In These Final Hours

I want to share an article that we found over the weekend. After discussing it, we contacted the author and received permission to post it here and on Mountain Home. We encourage you to read & ponder this. Feel free to print, forward, or email this as you wish, the author asked only that the words remain unchanged.

In These Final Hours
Matthew 25:1-5

1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. As I was praying for us all this morning, the Parable Of The Ten Virgins came to mind; half of them were prepared, half were not, but all of them were asleep. Every time I read those words over the years, I wondered how that applied. Serious Christians make genuine efforts to be paying attention, and that shows. For all that, Scripture cannot be broken, so there is something there that isn't obvious. In that way, the Parable Of The Ten Virgins is rather like a plant of some kind coming up, but the gardener won't know exactly what it will be until it gets big enough to recognize...

The people of Rapture Ready, and this does fully include myself, agree that the Rapture will be the definitive announcement of the beginning of the Tribulation. Yet we are seeing the world around us sliding into a sink of depravity, confusion and a shocking failure of leadership that we didn't honestly think could happen, especially in America. We just didn't think that lawlessness could become as widespread as we are actually seeing it unfold before our very eyes! From the climate to the crime rate to our political and church leadership, we are absolutely stunned at how fast things have gotten so weird. We honestly thought we had been building a better society than we see around us. How could we all have possibly been so mistaken??? I think, right about now, we are all at least somewhat numb with shock, wondering how so much effort to build this nation under God seems to have become anything but...

If we look carefully at the whole Parable Of The Ten Virgins, the Lord is clearly not disappointed that any of them were asleep, so the five wise virgins with oil in their lamps didn't disappoint Him. So the Christians who have been taking the Bible, prayer and serving the Lord seriously haven't failed. The fact that the five wise virgins were called wise in the first place illustrates that this group had been doing their job. So we are not failing, even though that might not be how it looks this morning... Yet some very strange teaching has been creeping into the church at large, and leaders who it seems should have known better, seem instead to be falling for some very strange deceptions. How and why is this happening?

Christians, by nature, don't go poking their noses into pagan practices, therefore Christians, by nature wouldn't know a whole lot about those things. No sane person, let alone a Christian person, would go into the bars and private clubs my homosexual late best friend blundered into when he "came out". So Christians, by default, had no idea what could possibly go wrong if a lesbian got elected Mayor of Houston for example. Christians had no idea how much could possibly go wrong when, in an effort to love our enemies as instructed in Scripture, decided to try tolerating homosexual behavior and other inadvisable lifestyle practices, we tried to love others... Many, many well-meaning people tried to give peace a real chance by permitting others around us to live in peace, rather than batter them with condemnation as was once done in the first half of the 20th century. It seemed like a good idea to some people back in the 1970's and 1980's when enough of the real depravity was still restrained, and nobody guessed what the depraved were actually capable of. But the Lord knew... He knew the whole time... I think He had to let all this happen, so that when the time comes, no one will be able to get in His Face and accuse Him of being unjust in judgment. What we are seeing in these bizarre new age and gay pride agendas, and in the Muslim militantism as well is the fulfillment of Romans 1:25-27 while the Holy Spirit is not only still active on Earth, but being poured out as never before, exactly as God promised He would.

So, dear brothers and sisters, and be of strong heart and bold faith. Yes, we were all sleeping, and we were all taken by surprise by the evil that had been hidden until these last hours. That’s OK, we can hear the Bride Groom coming with His friends singing and playing music as He approaches to claim what is His. There is still time to trim our lamps and make sure we are ready. Things are not as out of control as they look, and the Lord God will highly exalt His Son Jesus Christ through the great harvest of all who are truly His! He Will Triumph, His Holy Light will Blaze in these darkest of hours...

Behold, He is coming and will not tarry...

Amen... Come Lord even so...

May the Lord bless you as you seek to serve Him.

Standing On Our Rights

... And Knowing what they are.

