few true late-day prophets in this world. He was a brave and bold, yet humble, pastor, preacher, and Bible teacher. He was a good father, a good husband and a good man.

The following videos by pastor Wilkerson are important to our day and possibly to your calling by God. Some will be called to fill the role as THE REMNANT.

“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? “

“May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

“God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel: “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.”

“But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.”

“In the same way, then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.”  Romans 11:1-6

3 Videos by Pastor David Wilkerson

1 Peter 2: 5, “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

WHEN 2 WORLDS COLLIDE

There is a Light that shines and darkness cannot overcome it.

Despite what scientist are speculating and theorizing about the possibility of “multiple alternate universes” there are only two known worlds, “existences” or “realities”.

I will call them “The Natural World” and the “Spiritual World” for convenience and relatability. These two words may be called by various other names, depending on who is speaking, whether a scientist, a medical physician, a psychiatrist or a theologian. But the longest standing document with the most extensive teaching and examples on these matters is the Bible. So I will be speaking and writing from the Biblical view.

The Natural World, is of that which is “seen” or knowable. This includes all observable and known matter of space, time, all that is present within the cosmos. (And even what is “not yet seen”, either because of its distance from the natural observer or perhaps because of its infinitesimally small structure or nature or from the fact that we are not familiar with how to observe it, yet we know it exists).

The natural world, all that already exists, is the product of, or put another way, a manifestation from the “Spiritual World” – the world which is unseen. (“Unseen” because it is “unseeable” by the natural eye or mind).

Everything that exists in the Natural World comes into existence, has its time of existence, then it fades away and ceases to exist in its current form or ceases to exist altogether – it dissipates into nothingness. (Although scientists speculate that matter cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms. Therefore, while matter may transform into different states or components, it does not cease to exist entirely. (See NationalGeograpic.org).

On a practical level, this can be important for the person who struggles with the state of their natural life, the sufferings, the hardships, trials and tribulations of this natural world. This person may try to navigate their “troubles” of life by natural means, and this method may work for a short time, but will never offer a permanent solution of relief. Even for those who say they have “the easy life” of success, good health, an abundance of abilities and provisions, there always comes the time they will struggle, suffer and eventually die. So, is there ever a solution for the matters of troubles in life? Are there any permanent solutions?

If you can put your biases aside for a moment, I would like to propose a solution that has existed, according to the Bible, since creation. Although this solution is recorded in the Bible, unfortunately it has been mystified by contemporary interpretations of the Bible, and it has been modified from its original context and now codified by religious people, theologians and so-called Bible students and teachers. (They may have made honest and diligent efforts to understand, translate and explain certain principles, applications and effects in the Bible, but they have done it through a humanistic perspective. Their grand interpretations of the oracles of the Bible, especially when it comes to the matters of life and death, can be beneficial, but if they are  “from and for the natural mind”, their effectiveness is marginal temporal at best.

Ephesians 6 underscores the weakness of temporal nature of the Natural when it says, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood (natural and earthly means), but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, (we are to) take up the full armor of God (which are Spiritual in nature), so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

We must, as Jesus has taught and demonstrated, live and direct our lives as we are IN THIS WORLD but as we are NOT OF THIS WORLD.

Teach as He did and try as He might, He was still frustrated with His disciple’s inability to grasp and apply what He has showing them. He remarked on occasion, “Oh, you of little faith” and “Oh, you unbelieving generation, how much longer must I put up with you?”  (There were some, albeit infrequent times, the Apostles would see these Kingdom principles work in their lives).

Conversely, however, the Spiritual World, offers permanency. It is eternal, or as the Bible states it, “as it was, it is and so it shall forever be”. This is one reason Jesus says in the prayer He taught, “Thy Kingdom come, it shall be done on ‘earth’ as it is ‘in heaven’.” Jesus is teaching us that “The Kingdom of Heaven”, the Spiritual realm, possesses the answers to all of our questions and challenges.

We will begin to see the manifestation of His Kingdom on earth (as it is in heaven), when we begin to pray and meditate on God’s Word, and take it at its “Spiritual face value”. (Allowing for metaphors and similes, but keeping a heavenly perspective). It is then, as Jesus has said, “For truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

For the natural person, it is as if he or she is standing at an impenetrable wall, unable to pass through to the Kingdom of God; unable to cross over to His Realm.

But just as God told Joshua, in the Supremely prophetic words “arise, now, and cross over”, He is telling us, His spiritual children, those of us who have been born by The Spirit of God, to “arise, now, and cross over” to the land which I promised Moses and I have given to you and to all the (future) children of God. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. Everyplace that the sole of your foot treads, I have (already) given to you – just as I told Moses! Only be strong and courageous. Do all I have commanded. Do not turn to the right or to the left (do not turn to other ideas or remedies), so that you will be successful. (See Joshua 1).

