Are You Ready? ( By Fenny West)

I Am Coming Quickly
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Rev.22:20

Are You Alert and Ready? ( by Fenny West)

Don’t Be Left Behind(1)( by Fenny West)

Join Those Ready To Be Raptured ( by Fenny West)

Just Like the Days of Noah( by Fenny West)

The Day Is Far Spent ( by Fenny West)

Don’t Be Left Behind ( by Fenny West)

Don’t Be Left Behind

Don’t Be Left Behind
Hear the clarion call
The day is far spent
And the night comes
When no man can work.

Don’t be left behind
Hear the Master’s Voice
Sounding an alarm.
Time to make the right choice.
Set before you is life and death
Blessing and cursing
Choose life and live.

Don’t be left behind
Be like the five wise virgins
Ready at His coming.
Be not like the five foolish virgins
Caught unprepared, heady, or not ready.

Don’t be left behind.
As in the Days of Noah
So shall the last day be
It was business as usual
And the ark was closed
And the rains came unabated.
The ark carried away those
Who sought safety in her.
Those who mocked, or delayed
Found it was too late, to their dismay.

Don’t be left behind
As in the Days of Lot
So shall it be in that day.
Many put their fingers in their ears
priding themselves in self-righteousness
Shunning the warning of the Righteous God.
Sodom and Gomorrah went up in flames
And only Lot and his family escaped, just.

Don’t be left behind
The current shaking of the earth
Is enough warning for the wise.
O sleeper, awake! Awake from slumber.
And Christ shall give thee light to see
Come Now into the Ark of our time-Jesus-
The Son of the Living God – our Salvation,
Our Saviour, Sanctification, Righteousness.

1Thess4:16-18, Matt24:37-39, Luke17:26-30, Eph5:14

Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross ( by Fenny West)

Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross

➕

There are seven sayings attributed to the Saviour, as He hung on the cross between heaven and earth in the last moments of His earthly mission.
He was the only one born to die. John-the – Baptist saw Him as the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) He fulfilled the various types and shadows we find in the Old Testament: the innocent ram killed by God, whose skin was used to cover Adam and Eve before they were driven out of the Garden of Eden (Gen3:21), the Passover Lamb in Egypt (Ex 12:13), the various annual sacrifices, the scapegoat on whom all the sins of the people was confessed on and let go into the wilderness. (Lev 16:21-22).The list could go on and on.
This was a grand fulfilment.
Whereas these statements cannot all be found in any of the synoptic gospels, they can be collated from the four gospels for our meditation and revelation to us today.

Let us see the lesson they offer individually:

Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”.

What does this teach us?

He is praying for those who were crucifying Him. He wants them forgiven because they did not know what they were doing. He saw beyond the natural. He saw through the eyes of His Father. And this is an example for us to follow. We are enjoined by Paul to be imitators of Him. (Eph5:1) John-Beloved told us to walk as He walked. (1 John 2:6)

He also said, “… as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

Jesus also said we should pray for our enemies. (Matt 5:43-47)

So He was practising what He preached. We have to do the same. ( Ro 12:19-21)

And later on we see Stephen, the first martyr, following His Master’s footsteps.

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

⁶⁰… “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” (Act 7:59-60)

Praying for our enemies also demonstrates our confidence that all things work together for our good because we love God and are the called according to purpose.(Ro8:28) And so nothing will happen to us unless He allows it. Jesus Himself told the high priest, He had power to lay down His life and take it up again. He also told them His Father was capable of sending legions of angels to set Him free but it was their hour. So Jesus had a sense of destiny. (Matt 26:53, John 10:18)

And when we do we will live a victorious life, no matter what. (2Cor2:14, 1Cor15:57)
Another truth we need to glean from this statement is that He died for everyone – not just those who were crucifying Him. In fact it can be said that we were also responsible for His crucifixion. We were all compromised by the fall of Adam. “All have sinned.” We have all like sheep gone astray and the Lord had laid all our iniquity on Him (Isa 53:6, Rom 3:23). He became our scapegoat. ( Lev 16:8, 2 Cor 5:21)
So as we think of this statement at this time and at other times we should be:
1. Grateful
2. Purposeful
3. Forgiving and
4. Assured that all things are working for us.

