Encouragement For Scary Times, Psalm 103:19

When I think about the fact that Buddy is now 14 years old, it frightens me as I love him so much. He’s starting to get white fur around his mouth, reminding me that he’s getting elderly for a dog. Although I’m thankful that he’s still spunky and mischievous for his age, I know that inevitably we’ll be parted on this earth.

When I focus on right now, I don’t feel afraid. But when I think about the future, that Buddy will die one day and leave me, that’s when my stomach clutches up and tears tickle the corners of my eyes.

Often I—and you—get scared when we think about the future. “What if this happens?” “What if we’re on the brink of WW3?” “What if our economy collapses?” I’m sure you have plenty of “What ifs” to add—and so do I. Life is scary. Every time life, and the world seems to be calming down, evil erupts once again and destroys everyone’s equilibrium.

The truth is: We live in an evil world. We cannot expect life to remain calm.

“The whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19)” and “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).”

But take courage. God has not changed. Satan is no match for Him. The devil will one day be “thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:10)” because he is no match for God’s power.

When I feel scared, I recite this verse to myself, Psalm 103:19:

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.”

All life emanates from God. He never runs out of power. He knows everything. He knows when you’re afraid. He’s waiting for you to call out to Him to comfort you. “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).”

The Miriam Webster dictionary defines sovereignty as “supreme power” that’s “independent”.

God depends upon no one. He’s in absolute control at all times. For God “works ALL things after the counsel of HIS will (Ephesians 1:11, emphasis mine).”

So if you’re feel scared, pray to the Lord in the name of Jesus. He’s there to listen, comfort and strengthen you.

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

It’s difficult to find comfort in Christ when you’re not sure of your standing with Him. But, you see, you can never be good enough to earn God’s favor. He doesn’t grade on a sliding scale: You’re either alive in Christ or dead in your sins.

But here’s the good news: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, so not no one may boast.”—Apostle Paul, Ephesians 2:8

Right standing is a gift from God. If you’re willing to admit that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness because you’ve offended a holy God and want Him to rule your life, you can be saved and in relationship with Him.

Your works can never save you or make you right with God. Only the shed blood of Jesus at the Cross can buy you forgiveness and His resurrection give you life through the Holy Spirit.

It’s a gift—but you have to humble your pride and ask for Him to be your Lord. He won’t force Himself into you life. He wants you to willingly love and follow Him.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”—Jesus, Revelation 3:20

Do you want reassurance that the Heavenly Father hears your prayers because you are a part of the spiritual body of Christ?

Please pray the following:

Heavenly Father, I don’t understand much right now but I feel afraid. The world is a scary place and evil seems to be winning too often. So I call on Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Please forgive my sins. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. Please calm my fears. Let me know how much You love me. And protect me from the evil one. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

If you sincerely asked Jesus to be your Lord, congratulations: You are born again.

Your soul needs daily food, just like your body. The Bible is your soul food, so please start reading it daily. I usually suggest starting with the book of Matthew, as it’s easy to read. And Jesus speaks reassuring words in chapter six. But you might find comfort from fear by reading the Psalms first.

Also, please join a Bible-based church or Bible study. If that’s not possible right now, I suggest these three ministries, which also have apps if that’s your preference: http://www.InTouch.org, http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way), and http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message). There are other godly ministries but it’s easy to be misled by bad teaching when you don’t know the Bible very well.

God bless you. Buddy and I will see you in heaven.

“For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).”

His name is Jesus.

Dead People Don’t Go To Heaven, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Buddy in the bathtub

I recently had problems getting enough hot water flowing through my shower faucet, so I had to bathe Buddy in the tub at my parent’s home. So-called sailor showers were adequate for me, but not for my dog. Merely wiping at his fur with a wet washcloth would not get Buddy clean enough.

Most people don’t understand why it’s necessary to have faith in Jesus Christ to enter heaven. Sadly, many Christians do not either and an increasing number believe that there are multiple paths to heaven.

As the Apostle Paul explained in his first letter to the Corinthians, 15:21-22:

“For as by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection from the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”

As several ministries have pointed out (Basic Gospel, People to People, InTouch, The Grace Ministries), Christianity is not just about getting your sins forgiven. People sin because they are sinners—the problem is that we are all born spiritually dead. Jesus died for our sins, but was resurrected to give us life (Romans 8:11). We have sinful hearts that need transformation.

Jesus warned that people needed to come to Him “so that you may have life (John 5:40).”

Jesus was speaking to a crowd of walking, breathing beings. They had physical life but were spiritually “dead in (their) trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).”