MEDITATE ON THIS DAY AND NIGHT and be careful and diligent, allow these words to dwell in you, so you will be able to do all that is written. “Then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success (in these matters). Once again, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

We are separated from God and His Kingdom because of our lack of faith, our lack of understanding and our sin. (SIN – from the Greek word ‘hamartia’ – literally means to be without a share in; to miss the mark. To miss the mark both of all that God has intended for your life and all that He has for you now, and for all eternity).

WHAT IN THIS WORLD IS GOING ON?

There is a convergence of events and prophecies as never before.  Alarming events have, from time to time, caused people to wonder if the End of Days as spoken of in the Bible had arrived.  But, never, have events coincided with prophetic fulfillment as we now see.

When people read the Bible about eschatology, the matters about the End Times and the Tribulation period (specifically, the book of Matthew chapter 24 and the book of The Revelation), most tend to read it as one would read a ‘story’ or a novel.  Most assume it is written in chronological order, a sequence of events, one event beginning as the previous event is ending.  THIS IS NOT CORRECT. The reader must discover and place events in their correct order if he or she is to get an understanding.

Furthermore, when a Tribulation Seal is broken, an event or a series of events occur and will last for certain periods of time.  Most events will continue until the “Consummation of the Age”.

Secondly, it is important to know that the book of Revelation is not written in chronological order.  Description of events and timelines are repeated in various chapters and are not in a linear order.  For example, Revelation chapters six and seven tell us about the breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal, cosmic disturbances, great earthquakes, the Rapture and the Sealing of the 144,000 from the Tribes of Israel.  THEN, in Revelation chapters 12, 13 and 14 we read the details and outcomes of these events.

Another example is the Second Coming of Jesus. There are those who say He comes back at least twice, once at the rapture and again at the Battle of Armageddon. This is a misunderstanding of Jesus’ return. Jesus’ return is one continuous event and He will accomplish both the rapture of the saints and defeat His enemies as “the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords” during His second and only return.

Revelation 1:7 tells us, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Matthew 24:19-31 tells us, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

Then, Revelation 19:11-16 tells us, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Once a Tribulation event begins, it may continue for days, weeks, months,  years or decades.  Then, as a second or third event occurs, events will overlap and occur simultaneously.

Revelation 1:8, informs us that Jesus transcends time as we know it when He says, “I Am The Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come”.  This means that ACCORDING TO BIBLICAL ESCHATOLOGY, WHAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED; AND IS NOW HAPPENING; AND IS YET TO (will continue to) HAPPEN. (Just as a powerful storm such as a hurricane, will appear to be many different storms by those who must endure it from a ground based perspective, as it progresses across the earth to its conclusion; from a heavenly perspective it is seen as one continuous storm, unfolding, changing and concluding.)

Rather than a ‘news report’ or an ‘op-ed’ on the condition of the world, consider the larger picture, and the “larger picture” is that the condition of the world is nothing more than the condition of collective humankind. More precisely, it is the condition of the mind or the psyche of collective humankind, also referred to as “collective intelligence” or “group intelligence” which are ideas or the “idealism” that emerges from the collaboration, collective efforts, and competition of many individuals and appears in “consensus decision making“.

Broadly speaking, “collective intelligence idealism” holds that ideas constitute the only or the most perfect reality, depending on the type of idealism adhered to. At the same time, it is only the mind (and in some cases the spirit) that has access to this unique and true reality.

From an epistemological standpoint, it presupposes the existence of a mentally-constructed world, independent of the ideal one. The difference lies in the fact that we can only know it through the intellect.

Another common trait to all forms of idealism is the view that ideas, consciousness, spirit or the intellect are higher forms of perfection than the physical world. In some cases, it is considered a mere projection or mental construct (the idea or concept that helps individuals understand and interpret their experiences and observations. These constructs are shaped by personal experiences and can influence how people perceive the world and interact with others).

In order to simplify this matter, (and to get to the point) there has always been, at its most basic level, two major streams of thought or idealism. Humanism and Christianity.

Christianity emphasizes the transcendence of One God and the salvation of all willing human beings from estrangement from God through the bodily death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is both fully human and fully divine. In contrast, many gnostic groups developed mythologies that differentiate between an inferior creator of the world, called a demiurge, and a higher god.

The natural progression away from or the downward spiral from Christianity is through Gnosticism which invariably leads to Humanism, secularism, agnosticism and atheism. (Again, this is an extreme simplification).