5. we should be in no doubt that He died for every one.

2. Luke 23:43: “Verily, I say unto you, today thou shalt be with me in paradise.”
As we all know, Jesus was crucified between two criminals. Isaiah foretold this about 800 years before it happened. “He was numbered amongst the transgressors.” (Isa 53:12)
One of the criminals taunted Jesus, “He saved others but He cannot save Himself. If you are the Son of God, save us and save yourself.” (Matt 27:42, Luke 23:37)
The other criminal was wise, recognising that He was innocent and He was God, with the power to forgive and restore anyone who is penitent. And so he prayed to be remembered,” “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. ” (Luke 23:42)
Jesus replied immediately, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
This underscores God’s forgiving power to the sinner, anytime he realises His sin and repents no matter what sin He may have committed. This may be unfair to the natural man but sin is sin in the sight of God and abhorrent no matter what man may think of it and if it is repented of , it shall be forgiven, no matter how heinous.

However, this is not a scripture to use for delaying repentance till the last minute. No one knows the last minute. (Prov27:1, Jam4:13)

We all need to have a short account with God – repent like David, once we realise we have sinned and receive forgiveness and restoration. We can also use this you bring hope to the hopeless that no matter how far gone they may think, God is still merciful and will forgive if they call on Him in penitence.(Ps51)
Even Judas, who betrayed Jesus, would have been forgiven if he repented.

3 John 19:26–27: Woman, behold thy son. (Says to disciple) “Behold thy mother”

In this statement we can see His love and care for His mother, despite what He was going through. He looked beyond Himself. This is the God-kind of life we have been made partakers of. Regardless of what you go through, see beyond yourself. See the bigger picture. Go the extra-mile. Be selfless. Care for others and God will take care of you.
Jesus, here was making provision, giving security to his mother by entrusting her into the hands of a trusted friend. He was putting His house in order, knowing He was going away.

We too should make provision for our dependants before we leave. We should not leave them penniless- broke busted and disgusted, lamenting and grieving not only for the death but also for the debts and responsibilities left behind unattended. This is why we need to work hard and smart and provide for our family. Paul said he who does not provide for his family is worse than an infidel and has denied the faith. (1Tim5:8)

4 Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
This reveals the enormity and gross nature of sin. It is so detested, distasteful, disgusting, alienating that it even separated God – the Son from God-the Father. In this same way, we should hate sin and stay far away from it. It should also open our eyes to what Jesus saved us from.
Furthermore, it shows the dark moments we too could experience in life where it would be seem so grim and dark that we may feel abandoned by God. David foreshadowed this in Ps22. He also experience this type of dark moments. An example was when he was dethroned by his son Absalom and he wandered in the wilderness. Another occasion was when after defeating the Philistines and triumphing over Goliath and decapitating him, he found himself running from pillar to post, hiding from King Saul who wanted to kill him. again at Ziklag the men who were in debt, distressed, disgruntled, depressed, whom he had championed and recycled into business tycoons, turned against him when the Amalekites swooped on their camp , burnt it down and took captives all their sons, daughters and wives. They spoke of stoning David. He had to enquire of the Lord, receive a Word with which he pursued, overtook and recovered all. 1 Sam30:-8,18-19)

Yes, you and I will come to this “My God, my God!” moment(s). After all He told us to take up our cross and follow Him. (Luke9:23)

And when it happens, we need to encourage ourselves that we are in good company, identifying with Jesus. David had many moments like it and he encouraged himself in the Lord and came back up. Job was there and eventually he was restored. Naomi was there and wanted to be called, Mara, bitter water. But God was meciful to her and despite her lack of faith blessed her more than she could ask or think because of Ruth. Yes, you and I will go through the valley of the shadows of death; we will often go through the valley of Baca (Ps 84:6), the valley of weeping:, but we can, say like the David, “I will fear no evil. For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. And my cup overflows. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the presence of God forever.”

