Monday Morning Blues

This past weekend has not been the best, especially Sunday.  My diet doesn’t seem to be working and I fell off the wagon of healthy eating.  Sunday,  I had a HUGE glass of ice cream.  Nothing could satisfy me.  I think part of it was just disgust that nothing seems to work with me.  My sugars are still up even though I am taking more insulin.  I have been trying to eat healthy, vegetables and meat and limiting carbs to an occasional sweet potato.  I am taking all my meds as prescribed.  Yet, I don’t seem to be getting anywhere.

My nephew, wrote a blog this morning which captured how I feel.  http://dreambigdreamoften.co/2015/10/12/2-simple-tips-when-you-are-feeling-a-down-turn/

He calls it a downturn.   It really spoke to me.  He also had a couple of tips to help move on.  For me, it was a moment of just not caring.  Feeling you have done everything right and the results are not what you are looking for.  Have you ever been there?  I think most of us have.  Since I am still not sleeping well at night, I spent much of the night listening to praise music and preaching.  I still got up this morning feeling like a failure.

During my devotion this morning, I unloaded on God.   Remembering how Jesus must have felt on the cross,, I felt ashamed.  Ashamed that I allowed my failures to have so much of an impact on me.

I began searching God’s Word for my answer.  I found this scripture in Exodus.

Exodus 15:2 (ESV)

The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

So my answer is to be found in the Lord, my God.  The Apostle Paul was very familiar with weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

I guess we are in good company when we feel weak.  So what do we do when we encounter these “downturns” in life.  I think my nephew had a couple of great tips to get us moving.

I found these  scriptures in Isaiah.

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

This lets me  know that God will surely give strength to me regardless of  how I much I feel like a failure.  I wrote these words in my journal this morning.  “My redeemer lives today in my heart and in my soul.”   I can depend on his help when I grow weary and disgusted with myself.  We all need encouragement from time to time and I find it in God’s Word.   Hope you have a wonderful and blessed day.

Moving Forward

Another week has flown by.  So many details to take care of.  Another Doctor’s appointment, talking with my pharmacist representative and setting up appointments for next week.  One of my Doctor’s put me back on Gabapentin.  I was on it before for the neuropathy pain in my feet and legs.  It did not help but they want me to try it again.  She felt I wasn’t taking enough of it.  So I start out with 300mg this week and if it is not working, I double the dose the next week.  She believes it will help me to sleep better as well.  I haven’t been sleeping much since Mom passed.

The last week of Mom’s life, I would lay on the bed near her.  I didn’t want her to pass while I was asleep, so I would wake up every little bit and turn over and see if she was still breathing.  I slept with a small light on.  Sometimes, I couldn’t see her chest move up and down so I would sit up until I could see her chest move.  I prayed that God would not let her pass while I was asleep.  I still find myself waking up and looking to see if she is still breathing.

In my prayer time, Monday, a scripture was brought to my remembrance.  Romans 8:28  “And we know that ALL things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

I started researching this scripture and asked myself what was meant by “the called?”  In Romans 1:7 the word says that we are called to be “holy people”.  In this present age, how many people feel like they are suppose to be holy?  You certainly can’t find too many on TV that have been called to be holy.   On my FB page, there are lots of people who don’t even bother to filter their language.  I don’t usually let it bother me.  I just hide the remark and keep scrolling.  TV channels are the same.  Keep clicking til something comes on (usually old) that I can watch.  I guess I am not too concerned with what other people are doing.  I’m more concerned about what I am doing??

In 1 Peter 1:13-16, Peter writes to believers, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” Peter is quoting from Leviticus 11:44 and Leviticus 19:2.

This seems like a tall order.   Be holy in all your behavior.  Surely Peter didn’t mean that for today, yet I think he did.

Romans 11:29 says that “His call is irrevocable.”  The dictionary says that the word irrevocable means,  “not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered; final.”  In simple terms, once you have been called then it is final.   There is no going back.

These thoughts brought me peace and have come back to me this week over and over.  There was a statement in my journal this week.