A Christians Conclusion


In light of recent events, I have decided to address this business of rights a little differently than I had planned at first. As American citizens we all have been blessed with a constitutional guarantee that the government cannot infringe on our rights of worship. Some who declare to be Christians have actually done more damage for the cause of Christ than good. As I have stated in part 2, some have used scripture out of context to justify their behavior. When I talk about standing on our rights, I am talking about lawful procedures to protest against our government overstepping its constitutional boundaries.

As a Christian I believe in responsible and lawful citizenship. We need to study the scriptures to understand God's direction in this. We need to read the constitution to understand what our rights actually are. We need to trust in the Lord and do good so as to be above reproach. 1 Peter 2:13-21. Actually all 1 Peter chapter 2 applies here, but especially these verses.

1 Peter 2:13 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honor all men, love the neighborhood. Fear God, honor the king. 18 Servants be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man of conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"

Nowhere does the Bible condone or permit murder or insurrection. Jesus spoke of the things to come in Matthew 24. The only action He suggests is to flee. The book of Matthew was written to the nation of Israel. Those scriptures tell of a time of evil power coming against the nation of Israel, and Jesus told them the sign to watch for and then flee. In the books of 1Peter and in Ephesians, 2 Timothy and Philippians, we as Christians are told to submit to God's delegated authority, for all authority is given through Him and by Him. We are told not to murmur and dispute but do good.

Philippians 2:14. "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

The very idea of a Christian militia is a Biblical oxymoron. The tactics of the devil in the days to come will be to sway public opinion against Christianity. We will be viewed as just another radical religious group. It is now more important than ever that Christians act peacefully in society, to do good as God directs, and stop the bickering and squabbling. Yes as citizens of The United States we have rights and must exercise them. Vote, stand against evil, unarmed and on our knees. Philipians 2:12-15

In part 2, I talked of preparation. I am talking of preparing to show the love of Jesus to our nation. Help your neighbor, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, give to God's work and prepare to meet The Lord when he comes for His own, read the Bible. Our government will fail us; we need to show a nation of unbelievers that God will not fail us. That is preparation.

I call to mind the quote of John Adams,

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

It is truly a government for the people by the people and of the people. Our constitution was written for a Godly people. We have become a nation without Christian morals. Law breakers and lovers of self. There is no hope in government. Our only hope is in Christ.


Simply walking in faith, Ray

Standing On Our Rights

... And Knowing what they are
Part II


Three or four generations ago, many believed that our government was a moral and upright government. Many felt that government was the means by which morality would be enforced. The church failed to teach Biblical citizenship. Charity is the responsibility of the church made up of its members, Equal rights is a Biblical foundation regardless of skin color or gender yet the church subjugated women to second class citizens. If a Christian society had stood with their neighbors in times of need, the dust bowl, the depression, then socialist government programs would never have been. The "church" didn't educate its members. Many churches preached opinions based on incomplete Bible quotes that were narrow and often selfish in its presentation. Some even twisted scriptures to keep blacks subjugated into slavery. The "church" failed. People rebelled against the church and turned to the government to fix the ills of society.

When those who are waking up begin to see that the government has repeated the same tendencies of the church in it's "interpretation" of the Constitution, they want to take America back. Fully three generations of people who have rebelled against the church and all things Biblical loudly say "NO!" They do not want to go back. I believe the Bible tells us we cannot go back. All that is happening in the world today is told of in Scripture.

Those of us who believe in God and His word in Scripture must go back to the basics. While we still have a few of our "rights", we must spread the good news without fear of being persecuted for soon we will be persecuted and must not fear. We must prepare by reading our Bibles ourselves. By praying, by preparing, by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no other hope in this world. Our government is nothing more than what the people have wanted, without Biblical morals, in complete rebellion of even the law. We can and should stand against corruption and immoral government. We must vote our conscience. However we will not change this government. The Scriptures tell us that the governments to come will be completely evil. We have only one hope. Jesus Christ.


