People Let's Get Ready!

Do you believe in Jesus?

Do you believe he died for our sins so that we could be saved?

Great!  So have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?

If so, Did you speak in tongues?

Were you baptized since you believed?

How were you baptized?

Have you repented of your sins and turned from them?

Would you like to be saved?

Can I tell you about the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost?  

If you think you are saved and am not sure if you have the Holy Ghost or how you were baptized it is very important you read my post "You Must Be Born Again".  There are three steps one must achieve in order to be born again.  Jesus clearly states in the bible you must be born again in order to go to heaven.  Do you want to go to heaven?  Jesus is coming soon!  People lets get ready!

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148, or email kimlovesjesus@icloud.com.

What Is Your Ultimate Purpose in Life?

Our lives, our beings, even our very breath – comes as gifts from God. Of ourselves we have nothing. All our notions of ownership are an illusion; all our pride, a deception. We are not sovereign but completely dependent. Everything we have – our possessions, our money, our riches, every moment of our lives – everything has been given to us. They are only gifts from God. Everything we “own” is only entrusted. It all belongs to Him, even our days.

Every heartbeat is borrowed. Everything in this world that draws us or repels us, entangles us or compels us, everything we seek after, dwell on, or live for, is temporary, fleeting, and passing away. Therefore the meaning of this life is not found in anything of this life, but only in Him who lies behind it. And the purpose of this life is not found in seeking anything of this life, but only in seeking Him who gave it.

Discovering Your Purpose in Life

Many things can get you down – trials and difficulties that get in the way of a vibrant life. But that can all begin to fade away when you discover your ultimate purpose in life.

There are constant money worries—not to mention increasing violence, racism and the bizarre fixation people have with gender identity.

This stress is compounded by the speed of electronic information, advances in technology and constant changes in social norms.

The result is that many people, no matter their age or economic status, live in a “personal bubble.” We try to stay in this bubble by concentrating on our own immediate pursuit of happiness. We can then pretend that all the chaos and changes are outside the bubble and “don’t really affect me.”

Then reality strikes. Bad news, or some negative personal problem, breaks that bubble and we are overwhelmed with anxiety, fear and a sense that there is no meaning to life.

God doesn’t want you to live that way! He has something better for you.

I want to share with you a remarkable truth that few people know. It’s a truth that can change everything in your life. I’d like to help you discover your ultimate purpose in life.

The purpose of life is not just to be happy

Your life is worth more than you ever imagined! You have a very specific purpose in the universe.

The problem is discovering that purpose. It goes against the social programming you and I have experienced since childhood. We have been programmed to believe that the ultimate purpose in life is the pursuit of happiness.

I’m not saying that happiness is bad. We all want to be happy. Happiness is a gift from God.

But something happens to us when we believe that happiness is the only purpose in life. One result is that when we face job issues, health problems, conflicts in relationships, or when we watch the latest news story about terrorism, the fleeting feelings of happiness dissolve and we mentally and emotionally break down.

If there is a purpose to this life, we must find the answer with the Creator of life.

We are to pursue doing good, pleasing God, following His laws. The unsettling truth about doing what is good verses being happy is not in fashion today. The quest to be happy is more perceptible than the quest for goodness. People don’t want to be weighed down by someone’s view of what is “good.” If there are not clear standards of what is right and wrong, then confusion and frustration must surely follow. The scripture says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint, but happy is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18).

God reveals our ultimate purpose in the Bible

The Bible is the story of everything. It’s about creation—and the Creator who made it all. It’s about God’s desire for children of His own—and humanity’s desire to be independent from our Creator. It’s the story of how Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is working to bring us back to the Creator’s family.

The Bible is about how you personally have a very specific purpose in the universe. This purpose involves an awesome, unbelievable future. It also involves your life right now.

If you want to find true happiness, the road that takes you there is one that is described in the pages of your Bible. Jesus explained to His disciples that the right way is not easy, “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Living your ultimate purpose starts today

The apostle John wrote that we are now the children of God. What does that mean?

