Success and Failure Blog

When we ask Jesus Christ into our lives we are signing over our life to Him. Jesus Christ comes to live within each of us. Jesus says in his word: Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me. John 15:4

For our forgiveness we receive eternal life and the power to abide in Christ. We need to accept that responsibility and remain in Jesus Christ.

How do we remain in the Lord?
• reading God’s word continually
• having communion with Jesus Christ drawing on his strength
• obedience to God’s commands
• keeping ourselves pure from sins
• love each other

On this walk with the Holy Spirit my reading of the word has become a daily commitment. Reading the Bible was a way for me to get to know God when God told me He didn’t know me (Thirsty). Since then, I have widened my Bible reading to include many chapters and a devotional book that brings a fresh new insight to my Bible readings.

—Man does not live on bread alone—

The Lord says in his word (Scriptures) “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3) The word also says that “All Scriptures is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2Timothy 3:16-17) While you are in the Bible reading and reflecting God’s word you are being challenge by God to change. The Holy Spirit will prompt you with conviction to where you ask forgiveness and you can pray for a behavior to change. We have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Colossians 3:10) There is healing in God’s word and that keeps me reading the good book because I need help. When I am not spending time in communion with God in reading the word and praying; I get lost. My time goes to other interests and eventually I fall into sin because I walk away from the light and enter into darkness. My heart feels guilty and I repent. I need to be hooked up to a source that breathes life into me daily. Holy Spirit abides in us and when we step away He will nudge you with songs of grace and words of encouragement until you surrender.

Why do we think we can do this life on our own? Why do we have to control everything?
When we laid down our life to Christ and He came to live in us. He said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily to follow me. (Luke 9:23) You need to deny yourself the pleasures of this world and pick up the cause of the Gospel and follow Jesus. The only way the Holy Spirit can work in you is for you to let go of your control. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provided us with everything for our enjoyment…” (1 Timothy 6:17-18)

Obedience to God’s commands leads to purity but disobedience leads to sin. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.’ (John 2:3-4)

A.W. Tozer said, “And to expose our hearts to truth and consistently refuse or neglect to obey the impulses it arouses is to stymie (standstill) the motions of life within us and, if persisted in, to grieve the Holy Spirit into silence.”

—Truths that will set you free—

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh…If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16, 25)

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. (Proverbs 28:26)

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

—Love one another for Love comes from God—

God commands: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.

—The promises of abiding—

If you live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours. (John 15:7)

No one who lives in Him keeps sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him…No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. (1John 3:6, 9) Apostle John is saying here if you are born of God you will not make sin your life because God life can’t exist in you. Time and time you might lapse into sin but the Holy Spirit will convict you and you will repent.

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1John 4:12)

There are many more promises throughout the scriptures but my hope is that you will search the word on your own.

 —I desperately need you God—

If you decide that you are struggling too much to continue. Maybe you need to come to the throne of grace and give your life to Jesus Christ. Come now, do not hesitate the door is always open for you.

“Heavenly Father, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe in you and that your word is true. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and that he died on the cross so that I may now have forgiveness for my sins and eternal life. I know that without you in my heart my life is meaningless.

I believe in my heart that you, Lord God, raised Him from the dead. Please Jesus forgives me, for every sin I have ever committed or done in my heart, please Lord Jesus forgives me and come into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior today. I need you to be my Father and my friend.

I give you my life and ask you to take full control from this moment on; I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.” Amen.

Thank you, Lord that you were born into this world to die on the cross and be raised from the dead; to save sinners like me and others. I come to you now and pray for the people who read our blog that they will remain in you until you come in your glory. I pray that we will know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. (1 Chronicles 28:9) So that we will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth before are living God. In Jesus Christ name we pray. Amen.

Does God Care About Our Problems?

Watching the 2011-2012 NFL season, there was one player who spiked major debate. People everywhere were focused on Tim Tebow. If you don’t know who he is by now, he’s the Denver Quarterback famous for praying and praising God on and off the field. For a Christian like myself, I was so inspired to watch someone “famous” live out their faith without compromise. I loved that he was a player who my nephews looked up to. But not everyone felt the same way. The better Tebow did, the more questions, and frankly outrage, arose. People wanted to know if God really cared about football. Didn’t He have better things to do? Did God play favorites? I can’t tell you how many articles I came across with authors posing these questions and putting in their two cents. Now that the season is over, America has settled down a little on the Tebow-mania, but these questions still remain, and not just about Tim Tebow. People want to know if God really cares about them, personally, and why bad things are happening and no one is fixing them.

Does God Care About Me?

I read a great book once by Sonia E. Isaacs called “Angry Conversations with God.” In the book she offers up some really raw insights about her relationship with God. Something that has stuck with me, even a year after reading the book, was a line where she also wondered if God cared about her, despite there being other, bigger, important things to worry about.  I think the way she put it was that she had “middle-class white girl problems”…but she was a middle-class white girl. Her problems were relevant to her life. God has formed each one of us individually and He knows everything about us. It says in Psalm 139:13 that God knit us together. If there are any knitters out there, you know how much attention you have to pay to each stitch. That’s how much God pays attention to us, how invested He is in us. So to say that you are just a middle-class white girl, or that you are just a guy who throws a ball for a living, is not saying enough about yourself. You are God’s creation, His beloved. He cares about you and your problems, even the “silly” ones. So the question is not “Does God care about me?” because that is a resounding “YES!” The question is “Do I care about God?”

