Why Does GOD Always Seem to Show Up at the LAST Minute?

 

Proverbs 16:18

King James Version

18 Pride goeth before destruction, 

and an haughty spirit before a fall.

It seems so, doesn't it?

That GOD shows up at the last minute.

Just when all hope seems gone.

Just when you're on to your last cent.

Just when you're feeling so broken.

Just when you're about to give up. 

Just when others have given up on you.

Why do you think GOD helps?

Why do you think He shows up?

Did you pray for Him to do so?

Did you lift up your hands in surrender?

Did you finally acknowledge these:

-- That you needed GOD's help after all?

-- That you can't do it alone?

-- That you realize all your human efforts have failed you?

-- That all your friends have deserted you?

-- That even your family doesn't want to help you anymore?

-- That people are indifferent to your plight?

-- That you're now ready to be helped, saved, and corrected?

Wow, that would be the day.

Well, know this:

The moment you surrender to GOD 

is the day He can step in 

and help you.

That is the LORD's opportunity to show you something.

And YOUR golden opportunity to LEARN something.

The Bible shows that GOD does TWO things:

1. When people need help, GOD does this.

Ezekiel 20:42 

King James Version

42 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, 

when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, 

into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand 

to give it to your fathers.

2. When people are rebellious, GOD does this.

Ezekiel 33:29 

King James Version

29 Then shall they know that I am the Lord, 

when I have laid the land most desolate 

because of all their abominations 

which they have committed.

The common denominator?

"And ye shall know 

that I am the Lord."

On, and on, GOD reminds us of that.

And on, and on, people forget.

When the going's good, we're gone from GOD's side.

When the going gets tough, we can't wait to be by His side.

The rest of the time, people don't acknowledge GOD's POWER over our lives.

Many are not even by His side at all.

Many don't want to follow.

Many don't want to listen.

GOD is steady.

For ourselves, we teeter constantly in destruction.

All because of that ingratitude, and forgetfulness.

When God allows a situation, He's making a statement.

When God helps, He's making a statement.

When God punishes, He's making a statement.

So we shall KNOW that He is the LORD.

Still, the lessons don't stick.

And few become grateful.

Much less repentant.

Does it really have to be this way?

That we suffer first, before God helps us?

That we are finally humbled from our proud, unfaithful ways?

After all, how many people listen to the Lord?

How many people pay attention to the teachings of JESUS?

What else would it take for us to completely surrender to God?

What else would it take for us to be shame-faced, and repentant, at our foolishness?

It's human nature to be ungrateful, and forgetful.

When all is well, we forget God.

When all goes south, we seek God.

It's only when we've lost all hope, do we remember God.

It's only when we're in near-panic, do we seek God's help.

We must not test the Lord.

Matthew 4:7 

King James Version

7 Jesus said unto him, 

It is written again, 

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

GOD always shows up at the LAST minute, because we ONLY seek Him at the last minute.

That's really the truth of the matter.

The rest of the time, we think we know better.

The rest of the time, people forget Him.

Many don't even know Him.

Only when we've raised our white flags in complete humility, and surrender, does GOD effortlessly steps in.

Once you've become born again, you realize the GRIEF we cause God, the FOLLY we bring upon our own lives, and the FUTILITY of this rebellion against the ONLY POWER there is.

Malachi 3:6 

King James Version

6 For I am the Lord, 

I change not; 

therefore ye sons of Jacob 

are not consumed.

And that's when we all become shame-faced.

Time to turn back to GOD now.

That's why JESUS was sent.

That's why SPIRIT teaches us.

That we may remember.

Related material:

On MAN's plans

GOD's WAYS

What man FORGETS

The hard teachings

Image: Clipart Library

Updated 23 October 2023

What is the Shape of the Earth?

 

Was the earth round?

Or was it flat?

Does it matter?

It matters to me, for I care what God says in the Bible.

I care to know how God created the world.

I care to know I get His Word right.

For 17 months now, all my questions have been answered by the Word of God.