Without a moral society, this government will not work. John Adams knew this. Organized religion has failed in it's prime directive, to spread the good news of Christ's soon return for His followers. As followers of Christ, it falls upon each of us to read ALL of our Bibles, Pray, and spread the news. Quit using scripture to beat others into submission, instead us the scriptures first as a mirror, and second as a step to help others up towards the Father through Christ. Prepare to help your neighbor in times of trouble, feed them, shelter them, and clothe them. Tell them it is the Lord that has brought them hope, help and salvation through the cross. Tell them He lives and is reaching out to them today with the same hope, help, and salvation. Time is short.


Simply walking in faith, Ray

Standing On Our Rights

... And Knowing what they are


"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
- John Adams 2nd President of The United States of America

First amendment to the Constitution of the United States states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”


Whether you choose to believe in God or not, you should know why this country became great. Basic moral principle found in The Bible was the foundation upon which the Constitution of The United States was written.. Most people are not aware that there is no such phrase in the Constitution as “Separation of church and state”. This phrase is a quote from Thomas Jefferson in a letter written to the Bishop of a church. It has no legal standing in deciding the Constitutionality of any law! Yet it has been the reason for many Supreme Court decisions. If letters and journals of the founding fathers are to be consulted in order to find the intent in the Bill of Rights, then the same must hold true in all court decisions and all writings of the various founders. Yet this has not been the case.

Few people argue against most of the morals found in the Bible. “Thou shalt not commit murder, Thou Shalt not steal.” and much more. The entire concept of liberty and justice is found in the scriptures. The Bill of Rights and The Declaration of Independence are both written from a Biblical perspective. The very rights that society expect are, according to these documents, granted to mankind by God. Our Constitution is the written law of government that is supposed to guarantee that government will not take those rights away, because this earthly government does not hold authority over God.

The first amendment to the Constitution begins with the statement that “Congress shall make no law respecting establishment of religion (italics mine). The key word is religion. Religion is the way in which people worship God. Religion is a church denomination/organization. Going back to some of the reasons for the American Revolution, and even for the emigration from Britain, the King had established a specific religion and decreed that all must worship God in this particular religion. None had denied the existence of God the creator. The first part of the first amendment was to prevent government from telling a citizen how they must worship. It never once was to indicate that government could declare there is no God or deny God. Indeed, God is the restraint on government to insure citizen’s rights according to the founders.

Without acknowledging that higher authority, John Adams warned that government would not recognize the Constitutional restraints placed upon it, and will continue to strip away citizen rights and erode the Constitution. When fighting to maintain our Constitutional rights, we can’t exclude any part of them and yet maintain them, neither exclude or deny who granted these rights without weakening the very foundation of the Constitution we are defending.

Responsible citizenship requires that we read and understand the Constitution. If we try to tear it apart based on our selfish desire to deny the highest authority and grantor of our rights, then we are left to trust that government will honor the Constitution based only on the oath of office. That hasn’t worked out very well for a long time. Without God, what authority do we have in demanding our rights? This is the very thing John Adams, 2nd President of the United States of America, warned us about.

Over time the Supreme Court has eroded the first amendment to exclude all things Godly from our Constitution and government. Our current government has taken steps to continue to erode the first amendment. If you know where to look and follow the news, you will find reports where peaceful citizens who believe in the Constitution, God, and the first and second amendments are coming under government scrutiny and have been labeled as possible terrorists. Included in this assessment are the people who have sworn to defend the Constitution and have been trained in arms, military personnel returning from Iraq.

When that which is honorable is outlawed, the only thing that remains is corruption. The first step toward a totalitarian rule is the erosion of the rights of the citizenry. The Patriot act was an essential step towards this end. Of all the Presidential acts that were undone, this one was the more dangerous, yet this current president allows it to stand. His reasoning is it is still necessary for the protection of the nation. It brings to mind another quote. "Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
- William Pitt


I finish with a final quote from someone who was there at the birth of this great nation. I believe that in order to fully understand and defend our rights, we most acknowledge the foundations for those rights and the beliefs of their authors, without which our house will fall.

