TIME OF TESTING

Question: One Christian to another:   How was your week?

Answer:  Quite dreadful.

Both descended into a fit of giggles and agreed:   Then we're on the right track.

We are being transformed.   People don't annoy me any more,  rude neighbours, on the receiving end of an undeserved criticism or nasty complaint.   Ignorance and lack of manners generally, neglect by those we had hoped would care.  And those who really enjoy 'winding others up' a modern euphemism for hoping their victim will loose his/her temper and the just plain vindictive.

Instead of anger I feel pity.   One look and you see the captive, a lifeless smile that never leaves their lips, the hard cold stare and in some eyes a darkness that is pure evil.    Children of the here and now.

Situations that hitherto would have invoked fear of confrontation or distress leave my mind unruffled, unafraid, merely observing the torment of someone writhing in irritation and angst at my very words or presence.

MATTHEW 15 - 13-14

Yeshua said:
Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.   Let them alone.
They are blind leaders of the blind, and if the blind lead the blind both will fall into a ditch.


Then you recognise a true kindred spirit, a light that shines in their eyes, their willingness to sacrifice and serve others without any need for recognition or accolade,  His children, a people readied for His Kingdom to come.   Now more than ever "The time of testing" as the battle intensifies.

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A few days ago I had arrived at the local bus station pulling a heavily laden shopping trolley.
The stage for my route was empty and I gladly sank onto a seat next to the boarding doors.      I had a thirty minute wait for the next bus, but no matter.  

When the bus eventually arrived, I was engrossed in thought,  and hardly noticed a queue of people moving in front of me to board.    An elderly lady smiled and said "Oh I'm sorry, you were here first" I replied "its quite alright, this bus is never full, there will be room for everyone"

Having hauled my heavy load on to the bus single handed I lurched towards the nearest empty seat and found myself confronted by a well dressed middle aged woman.   In a loud voice that her captive audience couldn't fail to hear she commented "Excuse me, no, its not all right.   People have no manners and if we don't complain they will keep on doing it.

I thought of C.S. Lewis's description in the Great Divorce.   A complaining woman arrives on the edge of heaven determined to claim what was hers.   The husband had already escaped her clutches.   But he belonged to her and where was he?   A spirit guide tried to advise her otherwise and still arguing she was sent back to Grey Town.

My journey continued and every so often the woman stared in my direction looking for sign of collusion and she waited in vain.    Eventually the bus halted on the edge of a large expensive private housing development and the woman departed having failed to make any impact or cause any aggravation.

One can only wonder how she would react in the future facing a panic stricken mob, when a bar of gold would not buy a loaf of bread, when the treasured possessions she hoarded just disappeared in a sea of flames, when she finally realised she was no longer in control of her journey or destiny.

Perhaps the words from a beautiful ballad Circle, written by Joel Friedman and Cynthia Weil sung by Barbra Streisand on her album  "Higher Ground" covers all.

For none of us are travelling through this universe alone.

Off to dig out my WWJD bracelet to remind myself constantly that Yeshua, despite getting angry with the money changers and the pharisees, well who doesn't, was gentle and compassionate because He knew many would not see or hear His message, or understand the glory of His Kingdom to come.

SHALOM SHALOM SHALOM

INNOCENCE

Another year over we anxiously approach the next twelve months.   Not that we should be anxious, Yeshua said "Fear not" (a kind friend suggested thirty times!!)  but then we often descend into a fit of giggles trying to remember who said what and in which gospel, therefore in obedience we will do precisely that.   Everything is in His hands and no doubt His plan is unfolding for us all.

The T.V. that appears for the most part to be the "instrument of Satan" stands silently in the corner of my sitting room.   No chance of drip feeding the occupant of this humble abode.   Mine the choice of film on D.V.D. and for accurate news reporting on the Middle East I stand a better chance of getting THE TRUTH through contacts living in the area.  Likewise with American politics.    The media is totally biased against Israel and the horror is most people believe that what they are viewing is at least moderately accurate.   NOT SO.   There is nothing Spring like (renewal, new life) about the Arab uprising it is merely control by another name.   And reporters talk democracy.

These are exciting times as biblical prophecy moves ever nearer its conclusion.   Despite the loud protestations of some atheists who consider Christians in the halls of power are actually manipulating a biblical scenario.   Even the simplest of mortals can observe countries in the Middle East, forever at war with each other, are moving towards the mother of "end games" which will affect everyone on the planet.

No one can deny the accuracy of past historical events recorded in the bible but in the meantime all things biblical are viewed with distaste, well its not applicable today, or worse still self appointed translators readjust and twist text to suit their particular agenda.

Note:  Revelation 22 - 19
"and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from things which are written in this book.
Study Note"  A solemn warning is directed against any perversion in interpretation of the prophecy of this book made by those who read into Revelation what the Holy Spirit never intended to teach.

