|City on a Hill - Writings for Refuge

John the Baptist prepared for 30 years for an 18 month ministry. What if all the things the Lord promised you were still supposed to happen, but you quit preparing because it seemed like it never would? That would be tragic. It isn't too late to get back in the race. Matthew 21:28“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29“He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30“Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31“Which of the two did the will of his father?” Philippians 3:10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13...

It is important to piece together the narrative of events promised to accompany Jesus' return. The events are related to heart issues. Jesus warned His followers to not be deceived. Over and over the warning is given not to the world, but to those already in relationship with Jesus: Mark 13:22“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23“But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. One of the main realities of Jesus' return is the PROCESS of it. It unfolds over years.There are moments of advance and then moments of delay in the plan. Another one of the main aspects of Jesus' return is that it is promised to get HARDER to see it and stay awake to it as it nears! That is one of the main realities! Matthew 25:1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2“Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3“Those who w...

Right now, the nations are contending over who should rule Jerusalem. Your opinion on this reality is of utmost importance. No one should put their hand to dividing that city either politically or spiritually. We need to be REALLY clear on this. There is one Biblical narrative for the City of Jerusalem. There is not one square inch of that city, especially the temple mount, that God is passive about. From my notes for tonight: "1 Corinthians 15:24-28 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. (25) For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. (26) The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. (27) For "HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. (28) Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put al...

The seeming paradoxes of the Bible and the questions it's teaching evokes are invitations to revelation. They are all answered in the throne room of God. Psalm 27:4One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. 5For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. Religious people debate these points between each other. Saved people inquire of the King directly. They abide in the vine. If you don't abide and let His answer clean you, you will be cut off as a branch and thrown in the fire. If you DO abide in the vine and let His words change you, you will be hated by th...

Joel 2:11The LORD gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it? 12“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” The day of the Lord refers to the events promised to mark the return of God to the earth. Jesus came to prepare the earth to receive the Father. He released an invitation to be His brother, servant and friend... He released a wedding invitation. Then, as is Jewish custom, He went to His father's house to prepare a home for all who say yes to being joined to His family. He will return for His bride. He will return to those who prepare for that forever home with a continual yes in their hearts. The Bible promises that every aspect of this coming, inviting, withdrawing, preparing, and returning is "Great AND Terrible." Why? It is great because God is bringing back together ...

Matthew 7:13“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Why is the only way difficult? Because it requires humility. The pride in the heart of man pulls him to one ditch, or the other. There are ditches on both sides of the narrow road. On one side, pride rages and says "I can accomplish all God requires". This is pride. No one can keep the law. The law is bondage and death. If your plan is to execute your own plan to grow in holiness you are actually putting yourself in the place of Jesus. Only His righteousness will suffice. It has to be imparted to me. I can't earn it. To try, though it seems good to the logical mind that desires to do good, is to actually rebel against God! (Plus it won't work. Pride comes before a fall). Pride is on the other side, as well. There is a fal...