As in the day of Noah, the sun was shining, nothing looked any different than any other day except that Noah finished the ark God instructed him to make. Noah completed the assignment he was given by God, the ship was ready. Noah and his family and the animals were safely on the ark. God told Noah seven days prior to the rain, that it would rain for forty days and forty nights.

Genesis 7:4 For in seven days I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living substance and thing that I have made I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away from the face of the earth.

God was emotional, He said He regretted that He made man. As evil had overtaken, it hurt God. It grieved Him, so much that He made a decision to start over. 

God told Noah His plan and instructed him of his part. Noah did all God asked him to do and then the flood came. Noah and his family, the animals were all tucked away on the ark when the rain began. Noah expected the rain, he knew the plan and as he expected, so it came to pass.

For forty days it rained and every living thing on the earth died. There were no signs beforehand except that Noah had a conversation with God and he was given an assignment. The assignment was to build this massive ship, but no one paid attention.

When it was finished, God became depressed as He forgot about Noah for five months. When He earnestly remembered Noah, He remembered that Noah cared. Noah cared about God and what He was going through. Noah cared for God by doing His work. As God grieved then, He is grieving now. Knowing those things to come and that few are concerned with what He is —already is breaking His heart. But it has to happen, to end suffering once and for all it is the plan.

I know it doesn’t look like it; the sun is out, things seem fine, but they’re not. God is grieving again at what He has to do. He has to start over again. Evil has prevailed again and God is going to start over once again.

There will be a new heaven and a new earth and He will dwell among us.

Revelation 21:21 Then I saw a new sky (heaven) and a new earth, for the former sky and the former earth had passed away (vanished), and there no longer existed any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband; 3 Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God.

Like He told Noah things to come, He is telling us things to come. He is telling us what is going to happen before it does.   

It didn’t look like rain. In fact, it never rained on the earth before that day, thus making what Noah foretold seem even more impossible. 

It may not look like Jesus is at the door. The skies look clear just like that day, causing those who live by their feelings to ignore the warning. But suddenly, the end of things as we know them will come.

The trumpet will sound, the Son of Man will appear and the elect will be gathered. The elect? Yes, those who got their instructions and completed them, as did Noah. Those who are expecting Him —spending this time making sure they are completing their assignments —those are the elect. 

Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Jesus is telling us things to come. Get before Him and find out your assignment so that when He comes you are the elect, gathered to safety before the great storm of God’s wrath fills the earth!

Matthew 24:37 As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.38 For just as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, [men] marrying and [women] being given in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah went into the ark, 39 And they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away—so will be the coming of the Son of Man.40 At that time two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.41 Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken and one will be left.  42 Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming. AMPC

Reference —Genesis 6-8

Jesus said —IF two of you agree on earth as touching anything that they ask, then it shall be done. It will be done for us by His Father. For when two or three are gathered in My Name there I am in the midst of them. Gathered in His name, means we gather in agreement with Jesus. 

Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. KJV

If what Jesus said is true and we know that it is, then where are we missing it? Why don't those things happen we ask for and where is He in the midst of our asking? He isn't there, because we don't agree with each other or with Him. Thus, we gather in discord. In our disagreement what can possibly come to pass if the main objective is to be in agreement with Jesus? If we are in discord, Jesus is not going to show up. Why would He show up in the midst of our disagreement? 

So often I hear others tell me their opinion of Jesus. It makes me cringe because it is them being their own god. Making Jesus who they want Him to be by their opinion,   changes who Jesus is, to who they want Him to be. Then of course as we have gathered in one’s own opinion, in discord with each other and with Jesus —we have nothing but chaos.

When we don’t agree, like Peter, we should go to Jesus and ask Him what is true. With His response, we can come into agreement with Jesus and then with each other. Then when gathered in His Name, in agreement with Him—we can have what we have asked for.

 —Matthew 18: 21 Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and]let it go? [As many as] up to seven times? 22 Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven! AMPC

Peter caught on to what Jesus was saying. Was it because He was willing to do what Jesus said? Was it because He wasn’t trying to get away with something? Did he actually believe in Jesus? What about us, is it because we can’t see Jesus with our natural eyes we think we have an excuse to try and get away with something?

I guarantee you if you get on your knees and ask Jesus His opinion, He will give it to you. Then if you believe, you can pray in agreement with Him. Then He will be in your midst and you will have what you asked.

Do all lives matter to you? Or do you just say things on social media to be a part of social media? Do you know the right things to say to make yourself look good, or do you really look that good?

Jesus said this —love your neighbor as yourself, but is that really your motto? Do you really love others and have compassion for everyone, or do you just try and look good to your community of friends on social media?

It is easy to hide behind your computer and display who you want others to think you are, but who are you really?

Many put on such a facade that they hardly look the same when you see them in person. Kind of like their pictures. Their pictures are edited to try and make themselves defined as how they want to look, covering up who they really are. 

Speaking of looking good, if you have ever had a makeover, how long have you been able to keep up the maintenance of that makeover? Eventually, you will go back to that person you really are. As well, even though it looks as though you are all fixed up on the outside, if you didn’t get the inside fixed, nothing really changed, it only looks as though it did.

Image starts on the inside, that is who you really are.

If you don’t like who you are, don’t fake it but go to Jesus and let Him show you who you are —in Him.  Become like Him and then that change you want will begin on the inside and then, show up on the outside. You will glow with Jesus because He will live in you and you will be who you are in Him. Faking it will no longer be needed! 

Often, many as well fake being a Christian. They say they are, but they don’t imitate Jesus, they don't grow up to be like Him. Therefore, really they are just faking it and because they are —Jesus on that day will call them out!

—Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? 23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. AMPC

Don’t be one of them, be real. Be like Jesus by following Him. Make sure all lives matter to you because they do to Him.

—Matthew 22:36 Teacher, which kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light—which are heavy?] 37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). 38 This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. AMPC

References; Ephesians 5, Matthew 5:48

Jairus, a man whose daughter was dying, fell on his knees before Jesus begging Jesus to come to his house and heal her. Jesus of course agreed, but as they went He was interrupted by a woman who sought to touch Jesus with her faith —knowing she would be healed.