Because we are spiritually dead, there is only one way to obtain spiritual life: to be made a “new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)” through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied about the gift of transformation from death to life by the Holy Spirit in Ezekiel 11:19-20:

“And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them.”

We all need more than a simple washing of our outer life. A mere washcloth isn’t enough to cleanse our heart of its sinful desires.

This is why I stated that “dead people don’t go to heaven.” The truth is that only living souls can enter heaven; souls dead in their sins cannot. And only through faith in Jesus Christ is the heart transformed so that the human soul naturally loves God and others and desires to obey God.

Jesus declared that He was the source of life when He was preparing to physically raise Lazarus from the dead in John 11:25-26:

“I am the resurrection and the LIFE; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”

Jesus made it clear when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6).”

“This is eternal life, that they may know You (the Father), the only one true God, and Jesus Christ whom You (the Father) have sent (John 17:3).”

If you want to be spiritually alive, Jesus is the only power in the universe who can give you that life.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

We are all made in the image of God. That desire to do good is evident in many religions. But following rules can never give you life. It can make life easier and more pleasant. But only the Holy Spirit can give you a new soul birth.

If you’re ready to be born again, please repeat the below:

Dear Heavenly Father, Please forgive my sins. I ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and transform my heart. I give my life to you. Give me eternal life. In Jesus’ name, amen

When you pray according to the Father’s will, He promises to answer your prayers (1 John 5:14-15). Congratulations. You are born again.

Just as your body needs food daily to be healthy, your soul needs soul food—the Word of God. Please begin reading the Bible. I suggest starting with the book of Matthew as it’s easy to understand.

And please find a Bible based church and/or Bible study to fellowship with other believers and grow stronger in your faith. It’s not easy to stand alone in a culture that is turning away from God. If that’s not possible for you right now, I suggest the following three ministries, which also have apps: http://www.InTouch.org, http://www.LTW.org and http://www.AndrewFarley.org. There are other good ministries, but as a new believer, you can be lead astray till you know enough to be discerning.

God bless you as you enjoy your new life.

Buddy and I will see you in heaven.

Two Main Reasons Humanity Rejects God, Genesis 3:11-13

Dirty Buddy

Buddy is such a sweet dog. I lured him the bathroom then set him into the tub for a bath. “This is not what I was planning on doing this afternoon,” Buddy seems to say in the photo. Yet, he permitted me to wash him and towel him off.

Clean Buddy

It’s amazing how quickly he dries off. After walking for a few minutes in the Arizona sunshine, he’s nearly dry, even in February.

Buddy permitted me to bathe him because he trusts me. He didn’t fight and put up a fuss. But, sadly, most of humankind rejects and distrusts God and refuses to allow Him to wash them clean of their sins.

Through the prophet of ancient Israel, God beckons to us in Isaiah 1:18:

“Come now and let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow. Though they are red as crimson, they will be like wool.”

Much has been written about Adam and Eve, the ancestors of all humans. Because of their rejection of God’s authority, every descendant of theirs has been born spiritually dead. The first couple were created as triune beings—soul, body and God’s spirit—but the Holy Spirit left them when they rebelled against Him.

Jesus lamented that He wanted to give people abundant life (John 10:10), but they had to be willing to ask for it.

So why do people reject this offer of abundant life?

Adam and Eve represent the two main reasons most people reject God’s offer of eternal life with Him.

“And (God) said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’

“The man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.’

“Then the Lord said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ And the woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate. Genesis 3:11-13.’”

Adam represents all of the people who listen to other people and not God’s voice in the written Word and Living Word (Jesus, John 1:1). They reject God’s great love and kindness, because Science, Philosophy and the Entertainment Industry teaches that only fools or the ignorant follow Biblical morality or believe that the universe was divinely designed. There is no God, so make up your own rules on how to live. Humans are not born sinful, but rather are good, so there is no need for a Redeemer to save us from our sins. Nor a divine, omnipotent being that we will have to give an account to.

Eve represents everyone who is deceived by Satan, “the god of this world (who) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4).” Apostle Paul says in the prior verse that those who reject Christ are “perishing”.

Satan tricked Eve into believing that the Lord Who both created her, and wanted to fellowship with her, was holding out. God was selfish, Satan implied, and didn’t want her to determine right and wrong for herself as it threatened His authority. Satan tricked Eve into distrusting that God wanted the very best for her life and loved her.

Satan also implied, by default, that he cared more about Eve’s welfare than God did. How many people are drawn into the occult by this lie? Jesus declared that Satan actually hates us, is a liar, who only wants “to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10)” our lives.

God actually loves us so much that He wants us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven, a place so wonderful that we cannot even conceive of it (1 Corinthians 2:9) where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying or pain; (Revelation 21:4).”