The Bible, in various ways describes the difference between the presence of God (Christianity) and the absence of God (Humanism) using the contrasting metaphor of Light and Darkness. (For example, John 1:1-5 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Again, Matthew 6:22-23 says, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

The word “Light” as used in these verses comes from the Greek word “phós” which primarily denotes light in both a literal and metaphorical sense. Literally, it refers to natural light, such as daylight or the light of a lamp. Metaphorically, it is used to describe spiritual illumination, truth, and the divine presence of God. It often symbolizes purity, holiness, and the revelation of God’s truth to humanity. In the ancient world, light was a powerful symbol of life, knowledge, and divine presence. In Jewish tradition, light was associated with God’s creation and His guidance, as seen in the pillar of fire that led the Israelites. In Greco-Roman culture, light was also a symbol of knowledge and enlightenment. The New Testament writers, particularly John, use “phós” to convey the transformative power of Christ as the “Light of the World,” bringing spiritual enlightenment and salvation. (see Biblehub.com).

The word “Darkness” as used in these verses comes from the Greek word “skotia” which is used metaphorically to describe spiritual or moral darkness, ignorance, and the absence of Divine Light. It often contrasts with “phos” (light), symbolizing the presence of God, truth, and righteousness. “Skotia” can refer to the state of those who are separated from God and living in sin. In the Greco-Roman world, darkness was commonly associated with chaos, evil, and the unknown. The biblical authors used this cultural understanding to convey spiritual truths. In Jewish thought, darkness often symbolized judgment and separation from God’s presence. The New Testament writers, drawing from these traditions, used “skotia” to illustrate the spiritual condition of humanity without Christ. (see Biblehub.com).

Finally, in the scriptures and literature in general, the idea of Light and Darkness are also often metaphors for life and death. Which brings us to our point.

There have been surges and retreats of both Light and Darkness in the world since the beginning of recorded Biblical and secular historical time. The Light seems to be fading from our world and it is growing darker. And the two competing forces behind the Light and the spreading Darkness are Christianity versus Humanism. Christianity is largely visible through the existence of the Church, which springs from the teaching and works of Jesus Christ, versus humanism which is promulgated through the various forms of Marxism, Leninism, Socialism and Communism.

THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD TODAY

Jesus (and several of His Apostles and disciples) warned about this coming darkness as early as A.D. 30 through A.D. 98.

Jesus specifically warned that, “many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains (phase of the tribulation period). (Matthew 24:5-9)

“Then, (after the beginning of the birth pains phase of the tribulation period), they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. And at that time many will fall away (which is known as the great apostasy), and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. But the one who endures (continues to faithfully follow and obey Jesus) to the end (of this age) is the one who will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end (of this age) will come. (Matthew 24:10-14).

(Jesus, in these verses, is describing the breaking of the first five tribulation seals, which He calls “the beginning of the birth pains”, which I am dubbing “the beginning of the birth pains phase of the tribulation”.  And, THAT IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD TODAY.)

And for our information, what comes next in Matthew’s narrative – chapter 24, verses 15 through 20 – are both past and future events. Jesus is announcing to the inhabitants of Israel that the day of the prophesied “Abomination of Desolation” is coming. A day is coming when they must prepare to flee from the coming destruction of Jerusalem and their Temple, just as they did in the second century and again in 70 A.D.

This is both a reference to the Book of Daniel describing the pagan sacrifices with which the second century B.C., the Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes replaced the twice-daily offering in the Jewish temple, or alternatively the altar on which such offerings were made, and to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in the year A.D. 70. (from Widipedia).

The former was a harbinger, a foreshadowing of something greater that was to come and the latter is a reference to a future event. Both, however, point to an End of Days or an End Time event, which will occur with the breaking of the prophesied Sixth Tribulation Seal, which marks the beginning of the final SEVEN YEARS of GREAT TRIBULATION, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb.

(There is further corroboration of this timeline of these events, the Great and Terrible day of the Lord and the coming Wrath of the Lamb which is marked by the breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal. through the testimonies, teachings and instructions of Jesus, the Apostles Peter, Paul, John and Timothy the disciple of Jesus. (see “Did Jesus Really Say?”).

This Darkness is also described as the apostasy. There have been wars and rumors of war, famines and earthquakes since the birth of  Jesus, and they have been increasing in their frequency and intensity since that day.  2 Timothy 3:1-8 also warned that “In these last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. For among them are those who slip into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, worthless in regard to the faith.”

Finally, in Galatians 5:19-21, the Apostle Paul describes the manifestation of this spreading Darkness as the outward signs of humanity’s inward condition, saying “The deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

As I have already said, there have been surges and retreats of both Light and Darkness in the world since the beginning of recorded Biblical and secular historical time.

These are the driving forces behind the Global tensions we have seen at play over the last two thousand plus years. These are the two worldviews, the two idealisms creating the dichotomy and the divisions in our world today.

But now, Jesus has drawn a line. A line of demarcation. There is now appearing a convergence and a concurrence of prophesied events leading to the End of The Age such as the world has never seen before. They began at or around the time of the Birth of Christ and have continued, are overlapping and intensifying to this day. The world is on the brink of the breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal and the BEGINNING OF the final SEVEN YEARS of the Great Tribualion which is marked by the breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal  –  Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun

• The Trumpet,
• The Rapture,
• Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God,,
• Sealing of the 144,000,
• God’s final judgements on all of humankind, the earth and the entire cosmos.

And, THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD TODAY.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

NEXT: (coming soon) “WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE HEADED?”

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for coming episodes).

PSYCHOLOGY IN THE BIBLE?

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment.” (Matthew 22:34-38)

The word “soul” is mentioned *433 times in the King James version of the Bible. The occurrence of the word soul in the Bible, indicates the importance of the human soul. “Soul” as translated from the Greek word refers to the essence of a person that encompasses emotions, desires, and the will. It is the seat of feelings, desires, and affections, in other words, it is the part of the mind which feels emotions, perceives and imagines, remembers and allows a person to have a will or determination.

This verse also mentions the heart, sometimes considered as our subconscious mind or the center of our being. Then there is the mind which possesses our cognitive functions, the ability to think and reason.

INSIDE OUT – OUTSIDE IN

What we see with our eyes and hear with our ears are first processed by the cognitive part of our mind. They are then analyzed through our soul – our mind, will and emotions. It is the soul that gives allows us to form opinions by our emotional response – we decide if we like or dislike what  we see visually, what we smell, taste and touch. Is it pleasant or unpleasant? Is it helpful or harmful? Does it please us or repel us? The soul initiates the production of substances such as endorphins, dopamine, or adrenaline which enhance and deepen our life experiences.

This information is then communicated to our “heart” which is sometimes referred to as our subconscious mind for storage and retrieval. These processes help us develop our habits, routines, likes and dislike, behaviors and even form within us, among other things, our social, economic, political and religious worldviews. Over time, these become closely held opinions and even galvanize into our doctrines and dogmas for living.

Our heart, soul and mind are collaborative and symbiotic in their functions. But it is the soul that initiates and generates these outcomes.

This process works from the outside in and the inside out. What you see you do – you judge and determine how you feel you – you stop or you pursue and repeat – and the life then you adopt, the things you pursue. And almost strangely, the things that you are drawn to, are conversely drawn to you. They seem to materialize in your life.

This is the great “secret”, when understood and properly applied, of obtaining a “good life” and success: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment.”

The Bible teaches us, as in Joshua 1:7-9, “Be strong and very courageous; be careful to do [everything] in accordance with the entire law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper and be successful wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful. Have I not commanded you? [I am reminding you now], be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated by any task or challenge I give you), for [I], the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

And again in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, God says “Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God.

“You will be blessed in the city, and you will be blessed in the field.

“The offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your animals, the offspring of your herd and the young of your flock will be blessed.

“Your basket and your kneading bowl will be blessed.

“You will be blessed when you come in and you will be blessed when you go out.

“The Lord will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way, but flee before you seven ways. The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your storehouses and in all that you undertake, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you. The Lord will establish you as a people holy [and set apart] to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk [that is, live your life each and every day] in His ways. So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will be afraid of you.  The Lord will give you great prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your livestock and the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. The Lord will open for you His good treasure house, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. The Lord will make you the head (leader) and not the tail (follower); and you will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen and pay attention to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today, to observe them carefully. Do not turn aside from any of the words which I am commanding you today, to the right or to the left, to follow and serve other gods.”

However, when the “heart, mind and soul” are not functioning correctly, when they are not syncretic, when they do not collaborate, things can go terribly wrong for that person. They will likely make poor to horrible life decisions that are at least troublesome-to-detrimental, or even destructive enough to lead to death. This comes about if and when “‘You do not love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  (Please see Deuteronomy 28:15-67.)

Therefore, (and this is of utmost importance), when the Bible says we are to be or do certain things, or that we must not do certain things, it may be enough for the simplest of minds or the most faithfully blind believer to say, “the bible says it so that settles it”. But there are reasons the Bible says we are to be and to do certain things, and not to be or do certain things. And these reasons are for our benefit, for our well-being, safety and good health. You need to know them so you can apply them to your life decisions and you can disciple others likewise.

These reasons are mental and psychological reasons. They profoundly affect your mental and physical health.

For example, the Bible says “Thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not lie, steal, commit adultery, engage in sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatries, sorcery, horoscopes, hostilities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  And it is these things that create great trauma in our life.  (Please read: (1). The long term effects of trauma on your health. (2). Can Trauma Cause Brain Damage?.

Another example is that there are also psychological reasons to honor your father and your mother, beyond just the command. (Please read about Blue Zone research on (1).  what promotes health and longevity and (2). What and Why this works.

There is are psychological reasons the Bible discourages divorce. (1). How Divorce Affects Your Children.

This can be said about each and every Word in the Bible. As it tells us how to live an abundant life now and how to gain an eternal life with God. The Bible directs us to good health, safety and wholeness, if we will only understand and follow its instructions. But, just robotically following rules will not always get the job done, or at least not effectively. We must understand the reasons behind the Words and that must become your first love.