Do I Care About God?

Sometimes we can look at our problems and think “God, how could You let this happen?” But God isn’t to blame. He is holy and blameless. We are to blame. If you stop and think about it, when was the last time you did something, anything, for someone else? Sometimes, we get so caught up in what God “isn’t” doing, that we don’t realize that we are the ones who are doing nothing. We forget that we are all called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28) to bring light into the darkness. Maybe you can’t cure AIDS, but you can donate to organizations that are helping educate people on how to stop the epidemic from spreading. Maybe you aren’t in the financial position to donate to a cause, but you can start a fundraising page to raise awareness in your community. When we think of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, we often think of it as formulaic, but if that were true, God would have just used a “cookie-cutter” to form each of us. We all have a specific purpose in fulfilling God’s purpose. He loved you enough to do His part, do you love Him enough to do yours?

She’s engaged!

Is it your best friend? Your sister? Or is it you? Now that a ring is on your finger, you’re realizing that you’re life is about to change and you can’t wait another second to say “I do.” You think about all you’ve been through and your mind can’t help but go back to the beginning; when you first met the man that would one day become your husband.
So what’s one of the first things you want to do when you suddenly become someone’s fiance? Perhaps it’s safe to say that you want to run and tell your mom! After all of the joy, excitement and maybe even a few tears, a wise woman would ask her mother (if she hadn’t asked already) all that she needs to know before she gets any closer to the alter.
So here’s the burning question: If your mother is divorced, never married, or unhappily married, can she give you what she doesn’t have?
It’s true, some of the best advice comes from people that have gone through pain, fears and disappointments. Even those who haven’t quite reached their goal, they’re still persevering with plenty of lessons under their belt. But what if the perception of your mother toward marriage is deep bitterness and a lack of forgiveness? How will you receive the insight and encouragement from your mother then?
Okay, let’s take a deep breath. Yes, it’s a blessing if one has parents who have a loving, successful marriage that spans decades. But what about the women who don’t? What do they have to look to in order to know what being a husband or wife means?
Family curses are what come into play here. Cycles of bad habits, skewed mentalities and most detrimental, homes lacking the presence of Christ.
It’s truly about getting back to basics. When some little girls are twirling around in their tutus and “playing purse,” their mothers may be teaching them about who God is, if they don’t already know at that toddler age. Throughout their childhood years any lessons a girl’s mom shares is usually remembered if reiterated as she grows older.
“I have to tell you like my mother told me. Be independent, even in marriage-and have your own money,” said Elizabeth. She has been married for over 30 years. Unhappily. She reflects on some of the things she told her daughter when she was growing up regarding men and marriage. “Education first.” She emphasized this throughout her daughter’s life. Elizabeth said that education gives you the freedom to do what you want. To have a more well-rounded life. You realize the more education you get, the more education you want.” So what did she tell her daughter about marriage? That you don’t have to tell men everything. Elizabeth’s reasoning is that as the woman, you believe that marriage is about unity, but the man is all for himself.
This is a mother who has been scarred by her years as an unhappy wife.
From a family of eight, she grew up in a home filled with siblings and two loving parents. She’s the baby, so her parents were well into their forties when she came along. While her mother took Elizabeth and her brothers and sisters to church, she was never consistently taught what having a relationship with Christ is all about.
She remembers the one day when her father went to church with them. After this memory came to her mind, she said that it’s possible that she never really knew what the characteristics of a man with a heart for Lord looked like.
It all comes down to one decision. That one decision to fall in love with Jesus. No matter how much someone else can try to teach and preach, you have to feel and hear God for yourself in order to surrender your life.
Elizabeth’s mother couldn’t do any more than what she did because it was up to Elizabeth all along to seek what the Lord wanted for her and wants for her today. Praying for her husband before he came along- doing the same for her children. Seek God in all of the decisions that you make.
Elizabeth has an experienced soul. She’s experienced a lot of pain from a marriage that was built on the wrong things. She admits that she wants to develop a relationship with Christ. Only then can she possess a forgiving heart.
So what about the hopeful heart? That’s the thing about Jesus—when you know Him before you make choices all on your own, you have the ability to live a life of hope, excitement and fearlessness.
You take a seasoned soul’s lessons and God’s principles and see whether they line up. You can take heed to what an older woman has been through, but don’t let it paralyze you and make you fearful of marriage. God has called you to be fearless!
When you know God, when you have fallen in love with Jesus Christ, when you live a praying life, when you read and practice the Word, not only can you avoid a broken marriage and bitterness, but you can bless another woman with your spirit. Even one who has an experienced soul.

Chateaux-Capri “CC” Sirmans

FROM www.hisbeautymagazine.wordpress.com

The climb at first sight seems unattainable and risky but when you include a team of experts with your calculations than you see the end in sight. This is true with anything you do from scaling that rock wall to chartering a plane to Haiti’s; you plan using others input to make your plan come together. So, you would also need others to guide you on your journey to your heart.