Yes, God is offering you a future, but He is also offering you a fulfilling, meaningful life right now. You can have a relationship with God as your Father every day of your life.

God wants to have a personal, one-on-one relationship with you. The ultimate meaning in this life is about your relationship with God. It’s about being God’s child now while looking forward to the promised future.

Regrettably, this good news gets muddied in much Christian preaching today. All too often Christian pulpits preach a health-and-wealth gospel, a cheap grace, a message of “Jesus loves you just the way you are” that leaves people remaining just the way they are and not becoming more like Jesus.

Remember what God inspired Jeremiah to write: “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13).

You must stop seeking your own purpose by attempting to stay in a bubble of pursuing your self-determined purpose and seek God’s purpose with all of your heart.

Authentic Christianity isn’t a luke-warm, half-hearted, law-ignoring, part-time, warm religious feeling. Authentic Christianity is about being restored to your original purpose. It’s about transformation. It’s about giving up everything to receive everything God will give you (see Luke 14:33; Revelation 21:7).

Authentic Christianity is about being restored to your original and ultimate purpose. It’s about transformation.

Authentic Christianity is about breaking out of the natural human bubble of self-centeredness. It’s not about YOU! It’s about the dynamic force of God in your life, changing you, restoring you to your original purpose, facing life’s difficulties with faith and hope. It’s about finding happiness through loving others.

Your part to play

If you want God’s purpose for your life to become your purpose, then there is something you must do.

A person today must demonstrate more courage than a soldier in war or a fireman entering a burning building. Dealing with confused and lost souls in a shifting social environment is not for wimps, but warriors. Doing what is right, even while under fire, takes courage. You can be a leader to show others the way. Stand fast for goodness and truth, and you will find your purpose, you will find lasting happiness. There have always been temptations and a demonic spirit guiding this present evil world (Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4), it is the courageous ones who will stand in the end.

Your ultimate purpose has been given to you by your Creator

Nobody can make you accept God’s purpose in your life. Many people, when they hear this message, will simply walk away from it.

But if you want God’s purpose for you, what should you do? The next step is receiving power from God to have His purpose fulfilled in your life.

The apostle Peter spoke to a large crowd and told them about the work God is doing through Jesus Christ. When many people were moved to seek God with their hearts, Peter told them to repent, be baptized in Jesus Name and receive the Holy Ghost, that’s God’s Holy Spirit coming to dwell within you (Acts 2:38).

If you don’t know what it means to repent, have never been baptized, or am not sure you have the Holy Ghost (read Plan of Salvation on this blog).

Your life is worth more than you ever imagined! You have a very specific purpose in the universe. But you have a choice in that. The truth is that you don’t have to respond to God’s purpose. You can just keep going on the way you have been and ignore God’s calling to be His child.

But be warned: Jesus told a parable about a man who invited people to a big banquet. The man spared no expense in preparing something that would be the absolute best for his guests. But when the man sent his servant to invite the guests, one by one they gave excuses for not being able to attend.

The excuses seemed like good reasons to the people involved: “I need to take care of my property.” “I have a lot of work to get done.” “I just got married and need to spend more time with my wife.” (Sounds a lot like people today)

What the man was offering his guests was much more wonderful than what they wanted for their lives, but they lived in their little bubbles, selfishly pursuing happiness. They missed out. The host eventually rejected those whom he invited and asked others to attend his banquet instead.

God is offering you His best. He wants you to realize His ultimate purpose for you—to live as His child now and to be changed into His spiritual image forever in His Kingdom.

He wants you to make His purpose your purpose.

Begin to realize your ultimate purpose now!

Will you seize God’s gift? Will you accept the invitation? Or will you find an excuse to pass it by?

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148, or email kimlovesjesus@icloud.com.

PLAN OF SALVATION

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

“Ye must be born again...”

Almost all denominations and religions agree you have to be born again.  The problem is they disagree on how you are to be born again.  According to the Bible there is only one way to be born again and that is the same way Peter and the apostles were born again on the day of Pentecost. 