“Each sunrise is a reminder that Jesus Christ brings us out of darkness and fills our lives with Hs glorious light.”  I looked this up on the internet to see where this came from.  I found many scriptures which indicated that Christ is the light.   In this I am most confident.

I pray you have a wonderful weekend.

Lifestyle Changes and Dealing with Grief

Since losing Mom on August 17, 2015, I have spent the last 6 weeks or so, dealing with grief,  Almost every morning I get up and think about what I am going to do for Mom today only to catch myself and remember that Mom is not here any more, at least, in her physical form.  It hurts my heart.

I made a few new beginnings.  I have gone to my Doctor and am dealing with my blood sugars which are too high.  I pay attention to my insulin and sugar readings.  I am paying close attention to what I am eating and drinking.

No more  drinking the wrong things.  Nothing  but lemon water, and hot tea now.  Eating NO sugar, No white potatoes, limiting carbs and replacing with vegetables.  That’s my new lifestyle. I am eating No pork or gluten either.

My blood sugars have come down some but not enough.  The doctors have had me increase insulin (Lantus) but my sugars are still high.  My fasting Blood Sugar this morning is 182.

On the positive side, I have lost 11 pounds since September 2nd.  I imagine most of that weight is water weight but I will still take it.  The nutritionist is going to call me this week and we will probably discuss portion sizes and see why I am not losing more.  I know I need to incorporate more exercise into my lifestyle changes.  Something I intend to do soon.

My nephew writes a blog, Dream Big, Dream Often http://dreambigdreamoften.co/2015/06/27/habits-of-successful-people/.  In this blog, he mentioned getting up early and making his bed.  It helped him to get the day started on the right foot.   I realized that I needed to start this habit.  When I was taking care of Mom, I just was not making my bed.   That has changed.  I get up and make my bed now.

I also make sure I take my medicine.   I had been putting myself on the last item on my to do list.  Trying to change that isn’t easy.  New habits are hard to form.    Here is a good article on the time it takes to form new habits if you are interested.  http://www.bustle.com/articles/58195-how-long-does-it-take-to-develop-a-new-habit-66-days-says-science-or-debunking

Dealing with grief is a difficult process.  One day at a time.

Blessings to you.

Life is Precious

The last few months have been difficult.  Mom calapsed in January and  that ended with a hospital stay.  We found out that there was a blood bleed on her brain.  Also, her brain had shrunk from the Alzheimers.  Unfortunately, there was nothing the Doctors felt they could do for her.

So for the last 8 months we have tried to make Mom as comfortable as possible and gathered around her to love on her.  She passed away August 17th with her family gathered around her.

As a care giver, you find that your loved one has a big big place in your life and when they are gone, there is a big hole that needs filling.  Everyone has been so kind but words just cannot heal the numbness you feel.  Maybe time will help.

I am refocusing my attentions on my health issues and what I need to do for myself.  One day at a time.

I have set a few goals for myself.

1.  Start journalling again.

      Keep track of everything I put in my mouth

2.  Do a better job following eating plan.

No gluten

No sugar, regular flour or other white foods (except gluten free)

No pork

Increase vegetables in diet

Drink lots of lemon water daily (8 glasses)

3.  Set Doctor’s appointments and follow up on treatments.

4.  Take Medicine  and vitamins properly

5.  Spend more time in prayer

These are goals that I hope to get started on.  Right now it is difficult to move forward but I know that life is precious and not to be wasted.

Shalom and Grace to you through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Diet – 2015

Start Diet:

Getting started on a new diet plan doesn’t always go as planned.

I made Mom and I breakfast shakes this morning and got mine down but Mom was a different story.  She usually has been drinking her shakes.  Not this morning though.   She drank about half of an 8 ounce shake.  Later, she  drank about 16 ounces of punch (which is not on this new diet).  I tried water and other liquids but she was not in a drinking mood today.  The problem with Mom is that if we don’t get these liquids in her she will become dehydrated which causes urinary tract infections or other problems.  Over time, we have learned that we have to keep at it.   Her Doctor told us that even though the fluids might not be on the diet, it is better to get some fluids  into her.  She has never liked water so we do our best to get these liquids into her in some manner, i.e., coffee, tea, soups, juice with water added into it.  Whatever we can think of.  Tomorrow, I will start again with the shake.