THE WORD

You see, the Word became Flesh, (which is a reference to Jesus), and He lived among us. Teaching us, caring for us and saving us from our destructive selves. He says we can follow Him, and we must follow Him, if we want a life worth living, now, and eternally. (see John 1:1-2).

How can we do this? First, if have never asked Him, then ask Him now. Humbly ask that He remove your sins from your (the obstacles that separate you from Him) and contract with Him, that is, make a covenant with Him, to obey and follow Him in all the teaches and has done. You can do this only by faith. Faith that He physically died to pay for the penalty of your sinful ways and faith that He will do what He says He will do and has done. I.e., verbally confess with your mouth Jesus as your Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. (see Romans 10:

If you are already a Christian, then deliberately set your mind on Him, His Ways and on the Kingdom of God. For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose].

(Why should we do this? The reason is that) the mind set on the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin];

But the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever];

The mind set on the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.

However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. (see Romans 8:5-9).

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in Jesus, practice those things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9).

He will now guide you because ‘YOU love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Footnotes:

The number of times the word “soul” is used in the King James version differs from the number of times it is used in the New American Standard Bible is because the word can be translated as the Hebrew word “nephesh” is a multifaceted term that appears frequently in the Old Testament. It is often translated as “soul” or “life,” but its usage extends to denote the essence of a person, their inner being, or life force. It can refer to the physical life of a creature, the emotional and spiritual aspects of a person, or the entirety of a living being. In some contexts, “nephesh” is used to describe desires, appetites, and emotions, reflecting the holistic view of human nature in Hebrew thought.

For example, in the King James version, Genesis 2:7 reads, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

The same verse in the New American Standard version reads, “Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person.”

The same is true for the English Standard version.

None-the-less, the occurrence of the word soul in the Bible, indicates the importance of the human soul.

“Foxes Have Holes and Birds Have Nests”   

Do you know where these sayings come from?

Then a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”

Matthew 8:19 – 22

That is an odd thing to say to someone who wants to follow you, isn’t it?  What does Jesus mean?

A scribe in the Bible, was a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher. Scribes examined the more difficult and subtle questions of the law; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning and scope, and did this to the detriment of religion.

Scribes were trained and enrolled in the Sanhedrin political and judicial council headed by the high priest (in his role as civil ruler); in the Talmud it is described as primarily a religious legislative body headed by sages, though with certain political and judicial functions. (notes from the Online Bible edition)

So, Jesus tells this Scribe, this judge and sage, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Foxes retreat to the safety of their lair.  They live and remain in their holes, venturing out only to gather food and water, then they scurry back to the safety of the hole.  Their focus is on their safety and their hole in the ground.

Same for the birds. They have the nest they build to lay eggs and raise their young.  A safe place.  They, too, venture out for food, but their focus is on the safety of a nest.

BUILDING HIS CHURCH

Jesus, however, is on mission.  He knows that He is the permanent sacrifice for the reconciliation of all people to God.  He is doing the work of His Father.  Time is short.

He is telling this scribe and His disciples that He has neither the time nor the intention of settling into a “hole in the ground” or building “a nest” into which they can settle down and feel safe.

He has no time for building programs, no time for social programs, no time for endless debate over the ‘cummin and dill’ of the Torah or the endless list of man’s constructs designed to explain and contain the Holy Scriptures.  No time for holes in the ground or nests.

Jesus is saying that He is the foundation of His Church, and He is on the move, building His Church.   He is the foundation for Temple of the Holy Spirit in the hearts, minds and souls of people.

His Church is Spiritually alive, organic and naturally fluid and on the move; It cannot be contained by a program or an institution. It is powerful, transformative, life changing, world altering and cannot be taught in a school on religion.

If you come to know Jesus, you will know His Church, and it is not to be found in a building, a hole in the ground or a nest.

A.D. 1 – THE CHURCH WAS A MOVEMENT

In AD 1 The Church of Jesus Christ, The Body of Christ, had no buildings, little money and no wealth. The Church was a Movement.

Jesus said to make disciples; collect no money except to make your journey.

However, the penalty for becoming a Christian was often death.

Still, the Church grew exponentially.

A.D. 49 – THE CHURCH BECAME A PHILOSOPHY

The Church expanded into Greece. The Church became a philosophy to many. The Church grew and size and influence.

A.D. 313 – THE CHURCH BECAME AN INSTITUTION

The Church expanded into Rome and it gained recognition. It grew in power and popularity. It obtained wealth, buildings, property and influence. It became an institution.

A.D. 380 – THE CHURCH BECAME A CULTURE

The Church expanded into Europe. It was becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It grew in wealth, stature, power and influence. It had become a culture.

A.D. 1607 – THE CHURCH BECAME A BUSINESS

The Church reaches America.

A.D. 1681 – The Church became corporate.