My experts consist of counselors, pastors, Holy Spirit, Bible, authors, and church family they know me best. Trying to make this journey on my own would take me nowhere really fast. I tried that once and it was a disastrous to think I could accomplish what others do in a day, month, a year. Silly really…

Why did I think I could do this on my own? Let me give an example that the Holy Spirit gave me:
Looking across Lake Bountiful (my name for lake) I saw Jesus Christ on the opposite shore. I thought gazing at the water it would be a short distance I can swim this. So, I set out at an easy pace and found that there was a under current and looking up at the shore I wasn’t any closer. Getting tired I turned back and found myself back at my side of the lake. Scanning the shore I notice a boat and pulled it over and got in and set the oars to start my journey again. Again, my focus was not on Jesus Christ but my ability to pull on the oars to glide across the water. Looking behind me I wasn’t going across but going down stream. “AWWW!” Turning the boat around and focusing on the horizon and rowing at the same time was hard and tiring. I was caught in whirl pool spinning me out of control and was back on my side of the shore. “Aw!” Dropping to my knees I cried “Lord, help! I can’t do this on my own. It looked so simple. I thought I could do this. I was wrong. Please, Lord Help.” Standing up I gazed across the water and I found myself staring into my Father’s eyes the bluest of blues and I reach out and I was in His arms and He held me tight.

When you experience the arms of Christ and His forgiveness it transforms you to another place and person. All of sudden you are not alone in your plans for your future you are asking for others input. You are praying for God’s will be done in your life. The Holy Spirit pricks your heart and you begin to change and forgive. Why? The Lord forgave me of my sins for He gave up His life for me. So, I can have a life with Him. A relationship that brings tears to my eyes… When I think of all He has done for me and is still doing for me; my heart wells with love.

My Jesus is real and there is nothing I can do that will send Him away. He says in his word that He will never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5) The Lord has a plan for me for hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) The Lord fights for me. (Deuteronomy 3:21) There is hope for a tree if it be cut down it will sprout again.(Job 14:7)

Do you know that the door is always open (John 10:9) for you. When you approach this door do it with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). Focus your eyes on the prize which is Jesus Christ. God raised us up with Jesus Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 2:6) We who are sealed with Christ have everlasting life. But, you who do not know Jesus Christ and is still playing at the gate will have fire and damnation. We do not know when are time is up on this earth we can die tonight in a car crash. Do you want to take that chance?

The Lord is waiting for you to come out of this world. I lived in this world through some horrific times do I want to repeat that time? No!!! My time now is hard with unemployment but the Lord keeps blessing me with His presence and His provisions. Life is good. My hope is in the Lord. I trust Him with my life and future. I can’t imagine life without Him. He is the hand that guides my walk I do nothing without Him. Jesus is light to my darkness.

Come to the waters of Lake Bountiful and give your life to the one whom will turn your tears into hope. In His arms you will find rest from your burdens. In His arms you will find peace that passes all understanding. In His arms you find refuge and strength in times of trouble. In His arms your heart will flourish and grow in the likeness of your Father. In His arms you will have eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Lord that I do not have to do this life alone. You have given me eyes to see and ears to hear. You have given me a church family that prays for me and we have life together.

I pray Lord, that you draw your people to yourself and impart your Holy Spirit to live in their lives. Give them wisdom and strength to walk this path. Put your angels around about them keeping them safe. Bless them, extend their boundaries, and keep them from evil in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

“For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in human flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the spirit”

Can you imagine how great and loving our Father Almighty is? He did all the great things for us. He even sacrificed his own Son just for our sake, in the most appropriate word, for our SALVATION. Truly,  His love is everlasting. Many times we stumble but He still catches us. Can you imagine how vast is the sky ? God’s love is more than that! No matter how many times you fail Him, He is still ready and will always be ready to love us. His arms are always open wide open so that if we need him, there would always be a safe tower for us! But then some people are just so poignant that they don’t appreciate all these things! We should always look up and say “Thank you” to Him for every moment in our lives is filled with glory and blessing. Let us not be hypocrites! Let us be a good Christian in both words and deeds. Glory be to Him, forever.

Stand up for Christ! Live and share the Gospel..

BY CARLA HINTON | NewsOK.com – How can a loving, powerful God allow disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis to wreak havoc and destroy lives? It’s a question that has “kept seminarians up at night,” said Robert P. Jones, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the Public Religion Research Institute. His comments come as the institute releases findings from a survey conducted one week after a March 11 earthquake triggered a catastrophic tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan.

The survey, conducted by the Washington-based institute in partnership with Religion News Service, found that a majority of Americans, 56 percent, say God is in control of everything that happens in the world. However, less than four in 10 (38 percent) believe earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters are a sign from God, and fewer (29 percent) believe God sometimes punishes nations for the sins of their citizens.

“Generally speaking, what we see in this poll is that Americans basically have a more natural than supernatural view of disasters,” Jones said. He said one exception proved to be white evangelical Protestants. The survey found that among evangelicals, about six out of 10 (59 percent) believe natural disasters are a sign from God, and a smaller majority (53 percent) believe God judges nations for the sins of some citizens.

Jones said white evangelical Protestants tend to be more likely to approach the Bible literally, “and of course in the Bible, we have plenty of examples of floods, earthquakes, fires — all kinds of things that are attributed in Scripture to signs from God or God’s judgment.” Read more

Folks, f you believe God doesn’t punish nations for disobedience and sinfulness, then you haven’t read the Bible.  God’s words verbatim – “spare the rod, spoil the child”  (Proverbs 13:24).  If God thinks this is good instruction for our children, then we can only expect He applies it to His children, right? After all, sinners or saints, we are all God’s children.