Jesus stopped to address her touch —and make it known that it was her faith that made her well. Meanwhile, an opposing force of fear came upon Jairus when he was told his daughter was already dead. 

—Luke 8:50 50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. KJV

What reason did he still have to believe if his daughter was already dead? Except for the fact that he heard Jesus say only believe, he might have become offended and walked away. After all, the women did interrupt Jairus’s time with Jesus.

Jairus had a choice. Either he could let the women's faith encourage him, or he could get offended because while he waited for Jesus to tend to the women, his daughter died.

That is exactly how the enemy works, just as Jesus taught us in Mark 4. Jesus said as soon as you hear the Word, the enemy would come and try and take the Word —your faith from you. Jesus said if you didn't understand this principle you wouldn’t understand anything.

Why did Jesus say that? Because it is a regular occurrence that the enemy would come to discourage us —which means we should expect it. As well we should expect to have to counteract his attempts to steal the Word from us. Jesus told us the mystery so that we could have faith in Him —Mark 4:11-32

Jesus told us all the ways in which the enemy steals the Word from in Mark 4:17-19.  In Jarius' case, the enemy used offence. Jairus waited for Jesus so long that it seemed like he missed the opportunity for his daughter to be healed and she died. Things looked bad and like it was hopeless to believe any longer But, that is not what happened because Jairus kept his eyes on Jesus, he heard Jesus say —only believe. Don’t be seized in fear, but only believe and she will be made well.

That is exactly what happened, Jesus journeyed to his Jairus’ house and his daughter was made well. Jesus told her to wake up and she did —Luke 8:41-50

You and I can do the same thing. Just when the enemy seems to have discouraged us to the place of giving up, we can look to Jesus and get encouraged and then as well receive from Him our promise.

Jesus would say to you today, only believe!

I pulled up behind a car at a stop sign—the license plate instantly spoke to me. It read —NVM TOO LATE. It was Jesus. He was talking to me about what He’s going to have to say to many on that day that He returns. 

They will be knocking at the door after He closes it and He will have to say —do I know you? Did we meet? I don’t think we are acquaintances.

Matthew 25:11 Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us.12 But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you]. AMPC

—Actually, I have been calling for you, but you never answered the door —now it’s too late.

—Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. AMPC

Jesus has been calling us and showing up everywhere. In fact, He has been giving many who are listening, dreams and visions and they have been faithfully sharing what He has told them. 

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions (divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams. AMPC

These dreams and visions are warnings to tell individuals they are not right with Jesus. They are being told they are not ready and He is coming very soon. As well they are to reach out and tell us this same message—He is coming and we are not ready! It is time to seek counsel —Revelation 3:19.

He told me the same. He said the time is near and that He is at the very door, just ready to open it.

—Matthew 24:33 So also when you see these signs, all taken together, coming to pass, you may know of a surety that He is near, at the very doors. AMPC

Once He opens that door it will be too late to get ready, but many don’t realize that. Many think they can slip in through that door at the last minute. They think, oh Jesus loves me, I can get away with sneaking in at the last minute. Recall the five foolish virgins did not get past that door because they were not ready —Matthew 25:1-13.

Little do they know that it is not possible to sneak in that door at the last minute. If we look at what Jesus said in the Word, we will see we have to be ready ahead of time. 

Jesus said to watch and pray. If we don’t watch and pray, He will come and it will be as if He was a thief.

Matthew 25:42 Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a night or a morning] watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken into. AMPC

Why would He seem like a thief? Because many are so in love with this life here, that they have put Jesus aside for it; making this life their cherished prize. 

Not being ready, they will still be attached to their life, making Jesus look as though He is trying to steal their life (those things they love) from them. They are not ready to go with Jesus nor let go of their stuff, thus it will be as Jesus has invaded their life when He comes. Now as well as losing the life they cherished, they will have forfeited eternal life with Jesus. 

They thought they could slip in the door at that last minute, but they didn't know they wouldn't be able to squeeze all their stuff through that door with them. Thus, that is where life ends for them.

Matthew 6:19 Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. 20 But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. AMPC

ONLY BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU

Have you ever wondered what Jesus is thinking? Like have you gotten up in the morning and instead of telling Jesus what is on your mind  —have you ever just let Him tell you what is on His mind? 

Maybe you have no idea what He could be thinking. Let me tell you that He is thinking of you all the time. You and I are on His mind all the time. If you love someone you know you think of that person you love, all the time. Of course you do and so does He. Jesus is always thinking of us because He is in love with us.

Let me remind you that if you love, you will always have things to work out with those you love. That said, know that Jesus has things He needs to work out with you. He needs you to know those things He is thinking so that He can well prepare you for what is to come.  

Jesus wants us to know that He is sad that we don’t know what He is thinking —and that He is sad we are not preparing for His return. If we knew what Jesus was thinking we would be preparing for His return and that would take away His heartache. There are so many things Jesus wants us to know that we can’t know unless we know what He is thinking.  

Jesus is sad —

—2 Peter 3:8 Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up. AMPC

Now if you didn't know before you know now He is sad, long-suffering as He patiently waits for us to get ready for His return. Because He loves us and doesn't want us to perish He is waiting for us to get ready, to repent, change our ways to be in agreement with Him so we can live with Him. If we are not ready to live with Him, we will perish and that is not what He wants to happen. 

We have to know what Jesus is thinking so that we can prepare for His return. We cannot by ourselves know we are ready, but we have to know and work that out with Him.

Therefore ask, ask Jesus what He is thinking. Ask Him what you need to do to be ready for His return. Don’t assume you know what He is thinking, ask Him. Relieve Him of His sadness by taking time to find out what is on His mind. When you find out what is on His mind, that will definitely change what is on your mind.

God said this to me this morning as I watched someone I love worry —worry is an evil force. The person turned from fun-loving and happy, to stressed in just a matter of minutes. All because of worry.  

