Month: September 2015

I have been trying to figure out the right way to write this blog post since it is a sensitive matter for Christians.

There is an ongoing debate among Christians as to how the end times will happen. The second coming of Christ is a controversial subject. You’re going to get all kinds of theories and beliefs when it comes to the end times. As we get closer to the final blood moon in this years tetrad, I have been noticing more of the prophecy’s coming about. “blood moons” falling on Jewish feast days and ending in September, 2015.

• Joel 2:30-31 states: “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.”
• Revelation 6:12 also prophesies that the moon will become as blood: “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.”

When it comes to the occurrence of the four blood moons which is why there has been a great deal debate and controversy in the world. It basically states that, when four consecutive blood moons fall on Jewish feast days, a major event affecting the Jewish people will occur in close proximity to the time when Christ will return.

Pastor John Hagee is the author of  Four Blood Moons: Something Is About to Change writes about what he calls ‘celestial signals’. According to him, four blood moons or lunar eclipses appearing in close succession, is a very rare phenomenon – so the fourth lunar eclipse in two years which falls on September 28 could be the beginning of a series of terrible events on Earth.

There are others who have it on their mind that the Blood Moon is going to trigger the second coming or we are going to have a huge asteroid that is going to smash us to smithereens or we will become extinct like the dinosaurs did back in the ice ages. Those who believe this blood moon is nothing more than a lunar eclipse thinks that Christians have totally lost their minds.

Many Christians believes that the lunar eclipse that will occur on September 28 , which is part of a tetrad, could trigger the beginning of horrible events to happen. I’m not doubting this, but I also think it is dangerous to give specific dates when it comes to the end of the world. I do believe that these are important dates though. If something doesn’t happen, those who are naysayers will make a joke of it and opportunities are missed when it comes to reaching the unreachable.

Each of the four blood moons in 2014 and 2015 have also fallen on religious days significant for the Jewish people. Three of the four “Blood Moons” has occurred already, with the final one happening on September 28th, 2015.

• April 15, 2014—Passover
• October 8, 2014—Feast of Tabernacles
• April 4, 2015—Passover
• September 28, 2015—Feast of Tabernacles

Terrorist threats, lawlessness, school violence, devastating tornadoes, a plummeting economy, ISIS, the nuclear threat in Iran and North Korea–it’s enough to frighten and panic anyone. We are seeing horrific things playing out each and every day. Christians are being murdered as they attend church services, babies are murdered and people being imprisoned because they stand firm in their faith in God.

The upcoming “blood moon” and various other prophecies are happening before our very eyes. As I think about how Christians are coming under attack and being seen as “bigots and hateful”, I can’t help but long for the return of Christ. You would have to be living under a tree to not see who difficult things are for Christians who stand up for what they believe and whom they believe in. Christians are being sent to prison for speaking out against lifestyles that are now considered as “hate crimes”.

I see all the things going on in the world as a wake-up call and God is showing us that time is short. There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t meet someone new.  My plan is to share the Gospel and talk to people about God is our only hope. Our focus has to be on Christ Alone. I hope and pray that we don’t miss an opportunity to talk to others about God. Yes, we need to be watchful, but we also need to do what we should be doing and that is spreading the Good News.

Something to think about when it comes to this tetrad  and what it could mean another prophecy fulfilled. This has to do with the prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled. That would be for Israel to rebuild the temple and/or a war described in Ezekiel 38 – which describes how Israel will be surrounded by enemies and attacked.

I want to close this up by giving you a little bit of information about the upcoming Blood/Super Moon which I will be taking pictures of.

•  It’s called a Blood Moon because it is a total lunar eclipse and pastors like John Hagee state that a lunar tetrad signifies the coming of difficult times.
• This is a Supermoon Total Lunar Eclipse so the moon will be the closest to the Earth. A Super-moon total lunar eclipse will not happen for another 33 yrs.

Click here to learn more about the Blood/Super Moon

This is the prayer that was posted on the prayer page for Pastor Saeed. There is also a story about the imprisonment of Pastor Saeed. Click here to read that story about him.

September 11
Day 6 (of 21) of Prayer and Fasting:

Jonah 1:1-3 and Jonah 4:10-11

Here is today’s prayer that was posted on the page for Pastor Saeed. Please keep him and the other persecuted Christians in your prayers.

