One day you will stand

One day you will stand
before the throne
in the presence of God.
Like the burning bush,
like the pillar of fire,
you will experience Him.

His Glory, pure white
and more piercing than the sun,
sees every thought,
every action,
each experience.

Will you try to run away?
Will you drop in fear and trembling?
Will you melt like wax?

In front of you,
behind you,
to your sides
you see God’s Law.

There is no hiding from it.
There was never any hiding from it.

The story of your life flashes
on jeweled walls
carved with His Law,
awaiting a significant act.

Scenes of childhood, adulthood,
school, jobs,
relationships, religious life,
play out upon the walls,
awaiting that significant act.

That significant act.

Deep and continuous repentance.
Forever humbling yourself as a little child.
Turning from your past.
Dying to sin and self
in the Living Waters and the Holy Fire of Baptism.
Born again as a New Creature in Christ.
Forever seeking HIM, feasting on HIS WORDS.
Loving and living HIS TRUTH.

Is it well with your soul?

By Patricia Ragan

Is there a drought of the Word of the Lord? Where is the powerful preaching that comes from a deeply rooted knowledge of Christ, and the expounding of truth, the words we need to hear? Where are the powerful sermons that make a person examine their souls? Where are the sermons that strike fear in the heart of the unregenerate church attendee? Where are the sermons that make us yearn to hear more, that make us yearn to make God’s Word our constant companion? Where are the sermons that make us cling to the Rod of Iron because our lives depend upon it? Where is the evidence of daily feasting on the Words of Christ?

I have questioned priesthood and others about their experiences with Christ: Many of them declare, “I’m a sixth generation Restoration Saint,” or “I was born and raised in the church.” I ask them, “Have you had an experience with Christ? Is He your Lord and Savior?” These people look at me as though a “tree had sprouted out of my head.”

I continue to ask: “Did you have an experience like Nephi, like Paul, like either of the Almas, like Enos, like the Brother of Jared?” They look at me nervously.

“These were special people—prophets or apostles,” is their reply.

So I continue to ask: Did you have an experience like the prostitute at Jesus feet, or the woman with the issue of blood, or the woman at the well?

The answer: “These are people with a direct encounter with Christ. We don’t have that available today.”

So I ask again, “What about Cornelius, or the Ethiopian eunuch, or Namaan, or…”

“Stop!” They say. They might add something like this: “My great-great-grandfather had an experience in which he saw a bright light shining on a group of saints at a baptism in the snow in Canada…”

Most are uncomfortable hearing these questions. They don’t want their belief threatened that they will be “grandfathered” into the kingdom. We were born alone, and all of us will face judgment alone—unless our Lord, Jesus Christ, is and has been, our Advocate.

How do we know that we are “true” Christians? We mock the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” We know that a few questions and a prayer at a Billy Graham crusade does not usually result in true discipleship. I quote from a sermon called “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” (http://www.livingwaters.com/helps/HellsBestKeptSecret.pdf ).

In 1991, in the first year of the decade of harvest, a major denomination in the U.S. was able to obtain 294,000 decisions for Christ. That is, in one year, this major denomination of 11,500 churches was able to obtain 294,000 decisions for Christ. Unfortunately, they could only find 14,000 in fellowship, which means they couldn’t account for 280,000 of their decisions, and this is normal, modern evangelical results…

Retained is 4.8%, the loss is 95.2%.

Were these people truly converted to Christ? Does the same thing happen in our branches? Have our members really been “born again”? We tend to stay away from that term, but Christ used it: [John 3:5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water, and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [John 3:6] That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. [John 3:7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Alma gives the same message. They knew about the New Covenant early on. He told the people: [Alma 5:24] Now I say unto you, that ye must repent, and be born again: for the Spirit saith, If ye are not born again, ye can not inherit the kingdom of heaven;

Nothing was required of us in our physical births. Our mothers performed the labor for us. In our Spiritual births our participation is demanded. We must come to the knowledge that we are sinners. We must become aware of our sin and repent. We must desire Christ. Jesus is what it’s all about. Coming unto him is shining a powerful light on our lives. It is seeing our sins for what they are. It is regretting them and asking forgiveness. Enos, like Jacob, son of Isaac, had a wrestle with God. In his own words he explains how his soul hungered and he cried unto the Lord until he got his answer:

And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins; Behold I went to hunt beasts in the forest; and the words which I had often heard my father speak, concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication, for mine own soul; And all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came, I did still raise my voice high, that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me saying, Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. And I said, Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me, because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away, before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole. [Enos 1:3-11]

This was not some passive experience. Crying out to the Lord can be exhausting work. Yes, work. It is by faith that we are forgiven. That is God’s job, but the repenting, the desire for Christ’s intervention in our lives, is up to us. Nor is it a one-time thing. The truly born-again Christian will keep his repentance current.