Of course, the enemy does that. He comes with that one thought, that one toxic thought that if one meditates it, he is allowed to manage that person. Many don’t know his power is in their thinking, thus he gets away with interjecting those toxic thoughts in their minds. They have no idea it is him harassing them, or that they have to resist him by controlling their thoughts.

—2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, 5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), AMPC   

If you take the enemy's thought —for example in self-condemnation, how does that make you feel and how does that feeling then change your day and eventually your life? The answer is obvious —you will begin to feel bad about yourself and maybe even start to hate yourself—then treat yourself as such. Next, the enemy implements his plan with some sort of pleasure that will turn into self-indulgence, and of course, self-indulgence leads to problems that will overtake.

Do you know that most people overeat, drink, do drugs, and even go into debt because of self-condemnation? Because of those toxic thoughts the enemy planted in their minds without them knowing it was him, he is in control of them. His plan is in convincing you, that that one thing, that one self-satisfying thing will make you feel better about yourself. When actually, the self-satisfying thing is self-indulgence —which he uses to bring more stress. More stress leads to more problems of course and then those problems are a distraction to further that one from Jesus. Some do go to Jesus with their problems, but many try to handle things themselves distancing themselves further from Jesus. That is the enemy’s plan exactly. That is his plot to keep us distracted and as far from Jesus as possible!

It starts out little, a little self-condemnation and then it explodes! Now their lives are about their problems rather than enjoying that life they were given. In dreading life many start not caring about themselves and in that everything then becomes only about themselves. Soon enough the enemy has convinced that one everything that is wrong in his/her life is Jesus’ fault. Now they carry a grudge toward Jesus and of course, the enemy is allowed to continue to contaminate their thoughts with that grudge. In that comes a long venture down the wide path that leads to destruction! The enemy’s ultimate plot is to bring us to destruction!

When I do street ministry many tell me no thanks I don't need Jesus. The reason many say that is they are offended at Jesus, they feel Jesus has let them down. The reason they think that is because they don’t know the enemy, or the Word of God or know to take their thoughts captive. They believed anything that came into their mind because they didn’t know to follow the instructions in the Word of God. Because they didn’t have that knowledge from Jesus they became confused and overtaken by the lies of the enemy. 

If we don’t read the instruction manual (the Word of God), our misfortune is not Jesus’ fault but our own. If we don't follow the instructions He gave us, life will not turn out or end the way we want it to. In fact, many will perish for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). That is not God’s plan but in our ignorance of His plan and His instructions, we allow the plan of the enemy to control our lives. 

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMPC

The enemy’s final ploy is to take us to hell. If he can get us offended at and against Jesus he has accomplished his mission. His ultimate plan is to steal your eternity from you by stealing Jesus from you.

Look to Jesus while there is still time. Soon this time here will be finished and either you will have eternal life with Jesus, or if you will have been fooled —tricked out of that life Jesus promised! It’s easy, open the Book (He is His Word, John1:1) and follow His instructions written in it!

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.11 Since all these things are thus  n the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities,  AMPC

Hurry trust Him, He is waiting for you.

—Many live today without the knowledge of the good life God intended. If we would bow down to God, we could live that life He promised —and as well be prepared for eternal life when we leave here. But as it is, we fail at submission, thus we miss the true knowledge of God that we need to live as God intended. Submitting to God would solve all of our problems but instead, we submit to the enemy because we like what the enemy said more than we like what God said.  

The enemy is trying to be our god the same as he tried to be Adam and Eve’s god in the garden. He acted as though he was better than God, as He used his pride to conduct their life with the lies he told —God is a liar and he (Satan) is the one they should trust. Of course, you are not going to die if you eat that fruit, God is just trying to keep things from you— 

He tells the same lie to God’s children today—you cannot trust God, He is a mystery and doesn't want you to know Him— Satan paints this ugly picture in your mind of God if you give him permission. There he repeatedly accuses God of being a liar who doesn't keep His promises. 

Today he repeats himself by the same misleading  —Jesus is not going to return, that it’s just another lie God tells, hell is a metaphor and that hell is actually right here— He tells these two lies the most right now because Jesus is coming soon and to be ready, we must not be eating off of the tree God asked us not to —lest we perish. Satan's motive is to keep us from being ready for Jesus to return by our lack of faith (obedience to) in Jesus. If we have no faith for His return we as well have not —obedience.

—The truth? If you eat off the tree you will truly die, you will die the second death and you will miss eternal life with Jesus! 

—The antidote? Get knowledge by reading the Book! The Word of God is God, and He is the knowledge we have to submit to, to have eternal life!

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES—

Ephesians 2:10, Proverbs 4:7, Hosea 4:6, Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:3-4, John 1:1, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 20:6,14, Revelation 21:8.

Have you ever dreamed of the man or woman you will marry one day? Have you thought of the qualities that man or woman would have to have to meet your approval? Faithful, honest, someone you can call on day or night. Maybe a sense of humor, but still serious enough to know your needs. Someone to cry with or laugh with, to tell how you feel, yet to be straightforward with the truth you need to hear?

How will you find that person with those qualities you are looking for? You will have to search for that someone. Once you think you have found him or her, you will have to take the time needed to get to know that person to find out if they are indeed that perfect one. I suppose going on a date and chatting would be the first thing you might do. From there, a walk into life where real things happen, where personalities arise that you may not see in a perfectly planned date. 

Time invested in knowing someone is the answer to the unknown man or woman of your dreams. You will have to invest time to know that man or woman you may want to spend the rest of your life with. Time to find out every detail of that person before you marry him or her would be the thing to do. 

Did you know if you are thinking you want to live with Jesus in heaven forever—you are expected to be His Bride? You have to be that one that has taken the time to know Him and to be sure you want to marry Him. 

You will have to have taken the time to know Him and be sure He is who you want to spend the rest of your life with. You have to be sure you agree with Him. After all, you wouldn't want to marry or spend the rest of your life with someone you don't agree with.   

