I’M A MESS I GUESS

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By Ken Blue

I take little pills to help me sleep at the night,

I take annother one; it keeps my cholesterol right.

Then there’s one for respiratory congestion,

Another one is to curb acid indigestion.  

There is a sinus spray that I spray up my nose,

And there is a foot spray that is called Doctor Scholls.©

An aspirin and blood thinners help my blood flow,

Milk of Magnesia© makes it easy as I go.

I have a calorie card to count my intake,

Each night I take a pill for an enlarged prostate.

I have been told to use eye drops three times a day,

Cortisone help keep my psoriasis at bay.

I chew Papaya pills to get needed enzymes,

I just took a pain pill for the pain in my spine.

My bones ache and creak, so I apply Icy Hot,© 

Come to think of it…I think it’s time for my flu shot.

You say I should be thankful; you are right, I guess,

If the Lord didn’t provide, I’d really be a mess.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 23

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Revelation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

“And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”  (Revelation 6:3-4).

 The activity of the white horse centers in theMiddle East and is a forerunner to that which follows. The unseen army of the red horse takes peace from the earth. (This probably refers to Israel and the surrounding nations.)  The nations fall apart morally and politically. Leaders are not able to contain the anarchy and the rebellion.

     These events will parallel the days of Noah prior to the flood, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah… the earth is filled with violence through them” (Genesis 6:11-13). Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 24:37, “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

             The breakup of the nations will force them to join in alliance with the Antichrist. This will add to his power base, and call for the murder of all who oppose him. This is the “red horse” aspect of the vision.  “And they that understand among the people (Jews) shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days” (Daniel 11:33).

 “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6).

             We must keep in mind that the intended purpose under the illustration of the white horse is progressing and continues under the imagery of the other three horses. Although they are presented chronologically, they are, to some extent, contemporary.

             The figure of black and a pair of balances speak of famine, “Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine” (Lamentations. 5:10). This is exactly what Jesus said would occur in Israel’s last days. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matthew 24:7).

             Famine always follows and accompanies war; factories are destroyed; fields are burned. Jobs are lost, and people have no means to buy what is available. Embargoes, sanctions, and prohibiting the movement of merchant ships in and out of ports lead to the starvation of many. The lack of rain, extreme heat, and cold produces famine. Millions are starving today in Africa. The price of petroleum and food are out of control, and no one knows where it will stop. This escalation will result in a price increase of life’s necessities. Although food will be available, most will not be able to afford the basics. Many nations will crumble from within and famine will follow. Should the surrounding nations place an embargo on Israel, starvation would result.

             The statement, “…and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine,” may be a point of sarcasm and irony. We need not assume that every nation and person on the earth will be penniless. While millions will be affected by events of those days, many will be rich and living in luxury. The book of James is a Tribulation book, and fits here. James 5:1-3. “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” (See also Matthew 25:” (See also Matthew 25:1-44.) The idea of not hurting the oil or wine mean: don’t upset the life style of the rich by calling their attention to the famines of their people.

 

NO GREATER LOVE

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By Ken Blue

Romans 5:8. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

For me, this is one of the greatest verses in the Bible on the subject of salvation. The context shows how unlikely it is for one to lay down his life for a righteous man. But, Paul shows that Jesus willing laid down His life for us while we were at enmity with Him.

You will notice that it was God’s love that moved Him toward us. In fact, God commended His love toward us while we were yet sinners. God’s love is not passive. No one could show greater love to the sinner than God has. In order to find a person who would die for a righteous man, was practically impossible, but God demonstrated His love, kindness, grace and compassion toward us while we were sinners and defiant. Greater love hath no man than He who laid down His life for us.

The second miracle here is that God commended His love while we were yet sinners. God does not wait for men to become better, or deserve His favor. If He did, He would wait forever. All are sinner, and none deserves His love. This is one of the greatest mysteries in the Bible!

If I robbed a bank, my mother would still love me. If I disgraced our family, my mother would still love me. If I murdered someone, my mother would still love me. She is MY mother. But, that a holy God love me in spite of ALL my sins is more than I can take in. Oh, the wonderful love of God!        

His love is demonstrated in the most arresting manner; Christ died for us. That Christ would die for me is love beyond comprehension. We love Him because He first loved us. That is all the motivation any believer should need. I believe, if pastors would paint a picture each week before Christians of God’s love, it would be much easier to enroll them in the service of the King.   Do you know Him? If you do, meditate to day on the above verse, and you will love Him more.

THE MIRACLE ON FORTY-FOURTH AVENUE

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By Ken Blue

Unobserved, and of no interest to those who never knew,
That eternal business was discussed on Forty-Fourth Avenue.

A little band that prayed for land, the year of seventy-two,
Gave God a reason, it was the season to trust and to do.

The owners replied, and we complied, with witnesses: two.
What began continues the plan, on Forty-Fourth Avenue.

Sacrifice, a will to work, visions Satan could not subdue;
The little band that stood on the land, into the hundreds grew.

Every Sunday, from far and near, visitors come two by two.
At invitation time, you will find sinners who say, “I do”.

Hundreds surrendered to serve at home, and some across the blue.
The question is, would you respond, “Here I am”, if He called you?

Miracles persist at Open Door, as we stay faithful and true.
Windows of heaven remain open, on Forty-Fourth Avenue.