Roy’s Blog: “No Backing Away”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7551

Deuteronomy 13:4 (NASB) “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.”

A storm is brewing in this country, and it is demonic through and through. Christianity is demonized and God’s word is banned from society at every turn. Demonic cries are heard for the Christian to “back away” from involvement in society and cultural engagement, to “back away” from stating Biblical truths.

This move has been brewing for a long time, but in the last few years, it has blossomed into a full-on assault against anything to do with God. They have taken the only source of hope and true freedom away from lost souls.

But, “backing away” from Biblical truth is not the answer in a nation that is broken and bleeding. The demonic “elite” promote indulging sinful delusions and pass meaningless legislation. But, the problem isn’t with the state of our laws. It’s the condition of the heart of mankind.

We are a broken and bleeding people in need of a Savior. A spiritual battle is raging all around us. Don’t back away from God! Now is the time to “keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him”.

Roy’s Blog: “When You Fully Know”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7547

I Corinthians 13:12 (NASB) “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”

I can look in a mirror and I can see my image. But there is so much I can’t see, and even more I wouldn’t understand if I could see it. I can’t see the inner workings of my body. Nor can I see my thoughts, my personality, or my character. I might not see a whole host of angels looking over my shoulder, but they could be there.

I know that Jesus Christ planned out everything about every living being before the foundation of the world. But how everything fits together perfectly throughout the centuries is way beyond my ability at the moment to comprehend. It is amazing. I can watch the (real) news and know what’s happening, but I don’t see the background…the people involved, or the situations.

Today I see “dimly” with frail human eyes in a corruptible body. But one day, I shall see and know and comprehend everything. I will know and see not just the physical part, but the spiritual part of everyone who has ever lived and gone on before me. Just as I am fully known, every part of me, every atom and every thought, by my Lord and Savior.

When everything is fully seen and known about you, what will be revealed? It will happen in the “twinkling of an eye”.

Roy’s Blog: “The City”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7543

Hebrews 11:8,10 (NASB) “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out not knowing where he was going. (v10)for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

We are waiting for the same city as Abraham. (WOW). And until that time comes we are on earth living as pilgrims and strangers in a foreign land. The city whose builder and maker is God is the “New Jerusalem”. The word Jerusalem literally means “founded peaceful”. It is the home of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, with whom we shall forever be.

We have all read or heard of the streets of gold, the twelve foundations of precious stones, and gates each made of a single pearl. While the physical construction of New Jerusalem will be beyond the imagination, we will enjoy another aspect of the city forever and ever and that is being in the very presence of our Lord and Savior. Are you ready for that day? It will happen in the “twinkling of an eye.

Remember as we face perilous times, stunned by the evil all around us, we are to be “looking for that city” as Abraham did. By faith! We will leave death, sorrow, crying, and pain forever and live in the city built by our Lord…for us.

Roy’s Blog: “No Cash Money”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7539

Revelation 13:17 (NASB) “And he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”

Every time corporate America rolls out a new technological advancement the selling points are always the same. “It’s safer, more secure, and more convenient.” Today we are fast approaching “the beast system”, a cashless economic system that will feed on your personal biometric data. Many phone companies have provided the use of a fingerprint or voice entry system to open access to your phone (that’s two biometric data points).

Our car has a remote start that you can use your biometric data to initiate. (I prefer using a password.) These little “fun and convenient items promoted how safe it made your phone or car or whatever. But it also meant that someone was keeping up with that biometric data. This “safe and convenient economic biometric surveillance system” will replace all cards, phones, watches, and other devices, and yes, cash is out. No giving your child a dollar or two for their birthday in a card. No allowance money. No little “mad money” stuck back for a rainy day. You would have no tangible means of payment that wasn’t being tracked by the system. Of course, that’s what they want.

Panera Bread, Amazon, Apple, McDonald’s, Costco, CVS Pharmacy, 7-Eleven, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Office Max, Whole Foods, and others are heading toward this system. Right now, megabank J.P. Morgan has announced the launch of a pilot program for a new “facial recognition payment platform” which they plan to franchise out to other banks and businesses. (Hey, it’s just old Joe Biden following China’s lead. They already tried facial recognition and it FAILED).

If the pilot program is successful, then a widespread rollout will be launched to United States merchants in 2024 (that is next year). The “mark of the beast” won’t be far behind.

Roy’s Blog: “Happening Now”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7534

Matthew 24:32 (NASB) “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and put forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.”

Israel is of course the “fig tree” and it is nearing its 75th birthday as a nation, now prosperous and free. Yet it is facing its most dangerous reality since the Yom Kippur war in October of 1973. There are huge protests of the progressive left in Tel Aviv against the leadership of Netanyahu, and at the same time, there are large protests in Jerusalem in support of him. The nation finds itself in a crisis like no other in its history.

*Doctor’s offices have closed.

*The international airport is closed.

*Hotel chains are shut down.

*Schools and universities are closed.

*All government offices are closed.