We did pretty good with our foods for the day.  Since it was New Year’s Day, our southern cuisine included turnip/mustard greens, black-eyed peas, ham, cast iron skillet potatoes and corn bread (gluten-free and using non GMO corn meal).   Neither Mom or I ate the potatoes .  I love them so this was a real sacrifice.   Mom  seemed more confused than usual and would not feed herself.  So I fed her.  Her taste buds seem to be changing.  She has always loved greens but today when I gave her a bite she said no.  So I fed her a bite of something else and went back to the greens until she had eaten everything on her plate.    As for me, I have no problem cleaning the plate.

Here is a link to the  gluten-free cornbread.

http://sharpshooter77.blogspot.com/2011/11/gluten-free-corn-cornbread.html

I substituted coconut oil for the oil in the recipe and I did not use corn or onion in the recipe either.  I just made simple cornbread.  Mom only ate a few bites of the corn bread but I ate a slice.  I always use my cast iron skillet for making cornbread.  I have to admit it was a great meal.

I think we made a start today.  More to follow…

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Happy New Year 2015:

I want to thank all of you who have come to my site and read what I have had to say during 2014.   I hope I can share a few posts for 2015.  Many times I have felt that I didn’t really have much to share.  Some of the health issues I battle are inability to focus.  That is one reason for writing or emailing because I can take my time and write during periods when my mind functions a little.  Sometimes during the middle of a post, my mind decides it cannot concentrate and I have to leave it and come back later when I can concentrate once again.  Well, that is my excuse for not having very many posts this year.

This year I plan to use “my blog, my voice” for sharing the struggles that we fight daily.  Recently, I had a cousin pass away from cancer.  He struggled for 11 months.   My Mom is struggling with dementia and I watch the process daily.   It has robbed her of so many choices.  She is 88 years old and at the end stages of this disease.   Yet, I see a joy and peace and calm about her that is uplifting.  For those of you who are struggling with health issues, financial issues, and other life problems, remember that God has a plan for us.  The healing power of God helps us through these struggles if we turn to Him.   He is the source and the rock.

There is a hymn that I love that comes to mind so many times when I face struggles.

	My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
	On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.
2	When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.
3	His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
4	When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; In Him, my righteousness, alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

Have a blessed and wonderful New Year filled with the Hope of Jesus Christ.

New Diet 2015 – Alzheimers Nutrient Rich Support Diet

Beginning

I have spent several days writing out  my new diet program.  The truth is that I have been on every diet under the sun.  In fact, I have lost hundreds of pounds on them.  Of course, the same 10 or 15 lbs have come off and then back on over and over again.  I am in  a group that meets together every week and discusses these 10 or 15 lbs and how to get them off again.  In fact, I think I am an expert at losing this weight.  This time, I don’t really want to focus on losing the weight as much as finding something that works long-term and will help me with my health issues, i.e., diabetes, high blood pressure, neuropathy of the feet and legs and other issues.

Recently, I found a research study that put Alzheimer’s patients on a nutrient rich and low carb diet that worked for all but one of these patients.  Since my Mom suffers from dementia, we put her on that diet.  We already had her on another Alzheimer’s Cure Diet.   So it makes sense to me to have myself on the same diet and incorporate other things that I have learned over the years.  At least, That is the way I plan to start out.  I have spent the last few days putting it together.

Protocol for Losing Weight and treating my health Issues:

It is very important that our body has  all the vitamins and nutrients it needs.  The problem is that lots of our foods that we eat are not very rich in these nutrients.  The Alzheimer’s Nutrient Rich Diet allows for vitamins and nutrients to be given in the form of pills.  Unfortunately, Mom cannot swallow pills at her present stage of dementia.  She had two trips to the hospital and came out very weak and drained.  We had to sit with her and work with her just to get her to eat.  When we started her on the liquid vitamins we noticed a big difference in her right away.  I found out that many older folks die from nutrition deficiency which weakens them.   So we have been giving her liquid vitamins and nutrients ever since.  1 T I started doing the same things for myself.

