The Lord's commands are clear. He tells believers when to act. He tells believers where to go.  The Lord tells believers what to do.  He also provides the means for following His directions.

The prophet Jonah was told to go immediately to a certain city.  Jonah was to cry out this warning: "Yet forty days and Ninevah will be overthrown".  Instead, Jonah did something foolish. He ran.  Jonah was a prophet.  So, we can assume Jonah had studied the Scriptures and knew God intimately.  Still, dislike about his "assignment" clouded his judgment.  Jonah became convinced he could flee the Lord's presence.

Jonah was wrong.  God sent a great storm.  God isolated Jonah for three days inside a smelly fish.  The Lord didn't end this experience until the prophet agreed to comply.  Jonah learned that running away from the Lord doesn't release us from His commands.

Whether we outwardly or quietly pursue our own agenda, we simply can't silence His call.  Our Father will neither forget nor change His mind about a command.  The Holy Spirit continues prompting us until we do as instructed.  Wise believers obey God promptly rather than waste time and talent by running.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:22 AM CDT

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If we responded simply out of our natural impulses, we would probably be nice when people were kind. At other times, though, we would likely be vengeful, angry, or hurtful.

Jesus clearly teaches us to love even when those around us seem unlovable. And He lived out what He taught. Christ loved us enough to die for us while we were still sinners. Surely, out of gratitude for what He did and with His strength, we, as His followers, can love others.

While it's hard to respond to unkindness with love, such godly behavior can lead to great blessing.

First, the Father is pleased. This realization should bring His children joy, peace, and a sense of accomplishment. Next, believers ought to feel excitement and anticipation to watch how God will move in the relationship. Finally, there will be an awareness the Holy Spirit is working from within, enabling divine love to flow through yielded human lives.

John 13:35 tells of an important benefit. Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Since unconditional godly love is uncommon in our world, people will notice.

Treating others as we want to be treated is what builds the deep, satisfying connections that all people desire. Without significant relationships, life lacks meaning...regardless of how many possessions or acquaintances we have. So think about the people you come in contact with throughout the week. Are you treating them the way that Jesus modeled?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:38 AM CDT

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Not only is anxiety an uncomfortable feeling, it also leads to negative consequences. Reasoning becomes cloudy when overwhelmed with worry. So an anxious person will have trouble making wise decisions. Fear of failure may also lead to procrastination or a lack of productivity. Apprehensions can devastate personal and spiritual growth, relationships, and work. So conquering fear is important. Four steps can help.

First, you need to identify the fear. Ask yourself about the circumstances surrounding your feelings and what triggered them. What message are you telling yourself?

Then turn to the Lord. Remember, God loves you and desires an intimate relationship with you. He's in sovereign control of your situation, so bring your fear to Him.

You should rebuke the fear before God. You have the authority and power in Jesus' name to reject what isn't from Him. Meditate on passages such as Matthew 10:31 and Proverbs 1:33. Let God's truth replace any wrong thinking.

Finally, cling to your heavenly Father. Take your focus off your circumstances, and look to the One who promises His help. Scripture from Isaiah 41:10 gives this assurance: "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand".

Circumstances are external and often beyond your control. But your response originates within. It's amazing how fears diminish in the Father's presence.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 5:21 PM CDT

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Throughout Scripture, the Lord gives us evidence that many people deal with anxiety, even those considered pillars of faith. For example, we can deduce from Acts 18:9 that the apostle Paul must have felt fear, since God instructed Him not to be afraid "any longer".

The fact that fear is common, however, does not mean it's from God.

Of course, certain situations... like hearing a loud noise when we're alone... will trigger a frightened response. But the Lord doesn't want us to live with ongoing anxiety.

Common worries include the fear of death, poverty, illness, old age, criticism, and the loss of a loved one or something cherished. Why do we find it so hard to let go of our concerns, even when the Lord clearly states in Luke 12, "Do not fear . . ."?

Worry can be deeply ingrained in the way we think. Sometimes we have unhealthy thought patterns that stem from feelings of inadequacy, a sense of guilt, or a mistaken view of God. It's not uncommon for insecurity in childhood to develop into a lack of confidence later on.