Does this sound familiar? :

Hosea 9 1-3 :  Punishment for Israel 1 Do not rejoice, Israel; do not be jubilant like the other nations.

For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor. 2 Threshing floors and winepresses will not feed the people; the new wine will fail them. 3 They will not remain in the LORD’s land;

Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.

Being a parent I find myself repeating things over and over, seems sometimes my children don’t listen, don’t remember, or just don’t get it. about the third time I find myself rolling my eyes.

I Have been reading the book of John and wonder if Jesus ever rolled his eyes. He was fully man, right? & even though the bible may not translate it, I would think from time to tome Jesus was like “really? I’m pretty sure I told you this like 5 times”..so maybe, John 14:5(a) Jesus rolled His eyes. or, John 6:52 (a) Jesus let out a deep sigh and muttered “really” under his breath.

I’m not to be excluded from this, it seems I need to be reminded of what Jesus taught or how I should apply it. maybe it’s just me, but sometimes, after I loose my temper, or make a wrong decision, or dwell too much on crap, one word in my head tends to make me redirect…”Really?”

Break Free from Bondage and Fly on the Promises

Life is a constant struggle. Some don’t like to use the word struggle in reference to life because it has such a negative connotation. By definition it is a forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist attack. i would say that this is an accurate description of how life goes. For the majority of us, we are constantly trying to resist some kind of attack life throws at us. Whether it’s trying to shake poverty or a common cold, it seems that in every aspect of life we are struggling. But struggling isn’t always a bad thing. Struggling takes on a negative connotation when we repeatedly fight the same battles. In every struggle we should learn a lesson; if nothing else, we should know how to break free the next time we face that particular hurdle. When we learn from our struggles the very word takes on a totally different meaning. Frederick Douglass observed, “Without struggle, there is no progress.” If a slave could grasp this concept, so should we. What are you struggling with? What are you trying to get free of? What are you trying to resist attack from? Whatever it is, just know that there’s a blessing on the other side of the valley.

We must not pray that our struggles end, but we must pray for the strength, wisdom, and understanding of how to break free. We must trust that HE alone is the supply to all of our needs and wants. We must believe that HE is the orchestrator of what goes on in our lives, and when we struggle we must look for the lesson it brings.

Consider if you will the Israelites who were held captive by the Egyptian Pharaoh. GOD heard the cries of HIS people and called Moses to set them free. After initially resisting, the Pharaoh eventually decided to let the Israelites go. Once the Israelites were set free they went into the wilderness to commune with GOD. What was supposed to be a short journey to the Promised Land of Canaan quickly turned into forty years of wandering in the vast barren desert for nearly a half of century. Think about that. Talk about struggling. Millions of Israelites wandering around the desert for forty years, aimlessly, with nothing but the clothes on their backs is the very bottom of hardships. They were slaves and had no possessions. They neither had food nor water. But GOD provided like a father should. For forty years GOD sent Manna down from the Throne Room of Glory to feed HIS children. The Israelites’ needs were sufficient for each day. When some of them tried to gather and store the Manna it spoiled and turned into maggots. A clear revelation that all GOD wanted them to do was rely fully on HIM for their every need. Thousands of years later HE wants the same exact thing from us. HE wants us to have the faith to believe that HE will meet every one of our daily needs.

When we struggle it’s really the good Lord speaking to us. HE speaks to us the same way HE did the Israelites. Likewise, he made a promise to the Israelites, and as descendants of Abraham, HE has made that same promise to us: to inherit the Promised Land that flows with milk and honey. But for us to inherit this promise we must be faithful. We must be obedient to HIS Word and sensitive to what HE is trying to show us though our struggles. The reason the Israelites wandered around for forty years is because they didn’t fully rely on HIM, for they did not believe that HE would take care of them in such a difficult time. The Israelites only inherited the Promised Land when they fully believed that GOD was their sole provider. We too will inherit the Promised Land once we believe the same.

The Promised Land was a good and large land, flowing with milk and honey. Whenever the Bible talks about something being good it means perfect, for if GOD made something it couldn’t be any better. So the Promised Land was a perfect and large land, flowing with milk and honey. The milk symbolizes everything we need. Milk is a great source of essential nutrients; it makes us strong and can prevent osteoporosis; it has all the fat our brain needs to develop. For an entire year, my son only drank milk flowing from his mother’s bosom. So, in essence, all we really need to survive is milk. The symbolism here is remarkable. Generally speaking, human beings only need food, water, and shelter to survive. Well, the Promised Land has that, but there’s more. It also flows with honey. The honey symbolizes everything we ever wanted. Honey really has no nutritional value, but it’s delicious. Think about all the mouth-watering treats made with honey: Honey Combs, Honey Bar-b-cue Wings, Honey Nut Cheerios, Honey Mustard, Honey Baked Ham, Honey Butter from J. Alexander’s; I could go on and on, but I digress. In the present day, the honey GOD promised symbolizes the things we desire such as, bonuses on the job, nice vacations, big cars, big homes, 52-inch flat screens, etc. GOD wants us to have these things but we must obey HIM. We must realize that our profession is not the source of our supply, neither are our parents, or those fat refund checks, but GOD is. When we start to truly believe this we will inherit the Promised Land. GOD didn’t promise us a land that has milk and honey, but a land that flows with it, which means there is abundance, better yet, an unlimited supply of blessings.