In the scriptures below Jesus appointed Peter to set the foundation for His church.   Jesus said “upon this rock (Peter) will I build my church”.

(John 1:40-42 KJV)  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

(Matthew 16:17-19 KJV)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Keep in mind that God's church is built upon the teachings of Peter and the apostles. 

In the next scripture Jesus told Nicodemus if we are not born again of the water (which is baptism of water for remission of sins) and spirit (which is the baptism of the Holy Ghost) we can not enter into heaven!

(John 3:3-5 KJV)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus commanded his apostles to go forth and teach  to all nations.

(Matthew 28:16-20 KJV)  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.,, And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

(Mark 16:15-16 KJV)  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The next set of scriptures state that right before Jesus was taken up into heaven he told the apostles where to go and wait for the Holy Ghost.

(Luke 24:44-53 KJV) And he said unto them,  These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

(Acts 1:2, 4-9 KJV)  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

When Jesus spoke unto the disciples it tells us in Luke 24:45 that he opened their understanding that they may understand the scriptures.  Immediately following Jesus’ resurrection they did just as He told them.  Not once in the scriptures were any of them confused about what they were to do.

(Acts 2:1-8, 12 KJV)  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

(Acts 2:14-16 KJV)  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

(Acts 2:37-39 KJV)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Notice: The apostles did not baptized in the titles (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Jesus told them to baptize in the name (singular). What is the name of the Father, the name of the Son, the name of the Holy Ghost? Jesus! Read the scriptures for yourself, throughout the New Testament the apostles baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ every single time.

When the people standing about asked Peter “men and brethren, what shall we do?”  What did Peter tell them?  What he told them to do still applies to us today.

The Holy Ghost experience was not just for the apostles and their day but is also for us in this day and hour.  Peter said the promise is unto us and our children and to all…  In order to get to heaven YOU MUST repent, be baptized in JESUS Name, and receive the HOLY GHOST!

Read Acts 10 (whole chapter).  In this chapter we learn that Cornelius was a very devout God fearing man that paid alms and prayed ALWAYS, but still God sent an angel to tell him to send for a man (Peter) to tell him how he and his house could be saved.  They were all baptized in Jesus Name and receive the Holy Ghost and spake with tongues. It is not enough to just be a good person YOU must repent, be baptized in Jesus Name and receive the Holy Ghost!

In Acts 19 we find that Paul ran across some of John's disciples and they also were baptized and received the Holy Ghost!  Yes John the Baptist's disciples! If the way you were baptized does not matter then why did Paul find it necessary to rebaptize John’s disciples?  He baptized them in Jesus’ Name and they all received the Holy Ghost and spake with tongues.

(Acts 19:1-6 KJV)  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

In Galatians the apostle Paul warned us about others coming to preach something other than what he or the other apostles taught.

(Galatians 1:6-9 KJV)  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

(To learn more about the gospel of Christ ask me about our Bible study “Which is True Gospel?”)

According to scripture you must repent, be baptized in Jesus name, and be filled with the Holy Ghost to enter into Heaven!  The scripture above tells us if any man tells you any different or preaches any other gospel let him be accursed!

So remember, if you have already repented and turned from sin, that’s not the final step, YOU MUST be baptized in Jesus’ Name, and receive the Holy Ghost.

I offer private in home Bible studies.  If you would like someone to study the Bible with or someone to pray with, please feel free to contact me anytime.

Kim Howard   (318) 450-2148   

Email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com

www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com

What is Repentance?

Many understand the term repentance (from the Greek word metanoia) to mean “turning from sin.” This is not the biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.” The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19).  Acts 26:20 declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that result in a change of action.

What, then, is the connection between repentance and salvation? The Book of Acts seems to especially focus on repentance in regards to salvation (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). To repent, in relation to salvation, is to change your mind in regard to Jesus Christ. In Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2), he concludes with a call for the people to repent (Acts 2:38). Repent from what? Peter is calling the people who rejected Jesus (Acts 2:36) to change their minds about Him, to recognize that He is indeed “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Peter is calling the people to change their minds from rejection of Christ as the Messiah to faith in Him as both Messiah and Savior.