Life experiences can be another factor. A person who's lost a parent suddenly in a car accident is likely to struggle with worry.

Regardless of the cause, anxiety will take our eyes off our loving heavenly Father and focus our attention on our circumstances. No wonder God repeatedly reminds us not to fear. He wants His children to feel secure in His capability and trustworthiness.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 3:26 PM CDT

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Abraham didn't wait for the Lord to provide him a son. He took matters into his own hands. His decision not to wait for God's time and method revealed several things about him.

First, he was impatient. Second, he doubted. Though he believed God would give him a son, as time passed, he sensed he was losing the opportunity. Third, he was prideful. Abraham wanted it done by his own schedule and assumed his way should be good enough. Finally, he was selfish. By acting without the Lord's leading, Abraham showed he expected God's will to revolve around him. In reality, he was stepping out of the Father's plan.

When we choose to manipulate circumstances or timing, these same things are revealed about us. Instead, we should wait for God's plan and path, both of which flow from His love and wisdom. He is certain of what's best for us. Our role is to seek His guidance and depend on Him.

Sometimes we know what God is going to do but are unclear when He'll act. Other times, we're unsure of the outcome. Regardless, we can be confident that God loves us and He's all-powerful. If we truly understand who He is, we'll be able to trust Him. And when we're trusting Him, we'll be able to wait for His perfect timing.

God makes a promise. Faith believes it. Hope anticipates it. And patience waits quietly for it. Do you trust the Lord enough to be patient for His way and His time?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:34 AM CDT

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Our culture is an "instant" society. Because of inventions like the computer and the microwave, we're used to quick results. A fast pace isn't necessarily bad, but we should guard against becoming so set on immediate fulfillment that we can't wait for God's timing.

This problem existed long before the computer age. In Genesis 15:4-5, God revealed to Abraham that though he and his wife Sarah were too old to have children, a great nation would come from him. Abraham believed God but soon decided to handle matters himself. He took Sarah's servant Hagar as his wife so she could bear the promised son.

Abraham probably rationalized his decision, figuring the Lord wanted him to have a son. Since it seemed impossible any other way, surely this must be what God wanted him to do! But it wasn't. Abraham had to deal with the consequences of his actions, including jealousy and resentment between Sarah and Hagar. These problems in turn created further difficulties, both in the short term and throughout history.

The Lord was faithful, though. 14 years later, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. But, the consequences of Abraham's decision to step out of God's plan are still with us. The two boys grew to become the fathers of nations which are in conflict to this very day.

Like Abraham, we might believe God's promises but prefer immediate results. Or we may just want things done our way. Instead, ask the Lord to lead you. Then wait for Him. His way may not be what you think you want, but it is always best.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 5:04 PM CDT

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Spreading rumors about other people exposes little about their true nature but reveals a lot about the speaker's own character. Such behavior shows a willingness to sin against the Lord by causing harm to someone else. Until a gossiping believer confronts his sin, he can't progress toward becoming the person God wants him to be.

Confession is the first step in dealing with sinful speech. This should be followed by repentance by pledging to turn away from opportunities to talk about others. A useful scripture to pray daily is Psalm 141:3: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips."

Second, be on guard against temptation. Believers have a responsibility to set themselves apart from gossip in order to keep thoughts and words pleasing to God. Being in the presence of one who spreads stories can tempt even a believer to participate. In a situation where rumors are being shared, the best course of action is to speak out against the practice and then leave.

Finally, instead of talking about someone, it's wise to pray for that person. Getting into this habit will help train the mind to replace sinful patterns with God-pleasing ways. The Bible teaches us to encourage and comfort each other, and prayer is a good way to obey that instruction.

A gossiping Christian dishonors God's name and his own. Instead of using words that disparage and injure, choose to speak well of everyone. In so doing, you'll bring glory to the Lord.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:45 AM CDT

Updated: Sunday, 1 June 2008 1:54 PM CDT

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God hates gossip. He wants our speech to be pleasing to Him. He certainly doesn't consider idle talk or mean-spirited words pleasant as stated in Colossians 3:8.

