The Daily Scroll - Watch For The Surprise

 I remember when my wife was pregnant with our daughter. All preparations were made. We had made a beautiful nursery, painted the walls, bought the furniture, and the supplies and decorations. We were ready. Actually, we were standing in the nursery admiring our handiwork when suddenly my wife said that her water had broken and then labor pains began. Off to the hospital we went. 

I don’t know how many times I have read and heard preached the following scripture, but today there’s a new meaning for me. The Bible reads,

“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.“ (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3)

The Lord will come as suddenly as a woman’s labor pains begin. However even though surprised, she knows that her labor pains could come at any time, any moment, because she knows that she is at the end of her pregnancy! Likewise, although it will be a surprise when the Lord comes, we know by all the signs that His coming is imminent, even at the door. So please be ready.

The Daily Scroll - Going Home

 I had a dream, a vision concerning going home. To Heaven. This is what fellowship in the Spirit is all about. Experiencing God in the heavenly realms, in the spiritual realms, in prayer. Being a Christian is so much more than following rules. But following Christ. Being with Him in the Spirit. The first thing about going home is the presence of the Lord, being with Him, with Them. The time is soon when all believers will experience this. How will this happen you ask? Here is what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church:

“We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.“ (I Thessalonians 4:15-18)

The Daily Scroll - No Earthly Good

There is an old saying that is insulting and negative towards some spiritual Christians. It says “ He’s so heavenly minded that he’s no earthly good.” In my youth I was a little wary of someone like that, and I assumed it meant that they were lazy, shiftless, and didn’t want to work. There are people that are like that but I submit that the true spiritual Christian is anything but that. 

Once one receives the revelation of who they are in Christ, an amazing world opens up with an incredible future spent with the Lord and ultimately in Heaven with Him and loved ones. But instead of a negative life it makes one motivated to lead others to the Lord and to Heaven. The alternative (Hell) is unthinkable. So many become hard workers in the Church. We should embrace that spiritual life that Christ has provided for us. The Bible teaches us to do our earthly work with diligence, “as unto the Lord.”

It reads,  “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

The Daily Scroll - Brought to Life

 When I was in the US Air Force many years ago, I was trained as a medic. I could have been sent to Vietnam as I was trained in treating combat wounds, among others. I also learned resuscitation when someone has stopped breathing. Life can be brought back with chest compressions and mouth to mouth breathing. 

The Bible teaches us that we all were dead in our sin, with a sinful nature that doomed us to a devils’ hell. But God the Father did an incredible act of mercy. He sacrificed His only begotten Son on a rugged cross and counted that price sufficient, no, more than sufficient, to pay for our sin. He made us, in our sin, to die on that cross in Christ. So we also were dead, placed in a borrowed grave in Christ. Then hallelujah! When he raised Christ to life, He raised us in Christ as well. We were brought back to life without chest compressions, but with the sovereign act of God our Father. 

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.“ (Colossians 2:12-14)

All we have to do is accept what Jesus did on the cross for us, repent, and we’re forgiven and made alive in Christ to live forever! If you haven’t done it, or not sure, then simply talk to Him now. Be alive, in Jesus name.

The Daily Scroll - Reconciled

Two women ran into each other in the produce department of the grocery store. They had been childhood friends but had become enemies when they both fell for the same boy in high school. The rivalry ruined their friendship and they never spoke again until this moment. Cautiously at first, they greeted, then began to open up to each other. They quickly discovered that neither one ended up with that boy, and were glad about it. They also discovered that they only lived four blocks from each other for all these years. 

By the time they picked out their produce, they were reconciled and had renewed their friendship. Reconciled. What a wonderful word. The two women did it in a grocery store through a chance meeting and a conversation. Other reconciliations are more difficult. Imagine the vast void between God and man after the fall of Adam and Eve. Generations of being apart and out of true fellowship with our Creator, the one who loves us more than anyone. 

Reconciliation in this case seemed impossible. We needed a miracle, we needed something that we could not provide. We needed a Savior. So when the fullness of time had come, God, our Father, provided a solution. He sacrificed His only begotten Son, Lord Jesus, to take our punishment, our place on the cross, in order to reconcile us back to our Heavenly Father. 