Yes, because you trust in Him, you will make that valley of Baca, a place of spring. You will go from strength to strength, glory to glory and from strength to strength (Ps 84:7, Hag 2:9). You will bounce back like Jesus bounced back in resurrection. ( Matt28:6)

You will bounce back like Abraham and obtain laughter – Isaac (Gen 21:1-7). You will bounce back like Job and have twice as much as you lost and even more (Job 42:10-17,). Therefore, regardless of what you go through, stagger not at the promise of God, in unbelief but rather give glory to God. (Rom 4:20-21) When your back is on the ground, you can only look up. And that is the best thing to do anytime, any day, everywhere.

5. John 19:28: I thirst.
When Jesus made this statement, His humanity shone through His divinity. He was famished, thirsty, dehydrated and and wanted water. However instead of water He was given gall. They gave Him poison instead. (Matt 24:34, Ps 69:21) It was prophecy being fulfilled. The word of God cannot be broken. Besides, it shows us that we cannot trust men in our hour of dire need. Man will disappoint us. After all it was those who just a week ago chanted in adulation, “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord”, ( Matt 21:9)changed their tune so quickly to” Crucify Him! Crucify Him! ” (Luke 23:21)

6. John 19:30: “It is finished.” COMPLETION, PERFECTION, ACCOMPLISHMENT

What a climax of redemption! What an assured, victorious and triumphant declaration of a done deal. He was satisfied that He had paid the price-the highest price for mankind. It was indispensable and indisputable. Nothing could be added to it and nothing could be taken away from it. He did it once and for all. Hallelujah!
And because “It is Finished!” regardless of the depths to which you have sunk or may sink, you’re coming out of it if you trust in Him.

Because “it is finished”, you will fulfil your purpose. Because of “It is Finished!,” the good work God has begun in your life, He will continue to work at until He brings it to a glorious fruition.

7. Luke 23:46: “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.”

This speaks of a wonderful, glorious, joyful reunion.
Jesus ascended to heaven after the crucifixion and this statement looked forward to that. He was confident of the reunion and fellowship with the Father and the Spirit.
We too should be looking forward to the Lord’s reappearing. ¹⁶For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. ” Ps102:16

Paul told us in 1 Thess. 4:16,The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with shout of an arch angel and the trumpet call of God. The dead in Christ will rise first. And we who are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the air. And so shall we be with the Lord forever.
He told us to comfort one another with these words. 1Thess4:16-18

We are also told, “He who has this hope purifies himself, even as He is pure. 1 John 3:3
John foresaw the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and wrote,” Let us Rejoice and be glad. And give the glory to Him.” For the marriage of the Lamb has come and the Bride has made herself ready.” (Rev19:7)
He’s coming soon and very soon to take His bride, who will be without spot nor wrinkles or blemish. (Eph 5:26-27)
Let’s trim our wicks and make sure we like the five wise virgins have sufficient oil in our lamps. (Matt 25:1-13)

Let’s ensure we keep clean our white garments and run our race with patience and endurance and finish well to the glory of God. (Matt 22:11-14)

So in conclusion forgive others just as God has forgiven you. (Eph4:32)

Cherish your relationships. Good relationships are invaluable. You cannot put a price on them. Take care of our family.

Heaven is our home. We are sojourners here.( Phil3:20)

And regardless of the distress we go through here we need to remind ourselves that it is temporary. Our light affliction which is just for the moment, works for us a far more exceeding weight of eternal glory. All things are working together for our good because we love God and we are called according to His purpose. (2Cor4:16-18)

Victory is ours in everything we do and wherever we go. We should confess it and expect it because of “It is Finished!” (2Cor.2:14)

Our Final Victory

⁵⁰Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

⁵¹Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —

⁵²in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

⁵³For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

⁵⁴So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

⁵⁵” O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

⁵⁷But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1Cor15:50-57

Now the Day is Far Spent ( by Fenny West)

Now the Day Is Far Spent

Now the day is far spent, Lord
Night is creeping upon us.
Soon we’ll see the Day of the Lord,
Coming, rushing upon us.
O that we would see the rainbow
On the cloud, a sign to us.
Faithful God, who keeps His promise
Coming even as He said.

May we work while it is day, Lord
In the night no man can work.
Always doing what You say, Lord.
Standing always on the Rock.
O That we would see the good field.
Vast and plenteous with harvest.
That we would join hand to hand,
Reaping precious souls for God.