Here is a list of what we are currently taking:

Vitamin’s

Liquid Centrum Multi-Vitamin – 1 Tbl.  I buy this at Walmart – Take in AM

Liquid Calcium/Vit. D3 plus Magnesium – 1 Tbl. I buy this at Walmart – Take in PM

Liquid Vitamin D3 – 5000 IU – The Vitamin Store –  Take in AM

Liquid Melatonin .5 mg – The Vitamin Store – Take in PM

Liquid Iron – The Vitamin Store – Take in AM  Iron levels can be determined by your doctor.  Very important for women.  Ask your Doctor about this.

Pre and Pro Biotics – The Vitamin Store or Walmart

Cinnamon Capsules – 1000 mg.  I buy this at Walmart – Take in the AM

Liquid Vitamin B12 –  1000 mcg.  I found it at The Vitamin Store  The ideal supplemental form of supplemental vitamin B12 is methylcobalamin,  Note:  99% of Vitamin B12 has cyanide in it.  To learn more, here is a link that is well worth reading.  http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/99-vitamin-b12-market-contains-cyanide.

Because of our health issues, I try to make sure that none of the vitamins we take contain cyanide.  I am looking for a B Complex Vitamin in liquid form that does not contain cyanide now.

Buffered Vitamin C – I could not find this in liquid form so I feed it to Mom with her meds with applesauce.  I just take the capsuls.  1000mg.  I buy this at Walmart or The Vitamin Store.

Medications:

I take these as prescribed.  Mom’s are ground up and fed to her in applesauce.

Seasonings:

These seasonings are used in our cooking as much as possible:

Turmeric or Cur cumin

Garlic

Cayenne Pepper

Coconut Oil, pure, unrefined, cold pressed  – I get a huge container from BJ’s.  It is the Carrington Farms Brand and costs about $16.00.  We take 3 TBLS per day.  I started out with 1TBLS and built up to the 3 TBLS.  This is very important for memory.  I also only use two types of oils in cooking.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Coconut Oil.

I am currently investigating adding these to our protocol:

K2

CoQ10

Alpha Lipoic Acid – 500mg. to 600mg. to treat Neuropathy

Basic Diet:

This basic diet is essentially low carb, low grain, gluten-free. and high fiber.   It is low to no sugar, no artificial sweeteners.   If I find I have to use a sweetener on rare occasions, I will use Stevia or coconut sugar.  This is a whole foods, no processed foods which are mostly organic diet, NO GMO’s, NO MSG’s, Oils are eliminated all together except for Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Coconut Oil.  No caffeine, No sodas.  And this is a big one for me.  NO DAIRY.  I love my milk and cheese but will have to leave it alone for now.  I use Unsweetened Almond/Coconut Milk as a substitute for the milk.  No replacement for the cheese.  Eggs are allowed.  I use cage free eggs.

Water Consumption – 8 glasses each day.

Fiber is added into shakes, oatmeal, soups, or other recipes.  It is very important to eat fiber at every meal.  Drink lots of water along with it.

Vegetables are encouraged on this diet.  Salads and soups.

Meats – Clean Meats Only  This means very little if any pork.  We still eat bacon.  Hormone Free Chicken and Grass Fed Beef.

Dried Beans although higher in carbs are allowed 3 times a week.

Fish intake is encouraged to replace so much red meat or chicken.  Cook broiled or blackened.

A protein breakfast shake or Oatmeal for breakfast is encouraged  Recipes to follow in another blog.

Also, I have two basic soup recipes that I cook and freeze in individual glass containers to eat through the week.  (Recipes will follow on next blog)

I also encourage you not to get hungry.  Keep the soup handy for hunger pains or make an extra shake.

Juicing:

Juicing is allowed if using low carb vegetables.  I also encourage using the vegetable fiber adding into soups whenever possible.
Diversity is not really recommended.  I believe it is easier to find a few good recipes that are easy.  Try to find something that you really like and stick with it.

