A Whole Lotta Shaking

The world around us is shaking. Our world continues to be unstable and uncertain. We have been shook up in the last couple of years. I believe there have been multiple dynamics at play.

1.Humanity’s Sin

2. Creation’s Groan

3. Satan’s Rage

4. God’s Shaking

We know that sinful choices of others and ourselves often bring pain and brokenness in the world. Romans 8 tells us that all of creation is groaning in desire for the full revealing of God’s children at the return of Christ. The creation longs to be set free from the bondage to decay in the world.

The enemy too is hard at work, raging throughout the earth to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan knows he is defeated but still seeks to do as much destruction as possible until the end. He is dangerous but defeated.

God is shaking the earth. Scripture tells us that God shake the nations so we can understand what is truly unshakable. Hebrews 12:26-29 says,

“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

The words “once more,” indicate the removing of what can be shaken (the created things) so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

We have all seen and felt these dynamics at play through Covid, racial unrest, civil unrest, political division and polarization ect,.. We have also witnessed many cracks and flaws in what we thought were the strong foundations of this world – our fundamental freedoms, our churches.

God will not let His people in the church off the hook. I believe He is seeking to bring purity and holiness to His people. He is cleansing the church. So, that the new generations do not fade away.

Yes, God is shaking earth and heaven to bring forth a people who truly live and believe in a unshakable Kingdom. In the years to come we will find out those who are able in stand God’s shaking.

Bible Verse Psalm 14

“The Lord looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who understood, who sought after God. They have all gone aside. They have together become corrupt. There is no one who does good, no, not one.“ Psalm 14:2-3

December is the darkest month of the year. ( not trying to be spiritual) this is when we are farthest from the sun. Days are shorter and nights are longer. God chose that month for us to celebrate Jesus as “the light of the world” who came to bring God’s light and life into our darkest hours. Don’t think of this as spiritual.

Psalm 14 tells us “God is looking for one to do good and understand God. How about being that one? Psalm 14 encourages all of us to be useful to God to bring His light and hope to the world.

And if you are paying attention, then you know this world needs it more than ever,

“Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call on the Lord? There they are in great fear. For God is with the generation of the righteous. You shame the counsel of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge.” Psalm 14:4-6

God reminds us that there are always “bad people” who take advantage of others…He then points out that their sin is the result of “not calling on the Lord.” It is time for us (we who do call on the Lord) to answer His call to us and be part of His bringing His light and comfort to the hurting world.

God is our refuge.

“There they are in great dread, for God is with the righteous generation. You would put to shame the counsel of the afflicted, but the Lord is his refuge. The righteous face troubles of all sorts, but they remember that God is with them. And cannot put to shame their protection, because it is the Lord Himself.

God continues to contrast the world with His followers; “they are in great fear” (anxiety and stress are at unprecedented levels in our country) while God is “with the righteous” providing peace and joy. We should help comfort those who need encouragement.

“Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion. When the Lord restores the fortunes of His people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Isreal shall be glad.” Psalm 14:7

“Salvation coming from Zion“ is someone from among God’s own people bringing the help and hope needed to “save the world.” God is looking for “one to get it right”… Not to save the whole world. But to do one good thing for one person in need.

In A World Without God

Without God men would be killing others simply be of the color of their skin. In a world without God, we would have no regard for the lives of babies, and care more about ourselves than anything and anyone.

In a world without God, there would be no difference between men and women, and we would reward bad behavior merely to advance the agenda of Satan.

In a world without God light would no longer exist. The sanctity of christianity that this country was build on would no longer exist. In a world without God non-believers would use the words of God against us in an effort to silence our faith.

Without God, even if human life could be meaningful within the frame of the universe m it would be ultimately meaningless because the universe itself would become pointless.

Without God both man and the universe are inevitably doomed to death. Whether it comes sooner or later, the prospect of death and the threat of non-being is a terrible horror.

Without God there is no escape. There is no hope.

Did Satan Have Free Will?

Free will is the ability to make a choice, it makes us accountable for our actions, what we speak, and what we think. Free real divide the action that we have no justification to you in the action that we do have.

Our wrongdoings are because we have a choice to do so, and our good deeds are also because of our free will to choose. God requires our love for Him to be a choice so He created us will freewill to either choose to life for Him or not.

As humans, we were given free will, as stated in John 7:17, “ Anyone who chooses to do the will of God, will find out whether my teaching comes from God, or whether I speak on my own.”

However, God establishes our steps so that we choose the path of good. This is particularly mentioned in Proverbs 16:9, as stated, “ in their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Despite the fact that God establishes our path, we are still given the free will to choose which path we want.