It had become a business and incorporated. It became regulated by the government.

The Corporate Church grew. It needed money to support growth and expansion, which meant the Corporate Church needed more people.

A.D. – 1777 The state of Virginia granted tax exemption to houses of worship.

A.D. – 1894 The corporate church was granted tax exemptions by the Federal Government.

A.D. 1954 The Federal Government regulated what a church could and could not say in order to retain tax-exempt status.

The church continued to grow, and in order to attract more people, the Corporate Church lowered its membership and doctrinal standards. More people became ‘members’ and gave more money to support more growth.

The Church corporation is complete with leaders, boards and membership and a business model.

Local churches compete against one another for members (customers). The church is selling itself in “three line slogans”.

The Church members now have choices and have become religious consumers. Church people can shop around for the religious brand and standards that best suits them. (2 Timothy 3)

The Leadership (pastors and preachers) have become CEOs, disciples have become church leaders, growing their 501(c)(3) business models.

Record numbers of pastors quitting because of stress, burnout or are being fired by their congregations (some stats say 1500 – 1700 leave “the ministry” each month).

Church debt in America soars; church foreclosures soar.

A.D. 1968 – THE CHURCH DEFIES GOD and Ordains Homosexuals As Clergy.

A.D. 1972  –The United church of Christ ordains homosexual clergy

A.D. 2010 – The Lutheran church ordains homosexual clergy

A.D. 2012 – The Presbyterian church, USA, ordains homosexual clergy

The Episcopal Church in the United States and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have also allowed ordination of openly gay and lesbian candidates for ministry for some years.

Internationally, churches that have ordained openly lesbian or gay clergy include the Church of Scotland, the Church of England, the Church in Wales, the Church of Sweden, the Church of Norway, the Church of Denmark, the Church of Iceland, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Methodist Church in Britain, the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, the United Protestant Church in Belgium, the Swiss Reformed Church, the United Protestant Church of France, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Anglican Church in Canada, the Old Catholic Church, the Czechoslovak Hussite Church and the United Church of Christ in Japan.

A.D. 2020 – The Church Is Losing and Has Lost Influence and Credibility.

The church is losing members. So they change their message and their methods to one resembling the ways of the world so they can ‘stay in business’.

A.D. 2020 – A STRANGE NEW GOSPEL.

The church is teaching and living a different Gospel which is clothed in the staged entertainment of colorful flashing lights, banging cymbals, sensual drum beats, and pulsating music that stimulates the flesh, coupled with the promise of cheap grace, “Drive through salvation and spiritual fast food”. A very different Gospel, from the one of the Apostles.

THE AGE OF APOSTASY IS WELL UNDER WAY

We, The Church, The Body of Christ, You and I, must return to Jesus’ Way.  We must be doing those Works that Jesus does and the way He does them.

Jesus faced the same circumstances during His earthly ministry. But He and His disciples stood out from the crowd. They were counter-cultural. They were reviled, mocked, spit upon, and persecuted. And they changed the world and glorified God!

A.D. 2025 – The postmodern church is inventing new ways of ‘doing church’ in order to connect to the culture is an utter compromise of God’s Word. It is an utter failure! God has said that we are not of this world – we are not to think and act like it.

Please stop looking, acting and dressing like pagans. It is shameful and puts the message of Christ to shame.

Christ Alone is all you’ll ever need – The Bible Alone is enough – Faith in Jesus alone is all-sufficient.

Let’s think, act and be like Jesus. You be the standard-bearer. Honor Him. Others will follow.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Additional articles:

The False Church Emerges

The Jesus Model for Ministry

What Is This Strange New Gospel

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO

REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NOW AT HAND

If you have your Bible, we will be looking at TWO verses. John 3:16 as our introduction and Matthew 4:17 as our focus verse. (And yes that is rights. Just 2 verses today).

Before we start, I want to say something about The Bible and why it is important that we take the time and effort to know the Word it contains and why we must be careful to stay within its boundaries and confines. The Bible Itself says we must not stray. Joshua 1:7-8 says, we are “not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. (And that) this Book shall not depart from our mouth, but we shall meditate on it day and night, and that we are careful to do according to all that is written in it; for it is only then you will make your way prosperous, (as the Bible describes prosperity), and then you will achieve success” in the matters concerning this Word and in its application to our lives.

Secondly, the Bible tells us that it is the without any error, inerrant, infallible, indestructible, and the inspired, Breathed Word of God.

It is CREATIVE, CAUSATIVE, INSTRUCTIONAL and PROPHETIC. It is Prophetic in the sense that it tells the Truth to you and when you are in Him and His Word is in you, it will tell the Truth THROUGH you!

And finally, it is “profitable for teaching, for our rebuke, for our correction, for our training in righteousness; so that we, the men and women of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”

THE GOOD NEWS!

 John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him”.

