Category: Watchman on Alert BLOG

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Politics and Society today Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ Watchman on Alert BLOG

My Heart is Heavy for America Today

My Heart is Heavy for America today

“You have answered me” Psalm 22:21b

Except for Psalm 22:21b, my heart is heavy indeed. I am resolved in whatever direction the world turns now: Let the LORD have His way!

My heart is heavy for America today as I watch the process of the media impatiently pushing for Joe Biden to be president. My heart breaks for the nation of America, and half of its people, who are led by a bombastic but patriotic man; President Trump carries on in spite of a hateful media and 15% of the nation’s loudest and most violent socialists scream to oust him. Mankind is certainly staring into the abyss and my heart is heavy. Because whether we like America or not, whether we agree with President Trump or not, whether we believe in climate change or Biblical prophecy or capitalism or not, where America goes the rest of the West and perhaps the rest of the world will follow.

We are on a precipice: do we soar toward righteousness or do we fall into complete depravity and shame? The middle ground is all but obsolete, absorbed into one extreme view or the other. Fence-sitters, it’s time to choose.


Did the Democrats cheat on the election? If they did and they get away with it, it is the end of the free world. This is NOT about who is the best president but about who actually won.

I take my stand, not by my opinion nor my deepest fears, but by faith. I do not know what GOD will choose. For example, I don’t know if President Trump will continue to be president of the United States beyond 20th January 2021. I know that if he does, he may only be delaying the inevitable. Or if Mr Biden becomes the president, it seems inevitable — by the words of his mouth — that globalisation will be pushed, and will likely be established very quickly. With it, personal freedom will be gone with a final breath. Then it seems, the vast majority of humanity will despair!

As might I, but for one thing: a phrase in Psalm 22: “You have answered me.” (v21b)

Dear friends, GOD always answers a prayer.

Today the world as we know it is under attack. Some of the systems have been imperfect, but now we are staring into the face of godlessness. Morality is at an all-time low. The globalists are at the door and pushing to alter the stock market, the infrastructure of fossil fuels, the economic structure of the West, with a lean toward extreme socialism (research: Global Reset). What does that mean and how does it relate to those following Jesus, whose lifestyle encourages us to share?

It means the political classes around the world will unite around one cause and have the power to achieve it: absolute power over humanity. Dominating and crushing free thought, free expression and freedom to prosper, personal freedom has been under increasing attack. With the “Political Class” (President Trump calls it “The Swamp”) dominating in America, freedom will end and it will end quickly.

The opposite is Jesus, who came to give us abundant life, and inherent in that is freedom.

Where is hope?

When Jesus was on the cross he quoted Psalm 22:1 “My GOD, my GOD, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) But then he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), completing his task — offering salvation to the world.

David wrote Psalm 22 and within it are the prophetic words, “They pierce my hands and my feet” (v16) and “… for my clothing they cast lots” (v18). He also wrote, “Save me from the lions mouth…. You have answered me.” (v21)

GOD always answers.

As Paul wrote in Philippians, “but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of GOD in Christ Jesus.” (v13b-14)

And that is what we must do. We pray, we trust, and we move forward according to GOD’s will and plan.

Yes, my heart is heavy for the world, and even for me and my family and friends, because if the interpretation of End Times prophecy is true, and if we are in Daniel 7 or Matthew 24 or Revelation 6 or 19/20*…. then the end is approaching. (*there is so much on End Time prophecy and different ways to interpret Daniel or Matthew, Ezekiel or Revelation, that I encourage you to study and to do your own research.)

But if the end of the world as we know it is near, then so also is the new earth (Revelations 21).

It is my complete belief that we must let GOD… we must pray, His will be done on earth as in heaven. Yes I celebrate those who have faith to believe absolutely that right will win in the battle over America. And I agree with them in prayer. But I also have another conviction, that GOD’s will must be done. These are not contradictory statements, nor are the confirmed to be in total agreement. Ultimately, the one must supersede the other as in all matters. We love and serve a righteous and sovereign GOD and He alone knows how the end and the new beginning will best be accomplished. In that I encourage us all to put our hope. Releasing the authority back to GOD who has given it to us for the earth, enables Him to bring righteousness. Praise GOD, He reigns!