Jesus as well is searching for that perfect Bride. Will you be the one He can find to be faithful to Him? One who has taken the time to know Him and approve of Him? Will you be the one who is not embarrassed of Him and will do His work? Will you be the one who will care about how He feels and listen to Him when He is happy or sad? Will you be the one who is faithful to do His will? Can you not only give to Him the things He needs and be faithful and true to Him —as much as you are looking for that One to be faithful and true to you?

You cannot trust someone you don’t know and as well, you won’t want to move in with a stranger. Jesus is coming soon and you have to decide if you want to marry Him. —To decide be sure and get to know Him.

SR —John 1:1, Revelation 19:7, Ephesians 5:27, John 14:21

Jesus is coming, but He hasn't come yet because we are not ready. He is long-suffering and He is patient toward as He waits for us to be ready, desiring that not any should perish.

—2 Peter 3:9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up. AMPC

Jesus has delayed His return because He is waiting for us to be ready—yet many think they are ready. Why is it that many think they're ready, but Jesus said we are not? Primarily, it is because they do not go to the Word of God as their source of information. Therefore, they do not know what is true. We have to know what Jesus said to know the truth. That said, let's look at what Jesus said about how to be ready.

—Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a night or a morning] watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken into. 44 You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him. AMPC

Jesus said to watch for Him, to be cautious, to give strict attention to watching for Him so that we will be ready. Let’s look at what He said that meant.

—Matthew 24:45 Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household to give to the others the food and supplies at the proper time? 46 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing. AMPC

Obviously then to watch means we are to be active in doing what Jesus said to do. Because many don’t know what Jesus said of course, that is where they miss it. Instead of being busy with learning the Kingdom ways, they are sitting around waiting for Jesus, ignorantly not knowing they are not participating in watching for Him.

Jesus plainly said if we believed we would do what He was doing because He was going to the Father.  

—John 14:12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.

Jesus said if you believe you will be able to do what He was doing and even greater than He did. Therefore we have to read the Word and do what Jesus said and do what He did. Just as He said —He only said and did what the Father told Him to say and do, that is what we must do. We have to learn His way of living, living in heaven on the earth just as Jesus did when He was here.

Is that possible you might ask? Jesus said if you believe you will be able. Therefore yes, if you believe you will be able to do what He did and say what He said, living His way on the earth as representing Him.  

When you separate from the world and get involved in preparing the way for Jesus, it is a much more exciting life than the life one clings to here that is temporary. Preparing the way for Jesus is doing that greater thing as He did.

If you don’t heed His warning and be that servant He is calling you to be, that day when you stand before Him, you will hear yourself say  —but Lord, I did this in Your name and that. Only to hear Him say, yes but you didn't do what I asked you to do. You didn’t care for others, you didn’t forgive, you didn’t represent Me. You didn’t go for Me. You didn't change your lifestyle, you didn't separate from sin. You didn’t take that authority I gave you and live well and prosper. You didn’t do for the least of men—you didn’t serve.

—Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? 23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. AMPC

Jesus said to watch so that we are ready. But instead, many are distracted and are acting as the world acts, as if Jesus is not coming and there is nothing to do. 

The earth is going to melt. Think of it, plan for it.

—2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up. AMPC

Oblivious to what is about to happen, many, just like in the day of Noah, have no idea what is to come. That’s why Jesus is sending you and me. If we profess to be a follower of Jesus, we are responsible for warning them. Just like Noah built that ark to warn others, you and I need to be building an ark to warn those who don’t know. We need to tell them God is going to start over again and it is urgent that they get ready! 

Jesus is expecting us to work —to tell them, not ignore them as many do—thinking they only have to be concerned with self. With that, you may not be that one taken, but that one that is left! 

—Matthew 24:41 Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming. AMPC

Ask yourself, what has Jesus asked you to do that you are not doing? What’s your personal assignment? Know that if you are not doing what He asked you to do, you will perish. There are no excuses, therefore don’t allow anything to stand in the way of your directive.

The enemy will try and distract you with sickness, disease, poverty—one thing after another, but Jesus warned you (Mark 4:13-19) it’s a distraction. It's a trick, don't fall for it but press through and be that overcomer you were called to be! Be ready! 

Just like the enemy tricked Adam and Eve, his ploy is to trick you —because he knows, surely you will die! He is God’s enemy and your enemy and He is trying to steal God from you—and you from God. How does he do that? He does that by deceiving you into thinking things like —you’re ready, you don’t have to do anything, Jesus isn’t really coming.

If Jesus lives inside of you, what more do you need to be that conquer? If Jesus lives inside of you, you have the mind of Christ and you know what to do. His power granted to you makes it possible for you to overcome and be ready!  

—Revelation 3:5 Thus shall he who conquers (is victorious) be clad in white garments, and I will not erase or blot out his name from the Book of Life; I will acknowledge him [as Mine] and I will confess his name openly before My Father and before His angels. AMPC

All your answers are in the Book, be sure to look at it so you will be ready.

If you never asked Jesus to come live on the inside of you, hurry do it now. There is not much time left. All you have to do is answer that knock at the door of your heart, and then heed His voice. Jesus will be there for you all the time, and He will help you to prepare for eternity with Him!

—Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. AMPC

Jesus said this to me—you have your dress on backwards. He was referring to how I was conducting an area in my life. I was doing things His way and then as we do, I started to waiver and in wavering I started doing things my way. I immediately changed what He was showing me I was doing backwards according to His idea. In doing so I had instant joy, peace and contentment. I love when He corrects me because it is always for my good. It is always life-changing to get His perspective— confirming to me, once again He cares for me —because I know He corrects those He loves.   

Have you, your dress on backwards? Do you live your life according to the Word of God because you love Jesus and want to live with Him? Has it happened to you? You get all dressed up in His Word, thinking you’re looking good, like you're going to live His way, and then Jesus gives you that glimpse of yourself? Now you didn’t look as good as you thought?