The most important part of the story of Moses and the Israelites isn’t necessarily the Promised Land or wandering around in the wilderness, or the Manna that fell from the sky daily, but it’s about the process of how they got to the Promised Land. The very first, most important step in reaching the Promised Land was getting out of bondage. The Israelites had to get out of slavery before they could go anywhere. Likewise, this has to be our first step as well.

As slaves, we are not in a position to be blessed. To inherit the promises of GOD we must free ourselves from slavery, we cannot wait on Moses. The first step is to understand that we are indeed slaves. Many of the Israelites wanted to return to their former life of bondage because it was all they knew. They didn’t think being a slave was all that bad. In a way, they enjoyed being a slave, it was somewhat blissful. Harriet Tubman freed one thousand slaves and would’ve freed one thousand more had they knew they were slaves. As i look around i notice that most of us are slaves as well. Soon, we don’t even realize we’re slaves because we’ve been in bondage for so long. Some of us are slaves to money, others fear. As slaves to money it controls where we go, how we feel, what we think, and when we move, if we move at all. When we are slaves to fear on the other hand, it dictates our movements and impedes our progress. We fear the unknown so much that we don’t try anything new. We don’t grow because we are afraid to. Instead, we grow complacent and get comfortable. Then our lives fall into a thoughtless routine which ends in mediocrity.

All of us are slaves to sin. We are controlled by our selfish desires and if a change doesn’t occur we will burn in our own lust. Many of the Israelites were killed because they became slaves to sin, or wrongdoing after they were freed from physical bondage. The GOD inside us allows us to know right from wrong. It is up to us to do the right thing, for the sake of righteousness, for the sake of inheriting what GOD the Father promised us. And if we are too stuck in our ways to inherit what HE promised us, the very least we can do is head in the right direction so our children can inherit the land that flows with milk and honey.

A while back I gave a guy something he needed in his home. I think I was as blown away by his reaction as he was by getting it. He tried to pay me what he could and kept saying said he owed me. I assured him he owed me nothing and need not pay me back, it was a gift, no strings attached (no he didn’t need to listen to me preach before he could leave either).

So there’s the economy we carry from material world to every other part of our lives. We think that everything comes at a price. Trust me I’m just getting used to this myself. It’s kind of the “love without condition” carried further. If by doing something for you, I expect (even eventually) something in return, maybe it’s just your friendship, or admiration, then I’m not doing it for you at all, I’m just bartering for something for myself.

I think giving is easier with strangers, maybe people you will never see again, do a random act of kindness and walk away, never expecting to see them again, and they can never pay you back. It seems a lot harder among acquaintances, maybe hardest in relationships. We’ve been raised in this “point” system; I help you with your car, later when my computer dies you help me.

In relationships, try to remember the beginning, think back to when just being with that person was the goal, didn’t matter what you were doing, just being around them was enough. Let a relationship last long enough and we tend to put it to the “point system” more and more it becomes what we’ve done for the other or what we can do, or vise versa “what have you done for me lately” or “look at all I do for you and what do I get in return?” well if you’re looking for something in return you weren’t really doing it for the other person were you?. As our relationships with God are compared to a marriage I think we tend to go down the same path, we forget where our faith began, when just knowing he was there was enough.

I’m not throwing out acts of love or intentionality that come naturally through love. But if you buy your wife flowers on valentines merely BECAUSE it’s Valentines Day, it is in your heart, an empty gesture, really, just acting out of obedience or obligation. The same can apply to our faith lives.

So now I get to the point where I may be wrong. But… we are told to go out and spread the Gospel… Gospel means “good news” I’m pretty sure the good news isn’t “well Christ died on the cross now you should feel guilty and not do anything wrong and make sure you read your bible 5 times a day and here’s a check list of do’s and don’ts”.. I’m pretty sure the Good news is the price is paid, “it is finished” not “hey, now the ledger shows you in the red so you owe me”.

Living on the Mountain – Introduction

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9

Welcome to Living on the Mountain where it’s all about rising above the chaos down here on Planet Earth.

My online selling adventure began two weeks ago on eBay. So much to learn as a brand-new eBayer! I was excited to be selling many books – 12 in the first week. Yahoo! Score one for my team… Then the peace love and joy all around ended. An unhappy person lodged a dispute against me on only my 7th day of positive cash accumulation in my Pay Pal eBay account.

This customer gave no grace. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

So much time had been spent learning how to resolve and defend my eBay seller ethics. I realized then that my notes on this column lay untouched on my desk. I didn’t blog for three straight days as I complained and questioned how people could be so cruel. I had glowing marks until this cranky customer ruined my good track record. I had such good intentions and had given such a good deal. I was simply done trying to work things out with this person.

Peace? No. I was not peaceful, peaceable or interested in being a peacemaker. I wanted to tell him/her to depart my life forever and that he/she did not even deserve the deal I provided. To take it a step further, I wanted to respond, “YOU are a poison plant that I would like to spray with toxic weed killer!!”(smiling)

I did honestly want to respond with this comment. Sorry Mom. Okay, Roundup. It’s safe for animals.

Then the Lord reminded me, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Yes Lord, I remember I was supposed to focus on Matthew 5:9 this week.