Blessings, Sarah 

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Politics and Society today Watchman on Alert BLOG

The Benefit of Another Lockdown

The benefit of another lockdown exists. 

For Believers, I’m not speaking about health safety, but about what ancillary helps arise from lockdown. And there are some. I’ve noticed I’ve been spending less time with the Holy Spirit recently, compared to earlier this year in the grip of the first lockdown. I suppose I need another lockdown to recalibrate.

This week in England, a second lockdown of a sort has been instituted. This follows what has been occurring all across Europe and in the other nations of the United Kingdom over recent weeks. Today is the first day of a month-long closure in England of all but essential trade businesses. Schools and other educational institutions continue. But work from home, which has become the norm goes on, service industries and fitness places are closed, shops beyond those which supply essentials are also closed. 

Why has our sovereign LORD allowed this?

I’m not choosing to discuss the merits of fighting Covid over fighting the fall- out from closures. I am weighing up how we can grow in these times by spending more quality time with GOD.

Lockdown offers a slowdown, an opportunity to reflect, contemplate, pray.

As we abide with our LORD, we grow in love and surrender. Surrender enables us to receive more of the Holy Spirit’s guidance and leadership: 

More of you, less of me, LORD!

Overcoming the flesh

As we walk in the Spirit of Christ, we become more like Jesus; we overcome the flesh and live in the fruit of the spirit, including more peace, love, joy and all the other fruits.

Walking in greater love and surrender: allowing Jesus to prepare his bride; defending us against worldly distraction — however “good” the cause; deepening our understanding of GOD’s word, His ways, His truth. These can only be good things.

This is the antithesis of rebellion

It is equally possible that this lockdown is a ploy to shepherd citizens into greater fear and docile capitulation. Tyranny may well be at our doorstep. There is an abundance of conspiracy theory and alternative scientific views about how to manage this virus. But we must choose to look up, to rest in His presence, to trust in His word.

GOD is sovereign and He has given us the governments of His choosing. Romans 13 tells us this.

Lockdown is at best, a human effort to protect. It is not a spiritual battle.

Lockdown gives society the opportunity to reflect, revise, reshape, spending more time with our children and less time in the rat race.

Church as we know it needs to revise. It is based upon Greek thinking and roots that are a far cry from Jesus’ initial church. Can we let it go to let GOD raise up His church? I think we can, and we must.

Shortcomings of the Church as we know it

There are some excellent aspects to the organised church. It offers a sense of family to those even without family. It gives an opportunity to learn about GOD, for those already in the family of GOD and also for those still outside. 

But is everything that is “the Church” operating as Jesus intended? I don’t think so. It seems to me that church, in the main, is more about people and less about Him. Worship is more about how we feel and less about His Glory. It is top-ended and front-focused, a system rather than what was recorded in Acts 2:42-47:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and they ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising GOD and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Let us embrace lockdown as an opportunity

To dwell more deeply with the LORD and even to return to church with an altered mindset can be our goals. Let us trust that our sovereign GOD will never leave us nor forsake us, and that His battle is for the hearts and minds of the people. Our role is to dwell in His presence and to prepare as His bride. When He pronounces us ready, there will be much to do. Let us wait on Him for His timing, His anointing and His leadership.

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Politics and Society today Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ Watchman on Alert BLOG

Psalm 2 Election Prayer

Taken from Psalm 2, here is an Election Prayer for USA today, UK Parliament tomorrow…..

“Why do the nations rage,

And the people plot a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD and against His 

Anointed, say,

“Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us.””

This is speaking of Yehovah GOD and His son:

“Yet I have set My King

On My holy hill of Zion”

“You are MY Son,

Today I have begotten You.

Ask of Me and I will give You

The nations for Your inheritance.

And the ends of the earth for Your possession.”

Jesus, we ask you to give us this day Your victory over the nations:


Over the American election today,

Over the parliamentary decisions in England tomorrow,

So that we may rejoice with you with trembling.

We “kiss the Son, lest he be angry,”

We do not wish to perish along the say.