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, thank youse for yourself, this day, whom you will serve, whether the gods of your ancestors served, be on Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

Angels, just like us, have free will as well. They, too, are God’s creation and they are spiritual beings. Just like any creation of God, they worship Him, have emotions, and are intelligent beings. In Luke 2:13-14, we can read of angels exalting God.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God, in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. (Luke 2:13)

Satan Chose The Path Of Pride

There are two kinds of angels, the fallen, and the holy angels. In Revelation 12:7-9, the fall of the rebellious angels is described:

“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels thought against the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth and his angels with him.

In this verse, we read that Satan was hurled to earth together with other rebellious angels. The reason for this is because he became full of pride, and wanted to be like God.

He rebelled and was cashed out of Heaven. This act of Satan tells us that he had free will, and so he chose the path of pride which brought him to his doom.

Satan’s free will and delusional dreams to be higher than God is documented in Isaiah 14:13-14.

you said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I was sit on the mountain of assembly in the far north! I will ascend about the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!”

He will become more than God’s own creation, and despite God’s guidance, he still chose not to follow him.

Satan Chose To Influence Darkness

Apart from not knowing God’s path, satan decided to influence his fellow angels to follow him and choose darkness, He could do this because he add free will, and so did his fallen angels.

“For God did not spare angels when they sinNed, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment…if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on judgment day. This is especially true for those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. (2 Peter 2:4-10).

Since they had the option to sin, they chose to follow Satan’s influence, and therefore suffered his same fate.

So, what can we learn from Satan’s free will, and his choice of the wrong path? It tells us that while we have free will and the will to decide our own paths – if we choose the wrong path and lead ourselves in the dark direction, we will fake from grace and experience our ultimate demise,as it is stated in 2 Corinthians 11:3.

“But I’m afraid just as Eve was deceived by the serpent cunning, remind me, somehow, we let astray from the sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Satan, because of his free will, will always try his best to influence us to its side. But our Lord and Savior are more powerful than Satan. The mere words of Jesus will rebuke Satan in an instant, as stated in Mark 8:33.

“But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. Get behind me, Satan! He said. You do not have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men.”

God has already given Jesus to us so that we may be guided on what we can do. For this reason, we have to follow Jesus and be like Him so that, despite having our own free will, I will choose Christ.

Satan, had free will, as he still does today. He chose pride over eternal paradise by aiming to be like God the Father and he chose to influence his angels to go to the bad side, rather than staying in eternal paradise with God.

Satan’s free will is something we should be careful of, but we should not be afraid of him. The reason for this is because Jesus is with us, and we can easily rebuke Satan because of our Savior Jesus Christ. (we do this yourself Jesus did in the 40 days in the desert-quoting scripture.

Bible Verse Psalm 13

Psalm 13: To stay in faith and end discouragement from long battles.

“ How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? Psalm 13:1

God does not ‘forget’ us or ‘hide from us,’ but He knows sometimes we feel like He does. We must learn to ‘walk in faith.’ In these times and how to receive God’s grace to carry us through them.

If you feel like God has forgotten or is hiding from you. You should pray and meditate on this Psalm.

The key verse for Psalm 13 is “I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart so rejoice in Your salvation. This is a faith declaration.

“ how long shall I keep council in my soul, having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1-2

When you ‘listen to your soul’ your feelings and emotions bring ‘sorrow’ and discouragement. This undermines your faith, and gives the enemy the advantage.

“ Consider an hear me, O Lord, my God; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.” Psalm 13:3

Praying for a revelation from God is the prayer that restores and strengthens your faith and keeps your “soul” (heart and emotions) full of Gods “light.” His peace, joy, and encouragement in the middle of the trial.

“But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.” Psalm 13:5

We need to keep praying this verse “I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation” to stay in faith a sin position to receive God’s grace for every battle.

“I will sing unto Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:6

As usual with God; prayer and praise with the forms are His way to keep us in faith and relationship with Him. Enables us to receive the blessing and promises He offers.

Bible Verse Psalm 12

Psalm 12

A call to God’s people to righteousness to His Word.

“ help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men, they speak idly everyone with his neighbor, with flattering lips, and a double heart, they speak.” Psalm 12:1-2

God contrasts ‘the godly‘ with ‘the faithful ‘ by the words they speak. We need to pray to learn how to ‘guard the words of our mouths.’ This enables us to receive God’s grace for any, and every situation we will face.

“The Lord, so cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things: Who have said, With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” Psalm 12:3-4

We should ask God to deal with wrong attitudes expressed in wrong words. God calls us to do this, and it is necessary ‘to receive’ the grace Gods offering now, to teach us to guard our words.

