1. Speaking of Climate change, Moses writes about CREATION!

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (Gen 8:22)

The reason for this GLOBAL Summit is the world is warming up because of emissions from fossil fuels, oil, gas, and even coal. Plus, some meteorologists and climatologist claim there are extreme weather patterns increasing with heatwaves, floods, and forest fires. Therefore, the world is is danger of being destroyed by man. Is it?

2. Speaking of Climate change, Paul writes that Jesus Christ is in CONTROL of CREATION!

“16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Col 1:16,17)

From a biblical worldview, we embrace the reality that our Lord Jesus is in control of the world. Why? How? He created all things (Gen 1:1; John 1:1-4) and is holding it all together. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

3. Speaking of Climate change, Paul writes about CREATION under God’s CONTROL!

“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Rom 8:19-22)

4. Speaking of Climate change, JESUS speaks about His Second Coming and His CREATION!

“29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matt 24:29)

Jesus foretells of His Second Coming and the cataclysmic events that will transpire. Both terrestrial and celestial changes are in the making according to our Lord.

“25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:25-28)

5. Speaking of Climate change, Peter speaks about what is going to happen with this world and the NEW CREATION!

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2Pet 3:10-14)

Introduction: Do have a prayer partner? How important is it for 2 or more to intercede together? With two or more fighting the spiritual battles, victory can be obtained. In this devotion, the significance of having more than 1 on your team principle is seen; and furthermore, the VICTORY is accomplished.

1. Look who is Jonathan’s  prayer partner – armor bearer!

“1Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.” (1Sam 14:1)

Notice how they agreed together. There must be UNITY before there is VICTORY!

2. Look why Jonathan needs a prayer partner – armor bearer!

“4And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. 6And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” (1Sam 14:4-6)

Did you see the FAITH demonstrated by Jonathan? Without some MATURITY of FAITH and TRUST, there can be no VICTORY!

3. Look how God gave Jonathan and his prayer partner (armor bearer) the victory!

“7And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. 8Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. 9If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. 10But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. 11And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. 12And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. 13And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. 14And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.” (1Sam 14:7-14)

What did you think about their plan of DIVERSITY?

Conclusion: Without UNITY, MATURITY, and DIVERSITY in our prayers, we can see there will be NO VICTORY!

But once we get on the same page, exercise reliance upon the Lord as He guides, acknowledging He may change our strategy, then along with our prayer partner, we can celebrate the VICTORY!

Introduction: Don’t you want the blessings of the Lord? Do you know who Ezra was? He was a scribe who desired his family to be BLESSED. In the days when Israel had been taken into captivity because of the Lord’s chastisement, Jehovah God still had a plan for His people. The prophet Jeremiah writes concerning Israel.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

In other words, the God of Israel had a hopeful future for His people. But in God’s economy, He expects us to get in position to receive His BLESSINGS. Notice the process of getting BLESSED by the Lord.

1. By SEEKING Him!

“The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.” (Ezra 8:22)

Wise men still seek Him! Do you make it a point every day to “seek” the Lord? Why not start now?

2. By FASTING before Him!

“21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.” (Ezra 8:21)

The word “afflict” is עָנָה : (aw-naw’), which means to be bowed down or afflicted.

Have you bowed down before the Lord lately? God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Did you see how Ezra wanted a “right way” before the Lord? That should tell us there is a “right way” and a “wrong way.” The only way to know the “right way” is to get down low in the presence of Jesus Christ.

3. By POSITIONING our family and possessions before Him! (Ezra 8:21)

The word “substance” is רְכוּשׁ, (rek-oosh’) which means property, goods. After all, our Lord owns it all anyway. We are not owners, rather we are managers of what our Lord entrusts us.

As we seek the God of the Bible, He BLESSES even our “little ones.” The word for “little ones” is טַף, (taf), which by definition means children.

Do you want your family BLESSED? We all do! Why not get in position and expect the BLESSING? Now our Lord’s added BLESSING may be somewhat different than what we thought it would be….but Jesus is true to His WORD! (Not always material but spiritual blessings)

4. By FOLLOWING Him!

“31Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.” (Ezra 8:31)

The word “delivered” is נָצַל (naw-tsal’), which means to strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away.

Here Ezra is testifying that the Lord protected them from even being ambushed by the enemy. Are we really FOLLOWING Jesus? Don’t forget, there is a cross involved. Jesus said, “37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt 10:37-39)

Conclusion: What are you willing to do in order to get the BLESSING from the Lord?
1. Seek Him
2. Serve Him
3. Surrender to Him

1. DECEPTION from the beginning of CREATION to Jesus Christ’s REVELATION!

“3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2Pet 3:1-7)

Peter wants his readers to “stir up” their remembrances. The words “stir up” mean wake up, arouse, get up.