While repentance is not a work that earns salvation, repentance unto salvation does result in works. It is impossible to truly and fully change your mind without that causing a change in action. In the Bible, repentance results in a change in behavior. That is why John the Baptist called people to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). A person who has truly repented from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ will give evidence of a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:19-23; James 2:14-26). Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance is changing your mind about Jesus Christ and turning to God in faith for salvation (Acts 3:19).

How is genuine repentance brought about?                

Repentance is brought about by godly sorrow. Before a person can repent he must feel sorry for his sins. Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.” For someone to be sorry merely because his sins have been found out, or because they have brought trouble upon him, is not enough. A person must be sorry because they have broken the commandments of God, have spurned His gospel, and thereby grieved Him days without number. Such godly sorrow is the only motivating force for real repentance.

Repentance is an action-filled step known to God, to us, and to others—a private and often public step that brings about positive results in our lives.  Because we have a sinful nature and have committed sinful acts, it is essential that we repent and turn to God.

Repentance is the act of turning away from a life of sin – not living in your sins.  If a person repents of their sins and is truly sorry they will refrain from repeating those sins. The scriptures stress in the strongest terms, that repentance is absolutely essential to salvation. Jesus said, “Except you repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Here are a few examples in the Bible of repentance:

          1.  Sodom and Gomorrah

(Genesis 19) You can read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah they failed to repent.  Because of this, these cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone. New Testament scriptures say that they are set forth as an example to others who live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6; Jude 1:7).

(2 Peter 2:6 KJV)  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

     2.  Jonah

The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah.  Jesus said this fact would condemn those who refused to repent in our generation.

(Matthew 12:41 KJV)  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

         3.  John the Baptist

John the Baptist commanded in his ministry to all of Judea that they must repent, and prepare their hearts for the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 3:2).

          4.  Jesus Christ

Jesus spoke often in these terms, “I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

Even after we are born again there will be times of failure, mistakes, and sin.  We must deal with sin and wrongdoing in our lives just as we did before salvation—by repentance.  We are to be overcomers, to live free from sin, and to live above sin.  In reality, we often come short of our goal.  Nevertheless, we are not to continue in sin or commit sins over and over. God still rules in the heavens and will forgive those who repent, whether they are saints or sinners. Whatever may happen to us in life, we must always keep a repentant and forgiving spirit alive in our hearts.

                  5.  The Great Commission

Jesus’ last words before His ascension commanded repentance.  “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). 

          6.  The Day of Pentecost

Repentance is the initial part of the plan of salvation as spoken by the Apostle Peter.  “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.

Bible Studies by Kim

To see other blogs with Bible Studies by me click:

The Children of Israel Bible Study

The Parables of Jesus Bible Study

Bible Stories with Kim

Pondering Upon The Questions Jesus Asked

The Churches of Revelation

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.

TRUE FASTING

 Isaiah 58

 

Cry aloud and spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.

 

They seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteous, and forsook not the ordinance of their God. They ask of me ordinances of justice, they take delight in approaching to God.

 

They say, have we fasted and you do not see?  Have we afflicted our soul, and you take no knowledge of it?  

 

Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure and work all your laborers.

 

Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist.

 

Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.

 

Is this such a fast that I have chosen, a day for a person to afflict his soul?  Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?  Will you call this a fast, an acceptable day to the Lord?

 

Is not this the fast I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?

 

It is to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless and poor into your home, and when you see them naked, clothe them, and see that you don’t neglect your own flesh.

 

Then you will shine as the morning sun, and your health will spring forth with speed.  And before you will be righteousness, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

 

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer, you will cry, and he will say, Here I am.

 

If you do these things, take away the yoke that is in the midst of you, and not put forth your finger and speak vainly, pour out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will be as the noonday.

 

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make your bones strong.  You will be like a watered garden, like a never ending spring of water.

 

And those that come after you will build up places that were laid waste and will raise up the foundations of many generations. You will be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.