Don’t get offended when that happens, but know that He cares for you and that is why He is correcting you. He is when He corrects you, preparing for His promised blessings and preparing you for heaven. One correction at a time will take you to the place of being dressed and ready to go with Him when He comes.  

If you have this understanding and you are willing to change, you will appreciate Jesus’s counsel. You will in fact crave it because the more He corrects you, the more you are like Him and the happier you will be. Jesus said to get excited to be corrected, it is a good thing! He is preparing you to stand before Him that day properly dressed, ready for the new heaven and the new earth! 

 Let me encourage you today, don’t be mediocre. Don't miss heaven because you were too lazy to turn your dress around. Instead get excited that Jesus is asking you to marry Him, that He is inviting you to live with Him forever! Feel the blessing, appreciate that He is even offering to help you get ready for the occasion! 

Start now, ask Jesus to correct you. Ask Him to help you get dressed, not once but every day.  Let Him transform you into His likeness so that when you stand before Him that day, your attire matches His<3

Revelation 3:19 Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. AMPC

Did you ever live in half of your house but not the other half? Like, seriously occupy some of your house but not all of your house —leave the other part of your house unoccupied? Can you imagine some of your rooms with furniture in them but covered with white sheets because it is being preserved for another time?

I’ve had dreams just like that. Suddenly there were rooms in my house I never knew were there. I never understood those dreams until today when God revealed them to me.

He said the rooms represent blessings and when we live partially in His Kingdom and part in the world, we are missing blessings. Blessings we don’t even know exist.

God has a plan for our lives and the plan leads to our eternal life with Him. Those plans are revealed to us as we obey Him. As we obey Him an instruction at a time those blessings come as we take entrance into the next room. That is why He said you can’t obey one law and not another because all of your obedience acts as an entrance into the next room of blessing.

Learning His way has everything to do with living in His Kingdom and extends to living fully in the Kingdom of heaven when we leave here.

We won't know the way to the Kingdom of heaven if we are missing rooms. In those rooms, are the things we need to know to get to the next stages in our lives, therefore it is vital we don't miss one of those rooms with those directions to the next room. It is vital we keep following those directions to that next room that will lead us to the next blessings and then to eternal life.

Unveil those rooms in your house you are not using by obeying God so that you can live all the way in the Kingdom and give God all the glory —not in part but in full. Occupy all those rooms so you can live in the fullness of the plan He has for you here and when you leave here.

When Jesus comes you don’t want to find out you missed a room and that that room had the answer in it that you needed for the next stage of your life.

Think of those rooms that God has in mind for you, those rooms that you have no idea that are there. Can you imagine not having any idea of those rooms that are full of wonderful things for your future, those things He has planned for you? —Ephesians 2:10. If you don’t do those things He tells you to do, you won’t live from room to room, blessing to blessing, or even know that is the plan. If you don’t know you will live stagnant —and then of course you will not bring glory to Him —John 15:7-8.  

James 2:10 For whosoever keeps the Law [as a] whole but stumbles and offends in one [single instance] has become guilty of [breaking] all of it. AMPC

God said this to me, He said complacency will cause compromise (to settle), and compromise will cause a lack of joy. He said a lack of joy will cause a lack of hearing and a lack of hearing, a lack of heaven. He said a lack of heaven is lacking in life and a lack of life of course will cause —death. 

Look with me as these words that define complacency; apathetic, casual, disinterested, incurious, indifferent, insensible, nonchalant, unconcerned, indifferent, half-hearted, aloof, cold, numb, unemotional, callous, hard-hearted, insensitive, unfeeling, calm, cool detached, unfeeling, dispassionate, careless, lethargic, unimpressed, lukewarm— 

Noice the last word —lukewarm. All of these words add up to being lukewarm, which is to be faithless. If we are faithless —He will spit us out of His mouth.

 SPIT YOU OUT OF HIS MOUTH?

—Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!

When the race gets long if you are not careful of your time and commitment to Jesus you will loose your fire. Be assured without Him, you will get tired and compromise. You will even become cold-hearted — without feelings toward Him. Now you are not like when you first believed, when you were on fire and full of faith. If you compromise —you will become indifferent, lazy and even numb of the things of God. 

With compromise you can no longer can see by faith, and you will live by sight. Without your fellowship with Jesus you have compromised what you once believed. Now it is how you feel that counts, and how you feel has cause you to doubt Jesus.

We have to be aware that the enemy is sneaky and will come into our thought life if we let him. He will try to get us to compromise our relationship with Jesus. He will work to steal Jesus from you and if he succeeds you will doubt, resulting in —you changing that path that leads to eternal life that you were on, to the wide path. That is his motive, but you can stop him by running back to your first Love.

If he can get you to compromise your intimate fellowship with Jesus, you won’t even recognize the him creeping into your thought life, and you will live controlled by him and estranged from Jesus.

If you don’t have close fellowship with Jesus you will be deceived by the words of others as well. Jesus said to be careful of the false prophets —Matthew 7:15-20. If you listen to the false prophets and you don’t recognize the lie, it’s because you have already become lukewarm. You are not fighting the good fight of faith if you are not fighting for your fellowship with Jesus.  

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses. AMPC

If you like what you are hearing from that false prophet, that sin is okay—then your itchy ears (2 Timothy 3:4-5) have caused you to be complacent—lukewarm.  Know —if that is your choice, Jesus, on that day you stand before Him will spit you out of His mouth.

Is it your fault you have been fooled? Yes. If you love God you will seek Him with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. If you don’t seek Him then really you don’t love Him. If you don’t love Him then you won’t live with Him.

Remember the Kingdom of God is taken by force (Matthew 11:12), it is a fight and the fight begins in your prayer closet spending time with Jesus.

—Romans 8:28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. AMPC

If you are doing what God has called you to do you will prosper, you will be like Abraham. He left his old life for a new life, God had a plan for Abraham. He said go for yourself, meaning this is My plan for you and it will fulfill your desires. He also said it will not only be good for you but for Me. I will use you to be a blessing, dispensing good to others.  

—Genesis 12:12 Now [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others]. 3 And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves]. AMPC

God is so in love with His children He looks for someone to use to lead them in good. He asked Abram to go for Him to do His work, to dispense good to others and in return He would bless Abraham. He did, God was faithful and blessed Abraham beyond his wildest dreams. Who has a baby when they are a hundred years old? 

If you are willing to do what God has called you to do for Him you will prosper like Abraham did. He left his old life for the new life God promised him. God told him, if you do this for Me, I will do good for you.

Did you know God is saying that to you today? He is looking for you to love Him so much that you would care about what He does. That you would do His work, become His partner in going around doing good, dispensing good to others for Him? If you would do His work He would be partners with you and of course, you would be blessed.

Will you drop everything for God? He needs those who would leave their old life, their old way of doing and be a part of His life. He promises to bless you with abundant increase, in other words He will pay you for your work. At the same time you will love what He has for you to do. It will put a zing in your step. That is His promise. If you love Him and live in that plan He has for you, He will work everything out for your good. 

Abraham even left his country to do the will of God, would you? God needs those who care to do His work in this last day before He returns. It is not His will that one should perish. As it is, many will perish for a lack of knowledge.  Will you go for God, will you? Will you help Him bring in those lost sheep? 

Many are following another way, they are lost. God needs those who love Him to partner with Him to do that work that needs being done to bring them to their Father. Can that be you? Can you love Him that much that you would turn from your ways? From you taking care of yourself and instead trust Him to take care of you? 

Will you live the importance of life or will you live like the heathen, taking all your time for you?  —Matthew 6:24-33.

Jesus is saying to us today —now is the time to shout it out! Proclaim it on the rooftops, His return is near! We are in the eleventh hour, no time to waste. He is beckoning us to do our part, to tell them about Jesus! Shout! Shout it on the rooftops!

Jesus has covered all the bases of why we are not telling about Him and at the same time, He is warning us not to keep quiet! But shout it!  

Mark 10:24 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant or slave above his master.25 It is sufficient for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant or slave like his master. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub [master of the dwelling], how much more will they speak evil of those of His household. 26 So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna). 29 Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave (consent) and notice. 30 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men and confesses Me [out of a state of oneness with Me], I will also acknowledge him before My Father Who is in heaven and confess [that I am abiding in] him. 33 But whoever denies and disowns Me before men, I also will deny and disown him before My Father Who is in heaven. 34 Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to part asunder a man from his father, and a daughter from her mother,  and a newly married wife from her mother-in-law— 36 And a man’s foes will be they of his own household. 37 He who loves [and takes more pleasure in] father or mother more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves [and takes more pleasure in] son or daughter more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; 38 And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me. AMPC

This Word He spoke so long ago still fits us today. We are afraid to own who we are. How many times did you feel impressed to tell someone about Jesus and you didn't because you were afraid? What were you afraid of? Rejection of course; what if they think I am weird, what if they snub me? Then how will I look? 

I would like to answer that the same way Jesus just did. If they think you and I are weird, then we look like our Master. If they try to kill you, don't be afraid because they can’t kill your soul, rather be afraid of God who can kill the soul. If you lose friends over it, it is okay. He is your one and only!

Jesus is warning us of His return and that when He comes, we will be separated into two groups. There is no size seven and a half, either it is a seven or it’s not. Either you are for Him or against Him, proud of who you are in Him or ashamed. Which will it be?

It is a straightforward message because He loves us. The time is near and if we are not ready because we are afraid of what others think of us, if we have shunned Jesus over the fear of man, we will perish.

Jesus went on to encourage us to say even your hairs are numbered. You don't have to be afraid but know that He will take care of you! He is trustworthy!

It is the season of Jesus’ return and He is warning us before He comes to decide, are we for Him or against Him? If we are for Him, then we must start shouting Hosanna in the highest! He is watching—whatever is said in the dark will be revealed. Whatever you have spoken shall be heard and listened to. You are not fooling God, you can't wing this thing, make your decision today!

Luke 12:2 Nothing is [so closely] covered up that it will not be revealed, or hidden that it will not be known.3 Whatever you have spoken in the darkness shall be heard and listened to in the light, and what you have whispered in [people’s] ears and behind closed doors will be proclaimed upon the housetops. AMPC

Jesus revealed to us that Satan’s motive is to steal God from us —Mark 4:15. Know then that when we allow that to happen, it is the very core of God’s —extreme pain. 

God has gone out of His way to make a way for us in His love for us that we can know Him. He has made it so that His Spirit can live in us, that we can be His temple and be with Him and Him with us all the time. That is how important we are to Him.

He has made Himself available to us and when we don't choose Him, it causes Him the deepest pain you could ever imagine, ever. 

—What pain would be so deep on the inside of Him, that it would cause Him to give up His only child?  —The love He holds for His children.

Satan knows God is worth giving up everything in your life for—that God is that precious pearl we need to sell out for.

Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field. 45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine and precious pearls, 46 Who, on finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it. AMPC

Therefore if Satan can take God from us, he has not only taken that pearl from us that God is but what is so important to God, us (His children) —from Him.  

God is the precious pearl that is worth selling all you have to have Him. That is how valuable God is. To give everything you have away for Him, and do you know why?  

He Loves You—

God loves you more than anything. Who is worth everything to you in your life? Who do you value the most? Isn't it that person in your life, that one who cares for you the most? Of course, it is. The person in your life that loves you the most is the person you would give everything up for.

God did that for you, He gave it all up for you because He loves you that much. Can you imagine His Son in whom He adores, He gave His Son, all He had for you, to save you from hell? To save you from the enemy's lie — Jesus humbled Himself and gave His life willingly to make your life possible for you to live free from the poison of the enemy.  

God wants you to know who He is and how He feels so that you can know He longs for you to choose Him. He wants you to know His heart aches for you while He waits for you to realize He is the One who cares for you more than any other. That He would do anything for you, even wait for you to choose Him. How? Take this time you have now and spend with Him to know Him so you can fall in love with Him. When you do you will desire Him more than anything else because He desires you more than anything else.

I didn't say I wouldn't—God said this to me one day after asking Him about my promise that He made to me. —I didn't say I wouldn't, He had my attention. After pondering that a few seconds, I realized I heard Him say that before. He was trying to tell me something and I hadn't given it my attention. What Lord, I said, what are you saying to me? He said I didn't change My mind, I didn't say I wouldn't keep My promise. Then He reminded me of my last assignment. He said, when you do that for Me I am excited to do this for you! 

God tells us throughout His Word. If we do His will then we will have the fulfillment of His blessings and He will do what He said He would do. I needed reminding of my part of His will I was instructed to do for Him.
So often many think God said no and clearly, He is not saying no to His children whom He adores. What He has said is we have a part in our relationship with Him. As His children, He needs our love as well as we need His. It is not a take only relationship, but giving (loving God) is required of us to keep our relationship with God a strong and healthy relationship.
How is loving God doing our part? By partaking in our relationship with Him, not just asking God to give us a favor, but to find out who God is and partake in His life —which is loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, the first and most important command because He is our sustenance. He is our daily bread and without Him, we can do nothing!

Most often we have this thinking we can rush to God when we need something, get it, run back home, and then the next time we have a need —run again. As well, each time we go to God we’re a little older and our requests seem a little more intense. Now we have no idea whether He will say yes or no, so we beg and have massive prayer chains going on because we don't actually know what He is thinking because we failed to follow through with that loving commitment. We don’t know if He will say yes or no, so we hope and pray that someone can get through to Him for us.

If one took the time to know God and follow through with that love commitment and would actually move in with Him and partake in what His life is about, then they wouldn't have to run back and forth in their crisis of trying to find someone to reach Him for them. If you know Him and live in His Kingdom, you can just talk to Him and find out how much He loves you and then come in agreement with Him. Now when things are not happening the way He promised, you can just ask Him where you missed it.   

James 1:5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. AMPC

I never go to God to tell Him He missed it because first of all, He is God and He is in love with me and is excited to do good for me. Next, I am learning of Him, not Him of me. — I am learning how to fit into His Kingdom He is not learning mine.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. AMPC

Many assume we are waiting on God to reap those good things, but the thing is, He is waiting on us to go to Him and be in that relationship with Him and find out what is going on from Him. Due time is as long as it takes us to seek Him and learn to live in His will (Kingdom)—that is up to us not Him. It is up to me to be in agreement with Him. He is waiting for me to do what I said I would do, and He is excited while He waits for that due season to do for me!

He isn't hard to find, He is already knocking at the door of your heart just waiting for you to invite Him in and heed His voice so that He can teach you how to live in His Kingdom and bring all those blessings to come to pass in your life.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. AMPC

Jesus said when we live in agreement with Him then we can ask what we will and it will be granted to us, as representing Him. That means as you learn His way and agree with Him —you qualify for all His blessings. You won’t have to have a massive prayer chain to ask Him for a favor—you can ask Him yourself because you know Him and talk with Him every day. Then —you will hear Him reward you Himself with those Words spoken to you in your heart coming right straight from His. 

John 15 I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. 3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. 4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. 6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. AMPC

Looking from afar at us, think about how we must look to Jesus. If you look from a distance at the highways and the byways and those traveling them, it is easy to see we barely stop to breathe.  

Most everyone is—doing this and that, running here and there; therefore not being careful of what they are paying attention to.  

Mark 4:24 And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear. 25 For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away by force], AMPC

In not paying attention to what Jesus said, many won’t be ready and will miss Him when He comes. When He comes through that door to rescue us from the disaster that is about to take place —if we hadn't paid attention to Him, He won’t pay attention us.

Matthew 24:33 So also when you see these signs, all taken together, coming to pass, you may know of a surety that He is near, at the very doors. AMPC

How can that be, why would Jesus pay no attention to me? Without paying attention to what you hear you won’t have the revelation knowledge to discern. If you can’t discern you won’t be ready. If you are not paying attention to Jesus and you are not doing what He said to do, you are ignoring Him. He said clearly if we ignore Him, He will say He didn't know us (Matthew 7:21-23).

Because of not paying attention to what Jesus said, many are oblivious to the fact that Jesus is already at the very door —and that it’s almost too late to be ready. Even though Jesus said to watch and pray, many have not submitted to do so. Not paying attention to what Jesus said to do is clearly ignoring Him.

Jesus said If we are not tending to what we hear, even what little revelation we have will be taken from us by force (Mark 4:25). By not hearing Jesus, the enemy will force his way into your ear with compromise. Being non-attentive to the Word, those distractions will enlarge and keep you from Jesus. The enemies ploy in action! The distractions Jesus warned us of are the very things the enemy uses to steal the Word from us. 

Jesus certainly did thoroughly warn us of the enemy's ploys. The enemy is doing exactly that, which Jesus said he would do—and that is keeping us too busy to pay attention to what is important.

But of course, those who are unaware even of the enemy's ploys, are those who are not paying attention. Not paying attention to the Word, leaves one oblivious to what is happening and then of course not ready for Jesus. 

It is not too late to stop and get off the highways and the byways, and settle into a hot cup of coffee with Jesus so He can prepare you for what is to come (Mark 4:10-20).

It is not those that complain about and beg God in their present circumstances that receive from God, but those who have faith in Him.

Luke 17:12 And as He was going into one village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance. 13 And they raised up their voices and called, Jesus, Master, take pity and have mercy on us! 14 And when He saw them, He said to them, Go [at once] and show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cured and made clean. 15 Then one of them, upon seeing that he was cured, turned back, recognizing and thanking and praising God with a loud voice; 16 And he fell prostrate at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, Were not [all] ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was there no one found to return and to recognize and give thanks and praise to God except this alien? 19 And He said to him, Get up and go on your way. Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God) has restored you to health. AMPC

I want to point out to you today that the lepers called out to Jesus to have pity on them and Jesus heard them. Next, He gave them a command, a faith action to do. He said — “Go [at once] and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went they were made clean. All ten were cleansed because they did what Jesus told them to do (faith action).