Day 5 (of 21) of Prayer and Fasting

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NLT)

8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. BUT AS A RESULT, WE STOPPED RELYING ON OURSELVES and LEARNED TO RELY ONLY ON GOD, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 AND YOU ARE HELPING US BY PRAYING FOR US. THEN MANY PEOPLE WILL GIVE THANKS because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

Here is day 4 of the vigil for Pastor Saeed. This is from the Facebook page. Pastor Saeed is in prison because of his faith in Jesus Christ. I didn’t write this prayer, I am just sharing it with all of you. Please lift Pastor Saeed and all those who are dying and in prison because they are a Christian.

Day 4 (of 21) of Prayer and Fasting:

John 11: 4-6

4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.

Prayers are needed for all those who are being put to death in the world. I can’t help but wonder as Americans that we are use to our comfy ways. Many doesn’t understand how horrible things are for those who are being persecuted and imprisoned for their faith.

Voice of the Martyrs have been working with those who are imprisoned. As a Christian, I find it horrible to know that my brothers and sisters in Christ are being killed. For more information, click here….

Pastor Saeed is just one of thousands of Christians that are being put to death and persecuted each day. While we live our life and sleep in comfy beds, these people are sleeping in cold jail cells and have little if anything to eat.

Prayer Vigil for Pastor Saeed

Day 3 (of 21) of Prayer and Fasting:

Psalms 119:71
71 My suffering was good for me,
for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

Here is day 2 of the special prayer vigil for Pastor Saeed. This isn’t written by me, it is posted on the Facebook page. His wife Naghmeh is in charge of his prayer and needs a lot of prayers. Pastor Saeed is an American. I stand in agreement and pray that Pastor Saeed and other persecuted Christians will be released.  Here is a short video that covers a letter that Pastor Saeed sent to his family and supporters. Click Here

Day 2 (of 21) of Prayer and Fasting:

Matthew 11: 28-30 (NKJ)

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and LEARN FROM ME, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Lately I have been thinking about all the persecution of Christians around the world. While I was thinking about Christians that are being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ, I think about how prayer and Jesus Christ is the only answer to what is going on in our world. It is heartbreaking to hear about Christians being imprisoned and put to death.

Christians are being asked “how do you want to die”? I have thought about this question off and on. If someone was to walk into my home, church or city and asked me this question, I have to say that I would stutter a bit. I would want something fast. But, it is one thing thinking about it and whole other thing living with the possibility each and ever day like millions do in countries like Syria, Iran, Egypt, Pakistani and so on.

Syria has been in the news a lot. Each and everyday Christians are caught in the crossfire. 50 Christians have lost their lives because of their faith. There was a young boy that professed to be a Christian that was killed. His murder was filmed by the rebels.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said that the Islamic State terror group has executed at least 91 people in less than a month in Syria for crimes such as sorcery and sodomy, among others.They have documented over 3000 people that have been killed by the means of burning, beheading, stoning and shooting those who don’t believe in Shariah law. The murderers don’t discriminate on who they kill. Whether you are man, woman or child, groups like SOHR and ISIS don’t care. Complete cities have been nearly emptied of their Christian presence, including Homs where right around 60,000 Christians lived before the war. I was saddened to hear that now there are only 1,000  still remain. I am so ready for Christ to return.

As I said earlier, only Christ and intentional prayer is going to help.

• Prayer is needed that Christians will experience freedom no matter where they live. Stabilization in Syria and other countries is a priority.
• Prayers are needed for those who remain in Syria that are in danger. Pray for them to be safe and that their fears and persecution is eliminated.
• Those that are persecuted are in need of food and water. There is also a huge need for material needs such as shelter and clothing.

I also want to mention Pastor Saeed that is an American and he is a Christian imprisoned in Iran. I have been following his story and praying for him to be released so he can come home to be with his wife and children. Today on the “Pray for Pastor Saeed Abedini’s” Facebook page, his wife and others throughout the world is praying for his release. I stand in agreement with her prayer.

There are churches worldwide that have been encouraged to host their own prayer events. I will do my best to post her messages and prayers each day of the prayer vigil.

This is her day one prayer for Pastor Saeed.