Another word the Holy Spirit uses is “pure.”

“1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.” (2Pet 3:1)

Do you see the word “pure”? It means sincere. It pictures a piece of pottery with a wax seal. The buyer would only know the piece of pottery had been cracked and waxed by holding it up to the sunlight, thus revealing the crack. That is the meaning of sincere, without a crack.

2. GLOBAL WARNING about GLOBAL WARMING!

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2Pet 3:10-14)

TIME and ETERNITY is in God’s Hands!

“8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Pet 3:8-9)

Introduction: Have you ever said, “If it ain’t one thing, it’s another”! Are you feeling the weight and pressure of life these days? Why do we always find ourselves feeling insecure and anxious? Is it a trust issue? Is it insecurity because of past troubles? Are issues still unresolved? How can we move on? When we face setbacks, bad news, and uncontrollable circumstances, what can we do?

1. We can RESOLVE to say what ESTHER said as she faced losing her life!

“…and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:14-16)

You know Esther fought her fear and fed her faith! She had been blessed by the Lord and promoted to the position of Queen of Persia. “Much given; much required.” Mordecai, her uncle or adopted Father reminded her that she was ordained for such a time as that.

What is God’s plan and purpose for you? Do you have worries? Will you trust and not doubt?

2. We can RESOLVE to do what DANIEL did as he faced losing his life!

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Dan 6:10)

Imagine being eaten alive by hungry lions. That is enough to strike fear in anybody. Yet, Daniel did not start praying just because he was in trouble. Rather, it was his way of life; He had developed a relationship with the God of the Bible. Have you? Why not start now if you have not already? Our Lord is waiting.

3. We can RESOLVE to do what PAUL did as he faced losing his life!

“And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:24,25)

Paul had witnessed Stephen being savagely murdered as he was crushed by stones. Yet, after surrendering to the Lord Jesus Christ, he understood that he was a MAN on a MISSION seeking to make a Difference! Worry. Anxiety. He faced it. In fact, he was led by the Holy Spirit to about how to conquer fear and worry to the Philippian believers while in prison, chained 24/7 to a praetorian guard.

“6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4;6,7)

Introduction: Have you forgotten that we are in spiritual warfare? At times we lose sight of our real enemy. For instance, do you ever get resentful toward people? Your Neighbors? Co-workers? Family? In-laws? Politicians???

1. The PROBLEM of the real enemy!

“3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.” (2Cor 10:3)

2. The PROVISION against the enemy!

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2Cor 10:4-5)

The word “stronghold” is ὀχύρωμα, (okh-oo’-ro-mah), which means a fortress, strong defense, stronghold.

In other words, Satan builds a fortress (castle) in a person’s mind, which can take a hold of one’s life. The manifestation of the fortress could be lust, pornography, jealously, envy, lasciviousness, strife, bitterness, or other things.

Keep in mind, if we open the door of our mind to the devil, he will walk right in. Once in, he will refuse to leave. Only Jesus Christ can force him out. Then the clean up job must be done.

“….bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2Cor 10:5)

The words “pulling down” is καθαίρεσις, (kath-ah’-ee-res-is), which means taking down, razing, destroying.

The words “taking captive” is αἰχμαλωτίζω, (aheekh-mal-o-tid’-zo), which means take captive (in war); I subdue, ensnare.

Introduction: Have you ever walked into a spider web? The web wraps around you and clings to you sticking to your hair and skin without letting go. You wonder if there is a black widow somewhere or a brown recluse ready to sink it’s fangs into your bloodstream. If you have ever walked in the woods at night or in a dark room without a light you can relate to this sticking situation. But if you have a beam of light from a flashlight shining in front of you it will detect the spider web. The bright light will eliminate the chance of being tangled up in a mess from a spider web. Did you know the devil has his spider webs? Yet, if we use the BRIGHT LIGHT of the Word of God it will show the demonic webs around us!