I don’t remember hearing about the Enos experience as a child. At the age of 8, I entered the Pre-Baptismal class. Most of what I learned was church history, church structure, and a couple of class periods about repentance, faith and baptism, including a detailed instruction on the actual baptism itself. I’ve spoken to many in my generation who had the same classes. None of us remember being taught about what part Christ had in the process. We were converted to a church, not a savior!

I was told stories of the Old and New Testaments. I read them myself, but I still had no concept of who Christ was. I had no idea why I needed him. Most of the children, as I was growing up, and into our teens, really had no idea why we needed Christ. As I remember church camp in Kansas City Stake, I remember that most of the conversation centered on social issues. I was sometimes criticized by my peers for taking the religion classes seriously. I had a problem. I wanted to know why I needed Christ, but there were no easy answers.

Where did the church “go wrong”? I believe that in the beginning, converts to the church were already truly converted to Christ. What they heard in the late 1820s and 1830s was not a new Gospel, but the complete Gospel. They came because they were led to it. They entered into the waters of baptism because they saw Christ in the Church.

This was an age when the Bible was read at home and taught in the schools. Children grew up with the realization that Christ was the center of the home. But somewhere along the line, that changed.

Paul says: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness (1 Cor. 1:23). The Jews were raised with the idea that there was ONE GOD. They knew God. They had a foundation. The Greeks, on the other hand, had many gods, one for every season, gender, age, etc. They even had one to spare, the unknown god, in case they had missed one. The idea of a Creator God, or a personal, ONE GOD was foolishness to them. The Jews expected a Messiah. The Greeks expected no such thing. None of their gods could be a savior to them. The God of the Jews was Holy. They sacrificed because it was traditional and because they reverenced HIM. The Greeks sacrificed because it was a party and because they feared death if they didn’t.

The Jews stumbled over the Cross-. They expected a Savior to save them from the Romans and to be their ruler according to the LAW. The traditions of the Law had become more important to them than God. They could not accept that God would come down and become a man, the sacrificial lamb, and die for them. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was able to reveal the message of a Risen Lord to the many Jews who, then, came to the understanding of the truth. For them it was an extension of everything they had been taught. There were many conversions.

Paul found that with the Greeks, this was not so. They had no conception of the truth. The Jewish God was foolishness to them. The early day missionaries had to begin at the beginning and tell them about the ONE GOD who created the Universe, who created them, and in His Mercy, took their place as the great sacrifice to Justice.

In the early 1800s, the people knew Christ. They willingly and joyously came to accept the complete Gospel. They were similar to the Jews, who knew the foundation of Christianity. Today’s society is more like the Greeks. Most families’ lives do not revolve around the Gospel. Most would say that Jesus is not relevant. Materialism has replaced most family altars.

How do we teach newcomers or those who are curious about our church? What is the first thing we tell them? Do we mention Christ? Do we teach Him crucified, and His saving Grace? For how many generations have we been teaching newcomers as though they had already accepted the gospel and as though they had already had the baptism of fire? For how many generations have we simply taught the “differences” between our church and Protestants, or between our church and the Mormons? What does our church have that others don’t? The Book of Mormon teaches Christ. To simply teach that we are different because we have the Book of Mormon is to forget Christ. HE is what it’s all about. None of the Christian converts during the “Apostolic age” had the Book of Mormon. They had Christ. They had the truth, which “got lost” over the years. The Book of Mormon completes that truth.

How do we know that we have been baptized by the Holy Spirit? At confirmation, did we feel the fire of the Holy Spirit? It’s a promise. Nephi fills in “something lost” from the Bible. But, yet, I think we “stumble” over it because we think it does not apply to us.

[2 Nephi 13:16] Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son with full purpose of heart,

This is a heart thing. The full purpose of our heart is to follow Jesus,

acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent.

A thorough housecleaning of our intentions is in order.

repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father, that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism;

We have the example of Enos’ wrestling before God. His repentance was very real.

What name are we to take upon us? The name of a church? No, the name of Christ.

yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word; behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost;

We receive the Holy Ghost in the waters of baptism.

[2 Nephi 13:17] Yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.