 So that the word might be SAVED through Him. SAVED. Just what does that word bring to your mind?

“To be saved – SOZO – in the Bible, means to be rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety“. To deliver or protect— (From Strong’s Bible Concordance).

SAVED:  To be made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole (complete with purpose), NOW and for all of eternity,

Made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole In your body. In your mind. In your soul and spirit.

Made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole In your home. With your family, your children, your spouse and relatives. In your work. With your friends. In every aspect of your life.

(This is not a magic formula or a spell. It is the Word of God through your faithful, submissive obedience in following Jesus.

This is the Good News that God gave John to proclaim.

This is the Good News and the reason God sent us His Son. Jesus.

This is the Good News that Jesus proclaims to the world, then and now.

And this is the reason Jesus sends His followers, His disciples, into the world – to tell the world about this Good News.

And how would that to happen?

Now, come with me as we step back in time to around A.D. 30, when Jesus appeared on the scene in Galilee.

Matthew 4, verses 12 through 17.

“Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled:

 “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI,

BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES —

THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT,  (SAW A GREAT LIGH”)

AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH,

UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”   A LIGHT DAWNED.

Gensis 1:1 tells us that God said “let there be light”; and the Words of God in Matthew 4:16 are no less significant, no less creative and now less prophetic that those from Genesis 1.

Then In verse 17,  read, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

This is Jesus’ first known and His shortest sermon.

In Matthew 4:17, the Bible tells us, FIRST that “From that time” what time is this? This can be considered as one of the most important historical time markers in the Bible – it is a line of demarcation.

This is the point Jesus began His earthly ministry as commissioned by God the Father, and

 This is beginning of the invasion of earth by the kingdom of heaven! The greatest of all spiritual wars has begun!

 GOD is announcing that He has come back to reclaim what is His and those who are His! He is here to take His land and to take His kids back from the devil’s captivity – you and me and millions more like us.

 This event is a NEW dawn, a NEW beginning – no less fantastic that when in the beginning God said, “LET THERE BE LIGHT”, GOD is now saying “A GREAT LIGHT HAS DAWNED”.

 And like we recited earlier in the Lord’s Prayer, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”, Jesus is saying that time is at hand!

Next we are told that, “Jesus began to preach and say”,  the word used here from the Greek language is ‘kerusso’. This is NOT a casual statement nor is it just a narration. It is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has been done, first in the Spiritual realm and to be manifest in the natural.  It is not a general statement nor is it a request.  It is PROPHETIC command. Kerusso!

Next, let’s notice that Jesus says “Repent”. What is often overlooked but should be  glaringly obvious is that Jesus does not tell us WHAT to repent from. We typically assume we are to repent of our sins. But that is not what He actually says. He simply says, “Repent”.

But REPENT from what?

“Repent, (‘metanoeo’), from the Greek, means to change one’s mind – to change one’s mind for the better.

And if it is that we are to REPENT of our sins, it is just as important to know that the word Sin, from the Greek word ‘hamartia’ – literally means to be without a share in; to miss the mark. To miss the mark both of  all that God has intended for your life and all that He has for you now, and for all of eternity.

It is commonly accepted that Jesus meant that we are to heartily amend, with abhorrence of our past sins. And it can mean that and it DOES mean that. BUT IT MEANS SO MUCH MORE.

So, when Jesus says to REPENT, the overall meaning, the connotation of this word it to CHANGE AND CONDITION YOUR MIND TO THINK LIKE JESUS, TO SEE THINGS FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE AND TO RESPOND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATIONS OF LIFE AND DEATH AS JESUS DOES.

This requires a radical redefining or our understand. It demands that we turn our minds to what Jesus sas and what He means – even if it makes us uncomfortable.

Jesus is saying that REPENTANCE is a radical reformation and shift in our paradigms. It is a change in our attitudes, and of our mindset, our will and emotions from how we naturally see things to HOW JESUS SEES THINGS. It is a change in the all the choices we make in life so WE CAN SEE THEM AS JESUS SEES THEM.

 Jesus is saying we must change how see or view and deal with our relationships with others, our families, marriage, and even our disputes. How we react to being wronged, how we give of ourselves, of our time of our resources. How we view work, money, wealth, and anxiety. How we view our community, our country and the world and how we view the lost – from how we see them to HOW HE SEES THEM. We must see the world around us and what Jesus is commanding of us AS HE SEES IT.  THAT IS TRUE AND COMPLETE REPENTANCE.

 We begin to see that the Words of Jesus are life giving words. They protect us, they guide and direct us. They strengthen us and provide us with purpose and hope.

And finally, in this verse, Jesus says, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand (The words ” the Kingdom of Heaven” are so descriptive that you must take the definition of each word and consider the impact and importance. 