Going back to my question, "What is the shape of the earth?"

So, I searched for the telling verses.

It's important we start from the very beginning:

Genesis 1:1-2 

King James Version

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, 

and void; 

and darkness was upon the face of the deep. 

And the Spirit of God 

moved upon the face of the waters.

And I learned, earth is probably a "circle", and that we are really tiny:

Isaiah 40:22 (KJV)

22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, 

and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; 

that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, 

and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

And yet, if it's a circle, why does it have "four corners"?

Isaiah 11:12 (KJV)

12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, 

and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, 

and gather together the dispersed of Judah 

from the four corners of the earth.

Revelation 7:1 (KJV)

7 And after these things I saw four angels standing 

on the four corners of the earth, 

holding the four winds of the earth, 

that the wind should not blow on the earth, 

nor on the sea, 

nor on any tree.

Then I was intrigued, but not surprised, by the fact that God sees the farthest corners of His creation.

But how could that be, if earth was a circle?

Job 28:24 (KJV)

24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, 

and seeth under the whole heaven;

Job 37:2-3 (KJV)

2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, 

and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, 

and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

The next verse -- the tempting of Jesus by satan -- seems to indicate if you were standing on a very high place, you ought to be able to view the "kingdoms of the world".

Another case for "flat" earth?

Matthew 4:8 (KJV)

8 Again, the devil taketh him up 

into an exceeding high mountain, 

and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, 

and the glory of them;

Wow, what a vista!

And it seems the earth has "pillars".

It could be literal, or symbolic -- like a "foundation" to "hold" up the earth -- but only God knows.

1 Samuel 2:8 (KJV)

8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, 

and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, 

to set them among princes, 

and to make them inherit the throne of glory: 

for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, 

and he hath set the world upon them.

Psalm 75:3 (KJV)

3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: 

I bear up the pillars of it. 

Selah.

But one thing for sure, the earth is firm in the hands of God.

We are safe in God's hands.

Psalm 104:5 (KJV)

5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, 

that it should not be removed for ever.

1 Chronicles 16:30 (KJV)

30 Fear before him, 

all the earth: 

the world also shall be stable, 

that it be not moved.

Psalm 93:1 (KJV)

93 The Lord reigneth, 

he is clothed with majesty; 

the Lord is clothed with strength, 

wherewith he hath girded himself: 

the world also is stablished, 

that it cannot be moved.

The earth is firm; the sky is strong.

Job 37:18 (KJV)

18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, 

which is strong, 

and as a molten looking glass?

And the earth hangs upon "nothing".

Oh boy.

Can you imagine such a thing?

Job 26:7 (KJV)

7 He stretcheth out the north 

over the empty place, 

and hangeth the earth 

upon nothing.

Unless the Spirit of the Lord deems it, I will never be able to understand, comprehend, nor absorb His grandeur.

But as a born again, with the heart of a child, I sure can imagine it!

Psalm 104:32 (KJV)

32 He looketh on the earth, 

and it trembleth: 

he toucheth the hills, 

and they smoke.

Acknowledging His divine power, and might, I can only fear the Lord.

Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

7 The fear of the Lord 

is the beginning of knowledge: 

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

And meditate upon His magnificence, for as long as I live.

Psalm 104:33-34 (KJV)

33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: 

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: 

I will be glad in the Lord.

In the end, it matters not what shape the earth is.

One day, God will show me everything.

Right now, all that matters is that my heart is shaped by the Lord, obedient to His will.

Expect more musings on this blog, for I am learning quite a lot from the Bible.

(Verses sourced from Bible Study Tools.)

Updated 25 January 2022

Where is Heaven?

 

Jesus said:

John 3:12 

King James Version

12 If I have told you earthly things, 

and ye believe not, 

how shall ye believe, 

if I tell you of heavenly things?

Is there a real Heaven?

Of course, there is!

Right from the very first verse of the Bible:

Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

1 In the beginning 

God created the heaven 

and the earth.

And you know what God said Heaven was?