Eating Out is pretty easy.  Choose vegetable plates or meats with a salad and vegetables.  Stay away from fast food restaurants.

This diet kick off is January 1, 2015 although I have already started parts of it to get my body ready for the shock.

2015 Here we come.

OVERCOMING FAILURE

Failure:

Failure is a word that I am all too familiar with. A word that seems to control several areas of my life. At times my life seem to spiral out of control. We all want to control our lives rather than have negative circumstances control us. At one time or the other we find that some aspect of life, our love life, health, spiritual issues seem to be out of whack and leading lives of their own. When do we say enough and start to regain control?

Over the past decade or longer, I have suffered from tremendous pain in my feet and legs which has come from neuropathy. My feet feel like they are on fire. They feel as though they are numb, frozen and my toes ache. Walking has become so difficult that getting to my feet is an ordeal. It feels like I am walking on thousands of glass tips that are cutting into my flesh.There are many causes for neuropathy. Diabetes is one of the most common causes. I was diagnosed with this over 10 years ago. It has been hard for me to understand that the numbness and loss of sensation causes so much pain. The damage is often due to high blood sugar levels. The risk for neuropathy increases for diabetics who are overweight, have high blood pressure, or are over the age of 40. Sadly, I have all these conditions. My peripheral nervous system which connects the nerves from the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) to the rest of my body is not working properly.

Some of the symptoms that I deal with on a daily basis are

• tingling in feet and sometimes hands
• a feeling like there is a glove or sock covering my feet
• sharp, stabbing pains that cut with such force that you can’t help but wince
• numbness in hands or feet – lack of feeling
• weak, heavy-feeling arms and legs (sometimes it may feel like your legs or arms “lock” in place)
• regularly dropping things from your hands
• a tightness or swelling
• thinning of the skin
• a sudden drop in blood pressure for no reason that may put you to bed
• emotional issues that come from dealing with constant pain
• digestion difficulties
• and the list goes on and on.

I have dealt with these issues so long that frustration has become part of my life. I meet with success for a little while only to succumb to the pain and find myself unable to stay ahead of this life robbing disease. And the thought that I should somehow be able to control all of this leads to feelings of frustration and failure.

Most often peripheral neuropathy can only be managed, not cured. Unfortunately, nothing I have tried thus far has been much help in managing the pain. I have tried various pain medications and treatments.

I recently read a blog written by my nephew which has inspired me to once again try to gain more control over this area of my life by setting goals. To start, I know that I need to lose weight. I have been on a million and one diets and none seem to work long-term. So while I have failed repeatedly in this area, tomorrow, I will start again.

The one positive in my life is an unwavering “faith” not in myself but in my God. I believe in Jesus and I believe that He is more than able to help me.

So tomorrow, I start my journey to be an over comer… Join me, if you will, on this journey.

12/25/14

WAKE UP!! REPENT IS THE CALL FOR THIS HOUR, THIS DAY.

This is what prophets are calling for today.  Today is the day of our salvation.  King James Bible
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Last week I saw a man with a sign telling people to repent.  He was standing on a street corner with a big sign saying “Repent” and asking people to come back to God.  To turn from their ways.  Traffic was rushing by him. 

I don’t know what his situation was that he had been called to that street corner but people kept going by.  I was stopped by the traffic light.  For a moment, I thought we should stop the car and get out there with him.  I think those in the car with me may have had a coronary if I had stopped.  In my mind and spirit, I did stop and here is my street corner.  The voice that I can share.

What do we need to repent for.  Here’s a list.  Individually and corporately as a Church.

1.  Being a dead dried up Church.  God forgive us.

2.  Being silent while politicians took this country in a direction we should not have gone in.  God forgive us.

3.  Not standing up for right or wrong.  Not calling sin for what it is.  God forgive us.

4.  Being content to be closet Christians and not take a stand with our co-workers, friends and family.  God forgive us.

5.  Not taking responsibility for what is taking place in our country.  God forgive us.

6.  Being Luke Warm.  God forgive us.

7.  Being complacent.  God forgive us.

Evil in the Last Days  2 Timothy 3:4-6
…4treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,…

Excuses, excuses, excuses. 