The internet, curse or blessing, has taken the Bible literally to the ends of the earth.  Maybe a few primitive pockets left, but for those who are able to read its freely available on line along with its critics and protagonists.

False preachers and self appointed prophetesses abound and the wild and whacky actually proffer a "departure date".......whoops and the unbeliever mocks "wrong again"   SO lets keep it simple, our misguided brothers and sisters should take note:-

Its God who says WHEN

Its God who says HOW

IT IS WRITTEN

and nothing can change this now.

Don't say you love Him and keep hoarding your need,

don't say you love Him when your goal is greed.

Don't witness for Him when your message is heard,

then your lifestyle and actions reverse every word.

For the watchers you gather will see through the sham

In the end we all answer to the Great

I AM.

T. Hills

2012

Even I can equate with the blind and deaf.

Isaiah 6 - 9

And (Yahweh) He said, Go, and tell this people

"Keep on hearing, but do not understand,

Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.

Make the hearts of this people dull,

And their ears heavy,

And shut their eyes; 

Lest they see with their eyes,

And hear with their ears, 

And understand with their heart,

And return and be healed.

9 - Then I said "Lord, how long" And He answered":

Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitants.

The houses are without a man,

The land is utterly desolate.........................................

It is God who chooses (the mystery of divine election) and draws the soul to His precious son.  An unbelieving people walking blind to a powerful corrupting influence, their leaders bowing to a dark Lord.   Seduction, manipulation of the mind, they unknowingly worship the beast failing to understand and recognise his shape, trail, purpose and mark on every aspect of their lives.  They are truly victims.

But it is those who carry His precious name that bang the nails into His hands again and again.    We have no excuse.   Christians could change the world tomorrow if every one at least attempted the two great commandments to love God first and secondly love our neighbour as ourselves" and practice the bible's definition of true religion - James (brother of Yeshua)  1 - 27 - Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and keep oneself unspotted (uncontaminated by) from the world.

Welfare budget down in a flash, gone the huge burden the elderly place on a country's purse.  A fairly common complaint from some "they are living too long"     Why should you have to pay someone to look after their own father or mother where they are fit and able to do so.       Struggle though they will,  especially when the burden involves those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease.   But I know an American woman who does precisely that, she is a woman of God, a devote Christian and bless her she is living out the commandment to Honour her Mother a frail ninety year old widow to whom she is sole carer.   Yeshua bless her mightily.                           

And the orphans,  perhaps if councils insisted less on inflicting their parameters and preferences on candidates and gave the children to God fearing caring couples willing to love and raise a defenceless child they could save another huge drain on state expenditure.  

Those who commit fraud, embezzle and steal could one day walk away minus their hands because another religion, culture and practices (we thankfully left behind in the "dark ages")  is slowly infiltrating this once great Christian country by stealth.   Prayerfully before its too late Adonai will raise up leaders who will stand for the Truth.   Following the founding fathers, great men of God,  William Wilberforce, John Wycliffe, John Wesley to name but a few, who will lead the people back to their God and his Commandments.

INNOCENCE

The child sat alone hidden away in the depth of the forest.    She knew nothing other than the basic fundamentals of existence taught her by her parents.    How to find food and medicine from the forest plants, where to wash and sleep, how to keep warm.    The sun rose in a distant place high above her head until it sank to the ground and all around her became dark, but sometimes she could see another paler globe that gave a dimmer light.

All she needed grew in abundance around her habitation and the water that flowed from a rock quenched her thirst and washed her body.   No animals gave flight when she appeared and she saw no threat from their presence.    She saw her reflection in a pool unaware it was just that and the child that smiled back became her playmate disappearing when the wind came and ruffled the surface of the water.   She was content in her place in time and space.

The strangers had come gesturing friendship and peace but they brought disease and death.

She was the only one left.   Sometimes the smell of burning wood drifted on the breeze and in the far distance a column of smoke signaled yet another part of her world destroyed.

She was the last of the innocents and she too had succumbed to the deadly virus.   Innocence died but not before her unseen guardian reached down and carried her small spirit away.   Eden had been successfully destroyed and replaced by concrete, freeways and cities of sin.  The very healing power of plants and trees destroyed forever by the human race.   

Innocence watched as her Father moved to the Judgement Seat.     The Lion of Judah roared, hills and valleys acknowledging his call.    His children gathered to sit at His feet as the final countdown begins.

T.Hills

2012

Yeshua said (Matthew 18 - 3)  Assuredly, I say to you unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  (4) Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has seen some sense in Christian values.  Yes the commandments kept could save any government billions.    A tad too late.    We reap as we sow.    The rot is deep and it will surely take the might and power of the God they deny.

Isaiah 51 - 6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

And look on the earth beneath,

For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,

And the earth will grow old like a garment,

And those who dwell in it will die in like manner.

BUT MY SALVATION WILL BE FOREVER,

AND MY RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL NOT BE ABOLISHED. 

Amen and SHALOM