Isaiah 66:1 (KJV)

"Thus saith the Lord, 

The heaven is my throne, 

and the earth is my footstool: 

where is the house that ye build unto me? 

and where is the place of my rest?"

You know where it's located?

You'd be surprised.

The Word of God is always precise.

Genesis 1:6-8 (KJV)

6 And God said, 

Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, 

and let it divide the waters from the waters.

7 And God made the firmament, 

and divided the waters 

which were under the firmament 

from the waters 

which were above the firmament: 

and it was so.

8 And God called the firmament Heaven. 

And the evening and the morning were the second day.

Just so you know, here's where our earth is located, in relation to Heaven:

Genesis 1:9-10 (KJV)

9 And God said, 

Let the waters under the heaven 

be gathered together unto one place, 

and let the dry land appear: 

and it was so.

10 And God called the dry land Earth; 

and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: 

and God saw that it was good.

So, we're "under the heaven"; Jesus is from Heaven.

In His own words:

John 3:13 (KJV)

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, 

but he that came down from heaven, 

even the Son of man which is in heaven.

What can be found in Heaven?

All things magnificent!

Here's what apostle John was shown, in a vision of the end times:

Revelation 4 (KJV)

4 After this I looked, 

and, behold, 

a door was opened in heaven: 

and the first voice which I heard 

was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; 

which said, 

Come up hither, 

and I will shew thee things 

which must be hereafter.

2 And immediately I was in the spirit: 

and, 

behold, 

a throne was set in heaven, 

and one sat on the throne.

3 And he that sat was to look upon 

like a jasper and a sardine stone: 

and there was a rainbow round about the throne, 

in sight like unto an emerald.

4 And round about the throne 

were four and twenty seats: 

and upon the seats I saw 

four and twenty elders sitting, 

clothed in white raiment; 

and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings 

and thunderings and voices: 

and there were seven lamps of fire 

burning before the throne, 

which are the seven Spirits of God.

6 And before the throne 

there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: 

and in the midst of the throne, 

and round about the throne, 

were four beasts full of eyes before 

and behind.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, 

and the second beast like a calf, 

and the third beast had a face as a man, 

and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts had each of them 

six wings about him; 

and they were full of eyes within: 

and they rest not day and night, 

saying, 

Holy, holy, holy, 

Lord God Almighty, 

which was, 

and is, 

and is to come.

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour 

and thanks to him that sat on the throne, 

who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him 

that sat on the throne, 

and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, 

and cast their crowns before the throne, 

saying,

11 Thou art worthy, 

O Lord, 

to receive glory and honour and power: 

for thou hast created all things, 

and for thy pleasure 

they are and were created.

How can we reach Heaven?

Colossians 3:1-2 (KJV)

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, 

where moth and rust doth corrupt, 

and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, 

and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, 

there will your heart be also.

Jesus also made a statement about what it takes to be with Him:

John 5:24 (KJV)

24 Verily, verily, 

I say unto you, 

He that heareth my word, 

and believeth on him that sent me, 

hath everlasting life, 

and shall not come into condemnation; 

but is passed from death unto life.

Life on earth is definitely not heavenly.

So, we seek Heaven.

2 Peter 3:13 (KJV)

13 Nevertheless we, 

according to his promise, 

look for new heavens and a new earth, 

wherein dwelleth righteousness.

And in the end, we shall find it.

Revelation 21:1-5 (KJV)

21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: 

for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; 

and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, 

new Jerusalem, 

coming down from God out of heaven, 

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 

and he will dwell with them, 

and they shall be his people, 

and God himself shall be with them, 

and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; 

and there shall be no more death, 

neither sorrow, 

nor crying, 

neither shall there be any more pain: 

for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, 

Behold, I make all things new. 

And he said unto me, 

Write: 

for these words are true and faithful.

If we are God's own:

Revelation 21:27 (KJV)

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it 

any thing that defileth, 

neither whatsoever worketh abomination, 

or maketh a lie: 

but they which are written 

in the Lamb's book of life.