The Bible reads, “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. this includes you who were once far away from God.“ (Colossians 1:19-21)

Accept Him. We are reconciled!

The Daily Scroll - Full of Joy

One hundred thirty years ago in the old west in America, and old man pulled his buckboard to a dusty stop outside the community church. He carefully stepped down and tied the reins to a post, patting his horse as he walked back to his seat. He carefully lifted an old weather worn Bible from the seat, carefully tucked it under his arm and headed inside. 

The Padre met him at the door and greeted him, “Lucas, he said, good to see you. Did the sun come up on your ranch today.” And chuckled. “Yes sir. Said Lucas. Like I’ve told you before, when the sun comes up on my ranch I know it’s going to be a happy day. A small group gathered to listen.

“How do you know it’ll be happy?” Asked the Padre. Listen here, said Lucas, I was a cowboy back in the day and I faced rustlers, floods, tornados, fire, and freezing icy snow. I took a wife, lost a son, became a widower, and been alone. Not to mention broken bones, disease, and weakness in my body. But the day I walked in that door, and bent my knees to God, the pain of it all disappeared. For Jesus came in to this old cowboy, and with Him came joy, peace, hope, and love like I’ve never known. So every day that sun comes up, is a day to rejoice!

“Then he opened up his ragged, well read Bible, and showed the Padre the following: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

The Daily Scroll - Wait For It…

I was watching a video on social media and the caption read “Wait for it.” So after two or three seconds a prank was pulled on the person in the video. It was all in fun and everyone laughed. But in todays world, millions of Christians from everywhere are going about their daily lives and at the same time cast an eye upward as they “wait for it.” Wait for what? A joke? A prank? No. We are awaiting the rapture of the Church of the living God. 

According to the Bible, the signs that Lord Jesus foretold are happening. We don’t know the day or the hour, but we know the season and we are in it. According to His word in scripture the signs are here and He is at the door. Please, please if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, talk to Him today…now, for time is short. This could be my last post for you. I hope to meet you in heaven. The Apostle Paul wrote the following:

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Become one of His and wait for it.

The Daily Scroll - Grandmother’s Secret

 Charlie loved his Grandmother. She practically raised him from a boy. He loved spending time with her because she had something going on all the time. From cooking meals to share with poor families, to gathering clothes for the clothing closet at church, and the many times that she would be on her knees in prayer for someone else. As Charlie stands at her casket looking down on her, so many memories flood his mind. He asked himself, “What made Grandmother such a good Christian? What was her secret?”

Later, back at her house, he sat in her chair while the family and visitors milled around, ate, and shared stories about her life. He thought, “What made her so beloved?” He glanced over at her side table and laying open behind the lamp was her Bible. Picking it up, he noticed a highlighted portion of scripture. As he read it, it was as though Grandmother was there answering his question. 

It read, “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:1-3)

Charlie leaned back and sighed, “Grandmother, you always come through.” Thank you for your secret.

The Daily Scroll - Intimidating Joy

 There was a soldier in a fierce battle. He was laying in a shallow ditch trying not to be seen by the enemy which had surrounded him and the other troops. He thought to himself, “This is it. I’m about to die. He could hear the death screams of his fellow soldiers as they were overrun by the enemy. He could tell by the screams which of his fellow soldiers were dying, one by one. 

He scratched the dirt below him to sink in as deep as he could to become hidden and safe, knowing he could be next. When all seemed lost he remembered the sermon his chaplain gave them last week about the joy of the Lord. Suddenly peace flooded his soul and fear left him. Then he heard footsteps and an enemy soldier stepped right over him. He then stopped, turned around, and pointed his rifle at his chest. But he didn’t shoot. Instead he took the point of his bayonet and lifted a tiny cross that was around the soldiers’ neck. Believing he was bout to die, he closed his eyes and smiled, ready to meet the Lord.

To his surprise he felt himself being lifted up by the arms. He was slapped, kicked, and spat upon, but not killed. The enemy bound him and dragged him off to a prison camp where he spent the next 48 days until the camp was overwhelmed by his forces and he was rescued. The only survivor of his patrol, he was asked how he survived. He said, “All I know is that when it looked the worse, I gave myself, my life, to Christ and prepared to meet Him with a smile on my face. My suffering could not compare to His, and yet I felt Him struggle together with me!