Revelation 3:14-22

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the Creation of God;

I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of My mouth.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Wake up Church.  Wake up Christians.  All is not lost.  This is my street corner.  My blog. Where is your street corner? Wake up and Repent.  It starts with me.  It starts with you.

In Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen.

Prophecy 101 – Back to Basics

Introduction:

Recently, I have felt that I needed to do a study of Bible Prophecy.  I have been pouring over current events, bible scriptures, videos, and anything else that I could get my hands on involving bible prophecy.  Believe me when I say that bible teachers and ministers are all over the map when they try to describe the scriptures and what those scriptures should mean to us.  One minister might say that a particular scriptures proves that there is a pre-tribulation.  Another minister or teacher uses that same scripture to assure us that it means there will be a mid tribulation.  It seems to me that the same scripture could not mean different things to different people.  Now I know that the Word of God is true.  So, knowing that then one must conclude that the perceptions of the ministers/teachers are biased to their predisposed theologies.  Therefore, I am writing this blog as much for myself as anyone else. 

When I first became a Christian and started studying the bible , different ministers recommended that new Christians start in Acts.   Some ministers recommended reading the gospels.  .  Some said to start at the beginning in Genesis.  So I asked God where he would have me start.  I thought I misunderstood when I felt in my spirit that I should start in the Book of Revelations.  So I spent a little time talking to God about that.  Why Revelations??  Why not Matthew or some other book.  I still felt impressed to study and read Revelations.  I soon found out that to understand and digest Revelations, I must understand the entire bible.  By no means, do I consider myself an authority on prophecy or the book of Revelations.   But perhaps my efforts to understand this great book may be of some help to you.  If you find it so, then Amen.

I would not have attempted this study until recently.  One of  my health issues has been a  lack of focus.  God spoke to me in a spiritual dream that He was doing a new thing in me and returning to me that which Satan has stolen over the past 10 to 13 years. 
My focus started to return that very week.  True,  I still have problems.  At this point I would not attempt to stand up in front of a group and deliver this but I can take my time and return to the material when my focus clears.  I believe that all the gifts that Satan has stolen from me will eventually be returned.  One of my good Christian friends who I respect so much, told me as she interpreted the dream that my gifts would be restored a 100 fold.  I liked that.  Now on to this article.

Why Study Prophecy

I wrote another blog recently about this topic but thought I would restate some of the points here for clairity.
One of the first questions we should ask ourselves is Why Study Prophecy anyway?  So I ask you.  Why would God have his prophets write a book of prophecy if he did not want his people to understand it??  John 5:39 says for us to  ‘Search the Scriptures.’  2 Timothy 3:16, ’All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.’ Notice that word ‘all’ and the words ‘is profitable.’ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable.  So that includes scriptures that may seem hard to understand.  It is our job to search these scriptures and rightly divide the Word of God and come to a clear understanding of what He is saying to us.  The prophetic scriptures are just as important as the historical scriptures.  Our Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, every part of it, prophetical, historical, is equally inspired of God.  We can not pick and choose what the important parts are.  It is all important.  Old and New Testament. 

Are you aware that there are many prophetic scriptures in the Old Testament that are unfulfilled.  God plans on fulfilling every Word that His prophets have said.  God, in His infinite wisdom, has put prophecy in His Word because He knows it is good for us to understand.  If God thinks it is good for us to understand then the matter should be settled. 

Years ago, I helped edit a book on counterfeit money.  The author explained in detail that the way you knew if money was counterfeit was by studying the real thing.  Not by studying the counterfeit.  In the same way, the Word of God should be studied so that you will be so grounded in His Word and His truth that you will not be vulnerable to  false teachings.   Knowing the Word of God helps us handle the counterfeit.  We not only know what we believe but also the Why we believe what we believe. 

Briefly, here are a few reasons to study prophecy.