Related material:

KINGDOM of HEAVEN

Updated 25 January 2022

ABSENCE of arrogance

 

Micah 6:8 

King James Version

8 He hath shewed thee, 

O man, what is good; 

and what doth the Lord require of thee, 

but to do justly, and to love mercy, 

and to walk humbly with thy God?

Have people hurt you?

How do you feel about them now?

Have you gone past that hurt?

Do you have thoughts of revenge?

Obviously, if you are God's own, thoughts of the latter won't even occur to you.

Perhaps, you have erred, too.

But if you are not God's own, you will keep that hurt in your heart, letting it seep in every bone of your body, in the very marrow of your heart, waiting for an opportune time to seek revenge.

In the meantime, you are becoming the devil's own.

Well, this blog is about God's unvarnished truth.

Jesus taught us to love.

John 15:12 

King James Version

12 This is my commandment, 

That ye love one another, 

as I have loved you.

And it's only God who has a right to judge, and to avenge, for only He sees the total picture:

Romans 12:19 

King James Version

19 Dearly beloved, 

avenge not yourselves, 

but rather give place unto wrath: 

for it is written, 

Vengeance is mine; 

I will repay, 

saith the Lord.

The Son of God was mocked, reviled, and killed for our sins.

And yet, He had no vengeful bone in His body.

Jesus showed us how to love, how to sacrifice, how to obey God, how to be humble, even how to be humbled.

Every day we breathe, is an opportunity to be perfect in the eyes of the Lord.

We cannot grieve about what people have done to us.

Instead, we must grieve if we have hurt them, knowingly, or unknowingly.

And if we have grieved others, we must pray to Jesus, thanking Him for showing us our errors, asking Him to create an opportunity where we can right our wrongs with our brothers and sisters.

Only God would know how to create an opportunity for healing, and forgiveness.

Only He would know how to correct matters between us.

Only God sees the big picture.

Nothing is hidden from His eyes.

He searches our hearts constantly.

We can all pretend the grievances are nothing, or make others feel it is everything.

Thus, diseases, chaos, and wars.

But the Lord also admonished us:

Matthew 7:5 

King James Version

5 Thou hypocrite, 

first cast out the beam 

out of thine own eye; 

and then shalt thou see clearly 

to cast out the mote 

out of thy brother's eye.

Following the Lord, believing in Him, being a true child of God, means we are humble, teachable, and without any degree of arrogance in our hearts.

And most of all, we must open our hearts to God for correction.

The Holy Spirit loves such kinds of people.

Much will be given, according to our faithfulness to God's commandments.

And let's remember what the Lord Jesus did.

He did all for the Father.

It was never about self.

More verses:

Bible Verses About Humility

Updated 8 November 2023

What is God's Will?

 

Oftentimes, 

the simplest question,

produces 

the most profound answer.

That's the paradox of life.

What is God's will?

Have we really looked into it?

Has anyone told you what it is?

Have you every wondered, and searched, what it really was?

What does Scripture say about it?

Of course, Scripture would know.

The one who showed us the way was JESUS.

He always taught us by example.

John 6:38 

King James Version

38 For I came down from heaven, 

not to do mine own will, 

but the will of him that sent me.

And what is the will of the Father -- for JESUS?

John 6:39 

King James Version

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, 

that of all which he hath given me 

I should lose nothing, 

but should raise it up again 

at the last day.

But how can you accept that, if you're not a believer first?

You must trust the One showing you the way.

Jesus tells us more:

John 6:40 

King James Version

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, 

that every one which seeth the Son, 

and believeth on him, 

may have everlasting life: 

and I will raise him up 

at the last day.

Simple, isn't it?

You would want to be with Jesus, the Prince of Peace, right?

Would forever be enough?

I've chosen, and I became born again freely 17 months ago.

It has been the most exciting journey of my life, with my eyes focused on Jesus alone, and on His Word.

Being born again is the only way to understand clearly, and simply, things of the Spirit, and the real nature of the world.

Scripture was very clear about that.