Notice that there is NOTHING said about “only some” will experience this baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. Also note that the baptism of fire is separate from the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Most are really uncomfortable about the next line: and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. Have you ever had the desire to shout out praises to God, but you were afraid of what others would think or say? Have you ever looked at a sunset and in the awe of the moment, thanked God for the beauty of it, or told Him what a Great God he is?


[2 Nephi 13:18] But behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying, After ye have (1) repented of your sins, and (2) witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water,(3) and have received the baptism of fire (4) and of the Holy Ghost, (5) and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this, should deny me, it would have been better for you, that ye had not known me.

How many people do we know who have experienced all these wonderful promises? Would our people be afraid to admit it, if they had?

[2 Nephi 13:19] And I heard a voice from the Father, saying, Yea, the words of my beloved, are true and faithful.

[2 Nephi 13:20] He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

Enduring. I’ve heard some say that this is akin to hanging on to a rod over an abyss.

[2 Nephi 14:3] And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels, save it were by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.

Nephi explains the tongue of angels. This is done by the power of the Holy Ghost. They speak the words of Christ.

[2 Nephi 14:4] Wherefore, I said unto you, Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

Here, Nephi tells us that if we feast upon Christ’s words, they will tell us what to do. Feasting on the precious Words of Christ, should be a JOY for us. Enduring should be a JOY for us. If we are feasting on His words, we know what we should do, and it’s not a white-knuckle hanging-on-to-a-rod over an abyss fearful thing.

[2 Nephi 14:5] Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye can not understand them, it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.

Those I have asked about these verses from Nephi 13 & 14 often say they do not understand them. Nephi explains that we don’t understand because we’re not asking or knocking. I dare say we are not feasting on Christ’s words, either.

[2 Nephi 14:6] For behold, again I say unto you, that if ye will enter in by the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will shew unto you all things what ye should do.

Again, understanding is available. Those who repent as in the example set by Enos enter in by the way, as Nephi describes, will have the Holy Ghost to guide them.

[2 Nephi 14:7] Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ; and there will be no more doctrine given, until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh.

[2 Nephi 14:8] And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you, shall ye observe to do.

Are the things that Christ, in the flesh, tells us to do, any different?

[2 Nephi 14:9] And now I, Nephi, can not say more: the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men: for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.

Nephi mourned for those who would read, but not SEARCH to understand the words he says in plainness.

After the calamity of the three days of darkness after the crucifixion, a voice was heard in the land. Christ spoke:

[3 Nephi 4:49] And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings; and ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

The old covenant was fulfilled in Christ’s shedding of blood, His sacrifice for our sin. He asks for a new sacrifice: a broken heart and a contrite spirit. This is accomplished by being humbled at the recognition of our sin and the comprehension of Christ’s suffering in our place at such great cost.

[3 Nephi 4:50] And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me, at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

With this broken-heartedness, and the contrite, humble and, perhaps, even grieving spirit, He baptizes us with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

[3 Nephi 4:51] Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin: therefore whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive; for of such is the kingdom of God.

This is the new covenant. This is the same doctrine that Nephi spoke of. Nephi, having seen Christ in vision, had experienced this life-altering event. Those who believed in his word would also come unto Christ.

I’ll admit it. These things did not occur at my baptism. It happened 20 years later, after I had an Enos struggle and had begun to search the scriptures. I saw the promises. I was hungry for Jesus. I could not get enough. And one night, it happened, as the result of a prayerful question. I was baptized by fire that I can only describe as such JOY that I feared I could not contain it. I was given powerful understanding of things that I cannot express in words. I praised God as I had never praised before. I cannot describe the intensity of the JOY I felt in praising HIM, in praising CHRIST.

[Titus 3:5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Coming unto Christ is a very powerful thing. It is SO powerful that what you are, when you come out of it on the other side, is a new creature. You are no longer the same person you were. Being born of the Spirit is a life-altering event. The sins you once loved, you now hate. Spiritual baptism means that you now have the Holy Spirit residing within you. You will have a new outlook. Many of the things that you did before will have become distasteful to you. As the Holy Spirit guides your life, you will notice things you never noticed before. Your spiritual eyes have been opened. As you read the scriptures certain passages will jump out at you in bold print. You will find meaning in verses you once thought dry. You will begin to weep as you read scriptures that seem to have been written just for you. Some verses will slow you down as you feast on their significance, on the new significance. You will read it over and over and over, gleaning all the flavor and substance from it. There will be so much rich meaning that you find yourself praising God for the words he has given to you. You will have a burning desire to read more. The scriptures will become your best friend. You will take them to bed with you and grab them when you wake up.