Now we’ll raise the banner of praise,
For You Lord, Who’s the Most High
Regardless of what the world says
With our eyes, we kiss Your eyes.
We bow down, O Holy Spirit.
Work in us to work through us.
Rekindle the holy fire.
Here we come, Lord, here we come.

Arise From Slumber ( By Fenny West)

Arise from Slumber

Arise from slumber

O arm of the Lord

Brothers and sisters

Harken to this Word

Fan ablaze your embers.

Lose not your reward.

Give the foe no foothold

Run to finish very well

Arise and go for gold

Let your testimony tell

There is glory yet untold

Be jolted to plunder hell.

The Lord is coming soon

To take home His Bride

Let’s all sing the right tune

There is no place to hide

Pray, day or night or noon

Eschewing every blemish like pride.

Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Is coming for those ready-

Prepared for the Great I Am

So let’s maintain our purity

Let no stained clothes damn

In the presence of His majesty.

Bringing back the King

Should be our one desire

An anthem we should all sing.

So let’s let go every mire

And let His praises ring

Fanning ablaze the holy fire.

“Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!⁷Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”⁸And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Rev19:7-8

¹¹For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.¹²Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,¹³each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.¹⁴If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.¹⁵If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

1Cor3:11-15

²⁶“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,²⁷nor give place to the devil.²⁸Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.²⁹Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.³¹Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.³²And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Eph4:26-32

⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light⁹(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),¹⁰finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.¹¹And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.¹²For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.¹³But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.¹⁴Therefore He says:

” Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

¹⁵See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,¹⁶redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

¹⁷Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.¹⁸And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,¹⁹speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,²⁰giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,²¹submitting to one another in the fear of God.

²²Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.²³For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.²⁴Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

²⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,²⁶that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,²⁷that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.²⁸So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.Eph5:8-28

¹⁶For the LORD shall build up Zion;

He shall appear in His glory. Ps102:16

That is why I now remind you to stir into flame the gift of God which is within you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit that God gave us is no craven (“cowardly, mean-spirited”) spirit, but one to inspire strength, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 , NEB).“Fan into a flame the gift that God gave you” (Jerusalem Bible). “Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you” (NIV). “Keep alive the gift” (GNB). “Stir up – rekindle the embers, fan the flame and keep burning – the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire]” (AMP.). “And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed – keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible” (The Message).

¹“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.²Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.³Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,⁴but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.⁵But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’⁷Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.⁸And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’⁹But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’¹⁰And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

¹¹“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’¹²But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

¹⁴“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.¹⁵And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.¹⁶Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.¹⁷And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.¹⁸But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.¹⁹After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

²⁰“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’²¹His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’²²He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’²³His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

²⁴“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.²⁵And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

²⁶“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.²⁷So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.²⁸So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

²⁹‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.³⁰And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

³¹“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.³²All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.³³And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.³⁴Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:³⁵for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;³⁶I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

³⁷“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?³⁸When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?³⁹Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’⁴⁰And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

⁴¹“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:⁴²for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;⁴³I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

⁴⁴“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’⁴⁵Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’⁴⁶And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Bringing Back the King

This is a prophetic word that could apply to the end-times in the lives of some of us if we are not careful.

David, the beloved of God, had been overthrown by his beloved son, Absalom- a usurper. After Absalom died in pursuit of his dad, the throne was vacant.

And whilst all the other tribes were willing to bring back the King, Judah, the crown jewel, bone of his bones, and flesh of his flesh-a mirror of the Church- was dragging her feet and Some people lamented: “The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.¹⁰But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?”

David was sad about it and said: ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house?¹²You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?

2Ki19:9-10,11-12

In the book of Revelation, the Song that would be sung by the Bride of the Lamb tells us: ‘⁷Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’Rev19:7

This presupposes that even as the Lord, wills to builds up Zion and then appear in His glory, the Bride has a responsibility also of making herself ready to bring back the King. If the Bride is unwilling to make herself ready, she would be delaying bringing back the King. God is merciful and wants to many to be saved. May we not in any way delay in bringing back the King. So let us examine ourselves and see if we be in the faith.