Updated 18 October 2023

The Only Way to Heal Nations

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 

King James Version

14 If my people, 

which are called by my name, 

shall humble themselves, 

and pray, 

and seek my face, 

and turn from their wicked ways; 

then will I hear from heaven, 

and will forgive their sin, 

and will heal their land.

Those were the days of King Solomon, son of King David, when He made offerings to God, to get back in the grace of the Lord.

This was what God wanted from Israel:

2 Chronicles 7:17-20 (KJV)

17 And as for thee, 

if thou wilt walk before me, 

as David thy father walked, 

and do according to all 

that I have commanded thee, 

and shalt observe my statutes 

and my judgments;

18 Then will I stablish t

he throne of thy kingdom, 

according as I have covenanted 

with David thy father, 

saying, 

There shall not fail thee a man 

to be ruler in Israel.

19 But if ye turn away, 

and forsake my statutes and my commandments, 

which I have set before you, 

and shall go and serve other gods, 

and worship them;

20 Then will I pluck them up 

by the roots out of my land 

which I have given them; 

and this house, 

which I have sanctified for my name, 

will I cast out of my sight, 

and will make it to be a proverb 

and a byword among all nations.

Has the world honored God today?

Is the world much different in its ways towards God since then?

I don't think so.

If anything, we are probably more wicked, and sinful.

Satan has newer methods, newer devices, literally, and figuratively.

And we keep up with the deceiver's devices, falling all over ourselves, lest we be behind "trends".

The game hasn't changed; the methods, and minions vary, that's all.

We continue to defy God's statutes with lifeless statues, more gods in every form, and industry, more high-tech devices and self-absorption that deceive us, and distance us from the Lord.

More seeming intellect that cloud thinking about God.

We remain in a fog.

To the great delight of the deceiver.

Our pride, greed, and vanity can never be satisfied, in exact reflection of the fallen one.

Moses reminded Israel, of what God commanded them at Mount Horeb:

Deuteronomy 5:6-10 (KJV)

6 I am the Lord thy God, 

which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, 

from the house of bondage.

7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, 

or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, 

or that is in the earth beneath, 

or that is in the waters beneath the earth:

9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, 

nor serve them: 

for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, 

visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children 

unto the third and fourth generation of them 

that hate me,

10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them 

that love me and keep my commandments.

But you'd probably say, that was then.

God's laws were for Israel, for the Jews.

Doesn't apply now.

Doesn't apply to Gentiles.

Really?

Apostle Paul states:

Galatians 3:28 (KJV)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, 

there is neither bond nor free, 

there is neither male nor female: 

for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Thus, the same rule applies to all.

For we are all "one in Christ Jesus".

The laws of God are precise.

The heart that truly seeks the Lord, will seek to obey His laws.

The heart that wishes to defy the Lord, serves Satan.

It's really only two things to choose from : Jesus, or Satan.

Who have you aligned with?

How is your nation?

How is the world right now?

Obviously, we made the wrong choice.

It's now time -- and it's extremely urgent -- we reconcile with the Lord.

Who is the Lord, but Jesus, the only way back to the Father.

John 14:6 (KJV)

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, 

the truth, 

and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, 

but by me.

God's laws are really very simple.

Jesus, the Son of God, descended from heaven, to make it even simpler.

He spoke through parables, He taught in synagogues, and everywhere He saw fit.

He spoke in plain language, and His gospel is simple.

Of course, we are forever confused, and ambushed by Satan, the tempter, and deceiver:

2 Corinthians 11:3 (KJV)

3 But I fear, 

lest by any means, 

as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, 

so your minds should be corrupted 

from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Open your heart to Jesus now, and have Him heal the wounded recesses of your heart.

A healed heart will share his joy with the world.

And the world will get to know the Savior, whose Word can heal nations.

Our hope lies in Jesus, the Word of God.

Jeremiah 24:7 (KJV)

7 And I will give them an heart to know me, 

that I am the Lord: 

and they shall be my people, 

and I will be their God: 

for they shall return unto me 

with their whole heart.