We should be hearing powerful Holy Spirit filled sermons from powerful Holy Spirit filled priesthood who know the Fire of the Holy Ghost. We should hold up 2 Nephi 13 & 14 as what to expect at our baptism. We need to hear from priesthood who know Christ intimately. We need to hear those who have experienced Christ first hand. We need to hearken to the words of Moroni:

And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized, save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it; neither did they receive any unto baptism, save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins. And none were received unto baptism, save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end. [Moroni 6:1-3]


DO YOU KNOW CHRIST? IS HE THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE?

The Church of True Believers

Some friends of mine keep in contact by email. We are not a church. We are people at various stages of spiritual learning trying to discuss what we see happening. Some of us are the walking wounded, having felt the fiery darts of Satan, as shot at us by other "saints." It is our goal to stick to the scriptures as our guide, and feast upon the words of Christ. If we are not wearing and using our Ephesians 6 armor, we are going to DIE, a spiritual death. I see us as picking up the wounded as we see them fall, and offering a safe haven. But we are all wounded. We have all been traumatized by what we have seen happen to our church.

Our church is splintering as was foretold. According to Revelation, the true church would have to flee into the wilderness. Nephi said that in the end there would be only two churches: One of Christ and the other of the devil. Jesus said, [Matthew 24:24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

This false church will have to be a mirror image of the true church, otherwise there is no way we could be deceived. If a false Christ waltzed into the Vatican, the elect would not be deceived. If the restoration is true, which I believe it is, then the false church--a unified and huge church--will have to look very much like the true one.

All this unity that man tries to arrange is a unity among people, and other churches, not a union with Christ. When we, as individuals, are one in Christ, then we will be one with others, who are also one in Christ. The reconciliation, that is often spoken of, is not some massive movement of churches asking forgiveness from other churches. It is an individual being reconciled to Christ. It's all about Jesus. It's all about falling in Love with the King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

I believe that God restored his church, but that it was weakened very early, and that much of what we have today is merely a structure of what it should have been. The following revelation and warning was given in 1834.

[Sec 100:2a] But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour, unto the counsel which I, the Lord, their God, shall give unto them.
[Sec 100:2b] Behold, they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour, and by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet; and the earth is given unto the saints, to possess it for ever and ever.
[Sec 100:2c] But inasmuch as they keep not my commandments, and hearken not to observe all my words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against them, for they were set to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men;
[Sec 100:2d] and inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost its savor, and is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.


It looks to me as though the world prevailed against the church, not the other way around.

I think we HAVE started our trek into the wilderness. I think there are true believers throughout the world, throughout many different denominations who have heard the call of Christ--who have answered, and to the best of their ability, have obeyed. The true believers have had that baptism of fire and spirit.

The baptism of the Spirit, as described in 2 Nephi 13 and 14 is a life-changing event. Our lives, afterward, are never the same. They can't be. We have been awakened; we have felt the breath of God. I have NEVER heard a sermon about 2 Nephi 13 & 14. Priesthood that I've talked to are afraid of it. We need priesthood who boldly go to Christ and ask for knowledge about this experience. Those priesthood become the TRUE priesthood when they have experienced this baptism of fire.

I am not a “Pentecostal.” I've never spoken in tongues or been "slain in the spirit." I don't seek "manifestations." I am someone who cried out to God and banged on his door asking questions. I wanted to KNOW Him. Like Enos, I cried unto Him until I felt his forgiveness come over me as a cool, fresh breeze. When I read His Word, it is alive. I love to read the scriptures. They wrap themselves around me in love and peace and joy.

I see the bickering and fighting becoming more and more harsh until the Anti-Christ, or false Christ arises. I'm beginning to see the picture: Those who give their lives to this dictator, will live in an imposed peace—a satanic peace because they will have handed over their agency to him. Then they will say "Peace and Safety." Isn't that what satan wants, to force us to love, not God, but himself, as the "most high."

The only true peace, my brother, is the peace of Jesus Christ--the peace that passeth understanding--the peace we have in Him. When His law is written in our hearts, We are written in his palms. In His Law we find His comfort.

Let Go and Let God

Let go and let God...

Easy to say, not so easy to do. This has, at times, been my mantra, as I say this over and over again in my head and heart.