1.  Prophecy Forms a Large Part of Scripture –
Did you know that a major portion of both the Old and New Testament is devoted to prophecy.  In fact,  nearly one third of the Scripture.are prophetic.   Only four of the 66 books of the Bible are without prophecy-Ruth, the Song of Solomon, Philemon, and 3 John. Even the shortest book of the Bible mentions prophecy (Jude 14, 17-18, which refers to Enoch and the second coming of the Lord).

 Out of the Old Testament’s 23,210 verses, 6,641 contain predictive material, over twenty eight percent. Out of the New Testament’s 7,914 verses, 1,711 contain predictive material, over 21 percent.

The apostle Peter, after testifying that he had seen Jesus Christ in all His glory, said, “And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Peter here is appealing to fulfilled prophecy as a witness to the truth of the Scriptures. Proverbs  22:19-22: “So that your trust may be in the LORD; I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?”

The word translated “prophet” occurs over three hundred times in the Old Testament and over one hundred times in the New Testament. It is made of two Greek words—pro meaning “before,” or “in place of” and fayme meaning “to speak.” A prophet, is someone who speaks for someone else, the other being God. A prophet speaks to man for or from God.

2.  Prophecy Reveals the Sovereignty of God
The Lord asks- Isa 44:7-8: “And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, let them show these to them. Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’“

I remember the old sitcom “Charles in Charge”.  Well God is in charge of our past , present and future.    He details the history of mankind through his chosen people, the Jews and in so doing, reveals who He is and His characteristics and shall I say, awesome traits.  There is no other book like the Bible.  His Word is true and everlasting. 

3.  Prophecy Reveals The Future
The Lord wants you to know about the future. The reason we have the prophetical scripture is because there are things that an all-wise God wants us to know.  It is our job to search the scriptures for the truth revealed there.  Predictive prophecy is  foretelling the future.  Did you know that if the Jewish Rabbi’s had been reading the prophecies, they would have recognized Jesus as the messiah.  Instead, they were looking for a King, a leader not a suffering messiah.  They missed the most important event in their history.  Should be miss Christ’s second coming because we fail to study and know the scripture.

The apostles did not want the Church to be ignorant on eschatology.   Eschatology is a big word which means ‘last things, things concerning the end time.’ It takes in more than just the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul the apostle does not want the Church of Christ to be ignorant about things concerning the end. He says,   Romans 11:25 ‘For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.

4.  Prophecy Leads Us To Christ
A literal event in prophecy would be the virgin birth Isa.7:14. One of the major themes of the Old Testament is that God would send a Deliverer or Messiah (the Christ) to come into the world through the Hebrew people.  Micah 5:2 He would eventually rule as king over Israel as well as rule over all the nations of the earth (Isa.9:6-7). The New Testament spoke of the coming of Jesus Christ, “Which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures” (Romans 1:1-4). How would the people know the identity of this promised Messiah when He arrived? Isaiah told us who he is (9:6). Micah told us where he would be born specifically (5:2) and Daniel told us he would come before the temple was destroyed (Dan.9). We are also told of the family lineage he would come from (From Shem to David.) There are 330 or more prophecies of Jesus the messiahs 1st coming which are all fulfilled, 30 prophecies were completed in one day, at his death. There are twice as many for his second coming.

5.  WE CAN TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING WE CAN COUNT ON PROPHECY
I emphasize this one because we can take comfort in knowing that we can count on prophecy and knowing that if God said it, It will come to pass.  I am looking for his return.  Just as his first coming was prophesied, so is his 2nd coming.  Jesus who died for our sins, has resurrected, sat down at the right hand of God and is getting ready to come again.

The signs from the nations mentioned in Scripture are quickly falling into place. Here are a number of  scriptures that tell us that he is coming again.  I have taken the time to print them out because they are so important to the study of Bible Prophecy.

Matthew 16:27   For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

Matthew 23:39    For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’

Matthew 24:27   For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.  