“For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise, says the Lord; I will set him in safety for which he yearns.” Psalm 12:5

Being careful with our words is fundamental for prayer and faith, which brings God and His power for deliverance and protection when we cry out to Him.

“The word of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” Psalm 12:6

God constantly directs us to His Word, the Holy Bible, for inspiration and the basis for the word that we speak. We should pray and meditate on this truth to establish ourselves in the right attitude to God’s Word.

“You will keep them, Lord, You will preserve them from this generation forever.” Psalm 12:7

We should learn to ‘guard our words‘ with a faith declaration. Keep the promise in the context of all God has said through these scriptures.

Proverbs 18:21 tells us

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Start expecting “the fruit.”of speaking by the grace of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Grumbling And Complaining

Do you talk like an atheist? One who spreads evil reports almost denies the existence of God. I read this many years ago. I thought to myself ‘I have complained my whole life. Complaining drags us deep into a muddy pit.

It’s like the account of the Israelites and the giant cluster of grapes. The grapes should have encouraged the Israelites that the land was full of bounty, just as God promised. However, they interpreted the huge grapes differently. They used them as evidence that the land was inhabited by unconquerable giants. “What would expect from the vineyards of giants. Isn’t it strange how two people can look at the same thing -such as a cluster of grapes and come to two opposite conclusions? To Joshua and Caleb, the giant grapes were a good thing. To the Israelites the giant grapes were a sign of despair.

God said He heard the grumbling and the complaints of the children of Israel. He hears our complaints also. The sin of grumbling is related to the sin of gossip. Both are forms of evil speech, both result from a critical sprit,

I have a friend, that constantly complains and grumbles. Her life is in shambles because of it. Everyone around her is starting to avoid her. I have to say, When I see her name come up on my phone, I feel dread. I used to be able to get there thinking of the good things in her life. But, now she doesn’t even hear it. She doesn’t understand why all her friends avoid her.

She’s like a cranky five-year old, who you take to the zoo, they see the lions, but is sulking because you didn’t by the Candy they wanted. You take them to see the zebras, but they are angry because they have to hold your hand in the large crowd. You take them to see the monkeys, but they are having a fit because they wanted French fries. You buy them French fried but the complain that they were soggy. At the end of the day, they did not see the lions, zebras, or monkeys. They have had a miserable day and so have you. The child transformed what could have been a wonderful day into a horrible day for no good reason.

It’s easy to look at a situation like that and realize how foolish and unruly the child is being, it’s harder to realize that our own complaints, and grumbling are just as petty. Adults are usually sophisticated enough to disguise their childish tantrums and inner discontentment. We disguise them as serious adult issues, concerns, and complaints. But on closer investigation, many of those issues tend to be no more than sulking over soggy French fries. But it’s not a zoo, it’s our life.

If you spend it fussing and sulking, you will never enjoy the good things that God is continually doing for you. And you will never notice any of them.

I spent 20 years, complaining and grumbling. And definitely not seeing the good God was doing in my life. I was hurt, depressed, and angry, and I’m sure not very happy to be around. I was definitely like “the atheist.”

The Bible teaches that God hears all of our complaints and negatively. The Bible teachers in Israel compare the complainer to the atheist because they have no faith in the goodness of God.

What are some good things you have that God has laid before you?

God has been good to me, I have everything I need; Shelter, food, a car to drive, clothes to wear, a wonderful husband and 2 beautiful children. And many more if I think about it.

Yes, there will be times when we feel discouraged, disappointed, angry, or sad, but we have to learn to respond on the truth of God’s Word, and not allow our feelings/emotions to rule/lead us.

Is it going to be easy to not complain? No, it can be difficult at times. Life is hard and challenging. With the Lords help we can see victory over complaining in life’s situations.

Revelation 9 Notes From Bible Study

Revelation 9

Verse 1-3 describes the first two woes. The trumpets 5 and 6.

The fifth trumpet brings a 5-month period of torment on the unbelievers of the earth. The ‘stat’ is either a angel of God (compare to verses 1:20 and 20:1) or Satan, the one who has authority over the pit.

The bottomless pit is the Abyss – the abode of evil spirits (demons).

The key represents authority. The smoke from the pit indicates fires below.

The locusts like creatures come out of the smoke. They are not literal locusts is indicated. In The Old Testament locusts are symbolic of destruction.

Considering the identity of their king and the Abyss from which they came.

These locusts probably represent demons. They are like scorpions- they can hurt people.