Amen.

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Consideration of Biblical Scripture Watchman on Alert BLOG

The Bride of Christ

Who is the Bride of Christ and where does that phrase come from?

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25 begins,

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

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But 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. And 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.”

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

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

The bridegroom is Jesus, the virgins are brides; but what about men who follow Jesus? Although we are in an age of increased liberalities in society and some are taking those liberalities and applying them to the Gospel, am I advocating marriage between men? Nope. Nor am I proposing women take a  man’s role as groom so that men become brides. Well then, this bridegroom/bride analogy leads us, I think, to a reasonable question: How are men to relate the the bride analogy? Is it important?

The term “Bride of Christ” is a phrase that does not actually appear in the Bible. It suggests that the Church (ie the followers of Jesus) is the bride, since Jesus is the bridegroom, and this supports the Matthew 25 scripture above. The beauty, grace, and surrender of the bride offers a clear relational context to the bridegroom who is the faithful love, friend, protector of his bride. But is it masculine? Doesn’t seem so to me. So I wonder, do men have a problem relating to it?

Some phrases we adopt are not necessarily Biblical; an easy way to avoid assumptions and misdirections is to look up phrases we are keen on to see where they appear — if they appear — in scripture. In the case of the marriage analogy, I raise the question of masculinity because as we walk in the Spirit, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). In other words, gender doesn’t matter to GOD!

Finally, as an afterthought and in the desire to remove human assumption, it is possible that the virgins are a collection of people, both men and women, when Jesus refers to the virgins: innocents. For Jesus does not call these people brides — we have done that. He merely refers to the bridegroom who is coming and the virgins who are waiting. We have filled in the rest. Note however, Revelation 22:17 does seem to refer to the Church as a bride, and so this afterthought is most likely just a diversion.

The Bride is to prepare… for what?

To introduce this concept of “Preparing the Bride” and how I’ve come to the conclusion the emphasis in this Blog needs to shift in that direction, you might like to start here:

https://laruspress.com/preparing-the-bride-from-watchman-on-alert/

and then come back to this post.

This blog is for men and for women who seek to grow, to learn, to discover more about ourselves, our faith and our Jesus. Time does seem to be growing short and so I believe it is time I gear what I write to preparing myself and preparing others for Jesus’ inevitable return.

What do we need to prepare?

  1. total surrender to the Holy Spirit and the Word of GOD
  2. the oil of the Holy Spirit
  3. readiness for where GOD wants our attention and focus
  4. fellowship to help each other as we all prepare
  5. alertness to the truth and a willingness to lay down our assumptions about the Gospel and the Word of GOD.

The Remnant

As we live in the End Times, not knowing when Jesus’ return will be yet living as though it is tomorrow, we are the remnant, the ones who are sold out for Jesus. To walk in the Spirit, without compromise, without fear, without fleshly desires, is our goal. We pray, we praise, we trust GOD.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

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Politics and Society today Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ Watchman on Alert BLOG

Coronavirus: Vaccine

Wikipedia

It’s not for me

I shan’t be taking the vaccine.

When I first heard about “Coronavirus” I thought, if there’s a vaccine, I won’t be taking it. I don’t like the prevalence of vaccines. When I was a child there were polio vaccines; praise GOD that polio was combatted.

But fast forward to modern times, where vaccines have become so prevalent. For a good while, I’ve been suspicious. After careful and prayerful consideration, I did have my son take the MMR (mumps/measles/rubella). Although I do think children are better off getting the childhood illnesses and overcoming them, society has asked parents to have children vaccinated to reduce the risk of contamination and epidemic.

Flu vaccines are not on my radar, not for me nor for my son. Illness isn’t friendly, but it is a natural part of the course of life. Fear of illness is not a good reason to vaccinate. Fear is not a good decision maker. What doesn’t harm us does make us stronger. And how many times does “Do not fear” occur in scripture? 365 at last count.

When it was confirmed the medical scientists are looking for a vaccine for Coronavirus I stated aloud: it won’t be something I’ll take… not for me, not for my son. (That doesn’t mean it isn’t for some; but for me, it is not.)