The Bible says, “Don’t  be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.” (Philippians 1:28-30)

The Daily Scroll - Peace To You

“Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.“ (Ephesians 6:23-24)

The Daily Scroll - Lightening Speed

 I read today that the US stock market is becoming unfair to the average investor due to the lightning speed in which computers can analyze market conditions and make trades. Technology has done what the Bible predicted, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4)

Have you ever seen a video of city traffic at night, sped up, so that the headlights are speeding fast? That is a perfect of picture of many running to ad fro. People moving at breakneck speed in two different directions at the same time. To and fro, to and fro. And knowledge increased? Civilization has developed to an incredible height. They had the Tower of Babel, we put men on the moon and are audaciously working toward Mars. What? 

Knowledge is increasing by the millisecond. Yes, we are living in those last days at the end as predicted in the Bible. But in the midst of many running to and fro with increased knowledge, something quite unexpected is happening…

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17)

Through the Holy Spirit the children of God are now running to and fro between earth and heaven. We can pray and instantly bow before Father God on His throne in heaven. We can stand in the heavenly Temple of God in heaven. A temple not made with human hands, and intercede with Lord Jesus on behalf of the Prayers of the Saints. And most incredibly, not only do we move between heaven and earth instantly (in the Spirit), so does Lord Jesus and Father move instantly between heaven and earth to us, in us, through us, and for us. 

Never in History have so many children of God received the gift of prophesy, and dreamed into the realm of God. Spiritual knowledge has been increased even more so than earthly knowledge. Again, more actually evidence that these are the last days of earth as we know it. Christ shall soon gather His people and will then return to set up His kingdom on earth. Satan will be vanquished and Jesus Christ will have rightful dominion on the earth. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords!

The Daily Scroll - Don’t Do It

 Have you ever began something and a small voice within you says, “Don’t do it,” but even though you may have hesitated, you went ahead anyway? Why do we do that? That small voice within you is the Holy Spirit speaking through your conscience warning you, guiding you. Later when we pay the penalty for our actions, we get it. Remorse and regret sets in. We cry, please create in me a new heart. Help me not to sin against you oh God. 

The Bible says, “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.“ (Ephesians 4:30)

The grace and mercy of God, the safe harbor of Lord Jesus, and the precious fellowship of the Holy Spirit, are gifts beyond compare. We didn’t earn them. We didn’t deserve them. We can’t even explain them. And yet there they are, with love and forgiveness. So don’t do it. 

The Daily Scroll - Signs

 The Bible speaks of signs and wonders in the heavens, and yes we have been able to see some fantastic sights, with modern technology. Yet my mind goes back to my great grandfather Charles Prince, a minister who helped establish many churches in the Church Of God a hundred years ago. I can see him sitting in his rocking chair, late in life, with his big Bible laid across his lap studying the book of Revelation. (I actually own that Bible. His daughter, my grandmother gave that to me, I believe in 1977). Anyway, he had no modern technology, no internet, nothing but that Bible. Oh and the Holy Ghost to guide him. He managed to preach the truth about the end times and things he had no way of understanding. Such as how the whole world will see Jesus coming in the clouds. He had no idea that one day we’d have satellite technology and the internet, yet he believed.

So my friends I submit to you the following: Beware of teachers and self proclaimed prophets who say this and that and this means that, etc. I know that many such people are sincere, but most are sincerely wrong. Epically if a date is given. Jesus showed us that nobody knows the day or hour of His coming, not even him. He did say that we would know the season, an I believe that history and world events are showing us that we are definitely in that season of the last days. The rapture of the church could take place today but I’ll not quit anything because of that belief. We must endure to the end. Have faith, prepare and look for His return, but don’t chase leads to date it. You’ll never get it right. 

“Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.“ (Matthew 16:14)

And what is that sign of the prophet Jonah?

“Master, we would see a sign from thee” (Matthew 12:38). Upon their request for a sign, Jesus referred explicitly to the prophet Jonah: “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39–40).

The great sign is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Isn’t that all that really matters? That sign has happened and so we have Jesus living within us. We’re ready. Come Lord Jesus.