There was a time when I thought I was supposed to control others. I didn’t seem to be doing a very good job of it. I was frustrated and angry that I could not get others to do what I knew was good for them. After all, a good wife and mother should have things under control.

There was a time when I thought I should control God. Someone had told me that if I didn’t pray in specifics, God wouldn’t grant my request. I thought I had to pray for the safety and needs of everyone I knew, believing that God would follow my directions. I prayed for myself. I wanted to be a super organizer, super wise, super quiet, super loving. I thought God was like a computer and if I didn’t get what I asked for, it was because I wasn’t detailed enough and God couldn’t figure out what I needed. I was a very frustrated woman!

I was reminded of “let go and let God.” I had to mentally and emotionally let go of each person, each situation. It was a scary thing to do. Letting go meant they were out of my control and care, didn’t it? As I let go, I had to immediately hand them over to God, lest they fall through the cracks. Was God big enough to handle all the things and people I was handing him?

I placed the people and situations over to him and watched. Horror stricken, I saw people I loved fall or die. It was a nail-biting situation! How could I have abandoned them with my prayers???

As I tried to work on myself, leaving others in God’s hands, I realized that they had to be free to find their own way to God. I had nothing to do but thank God for what he was doing in their lives. I was no longer in charge of all things spiritual in my house and family. He was and is in charge.

As the nail-biting stage gave way to a calmer, more trusting level of dependence on God, I realized that I had NEVER had any control in the first place. It was an illusion. I believed that my prayers had been very powerful and when they weren’t “obeyed” to my satisfaction, I thought it was because I didn’t pray well enough. I don’t know if what I said to God could even be considered prayers. They limited God to human solutions. His solutions are much more creative than I could have imagined.

I heard about a man who was driving in the mountains. An approaching out-of-control truck from the cliff-side lane slid into the side of the mountain in front of him leaving him nowhere to go but against the rail and down. As he fought the wheel and pushed on the breaks, he heard a voice say, “Let go.” He took his hands off the wheel, believing that God was calling him home. Several seconds later, he found his car past the truck and in his own lane. He has no idea “how” it happened, but he knows “who” made it happen. When we let go and let God, we give God permission to make miracles happen.

Email between Jan Griffith and Vivien Willis

I was most interested in the following interchange between some friends of mine:

Dear Jan,

I think you and I are in agreement that Zion is not going to be built by man, but Christ. But I have a question: In Revelations 21: 9-11

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I WILL SHOW THEE THE BRIDE, THE LAMB'S WIFE!

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Having the glory of God; and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; ect.

Now down to vs 22 : And I saw no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty and the lamb are the temple of it.

I believe that this is going to happen after the millinium because of its placement.. but I do not know.

So what is your take on this, Jan?

Also why is Jerusalem so important to the Jews and the Muslims?

I know in some of the writings of the prophets of the old T. , the house of Israel / and or Jerusalem is considered the Bride of Christ.

Then in the NT the Bride becomes considered the Church of the Believers..

What is your take on all this.. I would like to sincerely see what you believe this all means?