Then I heard on the “Alternative Media” from different sources that vaccines will contain stem cells from aborted babies. How can I endorse that? No, I certainly won’t be taking it.

Vaccine or Vaccine +

When I heard the vaccine may include a nano-chip as a means for buying and selling, and for tracking us, alarm bells began to ring — loudly. The jury is out as to whether that is true, but nevertheless, I won’t be taking the vaccine for coronavirus. Nor do I intend to take any vaccine that offers an easy means to buy or sell… whether it is separate or included in an anti-virus vaccine.

“…and that no one may buy or sell except one who has [the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Rev 13:17)

Yes I’m confident we are in the End Times (Matthew 24; Revelations13). We don’t know when or how distant the return of Jesus is, but we have been forewarned about such matters as the Mark of the Beast; I shan’t be taking a vaccine into my hand which offers a means to buy and to sell.

Wake up Church

This is the time for those who are In Christ to wake up, get up and get going. Whether it’s for the war or for the wedding, we need to be ready. When the Lord comes, will our lamps be full of oil? (Matthew 25)

Holy Spirit

But the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. The Word of the LORD is the sword of the Spirit. Love is our greatest asset. The Holy Spirit anointing is our immunity, our protection, and our comfort.

So, we need to abide in Him, rest in His Word, wait for the power and presence of His anointing through the Holy Spirit.

Is it time to be ready? I believe it’s time.

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Politics and Society today Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ Reflections and Poetry Watchman on Alert BLOG

Nearing the End of the Earth: a reflective plea

I Despair at Earth’s current condition

How near are we to the end of the lifespan of this planet Earth? Too near, too near, and I am grieving. 

“We’ve blown it” a friend said to me recently. 

Indeed we have. The poles are melting. For me, that is the most clear sign of the destruction. Continents of ice are melting into oblivion…. 

Doom at our doorstep

It seems there’s little we can do now — It seems that anything we attempt is only putting a band-aid on the disaster we’ve created. The beauty of this planet is fading, dying by mankind’s hand. For example, koala’s are in limited number, elephant tusks are on the black market; innocent, majestic creatures are dying by our hands. It’s for money, for farming expansion, for sport, not borne out of human necessity.

Sound glum? Yes, I’m glum. We once had beauty; that is now fading. Shall we enjoy, rescue what we can, pray and share with others the hope set before us.… Jesus is the truth and the answer to life’s sorrow. But for the sake of our responsibility toward Earth, is that all we can do?

For “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” (1 Corinthians 10:26) Were we not called to celebrate, enjoy, look after the beauty and splendour of GOD’s creation? 

Yes. But we did not.

I am not an extinction rebellion advocate. I am not a Green Party supporter. I am not a “leftie”. I’m not saying those are good or bad stances; they just aren’t me. But I am sure humanity has destroyed a beautiful gift and I despair that there is little hope in turning back.

Politics

The politicians talk about carbon-neutral. By the time we reach carbon neutrality — the UK projects 2050 — at the rate of destruction and melting, we won’t have a reason to bother. Oh, how we’ve taken something so precious for granted and are reaping the result: an earth so perfect in its creation, groans at our abuse.

How must the LORD sense the tragedy!

What is relevant to the Christian

Why does the earth matter if Jesus is returning soon? Because Jesus spoke and created the earth for us to look after, and we’ve failed him. As one song puts it,

“… (his) hands that flung stars into space…” (Graham Kendrick)

Hope

Yes, there will be a New Heaven and a New Earth, but how selfish we are who know Jesus to think we can escape the horrendous damage we’ve been a part of, and that we should rejoice. Yes, what Jesus has done for us is WONDERFUL. But have we not all played our part in the destruction of earth… with our cars, our holidays abroad, our hairspray and our litter.

GOD created man to look after the earth. Do we see what man has done in the last century alone? 

Loving GOD and loving His earth go hand-in-hand. Should we love one of His creation less? No, we are called to love one another. How much too, are we called to love and care for the very earth He created, put mankind upon and told us to look after it.

“Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)

What shall we do?