Matthew 24:30  “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn.  they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 

Matthew 24: 36-39  No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.   As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.   For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;  and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.  That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 24:42  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Mathew 26:64  “Yes it is as you say,”  Jesus replied.  “But I say to all of you:  In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Mark 8:36-38    What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with holy angels.

Mark 13:35-37   Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’

Mark 14:61-62    Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Might One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Luke 9:26-27   If anyone  is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.  I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

Luke 17:28-30    “It was the same in the days of Lot.  People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building.  But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.  “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

Luke 18:8    I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.  However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Luke 21:25-28  “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.  On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.  Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.   At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

John 14:1-4       “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God ; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Acts 1:11  “Men of Galilee,” they said. “why do you stand here looking into the sky?  This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Acts 3:19-21    Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus.   He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

1 Corinthians 1:7    Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

1 Corinthians 4:5    Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.   He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.  At that time each will receive his praise from God.

1 Corinthians 11:26    For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 Corinthians  15:23-24  But each in his own turn:  Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.  Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has  dominion, authority and power.

Philippians 1:10   so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 3:20    But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Colossians 3:4    When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Thessalonians  1:9   for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us.  They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven,   whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

1 Thessalonians 2:19   For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?  Is it not you?  Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 3:13   May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:4    According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of god, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words.  Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

1 Thessalonians 5:23   May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:7    and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

2 Thessalonians  2:1    Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.

2 Thessalonians 2:8    And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

1 Timothy 6:13-16    I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time – God the blessed and only Ruler, the King of Kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.  To him be honor and might forever.  Amen

2 Timothy 4:1-2     In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:  Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction.

2 Timothy 4:8    Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Titus 2:12    It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Hebrews 9:28    so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 10:25    Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Hebrews 3:7    For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.

James 5:7-9    Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.  The Judge is standing at the door!

1 Peter 1:3-5     Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and its an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:13    Therefore, prepare your minds for action;  be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 2:12    Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1 Peter 4:13     But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 5:4     And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

2 Peter 1:16  We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2 Peter 3:3    First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  They will say, “Where is the ‘coming’ he promised?

2 Peter 3:8-10     But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:  With the Lord a day is  like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,  as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.   The heavens will disappear with a roar;  The elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

1 John 2:28    And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

1 John 3:2    Dear friends, now we are like children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when he appears, We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.   Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Jude 1:14    Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

Jude 1:21  Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Revelation 1:4    To the seven churches in the province of Asia:  Grace and peace to you from who is, and who was, and who is to come,

Revelation 1:7     Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.  So shall it be! Amen.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 3:11    I am coming soon.   Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.  Never again will he leave it. 

Revelation 16:15    “Behold, I come like a thief!  Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

ehold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to eve
Finally, I would just like to say that What and Why we believe is very important to the study of prophecy.  That is where we should start with Bible Prophecy.  Not only What we believe but why we believe it.  There are two scriptures that I feel must be addressed here as well.

Revelations  Chapter 1:3 & 19.
³ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand

¹⁹ Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

 

These verses reveal two features for reading the book of Revelations which is filled with end time prophecies..

The first is that reading, hearing and keeping the words of Revelations will lead to a blessing –  This is the only book in the entire bible that promises a blessing.  Why because the time is near.  Conversely, you will not know how near the time is.  God has given us this book so that we will not be caught unprepared. 

Satan does not want us to read the book of Revelations.  And this is why.  He does not want us prepared.  He does not want us to receive the blessing.  He wants to keep us dumb, ignorant and uninformed.  

Finally verse 19:  Gives us a Divine outline by which we can study this book.  Write, what he had seen, write what is now and write what takes place later – future tense.  In other words, the past, present and future.  So therefore, since God gave John an outline by which to write the book of Revelations, it should be a pretty good outline for us to study his prophetic word. 

Revelations is the book of Apocalypse:  Which means unveiling.  God wants us to know and understand bible prophecy.  In Daniel 12:4, Daniel was instructed  “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

I believe this is the time of the end and I believe it is the time when God will open this book so that we can see its true meaning.  Please join me as we take a look at bible prophecy in the day and age that we are living in.

Only then can we hope to understand the prophecies foretold in this great book. 
Grace and Shalom through Christ Jesus