⁵Examine **yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified. 2Cor13:5**

¹⁶For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.¹⁷Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.¹⁸Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1Thess4:16-18

⁹Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.¹⁰But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?”

¹¹So King David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house?¹²You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’**¹³And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’ “**¹⁴So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants!”

⁴²So all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative of ours. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense? Or has he given us any gift?”

⁴³And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten shares in the king; therefore we also have more right to David than you. Why then do you despise us — were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?”

Yet the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

2Kings19:42-43

1 Timothy 6

¹⁴ that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,

2 Timothy 1

¹⁰ but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

2 Timothy 4

¹ I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Titus 2

¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

⁷“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

¹²“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.¹³I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

²⁰He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

²¹The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Rev22:7,12,13,20,21

Don’t Be Left Behind

1Thess4:16-18, Matt24:37-39, Luke17:26-30, Eph5:14

Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross

➕

Let us see the lesson they offer individually:

Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”.

What does this teach us?

He also said, “… as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

Jesus also said we should pray for our enemies. (Matt 5:43-47)

So He was practising what He preached. We have to do the same. ( Ro 12:19-21)

And later on we see Stephen, the first martyr, following His Master’s footsteps.

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

60 … “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” (Act 7:59-60)

5. we should be in no doubt that He died for every one.

However, this is not a scripture to use for delaying repentance till the last minute. No one knows the last minute. (Prov27:1, Jam4:13)

3 John 19:26–27: Woman, behold thy son. (Says to disciple) “Behold thy mother”

Yes, you and I will come to this “My God, my God!” moment(s). After all He told us to take up our cross and follow Him. (Luke9:23)

Yes, because you trust in Him, you will make that valley of Baca, a place of spring. You will go from strength to strength, glory to glory and from strength to strength (Ps 84:7, Hag 2:9). You will bounce back like Jesus bounced back in resurrection. ( Matt28:6)

6. John 19:30: “It is finished.” COMPLETION, PERFECTION, ACCOMPLISHMENT

Because “it is finished”, you will fulfil your purpose. Because of “It is Finished!,” the good work God has begun in your life, He will continue to work at until He brings it to a glorious fruition.

7. Luke 23:46: “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.”

Let’s ensure we keep clean our white garments and run our race with patience and endurance and finish well to the glory of God. (Matt 22:11-14)

So in conclusion forgive others just as God has forgiven you. (Eph4:32)

Cherish your relationships. Good relationships are invaluable. You cannot put a price on them. Take care of our family.

Heaven is our home. We are sojourners here.( Phil3:20)

Victory is ours in everything we do and wherever we go. We should confess it and expect it because of “It is Finished!” (2Cor.2:14)

Our Final Victory

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 ” O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1Cor15:50-57

Now the Day Is Far Spent

Arise from Slumber

Arise from slumber

O arm of the Lord

Brothers and sisters

Harken to this Word

Fan ablaze your embers.

Lose not your reward.

Give the foe no foothold

Run to finish very well

Arise and go for gold

Let your testimony tell

There is glory yet untold

Be jolted to plunder hell.

The Lord is coming soon

To take home His Bride

Let’s all sing the right tune

There is no place to hide

Pray, day or night or noon

Eschewing every blemish like pride.

Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Is coming for those ready-

Prepared for the Great I Am

So let’s maintain our purity

Let no stained clothes damn

In the presence of His majesty.

Bringing back the King

Should be our one desire

An anthem we should all sing.

So let’s let go every mire

And let His praises ring

Fanning ablaze the holy fire.

Rev19:7-8

1Cor3:11-15

Eph4:26-32

” Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

16 For the LORD shall build up Zion;

He shall appear in His glory. Ps102:16

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

⁶⁰… “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” (Act 7:59-60)

⁵⁰Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

⁵¹Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —

⁵²in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

⁵³For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

⁵⁴So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

⁵⁵” O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

⁵⁷But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

¹⁵See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,¹⁶redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

²²Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.²³For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.²⁴Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

¹⁶For the LORD shall build up Zion;

¹¹“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’¹²But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

²⁴“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.²⁵And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

²⁹‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.³⁰And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’