I don’t know. Pray certainly! But I don’t know what else I’m going to do. I’ve only just realised how important it is that I do something. I’ve asked the LORD, “Is there more I can do than recycle?” For now, His response seems to be for me to post these thoughts and pray.

SO this I am doing. Such small things. Such a huge problem. 

So little time.

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Politics and Society today Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ Watchman on Alert BLOG

Mental Health Today: Was King Solomon Depressive?

I read Ecclesiastes with some familiarity

It’s a book I’ve read often, and Chapter 3: A Time for Every Season is popular with many people. But Chapter 2 which precedes it is what I dwell on today.

I ask myself, was Solomon depressed when he wrote it? He must have been. To have all the wisdom and wealth in the world, and to start a book with,

“The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.” (Ecc Chapter 1:1-2 NIV)

and to come to this stark conclusion, I think he must have been at a low point in his grand life when he wrote Ecclesiastes.

Solomon’s focus in Chapter 2 is on the futility of effort, as legacy does not hold any guarantees of sustaining the result of one’s effort; to enjoy one’s labour is worthwhile, but with no forward expectations.

“I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?” (Ecc 2:18-19a NIV)

Solomon has strayed rather than prayed; if he had prayed to GOD, he would know who would follow after him, or be at peace with whatever GOD would bring.

“Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.” (Ecc 2:24 NKJV)

He has not lost faith in GOD, but he has lost relationship. He speaks not of the spirit, but of the soul.* This, I think, is the key to his depression.

He is alone, ruminating in his mind, rather than searching GOD and His spirit. Truly, he is wise and correct to say, ‘everything is meaningless’, for without GOD, without relationship to Him, Solomon is truly alone — with his wealth, his wives, his children, yet he is isolated and alone.

from Peter Paul Rubins’ The Judgment of Solomon

Today in our society, depression and lack of mental health is on the rise, particularly amongst the youth

Today, we live in a society where GOD has been removed from schools, from health care, from society in the main. The result? 

To Solomon, who had wealth, fame and power, came depression. His success became meaningless to him. Today, though higher education, prosperity and independence have become increasingly available to young adults, they have proven meaningless to the happiness of many. Just as Solomon became isolated from GOD, likewise today, our youth grow up without GOD. Our relatively prosperous society too, on the whole, suffers from a lack of the Joy of the LORD, who provides humanity with its true source of strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and purpose.

“To know GOD and to make Him known” was the key slogan behind my discipleship training course, provided through a YWAM-trained pastor when I was a young woman. How I wish (and pray), that more Believers and society on the whole, would discover this key to a truly fulfilling life.

“For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight;” (Ecc 2:26a NKJV

*Yes, it is true that in the Old Testament man did not receive the Spirit of GOD as we do through Jesus Christ. But David, Solomon’s father, often spoke of the Spirit. For example, Psalm 139:7 says, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”

Note: Images from www.Lambsongs.co.nz and Peter Paul Rubins’ Judgment of Solomon, available at www.smk.dk

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Consideration of Biblical Scripture Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ Watchman on Alert BLOG

What is REST?

What is Rest? 

“For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” (Hebrews 4:3) and “For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” (Hebrews 4:10 – aka on the Sabbath)

Rest is being with GOD. Rest is peace of mind. Rest is desirable. Rest is….

In terms of physics, “at rest” is stillness, having a potential of energy but not movement, not kinetic energy.

Rest in the sense of our spirituality, is being in the Will of the Father.

How do we find rest?

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, 

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

That means: focus in Jesus, obey Jesus, take Jesus’ advice, follow Jesus.

How do we focus on Jesus?

By the power of the Holy Spirit which he sent to us after his Ascension to be with the Father.

And this is my point:

Rest comes from Yehovah, Father GOD, Creator. It comes when we align with Him. Jesus shows us The Way — how to be “at rest” with our father, through obedience and trust. Being under the anointing facilitates it, and as we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), we can be at rest in Him; we are not full of our own agenda, angst and will, but alive in His will, by His grace and love and faithfulness. 

Ultimately, rest comes when we walk in the Spirit and not in our flesh.