And so, I disputed the claim with the truth, prayed for this person, cranked up iTunes and got busy on my keyboard. Of all days, today was THE day to launch this column on peacemakers!!! I did not respond to my customer but instead decided to be silent.

And so this blog series begins with a passionate plea to be given the words to explain the peace as outlined in the Truth of the Gospel of Matthew. You will understand meekness is not weakness, never confuse humility with cowardice – and agree we can only live in peace when looking to The Prince of Peace. As a result of pondering these entries I pray you will respond to God’s radical calling.

I pray the fact that Jesus came not to bring peace but a sword Matthew 10:34 causes you pause. To reflect, to question, to wear out your Bible (or run out and buy one for the first time .

Don’t be surprised if you are challenged and – - yes, a bit irritated as you make your way out of the valley to the mountaintop.

After all, the goal is for all of us to come to the realization that Living on the Mountain isn’t impossible when we live in holiness actively pursuing peace in its fullness. Peace in the midst of chaos? Yes! God’s perfect peace.

Shalom!

P.S. I promise to continue to pray for my disgruntled eBay customer. Even if he/she causes me to lose each and every Pay Pal privilege I will praise God for this person. Grace – learned from the Prince of Peace. ‘Cause everyone knows there’s not much of a view from the valley (Philippians 4:7) anyways!

Visit Navigating Through Life for more blog entries on just about everything! Visit my website www.wordsofgrace.info

Satan wants the followers of Christ to disobey and have conflicts and confusions  in Gods word and commandments.There is only one truth in the Bible, but many divisions in the body of Christ. Most of the Christian denominations in the world claim that they are bible believing Church and have differences of opinions on various issues, some of them may even throw us into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ(Galatians 1:6-7). But yet most of them agree on basic Christian truths. God says that we need to be equipped with wisdom from the Word of God to identify and not be led astray by false teaching and false teachers. All believers should know what the Scriptures are and they need to match up according to Gods word when they have some disagreements.

God also warns us to avoid people who causes divisions and put obstacles in our way that are contrary to the teaching (Romans 16:17).

Scriptures gives us a valuable insight and clear guidance on how we are to approach such disagreements and conflicts.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 says For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:1-3

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:14-16

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23)

Titus 3:9 says, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”

Also being a true believer we need to preach the truth, fighting the good fight of faith never compromisingly for any reason whatsoever and to bring back the erring brother. James 5:19-20 says My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

When we have disagreements we need to handle with love and respect and apply God’s unchanging Word of Truth and to allow holy spirit to operate in our lives to seek Gods word by diligently studying and prayfully considered because as a individual person we all may have personal opinion but we need to be careful that our disagreements should not become a stumbling block for others to leading them away from faith in Christ or turn away from the Bible. Always we need to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks the reason for the hope that we have with gentleness and respect(1 Peter 3:15).

Finally, it is God’s purpose for all believers’s to attain to the unity of the faith with unity of the Spirit United in Christ. (Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.)

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!.

No other name has had an impact on more lives in the history of humanity than Jesus..
 Jesus Was Never Created Micah 5:2 
 Jesus Essence Has Never Changed Heb 13:8
 Jesus is God John 1:1
 Jesus is The Creator of Everything Col 1:16
 Jesus is All-Powerful Matt 28:18
 Jesus is All-Knowing Col 2:3
 Jesus is Ever-Present Matt 18:20
 Jesus is Holy Luke 1:35
 Jesus is Righteous Isa 53:11
Jesus is Just Zech 9:9
Jesus Had No Deceit 1 Pet 2:22
Jesus is Sinless 2 Cor 5:21
Jesus is Spotless 1 Pet 1:19
Jesus is Innocent Matt 27:4
Jesus is Gentle Matt 11:29
Jesus is Merciful Heb 2:17
Jesus is Forgiving Luke 23:34
Jesus Receives Worship by Demons Mark 5:2,6
Jesus Receives Worship by Men John 9:38
Jesus Receives Worship by Angels Heb 1:6
Jesus Receives Worship by Disciples Luke 24:52
Jesus Receives Worship in Heaven Rev 7:9-10
Jesus Will Receive Worship from Everyone Phil 2:10-11
Jesus Was Human 1 Tim 2:5
Jesus Was Conceived by the Holy Spirit Luke 1:34-35
Jesus Took On Man’s Nature Heb 2:9-18
Jesus Humbled Himself Phil 2:8
Jesus Was Subject To Human Emotions Heb 5:7
Jesus Raised His Body From The Dead John 10:18
Jesus Blood Brings Reconciliation With God Eph 2:13-16
Jesus Blood Brings Redemption for Man Rom 3:24-25
Jesus Blood Allows Man To Be Justified before God Rom 5:9
Jesus Blood Sanctifies Man Heb 10:29
Jesus Blood Brings Spiritual Victory Rev 12:11
Jesus Blood Brings Eternal Life John 6:53-56
Jesus Came to Save Sinners Luke 19:10
Jesus Will Bring in Everlasting Righteousness Dan 9:24
Jesus Destroyed the Works of Satan 1 John 3:8
Jesus Fulfilled the Old Testament Matt 5:17
Jesus Gives Life Now John 10:10
Jesus Is Our Advocate 1 John 2:1
Jesus Gives Eternal Life John 10:28
Jesus Is Eternal Life 1 John 5:20
Jesus Sends The Holy Spirit To Us John 15:26
Jesus Will Take His People To Heaven John 14:3
Jesus Will Return To The Earth After The Tribulation Matt 24:29
Jesus Will Return To The Earth In Power & Glory Matt 24:30
Jesus Completes Revelation Heb 1:1
Jesus Will Never Send You Away If You Come To Him John 6:37
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life John 14:6