. "A patriot without religion in my estimation is as great a paradox as an honest Man without the fear of God. Is it possible that he whom no moral obligations bind, can have any real Good Will towards Men? Can he be a patriot who, by an openly vicious conduct, is undermining the very bonds of Society? ... The Scriptures tell us "righteousness exalteth a Nation."
- Abigail Adams

What Life Is Really All About

(Isaiah 58:7)

We often get so caught up in living of our lives day to day that it is easy to forget why God has given us this wonderful gift of life. It is to serve and glorify Him. That is the bottom line of why we are here. Unfortunately, we can get far, far away from that purpose during the course of our years here on earth. Obviously, one of the enemy's goals is to keep us distracted so that we cannot fulfill that God-given purpose.

Once a person comes to know Christ by faith, the enemy has lost the battle for that person's soul. However, the battle then centers around making us as ineffective as possible in serving God in our daily lives. The more he can keep us distracted with the burdens of life, the less effective we are in our service to God.

This passage of scripture in Isaiah helps us to focus on what this life is really all about. It is not about seeing how much wealth we can accumulate in this life, or how much power we can acquire, or how well-known we can become. All of the things the world judges us by are absolutely meaningless when this brief journey is over.

It is the wood, hay, and stubble the Bible talks about that will burn up when tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The gold, silver, and precious stones are those things we do in this life that stand the test of eternity. It is our true service to our Lord.

If you want a starting point of how to please God, what kinds of things we can do in our life to follow our Lord and have an eternal legacy, get your Bible out and read verse 7 in the 58th chapter of Isaiah. This is what our life really is all about. Being there for those in need. Helping those who are lost in this life. Sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ with those we meet along our journey.

One of the questions I get every day is how to be in the will of God. There are so many passages in the Word of God that help us know what we can do in our life to be in the will of God. This verse in Isaiah is a great place to start.

I love you and care about you so much. I will be praying with you today that the Lord helps you to realize no matter what problems you are facing, no matter how many obstacles there might be this very moment, there are always others who are in worse shape, always others who are struggling even more than you are. We have a responsibility to be an ambassador for Christ in our daily lives. This is how we fulfill our purpose in life.

My challenge to you today is to be aware that there is an enemy out there who will try everything possible to distract you from fulfilling your God-given purpose. Be aware of this trap. Rise above it no matter what you may be dealing with and find ways each day to share the hope and love of Christ with someone.

God did not place people in your life, in your path each day by accident. It is your opportunity to serve Him, and lay up treasures in heaven for eternity as opposed to focusing on the treasures of this life that will all one day pass away. The goal of every child of God should be to please HIM, and let God use our lives to make a difference for HIS Kingdom!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:
bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

No Coincidences With God

(Proverbs 16:4, 19:21)


If there is one thing the Bible clearly teaches, it is that there are NO coincidences with God. There are so many outside elements that you have no control over in your life, starting with your birth, ending with your death, and including everything that transpires in between those two events. The reason I want to bring up this issue today, is to give you the confidence and assurance that everything that is happening in your life today is part of His Divine plan for your life.

One of the reasons I stress so much to walk with the Lord daily, be in the Word of God, pray, seek Him each and every day, is so that you will follow His plan for your life. You see, we can bring much unnecessary pain and heartache into our life by exercising our God-given freewill to ignore God and rebel. However, that does not stop God from still being in control. When we are in rebellion, when we are not on the path God wants us to be on, that is when we miss the joy, the peace, and the abundance this life can offer. That is when we are missing the blessings of God in our life.

I want you to understand clearly today that it is no accident you live where you live, you work or go to school where you do, you recreate where you recreate, or shop where you shop. It is no accident the people that are in your life are there. You see my friend, there are NO coincidences with God, things just don't "happen." There is a Divine purpose and reason for each and everything that goes on in our life. That includes the good, and bad things.