Sadly, gossip is practiced so freely that even some believers participate and try to justify their chatter. But hearsay has no place in a Christian's life. Romans 1 contains one of the Bible's longest lists of sins. The book's author, the apostle Paul, is reminding believers that God has revealed Himself to all mankind. Those who reject Him and chase after idols are turned over to their evil worship and the immoral practices that go with serving self.

Gossip appears in the middle of the list. God despises it because malicious talk destroys lives whether the stories are true or false. The person who is targeted by the rumor often loses the respect of those who listen to it. Hurt feelings may not be the only negative effect. A job or relationship could be lost as well.

Those spreading tales also face destructive consequences. People who refuse to control the tongue reveal evil motives or, at the very least, lack of discipline. As a result, believers and unbelievers will often avoid such untrustworthy individuals. For a Christian who spreads rumors, there's potential for even worse damage, in that such actions can harm fellowship with the Lord. Animosity toward another person and intimacy with God can't coexist in the same heart.

Gossip achieves no good in anyone's life, which is why the Lord warns against it. Instead, our words should build up, comfort, and encourage others.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:38 AM CDT

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Loneliness can be a lifelong challenge or a short-term event. The length of the experience is often determined by how we deal with it. Turning to the Lord can help us find our way through the fog of isolation.

You can admit to lonely feelings. Being a Christian doesn't disqualify us from sometimes having a sense of seclusion. Many of David's Psalms speak of his longing for companionship. When we express our feelings to the Father and cry out for His touch, He will answer. I often tell God that I need Him to wrap His arms around me. His response is just as real as if a human being walked in and hugged me.

You should develop godly relationships. We should pray for friends who'll point us toward the Lord whether we're in good times or bad. These are the loved ones who see our faults and like us anyway.

And, be anchored in Scripture. When we cling to the Word during a lonely time, we'll end up with a richer understanding of the Lord. Occasionally we all will walk through the fog of loneliness. But God is the Light guiding us out again. If you're struggling with feelings of isolation, cry out to Him for help.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:28 AM CDT

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Despite the fact that technology enables us to stay connected, we haven't solved the loneliness problem. Many people still feel cut off from those around them. The real solution for healing the deep ache of isolation is an intimate relationship with God.

As He was about to create Adam, God said in Genesis 1, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness". One point of resemblance to the Lord is our desire and ability to share intimacy with others. We're created to commune with God.

Adam and Eve had a close bond with the Lord, who spent time with them in the Garden of Eden. But, the couple's disobedience caused a rift in the relationship. Since God is holy, He can't allow anything unrighteous into His presence. Once sin entered the world through the first couple, every person born would be tainted with it and separated from God.

Yet because of His love, the Lord planned a way to bridge the gap between Himself and mankind. Jesus Christ took our transgressions upon

Himself and died on the cross, wiping away the stain of sin. Whoever trusts in His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins goes over the "bridge" formed by the cross. Each new believer is immediately restored to a right relationship with God.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 6:14 PM CDT

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Friendships are among our most valuable assets. Acquiring quality companions, who laugh with us in good times and stand by us during trials, requires shared commitment and an investment of time and energy.

We must be transparent and be honest with friends and encourage them to be truthful in return. To preserve a healthy bond, we can't hide hurts or feelings of rejection they may have caused. Transparency that is tied to accountability can also help make each individual a better person. A solid relationship allows each party to gently point out errors in the other's life and offer loving correction.

Genuine friendship takes time to develop. We must be willing to put aside other obligations and give priority to moments spent together. A generous portion of our time with each other should be spent talking about our thoughts and desires and also asking questions to prompt our friend to open up. This type of conversation allows a glimpse into the other person's heart and mind.

Everyone likes to feel appreciated. Expressing thanks when friends are helpful will remind them that we're grateful to have them in our life. We affirm our love when we communicate how much we enjoy a certain aspect of their personality or remember an occasion that's special to them.

Being a good friend is a way to serve the Lord. He designed us to be in relationship with others, so we should give our best to every companion God places in our life.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:17 AM CDT

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