“Good so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16),” to die on a Cross to take the punishment that our sin deserves, so that we are not punished eternally with separation from God.

I love you too. Which is why I take the time to write these blogs.

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

Can you identify with either Adam or Eve? People tell you there is no God Who loves you or you distrust God’s goodness?

You are NOT an accident of the universe! God designed you in the womb and loves you (Psalm 139:13-16). You were designed with certain attributes for a specific purpose, to love people and God in a way that’s unique to you alone. You are special and one of a kind.

The world tells you that you’re just one of billions and are unimportant. But you are just as lovely and unique as a snowflake. You matter. You have something valuable to contribute to this world.

But if you are not born again, you are spiritually dead, enslaved to a sin nature. It’s not your fault, as everyone is born sinful, but you are responsible for staying that way. God asks to enter your life, but doesn’t force Himself on you. You can listen to people or Satan, or invite Jesus into your life:

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:20).”

You have to open the door. You don’t have to “clean up your act first” or understand everything. You just have to be willing to invite Him into your heart, to become your source of spiritual life.

If you’re willing to open the door to God, please pray the following:

Dear Heavenly Father, I call on Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Please forgive my sins. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations. You are born again.

“How much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? (Luke 11:13)”

Please start reading the Bible; it is your soul food. Just as your body needs daily nourishment to be healthy and strong, your faith needs the Word of God (Romans 10:17). I suggest starting with the Book of Matthew as it’s easy to understand.

Also, please join a Bible believing church or Bible study. If that’s not possible right now, these three ministries are my favorite: http://www.InTouch.org, http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) and http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message). They also have apps if that’s your preference. There are also other godly ministries but you have to be careful as a young believer as you don’t know enough yet not to be misled by bad teaching.

God bless. Buddy and I will see you in heaven.

Dawn

The Importance Of Leadership, 1 Samuel 17:51-52

What surprised me about moving to Arizona is that it’s often very windy. Sometimes the wind howls at night, like a banshee from a horror movie. If not for Buddy’s companionship and my faith in the Lord, I’d be very spooked. (I’m somewhat spooked but not “very”.)

The King of ancient Israel and the army trembled for forty days while the giant Goliath, of the Philistine army, howled threats at them. They remained immobilized with fear till a youthful shepherd boy ran toward the giant with only a sling and “five smooth stones (1 Samuel 17:40)”. And felled the mighty warrior.

“Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

“The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron. (1 Samuel 17:51-52).”

When one believer in the Lord was willing to step forward in faith, his victory gave courage to the once trembling army to also move forward and conquer their enemy.

The other army, however, had lost their leader and fled.

I’ve confessed before that I often feel like a member of King Saul’s army, trembling in fear instead of running forward to meet the seemingly large obstacles of life that are taunting me. It helps bolster my courage to read how other believers overcame their fears and challenges through faith in God and the proper application of His word.

Like David, who used a physical sword to cut off Goliath’s massive head, we have a spiritual sword, the Word of God, also known as the Bible to help us conquer spiritual battles.

David knew, when he ran forward to defeat the champion of the Philistine army, that he had the King and his army standing behind him.

So, too, our Christian leaders need to know that the body of Christ is standing behind them, ready to move forward with them.

It’s vitally important to pray for and support our spiritual leaders. And political leaders who promote the Christian worldview.

Jesus also gained a great victory for us at the Cross and through His resurrection, “that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14).”

Since the devil has been defeated, stand behind your leaders and move forward with them into victory, taking territory away from the enemy of our souls.

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

Life is tough. The Church is a place where believers can encourage and counsel each other in this challenging and scary world. But if you are not a Christian, you are not receiving this potential support. Would you consider accepting Jesus as your Lord and joining His Church?

Accepting Jesus as your Lord means that He gets to define right and wrong, not you. But His laws are summed up this way: loving Him and others (Matthew 22:37-40). His ways are good and kind.

“Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).”

If you’re willing, please pray the following:

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask Jesus to be My Lord and Savior. Please forgive my sins. Fill Me with Your Holy Spirit. I give my life to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you sincerely prayed, congratulations, you are born again. “How much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13).”

But just as your body needs daily food to remain healthy, so your soul needs daily nourishment to be strong—soul food, which is the Bible. Please begin reading it daily. If not, read when you can. I suggest starting with Matthew as it’s easy to understand.

Also, please join a Bible believing church or Bible study. If that’s not possible right now, these are three great ministries, which also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.InTouch.org, http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) and http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message).

God bless you. See you in heaven with my beloved furry pals. Dawn