The natural question becomes, why? In many cases there simply isn't an answer. Again, holding on to the fact there are no coincidences with God, helps us to build our faith during those times when there are more questions than answers. It also should give us the confidence and boldness to go out each day, knowing that God has a reason for everything we are experiencing in our life. Understanding what we are going through each day is not an accident, but part of His plan gives us the incredible freedom to live each day for Him.

I realize that many of you are going through difficult times in your life today. You are dealing with death, illness, financial difficulties, marital problems, issues with your parents or children, challenges at work or school, the walls seem to caving in all around you. How this could be part of God's plan may seem beyond comprehension. This was the same place a man named Job found himself at one day. In spite of everything, he never lost his faith in God, and it was part of God's plan to bless him abundantly.

We never know how God will deliver us from trouble, how He will bless us. Our job is to hold on to our faith, continue to praise Him in spite of the problems we face, and know He will never leave us or forsake us. The Bible tells us that there will be times our faith is tested. It is at those times our faith becomes real to us, and grows. We grow more spiritually in the valley than we ever could on the mountaintop. It is in the valley that we recognize God as our only source of hope and learn how to trust Him. It is those times in the valley where it is just us and God that we realize how much He loves us.

I love you and care about you so much. Know today that God is with you, that nothing in your life is an accident, and that God is in control. It is no coincidence that the Lord has brought our lives together at this time in your life. I want you to know that I am here for you in your time of need. I will be praying for you. God is still on His throne, and in 100% control at all times.

There are no coincidences with God!!!



In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

Restoration

(John 21:15-17)

One of the most encouraging things the Bible teaches us is that God is a God of restoration. The Bible tells us that we all sin and fall short of God's glory, but what happens to us after we sin is what I want to focus on today. One of the most visible sins in the Bible has to be Peter's denial of Christ. After following the Lord, living with Him, seeing the miracles, hearing the teachings, even being so bold to proclaim Jesus to be "the Son of the living God"...this same Peter, in fear of his life, denies even knowing who Jesus is. If the story of Peter ended there, it would indeed be tragic.

However, we see that same Peter, just days later in John chapter 21, being restored to fellowship by Jesus. We then read about that same Peter in the book of Acts becoming a pillar upon which the early church was founded, boldly proclaiming Christ without regard to his own life any longer. The lesson is that in spite of our sin, God is a God of restoration, so that He can use us to fulfill His plan.

After we sin, the most important thing we can do before the restoration process takes place, is to confess our sin and ask God's forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God wants to forgive you! God wants to cleanse you! But you have to make the first move. You have to swallow your pride and admit to God you sinned.

You have to be sick enough of the sin to want to be rid of it. I am not talking about that "morning after" confession either. I am talking about that confession that says I am sorry, and I am ready to walk away from this sin once and for all. We all feel sorry for our sins after we commit them. The issue is whether we are ready to deal with them once and for all, and allow the restoration process to begin. My friend, it is not God holding back that process, it is you. You have to be serious.

Once we make up our mind and decide to make the necessary changes to walk away from our sins, we then confess our sins and repent. We have now opened the door for God to restore us. You see, God never stops having a plan for your life. Don't forget, your purpose is to serve and glorify Him. He desires to restore us to fellowship, not only because He loves us, but because there is still work for us to do.

If you are looking for that peace, that joy, and that abundant life the bible speaks of....I am telling you that you will ONLY find it in a daily, intimate relationship with Christ. You will only find it in a life totally and unconditionally surrendered to Him and His will. You will only find it when you are fulfilling your God-given purpose of serving and glorifying Him with your life.

I love you and care about you so much. Be encouraged today...God is not through using you. He still has a perfect plan and purpose for your life. It is now up to you. Just like He restored Peter, and used Peter in a mighty way, God wants to use you. The only difference between you and Peter is that Peter turned from his sin, repented and confessed his sins to the Lord...thus opening the door to God's forgiveness and restoration.

God loves you so much. Turn from your sin, confess and repent of those sins, and let God restore you today. No matter what you have done, God's grace is sufficient and His love is endless. He wants to say to you, just as He told Peter..."Do you love me?... Feed my sheep."

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm