Thursday, April 1, 2010

Reinforcing the Wall, Stand and Be Not Weary


By Ray Gano

Folks I have been disheartened lately.

In no other time in history have we seen God’s hand at work. Daily we see more and more pieces being placed in the bible prophecy puzzle than ever before. This is a time of GREAT excitement because daily we see scripture unfold.

But people are becoming numb to this fact and that is what disheartens me.

All people see about them is doom and gloom where in reality we should be rejoicing because we know that our Lord is coming soon for His spotless bride.

Paul reminds us to not be weary…

Galatians 6:9(KJV) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

But all around me I see people dropping like flies and that disheartens me.

Why?

Because the many people I talk to give me the same excuse, well it is multiple excuses but it boils down to one primary thing and that is they choose to not play anymore and stick their heads in the sand.

I hear excuses such as…

  • I’m to busy
  • I don’t care anymore
  • There is nothing I can do about it
  • I’m just gonna wait for the Rapture
  • There’s to much to Read / Study / Learn / Report / Convey / Share
  • Things are too confusing
  • Are you sure the rapture is coming?
  • Yada yada yada…

Do you see what I mean?

Friends, every single one of us have a responsibility to the Lord. If you are reading this right now, THEN A HIGH FIVE KUDOS TO YOU!

You have not fainted and you are still on the wall!

Do you realize that we have rewards waiting for us right around the corner?

2Ti 4:8 (KJV) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

I am troubled that people are taking themselves out of the game when it is NOW that we need watchmen more than ever on the wall sounding the alarm of our Lord Jesus Christ.

People making those selfish head in the sand excuses, forget what God says…

Heb 13:6 (KJV) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Several of my heroes were involved in the civil war; they were very strong God fearing men who had honor and valor.

These men were, General Robert E. Lee, one of the most respected Generals to ever serve this nation and the Union. And Lt. General Thomas Jackson AKA Stonewall Jackson, a General that is held in the highest respect to many of those who have served throughout the years.

One evening Stonewall Jackson was asked the following by a Captain John D. Imboden

"General" Captain John D. Imboden remarked,

"How is it that you can keep so cool and appear so utterly insensible to danger in such a storm of shell and bullets as rained about you when your hand was hit?"

General Stonewall Jackson instantly became grave and reverential in his manner, and answered, in a low tone of great earnestness:

"Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me."

He added, after a pause, looking Captain John D. Imboden full in the face:

"That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave" (1)

That is my wish as well, that all would be equally brave.

Friends and fellow watchmen on the wall, now is not the time to be faint and weary of heart. We are standing in the crossroads of life and standing upon that wall at our moment of greatness. For all of us are watchmen, predestined to honor and valor in the service of our Lord in these last days. In this calling we can take our comfort. Knowing that, daily we must remember that we are the body of Christ’s last defense.

I love Joshua, he is a hero of mine. He was a mighty man of God who had great valor and courage before the Lord.

Joshua stated the following…

Joshua 1:9 (KJV) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Another one of my heroes is David, a man after God’s own heart. He gave these words to his son Solomon…

1Ch 28:20 (KJV) And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Psalms 27 is a great psalm of David. The general object of the psalm is to excite in others confidence in God; and when you read it, one gains the strength and fortitude to stand upright upon the wall because it is God in whom we trust and wait upon.

But here is a little background to this Psalm.

It is understood that the situation which gave cause for David to pen this Psalm is that he learned that Saul died a cowardly death leaning upon his spear and then asking an Amalekite soldier to finish the job (2 Sam1:6-9).

David needed to instill hope once again in his fellow soldiers of Judah. We learn that in the Septuagint version, Psalms 27 has the title, “A Psalm of David before his anointing.” Because of this, it is believed that David stated Psalms 27 to his men there at his anointing in Hebron. They needed to have a boost in confidence and to know that the job they were called to is one of greatness and honor. They needed to know and remember that it is the Lord who is in control and that He is their Salvation. It was on that day that David was first inaugurated as the new king of Israel as found in 2 Sam 2:4.

Read now the words of the Lord given to David, the new king of Israel, to his faithful soldiers and words that we as watchmen on the wall can take solace in as well.

Psalms 27:1-14 (KJV) “A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

It is Psalms 27:14 which is the binder that gives us strength to carry on another day upon the wall.

Here it is again, and hear David’s voice speaking it to his troops.

Psalms 27:14 (KJV) Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Folks, it is my personal belief that those who are abandoning the wall are weak in God’s Word. It is God’s Word that we find our strength. Leaving the wall to learn God’s word is another poor excuse and one lacking in commitment to ones calling. I know that these are hard words to say, but it is what I feel is true.

Folks, if we abandon our fellow watchmen and abandon our duty upon the wall, do you realize the sorrow that one will gain in their life? This is called walking away from what the Lord has called you to do and a form of disobedience.

These are hard words to say, but you know when rubber meets the road, I am correct in what I am saying.

Friends, if you are reading this, you are a watchman on the wall.

If you are a PZ Insider, you are a watchman on the wall.

If you are not a watchman on the wall, why else do you have this insatiable need for news? Have you looked at a news article and it seem to jump off the page in 3-D Technicolor? You read it and you hear the words in surround sound dolby stereo.. Right?

That is happening to you because you are called to be a watchman on the wall and it is your duty to sound the alarm.

The time is now to get tough and stand. We must know the word of God and have it buried in our heart. Because it is God’s Word that carries us through in battle.

With that said, we need to equip for this battle. How we do that is we must learn God’s Word and have it in our hearts.

Days are coming where the ownership of the bible may be a crime. In fact, go to any Christian bookstore and try to find a good King James Bible. It is hard because they are becoming scarce. They are being replaced by all these watered down modern versions. Shoot, try to find a Thompson Chain Reference in a King James Version and odds are that you have to special order it.

Here is the plan that I am adapting from “The Gideon’s Scripture Memory Verse Course.”

Let’s start with the what is being called the KEY VERSES

#1 - Romans 1:16 - The Gospel

#2 - Colossians 4:6 - The Answers

#3 - 2 Cor 5:17 - The Christian Life

#4 - John 15:5 - The Fruit

#5 - 2 Corinthians 1:20 - The Promises

#6 Eph 6:13 - Be Prepared

We first need to learn and memorize the foundations and then each foundation key verse has 10 sub verses that focus on the primary area.

Folks, Tracye and I do not want to be the only ones here left of the wall. We need you here beside us and together we can make a difference for the Lord.

The following page I have laid out these verses so that you can print this out on card stock and then cut out the cards. I encourage you to carry these with you all the time so that you can set them to heart. In doing this, you will always have God’s Word with you and when there seems to be dispare upon the wall, you have these to fall back on.

The time is now to stand and be counted and not shirk ones duty to the Lord and abandon your post.

I am honored to be a watchman on the wall and await the day to here my Lord tell me..

Enter, my good and faithful servant into the Joy of The Lord…

Maranatha!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Do We Really Love Christ?

By Ray Gano

Joshua 24:14 -15 (KJV) Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Why did Joshua make this statement?

He feared for Israel.

He started to see Israel become lazy and they were choosing the apostate ways of the Canaanites, the false ways, the ways of the world.

Israel was become complacent.

Fast forward to today and what do we see? The same thing, people making excuses so that they can indulge in their pet sins. They wallow in the ways of the Canaanites, the ways of the world, the ways God has told us to stay clear of.

Like Joshua, we too must choose this day, whom we are going to serve.

But that is just the beginning.

Once we have chosen, we must take action on it.

Christ said in John 14:15 (KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

But have we?

I don't think so. I believe we are moving in the opposite direction instead of living how Scripture tells us.

