Signs of the Times?

Suddenly we are witnessing the unfolding of disaster after disaster. The islands around Samoa and American Samoa; the Philippines; and once more Indonesia all took their turn in the unwanted disaster spotlight this week. Pray for these stricken nations. Pray for hearts to be turned to the Lord, as well, as a result of these tragedies.

Does this mean something for us? Are these disasters signs of the times? Scoffers may say that all things continue the same since the beginning of time; we just have not heard about it before the modern technology that we have. Maybe, maybe not. Seismic geologists have long ago demonstrated that the earth shakes far more now than ever before. Even historical accounts reveal more earthquakes than before.

But there is more out there than earthquakes. There are newer strains of viruses that turn out to be resistant to our sophisticated drugs. There are more nations poised to strike one another. We worry on every turn about terrorist plots, nuclear plots, and deranged mass murderers.

All this must be so before Jesus steps foot on this earth again. But we should wake up! It may be that time that the Restrainer is taken out of the world. Who is the Restrainer? The Holy Spirit of God is the restrainer, according to what most scholars believe. Just before the end, the Restrainer is removed. It's a sign of an imminent event that some call a heresy, others call it a fallacy, and others call it their hope. That is the rapture of the church. I believe it will happen sooner, not later. And once it does and the Holy Spirit's influence is removed from this world, watch out. Those who remain will find suffering beyond comprehension. It will be the end of life as we know it.

Yes, for me, these events are signs of the times. It motivates me to work hard to bring as many with me as I can once the "end" arrives. Watch. And pray.

To Whom Do You Pray?

As far back as I can remember, I was taught to pray. I remember (vaguely) being in Diamond Springs, VA, sitting at our kitchen table as a little boy of not even 5 yet, praying that prayer all children were taught to pray before a meal. Remember it? "God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food." I remember it still after all these years. We prayed in church, we prayed in school. We even prayed that little prayer before we left our classroom for the cafeteria for lunch. Please do not gasp too loudly if you are among those who now find praying in school to be abhorrent; there were a lot less social ills then than there are now.

We have come a long ways since then. That is why I chose to publish this link; you need to see where we are going.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by me." No one else is the way; no one else gives life. When you pray, it should be to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. Anything else falls short at best, and is idolatry in most cases. We are now resorting to idolatry of the worst kind. God have mercy on America.