 The Kingdom of God is now at hand, describes the long awaited arrival of the Messiah who is now to establish His Kingdom on earth. As the “Lord’s Prayer” even says, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.  A Kingdom of forgiveness, of grace, mercy, justice and eternal salvation.  A Kingdom conquering death, disease, sin and darkness.

 His Kingdom is a royal power, a kingship, dominion, rule and the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.” This is our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,

And finally, the phrase, the kingdom is now “At hand.”  (“At hand” comes from a Greek word of with a meaning like the ‘crook of your arm’ and with the action like a mounting wave which has the power to knock you off your feet and roll you over and over; indicating a distance which is as close as your hand is to your wrist, AND as Luke 17:21 puts it, “the kingdom of God is now within you”. Romans 10:8 ALSO tells us, that “THE WORD (OF GOD) IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”.

Jesus is saying, we are to “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now at hand”.

Now, FINALLY – Here is a Mystery: 

Believe it or not, and as strange as it may seem, the One who spoke these prophetic words, possesses the power which is able to transform your life, so radically, so completely, so thoroughly, that those who knew you beforehand, would hardly recognize you afterwards.  In fact, if and when you embrace and absorbed His Words into your heart, mind and soul as His devoted follower you would hardly be able to recognize yourself when the process is complete.

You might even have to ask yourself, “Can I really be that man or that woman who went about under my name before?”

You are, in one sense the same person, but in another sense, you will have become someone utterly different. Made new. Reborn. A new creation.

This can be most easily accepted by a new believer, as the rest of us may think, “yes, I have already done this”. But when Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, said, “you must be born again”, He spoke those words in the Aorist tense which means this is a continuing action. The Aorist tense has no regard for the past, present or the future. In this tense they are one-in-the-same. In others words, “In Christ Jesus, you are born anew, each and every day”. He is not saying you must be saved over and over. He is saying our repentance and rebirth in Him is made new and refreshed each and every day. This sanctifying process of perfecting us into the image and likeness of Jesus continues until we are, one day, home with Him, at last!

Please understand that what I am about to say, does not negate the trials, tribulations and troubles we will face in this life. They are part of our being sanctified. Nonetheless, this intensely real power to which I am referring, can pick you up today – right now – from the midst of loneliness, failure, ruin, misery, despair or any difficulty, and in the twinkling of an eye, as Paul said, IN THE MIDST OF THE PROBLEMS YOU FACE IN LIFE, He can begin to solve those problems, smooth out the difficulties, cut you free from entanglements and place you clear, safe and happy upon the highroad of freedom and opportunity – IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HIS PLAN AND PRUPOSES, AND ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO ENDURE THIS PROCESS.

Does this mean your will always be physically well or mentally strong or rich by the worlds standards or famous? No. No. A thousand times no.
But it does mean that you can find purpose and meaning and usefulness in even the worst of life’s circumstances.

He can free you to go and shape your life as God would have it – a life full with purpose and of promises met.

He can throw open the MANY prison doors that hold you captive, and liberate you.

He is the healing balm for the bruised and broken heart.

He can inspire you with new thoughts and ideas, so that your life’s work may be truly original, meaningful and lasting.

He can impart new and wonderful kinds of knowledge, as soon as you really want such knowledge – glorious knowledge – strange things not taught in schools or written in ordinary books.

He can find your true place in life, and put you into it, too.

He can find the right friends for you, kindred spirits who are interested in the same ideas and want the same things that you do.

He can provide you the type of  prosperity that means freedom.  Not as the world knows prosperity.  But the type of prosperity that means true Freedom.  Free to be and to do and to go as God has called you to be and to do.

This Power of God can teach you all things you need to know, if only you are receptive and teachable.

But Jesus said, “You must first repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.

So, if your life is lacking the continuous flow of the fruit of the Spirit, the love, the joy, the peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Now, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If your life is missing out on the works that Jesus did, and even greater works of teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom which can heal all kinds of sickness and diseases, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If you are living in loneliness, fear, doubt lack and want, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If you are and your behaviors are “friendly” with the world but at odds with the Words and Teachings of Jesus, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

You know, from the day we are born until the day we die, the 23^rd Psalm tells us that we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death in this lifetime. And that God has set at table  before us in the presence of your enemies, and that He has anointed our heads with His Oil and that our cup overflows. And His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. And our dwelling place will be in the house of the Lord, forever.

The day of our salvation is now at hand. You can experience the richness of being saved. You can feast at the table He has set before you, even in the presence of your enemies of lack, want, sickness, poverty disease, loneliness and the like. You no longer need to miss the mark or to be left out of the things He has prepared for your life to Bless you and to prosper your soul.

You are made safe, and rescued from eternal harm. You will have found a rich and fulfilling purpose in and for your life, now. You can be made secure in all your relationships and in all the matters of your life. You can be assured of an eternal life with Him. THIS IS THE TABLE HE HAS SET BEFORE YOU.

For the kingdom of heaven is now at hand!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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