We are driven by self interest

Scripture says… Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:44 (KJV) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

We are consumed about Material Things

But scripture says… Matthew 6:31-33

Matthew 6:31 (KJV) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Matthew 6:32 (KJV) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

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

We worry about what tomorrow brings-

Scripture says… Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6 (KJV) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

We are a nation of self-indulgence and debauchery -

Scripture says… 1 Corinthians 10:7-8

1 Corinthians 10:7 (KJV) Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

1 Corinthians 10:8 (KJV) Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Wanting what the "Jones" have and keeping up with the Jones is all important -

Scripture says.. Exodus 20:17

Exodus 20:17 (KJV) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

Legalistic?

Judgmental?

Jesus Christ The Word says… If ye love me, keep my commandments.

But are we doing that?

But more than that, do we really care what the bible says anymore anyways?

Do we really love Christ?

If we do, why don't we heed His word?

One of the most common questions I get is the following… Is America in Bible Prophecy?

Are we?

Look around and what do you see?

2 Timothy 3:2 (KJV) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:3 (KJV) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2 Timothy 3:4 (KJV) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:6 (KJV) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

2 Timothy 3:7 (KJV) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Sounds like today

Sounds like America

It may even sound like some of us sitting here right now.

Ouch!

Have you really committed your life to Jesus Christ or are you just paying lip service?

I keep hearing the same petty excuses from many Christian folks.

Oh we go to church on Sunday mornings…

Keep the Ten Commandments…

I am a good person; I even give to the poor…

But I ask, does He live within your heart?

1John 2:4 (KJV) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Isaiah 8:20 (KJV) to the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Man is spiraling out of control through the lust of the flesh and his rebellion to God.

If you are reading this I ask, are you truly born again or are you paying a bunch of lip service?

Are self interest, material things and keeping up with the Jones more important?

Who do you really serve?

We opened this with Joshua asking Israel to make the choice.

He said "Choose you this day whom you will serve."

Is America in Bible Prophecy?

Figuratively yes she is, you will find her in Isaiah 5:8-23, Romans 1:18 - 32 and as I have shown, 2 Tim 3:1-7.

But we find her in yet another scripture.

Revelation 3:15-16 (KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

But here is another question; do you see yourself in this?

Have you chosen this day whom you will serve and if so are you doing it with all your heart, soul and mind?

Christ says… If you love me, keep my commandments.

Do you love Him?

Really or is it just lip service?

Who Do You Serve?

Jesus stated the following…

John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

If you do not have Christ in your life, you will spend eternity in hell. This is a fact. It does not matter if you believe this or not, it is the truth spoken by Jesus himself. If your name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life you will go to hell for what you have not done and that is accepting Christ as your personal savior. To be placed in the Lamb Book of Life, you need to turn your life completely over to Him. Having "head" knowledge or "just believing in Christ" is not the same as having "heart" knowledge with Christ living in your heart. We know that even the devils believe in Him, where are they spending eternity?

James 2:19 (KJV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

We work hard at Prophezine to show that Bible Prophecy is coming to pass. Because of this fact, the Bible is true. Since the Bible is the true and inerrant word of God, there is a heaven and there is a hell.

If you claim the title of "Christian" then take account of yourself this day. Many claim the title, but we read in God's Word that the title does not get you into heaven.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Who you serve will determine where you will spend eternity. If you are not serving Christ and a true child of God, then you are serving Satan and a child of the enemy.

If you are not 110% sure, then take account of yourself, your very life depends upon it.

1John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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About the Author:

Ray & Tracye Gano are the Executive Directors of Prophezine. Prophezine deals with Bible Prophecy and World Events from a Pre-trib, pre-millennial, dispensationalist stand point. They currently serve close to 70,000+ (and growing) people world wide with a weekly newsletters, daily news updates, community based website and Internet radio shows. Ray recently released his latest project “Escape The End Time Money Snare – The CD a multimedia CD co-authored with Wilfred Hahn focusing on how to escape the trappings of mammon and learning how to live simply in God’s abundance.

Please visit Prophezine by going to http://www.prophezine.com

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