Love ya, Vivien
~~~~~~

Oh golly, Vivien -- big hard questions you ask, and I wish I had more time to devote to them.

My studies have led me to believe that the great city -- the holy Jerusalem -- will descend out of heaven PRIOR TO the millennium. In my opinion, the following is probably the most plain and clear explanation of this event:

[Eth 6:8] Wherefore the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built up upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come, when the earth shall pass away.
[Eth 6:9] And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old, save the old have passed away, and all things have become new.
[Eth 6:10] AND THEN COMETH THE NEW JERUSALEM; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.
[Eth 6:11] And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb;
[Eth 6:12] And they are they who were scattered and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father Abraham.

Compare to the Inspired Version concerning that day:

[Gen 7:70] And righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine own elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare; an holy city, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion; a New Jerusalem.
[Gen 7:71] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ENOCH, THEN SHALT THOU AND ALL THY CITY MEET THEM THERE; and we will receive them into our bosom; and they shall see us, and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;
[Gen 7:72] And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; AND FOR THE SPACE OF A THOUSAND YEARS SHALL THE EARTH REST.


Also you asked: "Why is Jerusalem so important to the Jews and the Muslims? I know in some of the writings of the prophets of the old T. , the house of Israel / and or Jerusalem is considered the Bride of Christ. Then in the NT the Bride becomes considered the Church of the Believers. What is your take on all this. I would like to sincerely see what you believe this all means?"

A short answer isn't going to do justice to your question. These are questions I tend to ponder and discuss at great length in my study papers. But here is a very short answer attempt, for what it's worth. I'll start with Paul's words:

[Gal 4:22] For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman.
[Gal 4:23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by promise.
[Gal 4:24] Which things are an allegory; for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which as Agar.
[Gal 4:25] For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
[Gal 4:26] But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

I would suggest that there are two types of "Lord's people." There are those who profess to be the "Lord's people" (let's call them the first type) and then there are those who truly are the "Lord's people" (let's call them the second type). Take the Jews back in Christ's day, as an example. Many claimed to be the Lord's people, but only a hand full among those people were truly the Lord's -- and became his followers or disciples. I have to make this distinction in order to make any sense with what I say next.

At least since the days of Christ, the "Lord's people" (first type) have desired a physical kingdom of God on earth (Paul refers to this as "Jerusalem") while those who are truly the Lord's (second type) have desired the heavenly kingdom which eventually will be upon the earth (Paul refers to this kingdom as "Jerusalem which is above--the mother of us all").

[Heb 11:16] But now they [the holy prophets] desire a better country, that is, a heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

[Sec 45:2g] a city reserved until a day of righteousness shall come:
[Sec 45:2h] a day which was sought for by all holy men, and they found it not, because of wickedness and abominations, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth, but obtained a promise that they should find it, and see it in their flesh.


The Jews wanted a physical kingdom on earth so badly that they killed Jesus who didn't bring them what they wanted. And nothing much has changed in over 2,000 years. The Lord's people (first type) still desire a physical kingdom of God on earth (Jerusalem). True Jews, however, still desire the heavenly Jerusalem above, which Jerusalem will ultimately be upon the earth "when the Lord brings again Zion." When I say "true Jews," I am not referring to worldly definitions, but scriptural. True Jews are not they who are outwardly circumcised, but inwardly (
see Romans 2:28-29). True Jews are truly the Lord's people (second type), not those who claim an ancestry or a circumcision or a lineage and thus set themselves apart (first type).

Back to your question-- why is Jerusalem so important to Jews and Muslims? I think it's because neither Jews nor Muslims are Jesus' "true Jews" or "true disciples" so they lack understanding of Christ's spiritual definitions of Jerusalem. The enemy in secret chambers has exploited their illiteracy of scripture, and used it to his advantage in these last days to create what Paul described as a "strong delusion."

It is my understanding that, even in Old Testament days, there was only one true Bride, and she wasn't always necessarily the "bride" people thought she was:

[Rom 9:4] Who are Israelites; of whom are the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God,
[Rom 9:5] And the promises which are made unto the fathers; and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ was, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
[Rom 9:6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.
[Rom 9:7] Neither, because they are all children of Abraham, are they the seed; but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
[Rom 9:8] That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

What Paul said in Romans 9 applied to Jews of old as well as to Jews of today, true believers of old as well as to true believers of today. Ever notice how many times Isaiah speaks of a wicked "Israel" and a servant "Israel" -- two different people "of the Lord" who will receive two different fates? All are his people, but not all Israel are of Israel. They never have been all Israel, which are of Israel. God doesn't change.