Sabbath Rest

In Hebrews 4:10 (above), the Father is telling us we need to keep His Sabbath in order to find rest. To keep the Sabbath means to rest in the Sabbath, but what IS the Sabbath?

In the 7th day of Creation, GOD rested. We know from the Hebrew that this day was the equivalent of our Saturday. So why do we go to church on Sunday? Why (historically) did shops used to be closed on Sundays? Why is our Sabbath considered by many followers of Jesus as Sunday?

Because Rome decided to do that as part of making the Church and State linked. Rome became “Christian” and so Rome dictated much change from The Way begun by Jesus’ immediate disciples. They based the new Sabbath on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead on the equivalent of Sunday. The establishment called this the LORD’s day and made it the Sabbath.

But speaking to the Hebrews, GOD says through the Word in Hebrews 13:5,

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

That doesn’t sound like a GOD who would change His Sabbath away from what He gave to the Hebrews centuries before.

What shall we do?

On the seventh day, GOD rested from all His work when He created the world. 

In Exodus 20:8 He commands us to do the same.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

Strictly speaking, Christians are keeping the wrong day!

Does which day we keep as Sabbath matter to GOD?

We each must seek the Father on this matter.

I believe so. He picked a day, He picked a people. He’s never unChosen the Jews and He’s never changed the Sabbath… not in His Word. In fact Hebrews 13:8 says,

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Since Jesus is GOD’s son, I reckon if he doesn’t change, then neither does the Father.

Now if we are in pursuit of total rest, then let us seek Shalom and wish Shalom for others…

You’ve probably heard others or perhaps you’ve said yourself, “Shalom,” as a greeting.

What is Shalom?

Is it rest – stop – potential? 


In order for GOD to move, He may insist that we need to be in that state of ‘rest’, where we are walking not in the flesh but in the Spirit.

According to Jews for Jesus, Shalom is, 

“The ancient Hebrew concept of peace, rooted in the word “shalom,” meant wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety and prosperity, carrying with it the implication of permanence.”

You can read much more about the Shalom of YHWH:

https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/issues/issues-v01-n10/the-shalom-of-god-issues-shalom/

From me, today, I simply want to encourage us all to consider two things:

  1. Let us live in the state of rest that Jesus encourages, only doing the will of the Father and
  2. Let us consider deeply, whether the Father wants us to keep His Sabbath, not because it’s law but as an act of obedient love for Him.

And finally,

Rest is eternal. Eternal rest, not as death, but as forever, living peacefully within – having the peace of GOD, which surpasses understanding. (Philippians 4:7) And as we walk by His Spirit, we can have that, beginning today.

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Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ Watchman on Alert BLOG

On a Christian’s Writing

How often do you write? 

Do you make shopping lists? Then, you write.

Do you preach sermons? Then, you write.

Do you keep a journal? Then, you write.

Have you ever heard GOD call you to write?

Have you followed that Call?

I was called to write in 2000, while on my return flight from living 3 months in Hong Kong.

Having always kept a journal of some sort, it seemed like a fun idea.

It turned into a career.

When you follow GOD’s Call, it will lead you to places you may not expect. 

You also have a deep sense of peace, knowing you are in His will and in His hands.

How perfect is that? Very “perfect”!

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Consideration of Biblical Scripture Preparing the Bride of Jesus Christ Watchman on Alert BLOG

Companionship with our Father

I am growing as a companion to GOD.

Recently, I began to realise whilst in prayer, that the Father really wants intimacy with me. It isn’t a one way desire. I was seeking Him and He revealed to me, He wants me as His companion, as well.

How do I dare to say this?

Looking at Genesis, Enoch and Noah both walked with GOD.

“Enoch ….. walked with God” (Genesis 5:24)

“Noah …. walked with GOD (Genesis 6:9)

And as one who follows The Way of Jesus, I have accepted that friendship with the world is is contrary to GOD’s Way,

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

Jesus said that he and the Father were one,

“… that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:21)

Jesus prayed for his disciples and for all who would one day follow him, that we might be one in Him.

Let us take GOD at His word… 

He says he wants companionship. I trust Him and am learning from Him how to live that out.