In the first 13 verses, John employs the image of a pit seven times to describe hell. Each pit being associated with demons, it is also associated with the unsaved. (Romans 10:7).

This image of hell may imply to darkness and imprisonment since pits were often used as prison in ancient times. Obviously the pit appears to be a place of torment and suffering.

Many have trouble believing God could ever make a hell, remember it was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Those who go to hell, are in essence choosing to spend eternity with Satan rather than with Christ.

In Revelation 9:1 and the 5th angel sounded, and John saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit

Revelation is hard to understand because John described things from the time he was alive. Not the way we see and know things.

We know that Jesus holds the key to the bottomless pit (hell) He took the key away from Satan when He was there, and went and preached.

Bottomless put literally means pit of the abyss. Mentioned seven times in Revelation.

It always refers to the prison where some of the demonic hordes are incarcerated, the place of severe torment and isolation.

Many people believe that satan reigns in some kind of kingdom in hell.

In Revelation 9:2 it says that he opened the bottomless pit and that smoke that arose from it was as a great furnace and the sun and air were darkened by this smoke. Some say it the great volcanoes erupting. And many natural disasters. From a spiritual standpoint this could be a time when people’s minds are darkened with false doctrines and evil thoughts.

God commanded Satan to carry out the punishment here. This covers the spiritual and the physical. God gave Satan back the keys so that he could continue to carry out this punishment.

Satan had the permission of God to afflict Job. The Bible says that Satan only comes to steal kill and destroy. (John 10:10, Luke 22:31,1 Peter 5:8).

The Abyss is the home of Satan and the demons. When Satan opens the Abyss, here come the demons in force to deceive and destroy. They had such a vicious nature that God had to bind them to keep the human race from being annihilated before the appointed time, but now the restraints are off.

And out of the smoke came forth locusts (demons). Upon the earth, and power was given to them. They were to,d not to hurt and grass of the earth or any green thing, or any tree. But only the people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

The demons have a king over them. (A angel of the bottomless pit -Satan). Whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek Apollyon- both names mean destruction or destroyer.

This is the one who seems to send the plagues that God sends to the followers of the Antichrist to hinder them from proselytizing among the uncommitted of the world.

It gives the tribulation saints some time to prepare themselves for the horrors of the soon to come Great Tribulation.

There will be a flood of false doctrine and defaming of the Lord. It will be a kind of religion of the flesh which is going on today.

After the true believers of God are raptured. There will be no light on earth. Satan will have control over the earth and what ever or who ever is left behind.

This part of the tribulation whether physical pain or torment from fall out causing sores and torture there is terrible suffering that is brought on by constant attacks from Satan for 5 months.

It is thought to be as Hiroshima, those who survived the bomb, wished they were dead. Great sores and deformities and torment beyond our comprehension took place. In many cases, it took 5 months to die. A terrible burn would have the pain of a scorpion’s sting.

Revelation 9:6 says, “And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. Their torment will find no relief. Even their unimaginable attempts to end their misery in suicide will be unsuccessful.

This is just the first of the three woes

Bible Verse Psalm 11

Psalm 11

Strengthening Our Foundation With God.

“In theLord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, ‘flee as a bird to your mountain?’ For look! The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the strings, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:1-3

God is telling us that thought we want to “Flee as a bird…when the wicked bend their bow” (the enemy attacks us) God has a different plan

Through this Psalm we will learn how to “pass tests” from God that are intended to refine us and give us a stronger foundation of faith and trust in the Lord.

With every attack that comes against us, Satan hopes to destroy our faith in God. God uses these attacks to strengthen and increase our faith. By praying this Psalm we can be trained by the Holy Sprit through God’s refining process. (known as Sanctification).

“The Lord is in His Holy Temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examines them. The Lord Examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. Psalm 11:4-5

God is clear… He hates ungodliness and will “test” (refine) His children to cleanse us from it. The refining process works to train us to “walk in righteousness .” In the place where God can bless and protect us from the enemies attacks.

“Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.” Psalm 11:6

God teaches us that “the wages of sin is death.” (Spiritual death). We have righteousness in our spirit through faith in Jesus and the cross, but it is in the process of “testing and trials” that righteousness is established in our soul and body,

When we have “tests and trials“ we need to pray and accept what God wants to do in each of us and in His body (the church). We are in the greatest season of refining (sanctification) in the history of the church and we time to be trained by it.

“For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men (and women) will see His face.” Psalm 11:7

The goal of the Lord’s testing/refining is righteousness in us… Spirit, soul, and body. The fruit (the growth) of this is a deeper relationship with God and walking continually in His blessing, provision, and protection.