This subject is the reason why I am always fighting against those who insist upon building an earthly kingdom -- an earthly "Jerusalem." Man always desires the familiar, thus he tends to place his hope in the earthly -- the Jerusalem who is in bondage with her children.

[Rom 8:24] For we are saved by hope; BUT HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE; for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?


It's a couple hours past my bedtime. I hope this made some small degree of sense.

Love,
Jan

Growing

It’s in the valleys where things grow.

In the past year, life has changed a great deal for me. My daughter’s marriage was over, she and the kids came to live with me, and then the marriage wasn’t over, but the kids still lived with me.

Then, at the end of September, I had what we all feared was a heart attack. It turned out that it was tears in my chest wall that have not healed in the nearly 13 years I have had them. I had done some heavy lifting and caused some extra pain. My doctors decided that I was too “chest heavy” and so began the round of insurance “hoops” I had to jump through for surgery.

To cope with what felt like an emotional roller coaster, I began attending Al-Anon again. Thank you, God, for providing such a place.

My daughter decided to take her children back with her and her husband in October. I continued to help her home school Leia, my granddaughter.

On December 7 my grandmother died, at age 94. My son and younger daughter had been caring for her in Missouri. She was adamant in her desire NOT to go to a nursing home. I went to Missouri for the funeral and helped the kids get packed to come back to Texas. They were now unemployed without a place to live, so they returned home (along with two dogs, a cat, and three ferrets).

In January I began a grueling six weeks of physical therapy (one of the insurance hoops), which only exacerbated my chest pain, and added shoulder, neck, and back pain to the physical burdens. Then began a waiting game--waiting to see doctors, waiting to hear from the insurance company, waiting to hear from the doctors again.

One day I was thanking the Lord that I at least had legs that worked and didn’t hurt. A couple of days later I fell down the steps and sprained my ankle. Lesson learned: don’t thank God for what I have, thank Him for who he is. This body is just on loan.

I was on crutches for about three weeks, during which time I developed a huge knot in the arch of the same foot. It’s still there…

Anyway, I had the “chest reduction” surgery in May. The healing process has been very slow, complicated by unrelated infections that I can’t seem to get rid of. I’m on another round of strong antibiotics as I write.

I will praise the Lord, for he is worthy. The Lord is my strength. His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will cling to His Word, the Rod of Iron, with all my might, whatever may be apportioned me.

What can I do for you today?

This story is based on a testimony I heard many years ago about a college student. It was told by a friend of his roommate.

It seems this student was an early riser although the roommate was not. It was his habit to rise early in the morning, open the curtains and greet the Lord. His morning greeting was always the same, "Good Morning, Lord. What can I do for You today?" The roommate would cover his head and try to get a few more minutes sleep. Over the course of the semester, this morning routine continued.

One day the roommate was given the news of a tragedy. His early-rising roommate had been in a terrible accident. The prognosis was not good. For a few days he hung between life and death as the roommate prayed for him. Because the hospital was in another town, he could not visit often. A week passed and the news was getting worse.

The next opportunity he had, the roommate went to the hospital having been told this could be the last opportunity to see him alive, as the doctors held out no more hope for him. As he entered the room, he saw his friend lying on the bed with eyes open and a smile on his face. "They told me you were close to death," the roommate blurted out.

"I'm going to live," his friend stated. "Something happened early this morning," he continued. "I was awakened by something, and when I opened my eyes, I saw the curtains were open. The Lord was standing at the foot of my bed. He said, 'Good Morning, son. What can I do for you today?'"

Praying a Song

I think that my most effective prayers are when I write them. Recently, at the Missionary Reunion in Lamoni (Summer 2005), I responded to a request by a friend of mine to pray for her husband who was giving the sermon that evening. I took some time to be alone with my notebook and began writing.

I approached the Lord humbly. I realized that compared to the universe I was only a small speck of dust. The Lord is SO magnificent, so wondrous, so huge. I confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness of those things that I knew about and asked the Lord to remind me of other things I needed to confess (which He is still doing). I recognized my unworthiness and thanked Him that He would listen to me.

Out of this sense of humility, I began to hear a song. Spirit of the Living God.

Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.

Melt me.
Mold me.
Fill me.
Use me.

Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.

I began to literally pray the song, but I prayed it for this man who was to preach. I prayed first that the Spirit of God would fall upon me, as well as him.

Melt me: I asked the Lord to "melt" him. I asked that his mind might be emptied, that all his own thoughts would leave, that his his mind might be purified, as silver--when the dross is burned off. The metal must be purified to serve.

Mold me: I thought about a mold for a silver pitcher, and then about how we all have different neural pathways in our brains and that when trauma occurs, a roadblock is set up. Our minds reroute and create new pathways that are not as direct, and sometimes take dangerous detours. We all have these, and it contributes to our thinking differently. I asked the Lord to reroute his brain so that His Word could be communicated more effectively--so that he could then communicate to us more effectively.

