Time Is At Hand — Journal

Matthew 24:12 names the symptom of a world running down: as iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold. This is a word of encouragement about the love that does not — agape, which began at creation, was proved at the cross, and ends with every tear wiped away. Matthew 24:12 — And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. We all grow up feeling a void inside, a void that can only be filled with the presence of Christ, a void so deep that most of us if not all, experience some kind of suffering. Suffering so intense that many people drop by the wayside, some choose to commit suicide. As sin increases, narcissism and self-indulgence grow, and men and women find themselves ridden with the consequences of their own actions and those of others. What then is the answer to this perpetual crime? The answer lies in the one who laid down His life for us: Christ. Philippians 4:13 — I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. We need not be troubled n...

Revelation 21:7 carries the promise past the seven churches to the new earth itself: he that overcometh shall inherit all things, and be called a son of God. This part takes up the warfare that stands between the promise and the one who is to receive it. Revelation 21:7 — He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. The paths of life are beset with many perils that can hardly be described. There are dark forces working to distract, disturb, dismantle and destroy us; but we must not depart from the path of godly principles which lead to victory. Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and we must follow His path of safety until our journey is over. Two powers are contending for the mind In our everyday encounters and struggles we must keep focus and vigilance. Two powers are contending for our minds. God our Creator is working to restore His image in fallen humanity. He wants us to have the mind of Christ and to be like Him in char...

Revelation 3:21 is the last of the seven promises to the overcomer, and the highest: to sit with Christ in His throne. Life is about overcoming, and Christ shows how it is done — He overcame first, and now invites us to sit down with Him. Revelation 3:21 — To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. There are those who are experiencing the crippling effects of low mood, of anxiety, helplessness, loneliness and hopelessness. To them it seems as if life is unfair and not worth living — but God has assured us that there is mercy and deliverance for those who will seek help from heaven. Life is full of multiple challenges and obstacles, but we can overcome them if we ask God to help. There is no failure with God to those who earnestly seek His help and faithfully follow His guidance and counsels. The last of the seven promises Revelation 3:21 is the last of seven promises set before the Chris...

God made man in His own likeness, to reflect His character and His righteousness. Sin tarnished that image — but it was never abandoned. Part one looks at what we were made to be, what was lost in the fall, and how the likeness is restored. According to Genesis chapter 5 verse 1: Genesis 5:1 — This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; He fashioned them in love and "created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Why this likeness matters Why is this so important? God wanted man and woman to reflect His image, to resemble His likeness in character and in righteousness. However, due to the fall of man since Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, man's image has been tarnished with the filthiness of sin. Where do we stand now? We are no longer connected to that love of God, no longer shining with His glory and brightness. We have lost our glow an...

Revelation 3:12 makes the overcomer a pillar in the temple of God, and writes three names upon him — the name of God, the name of His city, and Christ's own new name. Without God, life is a journey into the unknown; with Christ, it becomes a journey of courage and progression. Revelation 3:12 — Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Without God to guide our path, life is just an adventurous journey into the unknown — a journey of doubts, curiosities, unexpected twists, turns, and great obstacles. With Christ, life is transformed into a meaningful journey of courage and progression. Overcoming obstacles through the strength of God helps us to develop true strength, vigilance and resilience. Every challenge in life can either make us str...

Psalm 67 asks God for mercy, blessing and the light of His face — and then it says why: that His way may be known upon earth, and His saving health among all nations. The prayer of the church has to be that wide. Psalm 67:1-2 — God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. True health and happiness can only come from God, the Creator of the universe and the source of all blessings. The writer begins this passage of Scripture by asking God to be merciful unto us and bless us. A prayer that leaves nobody out Including everyone in our prayer is a good, healthy and caring habit. It brings people together and spreads peace. It reminds us of the way Christ extends His mercy and love to all people in the world without partiality. It shows us how to care for friends, strangers, and even our enemies with genuine love. In 1 Timothy 2:1 we are admonished to pray for all people. ...

Revelation 3:5 holds out three things to the one who overcomes — white raiment, a name that is not blotted out of the book of life, and a name confessed before the Father. White is the colour of heaven, and the robe is not one we can weave for ourselves. Revelation 3:5 — He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. The most important thing in the life of a true Christian is overcoming the great obstacles that prevent Christian progress. The brightest hope is taking Christ at His word and following His examples of overcoming and bringing down the strongholds of Satan daily. He that overcometh Eternal life is for all those who overcome sin. Christ again reminds us of the reward of those who shall overcome the many obstacles of life — those who have faced life's battles courageously, and consistently wrestled until they are victorious ...

Revelation 2:26-28 closes with three gifts for the one who overcomes and keeps His works unto the end — judgment according to their works, power over the nations, and the morning star. Christ Himself says who that star is. Revelation 2:26 — And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. "He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end." Life brings a mix of good and bad times: sunshine and rain; moments of sadness and also moments of gladness. Dark spots, but also light and beauty all around. In this life we often encounter multiple obstacles that slow our progress and impede our goals. In Revelation 2:26 God reminds us that in this life we must focus our attention on overcoming. We must overcome all of our trials and temptations, and keep the works of God. We must overcome the anti-Christ, afflictions and persecution; but through it all we must keep the works of God. Three things He says He will give Each o...