Do you think there is middle ground between Heaven and Hell?

Middle Ground

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Middle ground is shifting in this image and there is still time to move to safety; would you retreat or move forward? You really can't make a choice without knowing what is behind you as you as you look at the road in front of you.

The picture of the road is a representative view of our reality today in a world of chaos. Is there any safe place? Physical reality = sound, sight, touch, smell, and taste. 

As Christians we know life is eternal for us.

John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 

28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 

29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

John 12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 

25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 

26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

Those who are not Christian perish for eternity.

Matthew 25:41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

Where is the middle ground? There is none, no middle ground!

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Matthew 6:24 [ You Cannot Serve God and Riches ] “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

As humans we are all 'ONE HEARTBEAT' away from either of these destinations for eternity. Have we done all that we can for those we know who are lost?

About three weeks ago the Lord asked us to cry out for mercy and lift their names up before Him that they might be saved. (read more here)

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

AMEN

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Truth

What is truth?

Truth resides in God and He is the standard from which all truth comes. The truth will set you free and brings with it justice.

Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

The Truth Shall Make You Free

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 

35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 

36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The Living Word

The Living Word can be found at the Cross

He is Truth, let His Word come alive in your heart and be transformed!

To the Jew and Gentile alike.

Acts 11:17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

All of life's questions can be answered in the Living Word; mans input and assistance is not required, the Holy Spirit will teach you all things. 

Faith

Faith is a gift from God given you by grace

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Hebrews 11:1 [ By Faith We Understand ] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

1 John 4:20 [ Obedience by Faith ] If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

Does your faith move you into action? It should if you want to see results; when you step out in faith, God who is the giver of faith, ensures the result. Through your weakness He is glorified as He was with David when he confronted Goliath. 

By Faith They Overcame

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 
31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

Jericho

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As Christians you were born again by faith and that faith was given to you by God who in His mercy saved you by grace through the Blood of His only Son Jesus Christ.

At that moment you became a new creation from the DNA level throughout your entire physical and spiritual being. REJOICE HE LOVES YOU! 

These men pictured above with shields, swords, and horns did not physically knock those walls down; God did based on their faith which they demonstrated during the seven day march around Jericho. They stepped out in faith because they believed Him who gave them the faith.

You stepped out in faith when you answered the alter call and were saved. Since that saving moment have you stepped out in faith in other areas of your life? If you answered no you are really missing out because He wants to bless you for your obedience demonstrated by stepping out.

If you wait to see what God is moving you toward before taking that first step you'll be disappointed and will have listened to the enemy of our souls by holding back.

I would have missed many blessings during my lifetime had I not taken the first step in faith toward things I could not see at the time. It's like learning to ride a bike with dad holding it upright while you get a feel for it; when you have reached the point riding by yourself you will be 50 feet in front of him before you realize he is no longer holding it upright.

Your faith grows with baby steps in the beginning but with continued practice you grow into adulthood. 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The key is to diligently seek Him and practice stepping out in the direction He is leading you. Small steps lead to a full stride with practice.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Read Hebrews 11 it will build your faith by example.

URGENT! - Making a List and Checking Twice - URGENT!

When you pray for those you love who are lost have you ever prayed that the Lord would send His angels to talk to them face to face?

Those who are close to you often will not talk to you about things that cause them discomfort, such as sin, repentance, and the cleansing Blood of Jesus who gave His life for them... Would an angel of the Lord or the Lord Himself get their undivided attention?

He got Johns attention on the isle of Patmos

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Revelation 1: 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 

11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 

13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 

14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 

15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 

16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 

17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 

18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Those of us who have been paying attention know that America has been weighed in the balance and found lacking. Judgement has been proclaimed, repentance has failed to appear, in it's place only rebellion has stood up to be recorded; but what is in the Judges heart?

His Word

"My People, you are in a season of prayer. This means I desire you would avail yourselves of My Mighty Power through praying My Will in this time. 

I will multiply your answers now if you will do this because I greatly desire to show mercy to those who do not know Me yet, just as I showed mercy and saved you.

Cry out to Me for mercy, for none can save as I do. Call out their names that they may be brought up before Me, and I will send angels on assignment to bring it to pass". (Read more)

I'm making a list and checking it twice, please do likewise and together let us cry out for mercy!

As with any word brought forth and shared; take it to the Lord in prayer and verify it with Scripture and then follow His lead and what He puts in your heart.

 Brothers and sisters my heart is breaking over my beloved country and what it once stood for, His Glory! For those of you who might be pilots, America is in a dead-mans spiral and my children and grandchildren are going along for the ride - Heed His request and cry out for mercy while lifting their names up before heaven! 

When God speaks things happen! AMEN

Paradise in the Midst of Chaos

Do you live in the midst of chaos in home that is set in paradise?