Fill me: I asked the Lord to fill him with His Word, His Power, His Love. I saw a silver pitcher being filled with the Water of Life. Give him the Words, the Power, the Love to convey Your Message. Let His Words navigate the new neural pathways.

Use me: I asked the Lord to use him to reach those who needed to hear the message. I asked that this man be used according to the Lord's Will. I asked that during the sermon he might fill us as the Lord had filled him. Let the Living Water pour out upon us.

Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on us.

I know that this prayer was effective. As the man preached, I heard references to the pitcher. The whole sermon was filled with such meaning for me. Afterward I heard others talk about how they could feel the Spirit throughout the evening. I gave the written prayer to my friend and said she could show it to her husband.

The next morning the he sought me out. I had put the time and date on my written prayer, as I always do. He said that while I was writing, he was preparing for his sermon, when suddenly he couldn't put two thoughts together. He felt confused and laid down and took a nap. (His wife told me this is NOT normal for him. He is usually very alert while writing notes for a sermon.) He awoke two hours before the sermon with Words streaming into his mind. He wrote them down as quickly as he could and had time to type the notes into his computer. He finished with only 10 minutes before he was to preach.

He did ask that I not pray for his mind to emptied again. So when I have prayed this for other people, I have only asked for their own thoughts to leave during the melting process. I realize that, perhaps, he needed the nap for the molding process.

This whole experience left me in a state of AWE. I know that I was praying in a way that must have been right, that must have pleased God. I know that prayers are effective.

Warfare

We are under attack! I saw this dramatically illustrated in Mexico a couple of years ago. Here, where we are perhaps more "sophisticated," Satan has to use other kinds of attacks that are more subtle. But here, as there, we don't know how to fight against a desperate Satan and his crazed minions. I know I have brought this up before, but it is a problem that is NOT going away; it is increasing the closer we get to the endtimes.

In Mexico, I tried to work with a girl in our church who was battling terrible, evil spirits every night. All that I knew to do was refer her to Ephesians 6:10-18. We read those scriptures, but I didn't know how to tell her to put on the armor. I do not know how to do this. I have not been taught how to do this. I appeal to the priesthood.

Sometimes we need "HOW TO's" The priesthood does a good job of telling us to "do this and don't do that," but not so good a job of telling us HOW. I'm a teacher. I never say, "Do this or you will get an F." I say, "Let me show you how to write this essay." I can tell them this because I was taught to write essays, and I've been trained to teach essay writing. The priesthood, God Bless them, are to "preach, teach, and exhort." But I'm not hearing much teaching.

In the school system, when we have to teach something new, we go to workshops. Someone who has done the new techniques and taught it successfully, teaches us the fundamentals and gives us examples. THEN we get into small groups and practice teaching it to each other. We don't go out teaching something we haven't done ourselves. How often I am impressed with someone who tells us to do the right things, but then when I ask questions later, it's obvious he's never done it himself. In the school system, he'd have to have increased observations and sent back to workshops to learn.

Jesus taught by example. I believe that by looking at him, the people were able to see how to pray, how to cast out demons, how to heal. While His methods might have been different each time, he was teaching them to rely on the Spirit. We don't have Jesus, physically, with us. Our priesthood are supposed to be taught from on HIGH and then, in turn, teach us. Warnings are great. My dad tried to teach my mom to drive by saying, "DON'T DO THAT." Well, it made my mom nervous. He wasn't telling her HOW to do it. He was telling her how NOT to do it. She finally got someone else to teach her.

I'd like to hear about a dozen POWERFUL how-to sermons on putting on the armor of God. We, as a people, just don't realize what's coming and how much we need that armor, NOW. We should have had it on long ago. Please, I appeal to you. Teach us HOW to put on that armor. I hope that you never have to grieve over (spiritually) dead saints who died because they didn't have their armor on, or because they were wearing it improperly.

From Ephesians 6:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

He Died for Me

I wrote this on Good Friday, 2005

He Died for Me

I didn't know how He died for me
On the cross at Calvary.
Sinners had placed Him there, I could see.
He died for them, but not for me.
Jesus, how did death on that tree
Pay my debts and set me free?
Tell me, Lord, I want to know--
How all my sins could have hurt you so.

Pictures then came to me of a man--
Chased by sin, he desperately ran
Down the dark avenue without light
Hopeless and fearful through the night.
Jeers and laughter jabbed as a spear.
"You are MINE," Sin roared with a sneer.
Tell me Lord, I want to know--
How all my sins could have hurt you so.

Stumbling and breathless, he raced with dread,
Regretting things he'd done and said.
Frantic and terrified in the dark,
Eyes full of tears perceived a spark.
Loving Brightness shone from afar,
Jesus, Lord, the Morning Star.
Tell me Lord, I think I know--
How all my sins could have hurt you so.

Arms full of mercy reached to embrace.
Radiant Love shone from His Face.
In arms of Safety, I found my Lord,
But then came Satan with his sword:
"Wages for the sin must be paid!"
Jesus turned Himself to the blade.
Oh, my God, at last I know--
How all my sins could have hurt you so.

Jesus you gave your life, for my own.
Bloodied for the sins that I've sown.
Covered in blood, I grieved, sorrow worn.
Gently, He touched me, "Do not mourn.
Yes, I gave my life for you,
Now, go live your life for me.
You are MINE! I'm glad you know--
How all your sins could have hurt me so."

Patricia Ragan 2005