One man returned to Jesus and was thanking Jesus over and over. This man was restored to health, Jesus said because of his faith. The other men were only cleansed, which means they may still have the effects of leprosy which could be a disfigurement and maybe a disability. The man that was restored to health was restored completely to health from whatever effects the leprosy had on him, Jesus said because of his faith.

I was thinking, what if that happened differently? Just as a scenario, what if nine of the lepers didn't believe and never went to show the priest? What if instead, they were thinking, this is crazy nothing is happening, we’re the same, who are we fooling? Therefore they don’t go and they don't get healed.

Isn't that how most think today? Not in faith but in complaint? Yes, and then they decide it isn’t God’s will. Which is saying it is not His plan for them to be healed. Really? Then why did Jesus make that provision ahead of time, why did He take those stripes for your healing(Isaiah 53:5)? To make a movie? I think not.

Except one—What if one out of the ten went even though he didn't see anything happening? He would be healed!

What if he came back even though he didn't see anything or feel anything, he knelt before Jesus and thanked Jesus over and over? He would be healed! Jesus would say your faith has restored you to health! Go your way!

That's the way it happened to me. I had a shattered knee cap and on the way home from my faith action, it was restored to health. Another time I had a broken tibia bone and after my faith action I was healed—but not until the next day! I did what Jesus told me to do and my faith healed me. I thanked Him anyway, even though I didn't receive right after my faith action, and I was made whole.

We have to know that Jesus is not saying no. He instead is saying yes, go and tell the priest. Yes run down the road, go! He is giving us a faith action so we can get healed! Our faith will make us well. Jesus said that over and over in the Word!

If you don’t see anything right away from your faith action back to Jesus, get on your knees, and thank Him over and over! Your faith will make you well!

James 2:17So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead). AMPC

As tradition seems to play out, we haven’t the revelation of faith and so we keep acting sick instead of doing what Jesus said. If you respond to Him you will be made well because you had faith to respond. You are not waiting on Jesus, He is waiting on you to get faith and then to use your faith to be made well.

Thank Him, appreciate Him for the direction He gives you so that your faith can work for you. Don’t doubt Him, but please Him and go ahead and receive what He already did for you!

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. AMPC

Do you know why it is impossible to please Him without faith? Because then He can’t move on your behalf. Without faith, nothing will happen.

Do you know why Jesus said go at once and show the priests? Because if you don't do what He told you to do at once, you will talk yourself out of what He said to do. You will decide it doesn't make sense and you won't do it. Do it today! Get an instruction from Jesus and then run and do it! Your faith in His instruction will make you well! Then when you don't see it go back to Jesus and thank Him earnestly for it!

Many people think all they have to do is say a prayer of salvation and that’s it, they are going to heaven. Let me show you with the Word, that is not true.

Romans 10:9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  AMPC

Many think this; that they say it and believe and they are saved. And that is correct, but the believing part is the stickler. If you believe, if you adhere to, trusting and relying on the truth. Many don’t actually believe, they just say that they do. If you believe then you will act as though you believe.

James 2:17 So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead). AMPC

Confirmed —if you believe, then you will have actions of obedience to back up what you believe. You will trust Jesus in your life with your actions of obedience to Him to say that you believe; your source of faith being the Word of God and His voice. When you hear the Word and act on the Word, then you will qualify for salvation.  

Jesus said His sheep know His voice and they follow Him. Therefore it’s our part to take the time to hear Him so we can follow Him.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation. AMPC

I like this confirmation for clarification. Many would say they believe but their talk as well as their actions are no way confirming what they say they believe. If we believe we will be confessing openly —Jesus. We will talk about Jesus all the time if we believe. We will not hide that we are in relationship with Him and in fact, we will be so in love with Him we won’t be able to contain ourselves. Forgiveness won’t be a problem, we won’t gossip or judge. We will do all Jesus taught us to do because we believe in Him.

Many times what happens instead of believing is that we get weary. We lose our trust in Jesus because we get distracted. If we don’t continue to make it our objective to hear Him ( to look at Him) —we will fall. Faith comes from hearing the Word, thus we have to hear it on purpose to confirm our faith in Him (Romans 10:17). That alone, hearing the Word to get that Word in our heart is an act of faith. If you believe in Jesus you will take the initiative to hear Him. You will make it your quest to develop your relationship with Him by fellowshipping with Him. How can we value His opinion if we haven’t fellowship with Him to know His heart?

Therefore we have to look to Him and trust what He said will bring us into salvation. Do whatever He tells you to do and then we won't have to figure things out ourselves. He will do the figuring out, all you and I have to do is make it our stance to follow Him.

Romans 10:11 The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed. AMPC

You will never be disappointed if you trust Him—I can attest to that. Things get tough to believe sometimes, but if you press in you will see the promise come to pass. In fact I want to mention right here that if you don’t see His promises come to pass, that means you have doubted somewhere. You have to check with Him to find out where you have missed—ask Him. 

If you miss it, if you don't obey Him, you are not considered to be one who believes. Then remember, if you don’t believe you won't be following Him and if you don't follow Him you won't be saved.

Jesus said My sheep know My voice and they follow Me and I will give them salvation.

John 10:27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. AMPC

Romans 10:12 [No one] for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. The same Lord is Lord over all [of us] and He generously bestows His riches upon all who call upon Him [in faith]. 13 For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved. AMPC

It Doesn't matter who you are but that you call on Him. It matters if you believe or not. If you believe then you will follow Him and you will be saved!

 —Follow Him

Revelation 14:4 These are they who have not defiled themselves by relations with women, for they are [pure as] virgins. These are they who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These are they who have been ransomed (purchased, redeemed) from among men as the first-fruits for God and the Lamb. AMPC

—Heed His Voice

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. AMPC