Day 1 (of 21) of Prayer and Fasting:

Hebrews 12: 1-2 (NKJ)

1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith

As we start the first day of prayer and fasting today, I am again reminded of Hebrews 12. As we pray for Saeed and the persecuted church and we are reminded of “the cloud of witnesses,” we are to consider our own walk with God and that should affect how we live our life of faith. We should be motivated to get rid of the sins that are so easily entangling and ensnaring us and to run the race of faith with endurance. We can only do this by looking to Jesus. He is our source of strength and motivation!

Today as I prayed, I felt the Lord gently calling me to spend more time with Him in prayer and to allow Him to show me my heart and the ways I stray from Him and get tangled up in sin. I will share with you my journey during these 21 days. I encourage you all to join me and to spend time with the Lord and allow Him to draw you closer to Him and help you get untangled from sins and lies that have crept into your lives.

Love you all

Naghmeh

There has been a lot of discussions when it comes to the End Times. My daughter Jessica and I have many discussions on this. She knows a lot more about the end times when it comes to specific things surrounding Jewish Holy Days. Our church is getting ready to start studying the prophecies in the book of Daniel. I do think I want to go do that, I just have to remind myself when it starts. We both believe we are in the end of time. Most Christians that Christ will come back anytime now.

I have a friend who makes it a point to share the Gospel with anyone, which is great. She watches evangelist on TV and one of them is claiming that the rapture and the end will happen on Sept 23 or Sept 25. She called me up and told me she has very little time. I was talked to her right before she said that, that my mom is going to be gone soon. This friend has been a friend since I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. But, she told me she had very little time because she is going to be taken home to the Lord since the last of the blood moons is then. I won’t count it out since God can do anything, yet at the same time, we must continue doing what we need to do to bring people to Christ.

When I read about what the Bible says concerning the end times, I get excited since I am so ready to for this world to end. None of us know when OUR last day will be. So we need to be ready everyday. Satan’s deceptions and temptations are stronger and stronger. I believe that we need to seek the truth of God’s Word in the Bible and start living for Christ Jesus.

There are signs that are listed in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ...’This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despises of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.’

If you watch television and the news on television and wondered, ‘What is in the world are they thinking?’ Everyday there is uprisings and wickedness. Things happen so suddenly and unexpectedly that there is no one that really knows what tomorrow will bring. However, God does know when Jesus will be returning and He knows knows what our future holds. Long ago his Word, the Bible, foretold not only the bad things happening in our day but also the wonderful things that will occur in the near future.

• James 4:14: Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
• Isaiah 46:10: I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’

Most of the prophecies in the Bible are being fulfilled right now. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that we are living in the end times. I do want to say that while we know Christ is returning soon, we must be ready, but we also need to be witnessing and sharing the Good News. There are many ways you can share the Gospel and to reach those who need to hear about Christ. Pastor Ray at my church has been covering 1 John and we have been talking about what we need to be doing and that we must have faith in Christ.

• Matthew 24:14; And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Everyday, I make sure of what I am doing and be prepared. I have made it a point to be more serious about reading and studying the Bible. For some time I have been wanting to do a Bible Study at night. Since I will be leading the Bible Study I am very nervous over doing that. I have NEVER EVER been the one in charge of a Bible Study. I hope and pray for a good turnout and that others will learn. Participating in being a part of a Bible study group is a great way to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. Another way to go about doing Gods work is by helping others and loving them. It is wise to continue to learn more about Jehovah and his requirements for us.

• Hebrews 10:24, 25 ; And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Jesus foretold that there will be many people would ignore the evidence that we are living in the last days. The destruction of the wicked will come suddenly and unexpectedly. Like a thief in the night, it will catch most people by surprise.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:2; for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

There are so many things that are going on in the world and it is getting more difficult for true believers believers in Christ.  Every where you look you can see the evil around us. People are becoming discouraged and the horrible events and conditions are making it harder to walk in love. When we have faith in Christ and study the Word of Christ then we can better understand that the gospel is brighter and relevant than ever in this world.

Lastly I just want to say,  that it is best to be cautious when it comes to be deceived. Jesus made it a point to inform people that there will be those who will try to deceive others by claiming to be the Jesus. I want to make it a point to share this good news with everyone before it is too late.

If anyone has questions or you need prayer, you are more than welcome to comment. There are a number of people that are more than happy to pray with whoever needs prayers. If you want to learn more about Jesus Christ, you are more than welcome also to contact me. Just post your questions or prayer needs as a comment to this post.