The Daily Scroll - Go Deep

 Bill was a devoted Christian for many years, but he had struggles. With his wife gone now more than ten years, Bill struggled with impure thoughts about other women, especially those on the internet. As time went by he was obsessed because access was free and private. He could be brother Bill at church but in the privacy of his home he struggled with his thoughts and desires. 

There came a time when he had enough. In desperation he cried out to God. “Help me! I do not want to sin against you! I want to be a faithful son. But I am so lonely and weakened to my desires. Forgive me and help me please!”

Father replied, “Dear son. You are tempted and tried with such that is common to man. I see your struggle and I know your heart. As your struggle is deep within you, so you must overcome deep within you…with my Word. Go deep into my word and let it permeate you to the point of sanctifying your deepest desires.”

And so he did, and God did.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.“ (Psalm 139:23-24)

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

The Daily Scroll - Unity in Prison

 I remember attending a national missionary conference some years back, and one speaker spoke about unity. He said, “On the mission field, when an Orthodox Greek missionary, and a Baptist, a Pentecostal, and a Methodist missionary all end up in prison together for preaching the Gospel, there are no different denominations. They are all in trouble and all servants of Christ. They help and encourage one another. They work together and sometimes die together. 

We see the same unity in major disasters. One denomination shares its church building with another denomination while it rebuilds. It’s not a competition of spirituality, membership, or teachings. This is not new. Even in the early church there were rivalries. Listen, this is wrong. Time is short. Jesus is coming. Let’s be Christlike in these final days. The Bible the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus the following.

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.“ (Ephesians 4:2-6)

The Daily Scroll - Hot Spots

 National news organizations cover the happenings in Hot spots around the world. These are usually places of civil unrest, wars, natural disasters and so forth. We are all too familiar with these hot spots. But there are other hot spots that the news does not cover thoroughly.

These are spiritual hot spots. Around the world Christian’s are preparing for the return of Jesus Christ. Revival and renewals are breaking out around the world. People are coming to Christ in stadium hot spots in various places. Miraculous physical healing are happening, healing from drug addiction, various handicaps, mental trauma, and the list goes on and on. 

When these hot spots of God’s presence flare up, people come in droves to experience it. Lately spontaneous revivals have flared up in colleges and universities around America and the world. The traditional news barely covers them . Nevertheless they are there and happening. Hot spots are not just huge happenings. Local churches are flaring up with the hot presence of God. Look for it and when you see one, become part of it. 

The Daily Scroll - The Wave

 I remember growing up in Virginia Beach Virginia, USA. I loved wading out into the ocean and riding the waves back to the shore. I could do it all day. But occasionally a big wave would catch me off guard and slam me into the sand, turning me upside down and every which a way. Ha. That would cause me to be more observant and cautious. 

As I aged and began to serve the Lord Jesus it seemed that the enemy of my soul, that ole devil, would try me, tempt me, and do his best to catch me off guard. Just like playing in the ocean, playing with sin can be fun, and even exhilarating, but when you least expect it you’ll get hit with that big wave (consequences) that will smash you to the floor, turning you upside down and every which a way. You’ll end up hurt or even destroyed. 

I have also learned that the enemy will sometimes send in that wave when you are living holy with your God. The difference is that when you’re doing your best to live right and serve God, you have protection against destruction. When you are born again and living in Christ, the enemy has to go through Christ to get to you. And believe me I’ve been there, and the terror of the wave is blocked as God raises a wall of protection around you. The Bible calls it a standard. So be encouraged.

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.“ (Isaiah 59:19)

The Daily Scroll - Trust Him

 Have you ever heard a minister say “Trust Christ”? You may ask how can I trust someone that I do not know? We’ll then, get to know Him. How? First of all, simply start by reading the New Testament of the Bible. And I recommend starting with the gospel of John. Then read all the other Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. You will learn first hand who He is. Then ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart. He will.

I know myself, as a twelve year old boy when I did that, I didn’t understand at first what I was doing, but afterward I realized that something had changed. Through the years as I studied the Bible and attended church, our relationship developed and what happened to me is best described by the Apostle Paul in the following scripture.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)

It happened for me, and millions of others, and it can happen for you. Trust me. Now trust Him.