Ascension Day

Many people argue about the actual dates that things happened, like Noah did'nt actually go into the Ark when the Bible says he did because calendars were changed and this happened and that happened etc etc. I would tell you that the literal actual day that the event happened is irrelevant. What is important is REMEMBERing what happened and focusing your attention off the things in this world and onto Jesus and his kingdom.

Supposedly today is ascension day, maybe today is the literal day Jesus rose up into the heavens maybe it isn't. Nailing down exact dates and times is a waste of time for us who are looking for our masters return EVERY DAY. I hope you are beginning to understand why we were told to be watching and ready all the time, every day. We were given promises that are not dependant on our knowledge of particular spots on a calendar. We are to focus on the promises with every ounce of faith we have.

Living for the Lord is not a one time "make a decision" event as so many would have you believe. Praying a prayer is great today, making a "decision for Jesus" is great for today, but what about tomorrow and the next day and the next? We are told over and over again that we must ABIDE in Christ. Abide means this walk "in Christ" is an ongoing every day thing, not a one time "flash in the pan" event. If making it into heaven was as easy as saying a 30 second prayer then we would'nt see Matt 7:14-28 in the bible.

On a day like today we can remember Jesus rising up into the heavens to sit at the right hand of our Father. We can also remember the promise that he will come back to take us where he is. Where is he? He is in heaven. The place he has prepared for us is not here on earth, its in heaven just like the open door we see in Rev 4:1. We have a promise of escape from all thats about to happen for those found worthy of the escape.

These past days the Lord has impressed upon me that so many of the problems in the world are a result of faithlessness. People have no problem "going to church" and yelling "amen" and dancing around while they are being "serviced" but do they really believe the promises? What is real faith and real belief? What can a real believer do? I am fully convinced that Satan laughs rolling on the floor at the institutionalized, sterilized, pasteurized and neutered "church people" that cover the earth. I'm not speaking of the true church, but the powerless so called christianity we see all around us today. I am also convinced that Satan trembles at the men and women who really believe, who are full of faith, who seek our Lord's faith on their knees daily. Jesus said we can tell mountains to be removed and cast into the sea if we really believed, and he was not kidding.

Yesterday the Lord gave me this little tidbit about faith, belief and how to get it/increase it.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

What that says is Faith comes from the word of God. We know that the word of God can be found in your bibles, but where else can it be found? It can be found in the living, breathing person of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the word of God... remember? So reading your bibles is one piece, but on your knees in the presence of Jesus Christ himself is the other. All this is a long winded way of saying that there is no substitute for time spent in the literal presence of the King of Kings. Theres something that happens in the presence of God almighty that can take place nowhere else. Basking in the real presence of God Almighty is basking in the word of God. Faith comes from the word of God who is Jesus Christ, the person and the written word-BOTH.

Its been said here before, Jesus alone is the key that unlocks everything. It takes faith to do everything worthwhile in this world and the next. There is no "believe" without faith. Faith comes from Jesus Christ the key to unlocking EVERYTHING. So if you are reading your bibles everyday, here's a big hug but if you are not getting on your knees and entering the presence of the Almighty often you are really really hamstringing yourself.

Satan likes to ask you "where's your God now?" right in the midst of his attacks on your life. I've had a demon literally say that to me through a lady in my past, right in the middle of an attack on my life "WHERES YOUR GOD NOW?" Forget what Satan is doing in this world, we get it, the signs are everywhere. What are we doing with these last days before the time of Jacob's trouble?

I would tell you to be praying in faith today not only to be counted worthy of the escape from all, but also for everything and anyone that will in any way build the kingdom of God:

Matthew 6:33 ... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;and all these things shall be added unto you.

Our God does not look at things the way we do. He sees faith as the SUBSTANCE of the thing prayed about. What we see around us is not reality, Spirit, the unseen is the reality behind all things so what you believe in faith is counted as reality in God's eyes. If people in your family are not yet "in Christ" then pray in faith that they are "in Christ." Why do I bring all this up today? Because right after the escape comes "standing before the Son of man" which is what?

Matthew 5:12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is
... Rejoice and be extremely glad, because your reward in heaven is great!

Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is ...
... I am coming soon! My reward is with me to repay everyone according to his work.

Repay according to our work? Well, what is this "work?" John 6:29 ... Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God: to believe in the one whom he has sent." So believing is the work of God, and what does it take to believe? FAITH. No faith=no believing=no work of God=you are bankrupt. Instead of getting all caught up with what Satan is doing in the world how about we get caught up in faith works of God that earn an everlasting reward? Your faith determines everything regarding your day to day walk as well as your eternal destiny.

There was a time when I think the Lord wanted me to point out all the signs and signals in the world to those who would listen. What I hear from him today is "the signs are obvious and everywhere" today so much so that even the blind deaf and dumb are noticing. Whacking a dead horse gives us no progress. We are disciples/followers of Jesus which means we are to perfect our way before him, align ourselves to the very center of his will for us.

The church is weak and scattered today which is why the Lord tells us in Rev 3 that we are weak (little strength). When a football team or a military unit starts to fray at the seams you know what the coach/commanders do? Force a return to focus on fundamentals, tackling, blocking, marksmanship, physical strength etc etc. All the best coaches and commanders put a strong emphasis on fundamentals. We have a commander in heaven who is telling us to refocus our attention on basics/fundamentals. That does'nt mean going back to milk from strong meat, it means putting first things first. Attention on Jesus is first, he is our first love, from him comes faith for belief which is how we do the work of God. No PhD or seminary degree required for any of this.

You personally need to hear the Spirit of God speak to you today. What is the Lord saying to you personally? Your hired hand spiritual employee (pastor) will NEVER be allowed into the intimate place reserved for you and Jesus alone...EVER. So I suggest you get there, the Lord is waiting for you.

grace and peace