To many this would seem like an oxymoron but it can be reality if you choose the right friends. I have such a friend and with Him all things are possible.

I was thinking about my life today, what tomorrow might bring and I had to pause and tell Him...

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Abba Father I praise you!

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

I knew Him as a child, I knew Him when I rebelled, and as a young adult when I hit bottom He was standing there with His hand outstretched to me to pull me out of the mire.

My friend Jesus

 

Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You know what He asked me in this picture? He asked me if I was happy with my life of rebellion? How do you answer that question lying on your back stuck in the mire with no way to get loose? 

While I was contemplating His question, He pulled me out and sat me down; then He said you must choose this day, NOW, to walk with Me or continue on the path that caught you in the mire! 

I was stunned, actually there are no words to describe the feeling I was experiencing; I asked Him if I could have a few minutes to think about it. He said yes but this choice is final... You must choose now there will be no other opportunity!

I thought about how I got here, whether I wanted to follow the path He would set before me or remain in my current state... I broke at that point and cried out to Him in repentance and asked for His forgiveness of my sins.

At that instant I felt something comparable to lightening bolt entering my feet and blowing out the top of my head and I knew He had completely cleansed and forgiven me.

I've never been the same and He wants to do the same for you if you are walking the path I had been traveling when I got caught in the mire. When you enter His presence the air glows in gold just like the picture. Call out to Him now and be set free of the bondage of sin.

John 3:13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 

15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 

Read about the new birth here and rejoice - He Lives and in Him our lives consist.

Preeminence of Christ

Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 

10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 

12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 

14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 

17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Our world is truly filled with chaos and my home truly is paradise set in the midst of chaos with Christ. 

Have you ever wondered how these things could ever be as you look at your immediate family?

'A man’s enemies will be those of his own household'.

Most of us would look at our family and believe this could never happen in my family; we are too close and and share a kindred spirit. Yet the world we live in is full of examples that reveal a mans enemies are often in his own household just as God says in the following Scriptures. 

Micah 7:6 For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 

Matthew 10:35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;

Matthew 10:36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’

Mark 13:12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

Luke 12:53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Do thoughts that lead to the above actions come from the mind or the heart?

Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Jesus called these men to come and follow Him, they left everything and followed Him. They had a special closeness like a family and are pictured here fellow-shipping together around the table.

Was there an enemy in the group? Yes, Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver.

Could this happen in your household in the days ahead? Jesus clearly says yes it will as we approach the end of the age. I believe we are rapidly approaching the end of the age and His Second Coming. I also believe many brothers and sisters in the Lord are not prepared for what is coming and now is already upon us.

Mark 13 - The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

Mark 13:12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

In previous posts I have written about Satan, principalities and powers of darkness in heavenly realms and that our struggle is not against flesh and blood in this respect but spiritual. (Some of those articles are linked below) Knowing the enemy is going to be absolutely vital in the days that are approaching but more importantly knowing the protection and application of that protection Christ has provided for those who are His. 

• Satan appears in many forms
• The battle
• Surviving Lawlessness
• The face of Christianity
• Two angels
• Charismatic fortune telling

You need to know the enemy so you are not deceived and at the same time be intimately abiding in your protector/Christ and His shelter. (Psalm 91)

Has Satan recruited men to assist in his efforts to destroy the image of God in all His creation? Yes he has; examples of wolves in sheep's clothing can be viewed in the links above, specifically in 'the face of Christianity' and 'Charismatic fortune telling'. How can they be spotted?

Matthew 7:15 [ You Will Know Them by Their Fruits ] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

False prophets/ravenous wolves will be known by their fruits; what fruits?

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.


Ephesians 5:9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

Looking at the examples in 'the face of Christianity' link above, the illusion of fruits may be present at times, so to be sure they are false prophets you must have knowledge of God's Word to avoid being deceived. Not mans word but Gods Word. 

The Word of God is your spiritual food, if you don't make time for Him and listen to what He has to say to you through the reading of His Word personally your spirit man will starve leaving you unaware of false teaching by men.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

1 Corinthians 8:11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

Failure to study and spend time with God in His Word could cost you your life beyond the grave and the lives of those who look to you for guidance. Gods Word is the most precious thing you can have written on and in your heart, please don't neglect it.

You don't need to attend church to be filled with the knowledge God has for you, you only need to abide in Him and His Word; He will teach you, lead you, protect you when no one else can, and guide you into eternal glory!

Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Luke 12:12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”


John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Avoid deception and be like those believers in Berea.

Acts 17:10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 

  

Will you know what to do or say when someone you trust betrays you? The Holy Spirit does and He will even put the words in your mouth. Trust Him, seek Him, share each day with Him, and offer prayer and praise without ceasing by abiding in Him. 

Jesus lives, He is able to provide all your needs and protection so stop worrying and be His friend and companion. 

John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.