 

If you will turn back your foot from the Sabbath, and keep from doing what ever you please on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable, if you honor it, not going your own ways, and seeking your own pleasures, or speaking idle words, then you will take delight in the Lord.  I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth.  

 

The mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

 

Covid 19 Poem

Some things I learned from Covid-19.

Covid-19 has taught me some lessons that make me sad,

Things I would not have known had it not been for Covid-19.

They say hind sight is 20/20, and oh that it so true! Now I see, I took for granted some things between me and you.

I took for granted the kisses you bestowed upon my face,

Kisses that made me feel so safe.

I took for granted the hugs we shared, I would hug you now if I dared.

I took for granted being able to hold your hand, It showed that together we stand.

I took for granted being able to hold you close, Now if we do, we whisper “no one has to know.”

Covid-19 will one day go away, it will take with it the loneliness and isolation, but I pray it never takes the valuable lessons we learned today.

May I never again take for granted the love in kisses, hugs, and holding your hand. For to go without closeness again, 

would be more than I could stand.

~ Kim Howard

A FAMINE IN THE LAND

Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.

Considering the rapid reproduction of Bibles in hundreds of languages today the warning in Amos 8:11 is surprising. I always considered this warning meaning that God’s word would be rare. There would be no Bibles to read, preachers persecuted for spreading the Word. Until a few hundred years ago, the Roman Catholic Church kept the Bible out of the hands of the vast majority of people. But today, when it is widely available, its enemies have found new ways to discredit it in people’s eyes or to just make it seem irrelevant. The famine will be “hearing the words of the Lord”.

Today many homes have a Bible somewhere, mostly gathering dust. Few read it, and fewer still understand its meaning and apply its principles in everyday life. Many use the Bible as a lucky charm or for good luck. People have Bibles placed on a coffee table, on an end table by their bed, in their cars. When they are afraid they may place one upon their chest, or carry one around to feel safe. Yet, Christ told his followers to live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4). Scriptures are able to make us wise to salvation, and are given by inspiration of God to teach us, correct us, instruct us and thoroughly equip us of every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17). That means we must read, study, and hear God’s Word.

Why would this famine come? Because stealing, injustice, oppression and other sins Amos records. And because the people hadn’t listened to all the previous warnings, had not repented, had “put far off the day of doom” (Amos 6:3). The warning was to people who had not listened (did not hear) God’s Word.

In the time leading up to Amos’ prophecy, God’s words had been proclaimed through the preaching of Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Joel, and Hosea. Today we have all these as well as the rest of the Bible in printed form. God’s ministers today also warn of the consequences of sins and the need for repentance. But today, as in Amos’ day, so few listen (hear).

God’s long patience finally came to an end with ancient Israel, and will again with our modern world. When people ignore His message one too many times, He promises to remove that message, for a time. Amos warned people will wander from sea to sea, and from north to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it (Amos 8:12). We are told in Isaiah to seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).

When will this famine of hearing the words of the Lord come? Will it mean all Bibles will be rounded up and burned? This does not seem to be necessary, since just having Bibles around doesn’t mean they are read, believed, or understood. Romans 10:2-3 states, people will have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they are ignorant of God’s righteousness, and go about to establish their own righteousness, and have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. It appears this famine may have already begun?

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE FOR THE FAMINE OF THE WORD?

Like Joseph back in ancient Egypt, we need to be preparing for the years of famine during the years of plenty. It starts with hearing God’s words now, studying them, treasuring them and obeying them. God calls on all to repent of sin and to live by every word of God.

God is calling many now to help spread His Word. That’s part of the mission He gave His Church, to preach His good news to the entire world (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20). With the coming famine of God’s Word in mind, His servants today should have the same urgent mine-set that Jesus Christ had in His ministry. He told His disciples, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”

God has given His Church a job to do – to spread understanding of His Word, to preach the gospel, to warn this world. And the foundation of that is to study the Bible and understand it ourselves – to prepare ourselves to serve and help those God is calling now and into the future. We must strive to listen to God’s Word and hear them.

Let’s do it while there is still time!

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.