“105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psa 119:105)

1. Watch out for the step down because of a DUMB DECISION!

“… because they received not the love of the truth..” (2Thess 2:9)

2. Watch out for the step down because of a DELIRIOUS ILLUSION!

“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion..” (2Thess 2:10)

3. Watch out for the step down because of DOUBT and CONFUSION!

“11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” (2Thess 2:11)

4. Watch out for the step down because of a DANGEROUS CONCLUSION!

“That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2Thess 2:12)

5. Watch out for the step up of RESTORATION because of a DIVINE TRANSFUSION!

“8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” (2Thess 2:8)

Conclusion: Jesus is the LIGHT of the world! (John 8:12) John writes God is LIGHT! (1John 1:5) The Holy Spirit of God is the Author who inspired the Scriptures! (2Tim 3:16) The Psalmist declares the Word of God is the light that shines on our pathway and gives LIGHT! (Psa 119:130)

1. Carnal CHRISTians at Corinth!

“1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1Cor 3:1-3)

The word “carnal” is σάρκινος: (sar’-kee-nos), which means fleshly, consisting of flesh, carnal.

How can one tell if he or she is a carnal- fleshly CHRISTian? Notice the words “envy,” “strife,” and “divisions”:

The word “envy” is ζῆλος, (dzay’-los), which means eagerness, zeal, enthusiasm, jealousy, rivalry.

2. Strong Meat for Strong CHRISTians!

“2For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Heb 5:12-14)

The word “full age” is τέλειος, (tel’-i-os), which means complete in all its parts, full grown, of full age, specially of the completeness of Christian character.

Conclusion: Would Paul address us as CARNAL? Do we harbor grudges? Is it all about ourselves? Are we learning to deny self and take up a cross daily?

Introduction: Do you want your faith to grow? How does our Lord grow our faith in Him? By allowing us to go thru troubles and trials, our Lord grows our dependency upon Him. Writing to the believers in Thessalonica, Paul describes this God-ordained process. What should our response be when our loved ones are facing hardships – troubles and trials?

1. Give THANKS!

“3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.” (2Thess 1:3)

The thought conveyed here has to do with the believer’s faith in Jesus growing continually. In addition, love grows toward one another at the same time. Can you say you love the brethren? Is your faith growing consistently?

2. Focus on strengthening your FAITH in Jesus!

“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.” (2Thess 1:4)

The word for “patience” here means to bear under. It is in the context of suffering persecution. The word “endure” means to stay the course. Are you patiently enduring or persistently complaining?

3. Expect PERSECUTION!

“Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.” (2Thess 1:5)

There is a ministry of suffering. Often our spiritual life goes to the next level when patiently enduring persecution and suffering.

4. REST by TRUSTING Jesus will come again and avenge!

“7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2Thess 1:7-9)

This is a reference to Jesus’ second coming not the rapture. Judgment is on His agenda. He will repay with vengeance on those who do not know God and are opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. GLORIFY the Lord Jesus!

“When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Thess 1:10-12)

Ultimately, Jesus is to be glorified. He is faithful who has called us. He suffered for us…paying our sin debt in full! A price He did not owe. A debt we could not pay.

Introduction: Can you explain to an unbeliever the events that are going to happen in the future? How many resurrections are mentioned in regards to the End Time? When will they take place? What is going to happen to the Jewish people according to Daniel’s prophecy? After revealing 4 dominant world empires in vivid description, including a 5th yet to come (Dan 2,7,8), which the Antichrist will lead, and clarifying the 69th and 70th week, Daniel explains God’s End-time plan for the Jewish people. In chapter 11:36-45, the Antichrist is seen controlling the world through a military invasion, but his conquest will soon be over as Jesus Christ returns from heaven. That leads into chapter 12 of the book of Daniel.

Several questions will be explored as we examine the first four verses of Daniel 12:

1. What time is it on God’s time clock according to Daniel?

“1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Dan 12:1)

It seems apparent that this will be during the tribulation period. Otherwise known as the day of Jacob’s trouble (Jer 30:7). Remember, many of the Jews will be saved during the tribulation. In fact 144,000 male virgin Jews out of the 12 tribes of Israel will be supernaturally sealed. Also do not forget that during the tribulation the focus will be on Israel not the Church. The Church is raptured before the tribulation begins.

2. Who will stand up for God’s people, in Israel?

“1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Dan 12:1)

Michael the archangel will be dispatched by the Lord as a protector of Israel. (Jude 9)

“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

Michael must be a mighty angel indeed!

3. When and Where will those Jewish people who have died be resurrected from the dead?

“2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Dan 12:2)

There are numerous resurrections mentioned in the New Testament. For instance, Jesus was resurrected. At the coming of Jesus in the rapture, the Church – both the dead and alive will be resurrected. But at the beginning of the millennial, there appears to be the resurrection of the Old Testament saints. And then finally at the conclusion of the millennium at the Great White Throne Judgement, all unbelievers will be resurrected to be judged and thrown into the lake of fire.