Our Blessed Hope

Jesus said to occupy till he comes to catch away his  bride .. Occupy ... hmmmm... with what?

   In 2016 I was eager to begin a Bible study, yet try as I may, I was hindered from sharing my study online via my blog.  It seemed that I could only read for myself and not even dig into a study, per se.  I could only read and listen to the LORD.  Does that make sense?  My mind was so continually bombarded by the events and situations going on in our life that I could not stay focused on study -- only reading to feed my soul the nutrition of the Word of Life.

So, here we are in 2017 and situations have calmed down, and my mind is a little stronger because the LORD is my strength! Oh .. yeah .. and .. time is short... so I am compelled to share with you as long as I am able ..

Short for what? The time when Jesus calls his bride unto himself .. that time .. the time of OUR BLESSED HOPE .

Titus 2:13 "Looking for that BLESSED HOPE, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

Jeremiah 17:7 "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is."

I Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his .abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a LIVELY HOPE by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Jesus Christ and his glorious appearing is our blessed hope!

Our blessed hope is under violent attack.  It is common all known that Biblical Christianity is under attack more so now that's in years past.  All the 'morals' and 'values' once held dear are criticized at an astonishing rate.  But for the sake of a godless peace and false unity, churches and so-called Christians are compromising and bowing to the ways of the spirit of antichrist.  They are too in grossed in self preservation, promotion, and having little to no conflict, they will fight to hold on to the things of this world.


No longer are Christians taught that this world is tempral and that our treasure is in heaven where moth and rust can't destroy what the Lord has prepared for us.  They all want to be spoiled brats and have the treasures of this world, now -- because they spoke it so -- because they think God still likes them even as they consume on their lusts.  They don't want to die to self nor stop trying to save themselves.  (I digress.)

Our hope, our looking to, is Jesus Christ himself.  He alone can satisfy the longing heart.

Remember Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Well, of course, you may say...But do YOU look to Jesus your BLESSED HOPE? Or do you look to the gym? your essential oils? your coffee? your children? Or your money to bring you peace and satisfaction?  Jesus said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME ye might have peace. Iin this world you WILL have tribulation. But, be of good cheer! I have overcome the world." -John 16:11

Anyone who says you can work yourself out of tribulation or think and talk yourself out of tribulation is selling you something.  (lies)

Let's look at I Corinthians 10:12-13. (Here's where you  pick up your Bible and flip the pages .. don't have a Bible? Click here )

That's our blessed hope! Hold on for HOPE! And here's another verse:  Luke 21:36 UIKEYINPUTDOWNARROW

As we begin our study of Revelation 1-4 (maybe thru 5), let's look at a few words and their definitions to strengthen our understanding.

HOPE:
BLESSED:
REVELATION:
WRATH:
ESCAPE:

Next, let's read --
Luke 17:26-28
Matthew 24:37

1. What did God do for Noah and Lot?
2. Was it before? During? or After God's wrath was poured out?
3. Were there any survivors of God's wrath?

Just asking....

Don't take someone else's opinion on the matter, ask the Holy Spirit to open YOUR understanding and give you what God has to say.  John 16:13-14UIKEYINPUTDOWNARROW. Remember, its the Holy Spirit who reminds us of all that Jesus said.   It is Jesus who is the WORD of God!! (Not man .. not pastor nor preacher)

With that, I'll let you get to studying...leave your comments and questions ..

LOOK UP our redemption draweth nigh!

We fly soon,

~Cristina

Cleaning Out The Fridge

Hello there girls!  I just opened the fridge to get things out to make dinner and actually noticed that it's time... It's time to stop looking at the dirty shelves with stuck-on goo and actually clean it up.  Eeewwww!  Why do I wait so long!  I keep telling myself, "I'll get to that"; yet I never do.  But maybe that's only me.  I know there are many ladies out there who are much better at cleaning than I am...but I'm sure there is something dirty over there that she'll get to eventually... I was attending a short Bible study this spring and at the close of the session, the teacher suggested we all read the book of Proverbs for the next month.  Sure, I can do that.  As I was reading along, come day 6,  I saw a similarity to cleaning the fridge.   When was the last time I cleaned out the old stinky wait-to-get-to-later junk in my heart?  Those things we think aren't high on the priority list?  Things that are maybe 'not that bad'?  Let's take a look at Proverbs chapter 6 and see what I'm talking about. In verses 14-19 there is a series of bad qualities that we are to avoid at all cost...yet we too often find that they have made their way into our heart and may have even begun to grow some really nasty moldy stinky yuck.   "Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." What things have you let sit in your heart without cleaning it up?  A little left-over resentment?  Some self serving excuses that keep you from humility and forgiveness?  Or that not-so-good self preservation and retaliation?   Left to sit, those things will grow, fester, and ruin the rest of your heart .. Clean it out!  Repent.  Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God.   LOOK UP the following Scripture verses:

• Psalm 51
• I Peter 5:6-10
• Mark 11:25-26

• Micah 6:8

DEFINE:

• FROWARD
• DISCORD
• ABOMINATION
• CALAMITY
• REMEDY
• MERCY

Write your conclusions and have a chat with the LORD... You'll feel better and be blessed in the process    

it was a good day!

This snapshot was captured during the photography session before the wedding by my sweet sentimental husband aka.. father of the groom.  We've been a little busier than usual.  Our oldest son got married to a jewel of a young lady!  We are so happy for them!!

Ahh, we get to enjoy such a lovely season of life.  At the time of this post, our son has been married for a whole month now!  I've paused much of my handwork and quieted myself before the LORD.

We need that.  "Be still and know that I AM GOD", he says to us in Psalm 42.  There are far too many unimportant things that draw our attention away from our God, the God of all hope, and of all comfort.

I pray that you will take the time each morning to sit quietly with your Bible and maybe a cup of coffee and listen to the written Word of God speak to your very soul.

Do you have a journal?  It's a great help for me to have my journal with me as I read my Bible.  I write my prayer requests and then answers to prayer.  I write my thoughts, or what the Lord is speaking to my heart.  Many many times I simply copy the verses that jump out at me. (It's great to practice my penmanship, too)

as you can see .. I need more practice :)

Until next time,

May the God of all comfort, comfort your hearts in Christ Jesus!