HE never changes, is the only Saviour, he created the universe and earth by Himself, he is the Word. HE is the first and the last, he forgives sins., He is our redeemer, he is one. He has a Son. He is the Holy One, Only He is worshipped. He is Messiah. HE is from everlasting. Only He is glorified.. God is ‘I am’, God heals all diseases. He is the Judge of the whole earth. HE has life in Himself. Even the devils tremble by him, HE raises the dead, He is sinless and perfect, He is omnipotent with him everything is possible, HE is powerful.

Who is (God) He ……He is no one but only Jesus Christ! Only Jesus Christ

I and My Father are one. John 10:30

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Matthew 4:7

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour .Isaiah 43:11

I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. Isaiah 41:4

Jesus said, “Fear not; I am the first and the last:” Revelation 1:17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…All things were made by him…He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us John 1:1, 3, 10, 14

Jesus saith…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 14:9

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure Luke 10:21

Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Luke 23:42

My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” John 5:17

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life John 8:12

When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be John 8:28

If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. John 8:42

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” John 9:37

You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22:13

Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. John 17:11

Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:11

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah…out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

GOD…hath in these last days spoken unto us by his SON…who being the brightness of his glory, and the EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON… Hebrews 1:1-3

WHO IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, the firstborn of every creature: Colossians 1:15

They shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US Matthew 1:23

The voice of him [John the Baptist] that crieth in the wilderness, PREPARE ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway FOR OUR GOD.” Isaiah 40:3

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another… Isaiah 42:8

“… feed the church of GOD, which he hath purchased with his OWN BLOOD. Acts 20:28

Hereby perceive we the love of GOD, because he LAID DOWN HIS LIFE for us. 1 John 3:16

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon GOD, and saying, LORD JESUS, receive my spirit Acts 7:59

For unto us A CHILD IS BORN, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6

CHRIST, who is the IMAGE OF GOD II Corinthians 4:4

Glory of GOD in the FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.” II Corinthians 4:6

Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me. Luke 8:46

Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”John 20:27-29

In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. Colossians 2:9

But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1 John 4:3

Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through him in your midst…” (Acts 2:22).

Jesus said: “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9

Whoever receives this child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me;” (Luke 9:48).

And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;…’” (Acts 2:38).

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one.” Number 8

And he (Jesus) answered and said unto them, ‘Have you not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female.’” (Matthew 19:4).

And when they (wise men from east) were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and (they) fell down, and worshipped him.” Matthew 2:11

I AM THAT I AM.” (Exodus 3:14).

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah. 1:5.

And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Saviour; There is none except Me. Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:21-22

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand Matthew 12:25

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible Matthew 19:26

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Matthew 21:27

In the first study of Ezekiel, we looked at who Gog is, what nations will be under his military control, and how and when they will attack. This next part is a study of the actual battle that is to take place.  Text is taken from the NIV translation of the Bible.

⁹ You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.

Gog’s army will be like a cloud covering the land.  Imagine a dry dusty road that you drive down and picture the dust cloud behind your vehicle.  Now, picture an army of nations driving their vehicles and war machines.  There will be so many army movements that a cloud of dust will cover the land.  The imagery may also point to massive air forces.

¹⁰ ” ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. ¹¹ You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars

Gog will plan this attack. It will not be a spur of the moment type attack.  It’s possible that it may be a retaliatory or a preemptive strike against Israel. In either case it will be premeditated.  We also learn that Israel will be a land of security and peace.  Israel will not be suspecting an attack from anyone, which leads me to believe that it will come after the peace treaty is signed with the Arab nations, facilitated by Antichrist.

¹² I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.” ¹³ Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages ^[d] will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?” ‘

The attack will come at a time when Israel is resettled, rebuilt, and wealthy.  If you look at the map of Israel, the city in the center of the land is Jerusalem.  In verse 13 it would appear that Gog has come to pillage and plunder the wealth of Jerusalem.  Perhaps this is the reason for the attack: Greed.

The physical location of Sheba is disputed, however modern evidence points towards Yeman in Southern Arabia (wiki). Dardan is now known as a city of Arabia, modern Al-’Ula (wiki). Tarshish is the name of a village in Lebanon. The village is located in the Baabda Kadaa at an elevation of 1400m and is 50 km away from Beirut.  It is also a province of Jerusalem. It’s interesting to not that even the Arabs are threatened by Gog (Dedan and Sheba both located in Saudi Arabia), however in Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abraham that God will give him the lands between the river in Egypt (the Nile river) and the Euphrates.

¹⁴ “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? ¹⁵ You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. ¹⁶ You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.

The attack will come from the far North.  Where is a good question, and I have no good answer to that, other than to wait and see.  We can only watch and be ready.  The army will largely be mechanized and machinery, and will be a massive horde. In verse 16 we see God’s purpose.  God has allowed this massive attack on Israel so that He will in the end be glorified through the battle, and so that Gog will understand the power and glory that is God.  This is how God operates, by the way, if you do not know.  Everything that has happened and will happen, does so according to God’s thoughts - Isaiah 14:24: The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand’; and it does so for the Glory of God.

¹⁷ ” ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Are you not the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel? At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them.

God tells Gog that this is not news. God’s prophets have been prophesying against Gog for a long time.

¹⁸ This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. ¹⁹ In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. ²⁰ The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground.²¹ I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. ²² I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. ²³ And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’

Verses 19-23 depict God’s retaliation to Gog’s attack.  It begins with a massive earthquake, so great that everything will be affected, even the birds and fish.  Mountains and cliffs will be flattened.  People will be terrified and there will be mass confusion and terror.  The armies of Gog will be so terrified that they will turn on each other. Gog’s army will suffer plagues and massive loss of life.   There will be torrents of rain and hailstone and burning sulfur, which could be in the form of a volcanic eruption. There are scientific reports of burning embers being in-cased in ice during volcanic eruptions from the blast shooting embers high into the atmosphere, giving one the impression of hail and fire falling from the sky, and many time massive earthquakes are contributed to volcanic eruptions.  The acidic plume of smoke that will cover the area is also known to cause skin sores, boils, and even death. Strangely enough, the nearest active volcanos are located around Madagascar, and South America.

As always, I would remind you that no one knows the hour nor the day. We can only watch and prepare.

God, open our eyes so that we may see the truth, and grant us wisdom to understand.  Amen.

I write a blog that studies the relation between current events and prophetic scripture.  With rumors of war (or peace)  in the Middle East becoming increasingly alarming,  a study of the War of Gog is prudent I believe.  The following is the first of two parts:

In the Vision concerning Gog, God reveals the the prophet Ezekiel that in the ‘latter-days’ Isreal will be invaded by a massive army lead by Gog, or the ‘chief prince’ of the next modern day Persia.  In the vision, it appears that the attack has already taken place, Isreal is occupied, and God is telling Gog that God’s will has been set against Gog, and He is going to pull them out of Isreal.  Ezekiel Chapter 39 gives account of the actual battle, and will be discussed in a later study.

Ezekiel 38 1-3 ¹ The word of the LORD came to me: ² “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him ³ and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal

Who exactly is Gog, this mighty king who will attack Israel with a mighty army in the ‘latter days’?  Gog is first mentioned in I Chronicles 5:4 as a descendant of Joel, son of Shemaiah.  We know that Gog is also the ‘chief prince’ of Meshech and Tubal.  Meshech and Tubal describe the people of ancient Anatolia which now is modern day Turkey.

The word given for ‘chief prince’ is ro’sh or ‘head’ and is used as an adjective (chief) in the passage. Some however relate the word ‘ro’sh’ as a reference to a country known as Rashu (or Reshu) which was an ancient land along the Tigris river.  Other’s have identified ro’sh as a people known as the Rus who lived in the region of the Taurus Mountains in present-day Turkey.  The reference to Russia comes only through resemblance in spelling or sound.

In verses 1-3 of Ezekiel’s vision, God reveals that he is against Gog.

^{Ezekiel 38:4-7 4} I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. ⁵ Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, ⁶ also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.⁷ ” ‘Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them.

Here in verse 4, God tells Gog that he is going to turn him around as a horse is lead with a bit in it’s mouth and pull him out of Isreal.

The Ally’s of Gog:

• PUT - Phut or Put (Hebrew: פוט pûṭ; Septuagint Greek Φουδ Phoud) is the third son of Ham (one of the sons of Noah), in the biblical Table of Nations (Genesis 10:6; cf. 1 Chronicles 1:8). Put or Phut) is associated with r Phut) is associated with Ancient Libya by many early writers. (Wiki)
• CUSH – The existence of the historical Kingdom of Kush in what is now areas of southern Egypt, and Sudan cannot be reasonably questioned, although the term may later have been employed with some latitude. In addition, the modern Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family spoken by various populations in the Horn of Africa, is named after the Biblical Cush (Wiki)
• Persia – the empire included the modern territories of Iran,Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace and Macedonia, much of the Black Sea coastal regions, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon,Syria, and all significant population centers of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya. (Wiki)
• Gomer – According to tractate Yoma, in the Talmud, Gomer is identified as the ancestor of the Gomermians, modern Germans. (Wiki)
• Beth-Togarmah – In the Midrash compilation Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Berechiah mentions Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah as German tribes or as German lands. (Wiki)

Ezekiel 38:8 - ⁸ After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.

‘In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war’, God reveals the state of Isreal before the attack. First Gog will invade a land that has recovered from war, which means that the attack will come when Isreal as settled and at peace.

‘whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.’ The attack will come after Israeli has been restored.  It is believed that a mass pilgrimage to Israel will take place sometime before or immediately after the Rapture.  I believe it may occur once the Israeli/Arab peace treaty is signed.  At no point in History have the Jews lived in relative safety as they do now.

The NIV (New International Version Bible) has ‘In future years’ and the KJV (King James Version) has ‘in the latter years’. The prophecy concerning Gog was written sometime during 593 B.C and history shows that Gog, sometime between 670 and 570  B.C,  was an ally of the people of Gomer (Cimmerians) and warred in Northwest Asia during this period.

In the next part, we will study verses 9-17 and see what happens during the battle.