20 ‘If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE ELECT, WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN, he has shortened them. Mark 13

20 ‘If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE ELECT, WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN, he has shortened them. Mark 13

REMEMBER YOU’RE CHOSEN AND BE THANKFUL.

There’s a lot of talk about the End Times in the Church today and the Bible accurately predicts that there’ll be many differing opinions. At the end of Mark’s Gospel Jesus was answering some of His disciples questions on the subject and the ‘ELECT’ are mentioned three times in quick succession. Right to the end of human history God will be acting on behalf of His children and taking their interests into account.

21 At that time if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Messiah!” or, “Look, there he is!” do not believe it.22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to DECEIVE THE ELECT – if that we’re possible. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance. Mark 13

The enemy is always working to deceive people and the world has been and still is subject to mass propaganda through the media. The enemy seeks to control the narrative through the media at all times, but God’s Spirit is awakening people to much of this false information. Jesus prophesied that at a future time even the Elect would be in danger of being deceived. God has been using His prophets to waken the Church to the reality of what has been taking place. This is a time to walk closely with the Lord and seek discernment from heaven about the events happening around us.

26 ‘At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and GATHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. Mark 13

One of the last acts of God will be the sending of the angels to gather ‘His Elect’, from all across the earth. God’s Elect, the true Believers who endure to the end, will be centre stage as we approach the end of this age. MANY PROPHETIC VOICES ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS STILL SOME TIME AWAY. Believers are called to ‘Rise and Shine’ here on earth and that is what the enemy truly fears most, a United Church moving fully in the power of God.

REMEMBER YOU’RE CHOSEN AND BE THANKFUL!

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

43-44 He called his disciples to him and remarked, “That poor widow has given more than all those rich men put together! For they gave a little of their extra fat, (Literally, Out of their surplus) while she gave up her last penny.” Mark 12, The Living Bible

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, PUT IN EVERYTHING – all she had to live on.’ Mark 12

43-44 He called his disciples to him and remarked, “That poor widow has given more than all those rich men put together! For they gave a little of their extra fat, (Literally, Out of their surplus) while she gave up her last penny.” Mark 12, The Living Bible 

GOD SEES AND HONOURS SINCERITY!

Jesus sat down to WATCH THE CROWD PUTTING THEIR MONEY INTO THE TEMPLE TREASURY. He drew the attention of His disciples to two classes of Givers they saw there and remarked on what He’d seen, His evaluation. Many gave out of their surplus which isn’t wrong, but one very poor woman, ‘Put in everything’. It took GREAT COURAGE TO PUT IN EVERYTHING and still does to this day, but the Lord highlighted her offering. Giving isn’t about money alone, Amy Carmichael gave her life to rescuing and serving orphan girls in India – she gave her all. Just one of many Believers who’ve laid down their lives to help others.

Abraham was willing to obey God and give up His only son Isaac, at God’s command. However, Abraham’s obedience brought incredible blessings.

16  ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 AND THROUGH YOUR OFFSPRING ALL NATIONS ON EARTH WILL BE BLESSED, because you have obeyed me.’ Genesis 22

Job also received a Double Portion after he’d endured severe trials from the devil and lost everything. Even Job’s wife didn’t understand why Job still kept his faith in God. I mentioned that a prophet had said recently, that it was always God’s intention to give Job an upgrade and the devil was just His tool for doing it.

Robin Bullock also spoke recently on Church International that he’d asked the Lord to show him how to live when he came to faith. Coming up to Christmas he made some things to sell and provide for his wife and daughter. But, the Lord told him to give all his money away to a family living in a car. Shortly after he obeyed, they received a call from a lawyer telling him that he’d settled an outstanding case for them and they received one hundred fold! The Lord told him that they should,’GIVE TO LIVE’, a new way for their new life in Him.

We can’t use things like this as a formula to manipulate God, but when we do give out of sincerity Heaven knows and honours our gift. The Lord will give us plenty of opportunities to give to others; we shouldn’t try to devise our own plans to test out God’s blessing.

The Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘THE LORD HAS NEED OF IT,’ and immediately he will send it here.” Mark 11

and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it YOU WILL FIND A COLT TIED, ON WHICH NO ONE HAS SAT. LOOSE IT AND BRING IT. And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘THE LORD HAS NEED OF IT,’ and immediately he will send it here.” Mark 11

We’re more inclined to think what we have need of, than what the Lord has need of! After all, He’s the Lord, but He works through the people of this world to bring about His will on the earth. The Lord still needs a people who will put Him and His Kingdom first.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6

The setting for this time of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem was very significant. Jesus was approaching the end of His earthly ministry and the people rejoiced to see Him. This was also the time for the fulfilment of many prophecies.

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

‘Hosanna!’

‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Mark 11, quoted from Psalm 118:25, 26

Matthew’s Gospel gives an even clearer prophecy from the Book of Zechariah.

This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:

‘Say to Daughter Zion,
    “See, your king comes to you,
GENTLE AND RIDING ON A DONKEY,
    AND ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A DONKEY.”’ Matthew 21, quoted from Zechariah 9:9

The disciples didn’t know that the simple instruction they’d been given was a direct fulfilment of prophecy and many times the Lord may ask us to do something simple that’s important to Him. Obedience to His voice in seemingly trivial matters may be of much greater importance than we will ever realise. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because, ‘she missed the time of her visitation’. Luke 19:41-44

Even in difficult times the Lord may ask us to do something, ‘for Him’, that may not seem important, but true followers will want to obey in all things.

‘THE LORD HAS NEED OF IT’, is surely enough reason for us to hear and obey Him.

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.’ 1 Kings 19

16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 1 Kings 19

We said yesterday that God called Elijah from the ‘cave’ and sent him to the ‘desert’ to anoint Hazael King over Aram. God knows where the people He is going to use are located, no matter how hidden from public view. We also said that if we’re still here on earth then GOD WANTS TO USE US WHERE WE LIVE TO BUILD HIS KINGDOM AND BLESS US FOR DOING SO.

God had used Elijah to deliver a mighty blow to an evil regime, all 850 pagan prophets were dead and gone, but Jezebel was still the power behind the throne in Israel. However, God was moving behind the scenes to bring to position and power those who would finish the job. I believe that we are in a similar place today, God’s Hand has been working out of sight, but there’s a final blow coming. Jezebel herself was taken down by Jehu, the new King of Israel. God called three leaders into position to remove the wicked from their positions of power.

17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.’

These men were like a threefold cord, woven together by Almighty God, with a single purpose, the removal of the wicked from their seats of power and influence. (There are three leaders in position today who are resisting wicked plans) Many people have lived through difficult times in recent years, but God’s Justice is coming. A new month has begun, March 2024, and God’s plans are being outworked today just as surely as when He restored Elijah and delivered Israel. We’re moving to New Times and Good Times for those who love and serve the Lord.

24 ‘“‘The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face towards you
    and give you peace.’”

27 ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6

May we see the full deliverance and blessings of God soon and very soon.