*All shopping malls are closed.

*All banks…closed!

Israel is in trouble. At the same time globally the new axis of China, Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia is signing agreements with Iran giving them legitimacy plus military and economic support. These enemies of Israel feel emboldened. They are waiting for the perfect time to fulfill their dreams.

It sounds like old news–it was prophesied so many years ago. But it is happening NOW!

Roy’s Blog: “With Confidence”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7530

Proverbs 14:26 (NASB) “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have refuge.”

Many years ago: a young boy walks across a valley. There is an army on the hill behind him. Another army stands on a hill before him. Yet, he walks alone. Behind him is the Jewish army…his people. They are filled with fear because the army they face is the Philistines. The Philistines are filled with pride and bravado, and they are huge in stature.

The boy walks between them with confidence. He knows…he understands who the battle belongs to. God. The Philistine fighter, Goliath, has thrown out the challenge. David accepted, but it would be God’s battle. God’s victory! David picks up five stones to go with his slingshot. One for Goliath and four more for Goliath’s four brothers.

Goliath has trained for war from his youth. He looks at his opponent with disdain saying, “Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks? Come to me and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.” (I Samuel 17:43-44)

David answers, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts…” (I Samuel 17:45) How can David face an enemy such as Goliath with confidence? He went out to face his giant in the name of the Lord. He took no credit for the battle but gave all glory to God.

When you feel alone, down in the valley of despair, and your giants tower over you, stand confident that God is there and He will fight the battle for you.

Roy’s Blog: “The Future”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7525

Isaiah 46:10 (NLT) “Only I can tell you the future before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.”

Iran has been a thorn in the side of the United States, Israel, and the Sunni nations of the Middle East since January 1978. For the U.S. it started with the Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis that lasted (for the US) from late 1979 until the day of Ronald Reagan’s inauguration as President on January 20, 1981-444 days later.

Since then the United States has worked in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman to keep oil flowing from these areas. Iran has become more bold in funding terrorists in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, Oman, and Yemen. They have attacked U.S. troops 78 times since January 20, 2021. (Joe Biden’s inauguration date). And they have been working closely with North Korea to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles that are able to send nuclear material anywhere in the world.

Today, Iran and Russia, who were enemies for centuries, have signed military and economic agreements, as well as agreements with Syria, Turkey, and China. Iran’s ambitions are merging into one goal-a “New World Order”- and that can only happen with the destruction of the United States and Israel.

All these things were once the “prophesied future”. Today they are current news.

Roy’s Blog: “The Calm”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7520

Matthew 24:37-39 (NASB) “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

When you walk around a park, watch families having a party, or walk through a mall and notice how people act. Most act as if they don’t have a care in the world. The next day will come just as it always has, despite the news of “wars and rumors of wars”. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a family get-together. And we should be calm, but not because of ignorance.

You cannot go around as the people of Noah’s day, laughing off the signs of the times, and scoffing at God’s warnings. They had no concerns of the day Noah preached about for almost 200 years. No worries about a tomorrow when they would all be swept away because they weren’t prepared. It had never “rained” before, so why would they be concerned?

That was what it was like in the “days of Noah. Do you see the comparison to today? Most people go about their daily lives in ignorance of God’s warnings. Why? Because (1) they don’t know God, (2) they aren’t paying attention, (3) they have hardened their hearts toward God’s word, or (4) they are under the delusion that is rampant in the world today.

Wake up! This is just the calm. The storm is looming and most are not prepared.

Roy’s Blog: “Where Do You Stand?”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7515

Ephesians 6:13 (NASB) “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

This is where our world stands:

The “winter of discontent” that has been sweeping across Europe has now escalated into a “spring of discontent”, with strikes and protests set to spread from France, Greece, and other surrounding countries, to Germany. Meanwhile, a recession looms for Europe in the midst of an inflationary crisis that threatens to become a banking crisis.

China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin have set their sites on shaping a “New World Order”, and it’s odd they have set the date at 2030.

Also happening, forty-four officers from the United States military published an open letter last Tuesday urging the United States to provide advanced weapons to Israel to deter and hopefully prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear nation. But, here in the U.S. distractions abound in the news, with witch hunts and cover-ups. Very little news about the price hikes, the shortages of food, and other necessities like medicines.

Our world is standing on the cusp of a dark time like no other in history. Sin and delusion abound, and people have no clue what to stand for. Are you standing in the darkness or in the Light? If you are trying to sit on the fence, there isn’t one. If you are not standing up for God in this world, you need to reevaluate your life and your priorities. Put on the full armor of God so that in these evil times you can stand firm.

Where do you stand? 

Roy’s Blog: “Life Changes”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=7511

John 16:33 (NLT) “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Life changes are something we all go through. They are “landmarks” that people measure in their lives. For example:

*Your own birth.

*The day you start school, and the day you finish school.

*Your first job, and the last day of work leading into retirement.

*Loss of a job (especially at a critical time in life).

*Your finances, as they go up and down.

*The birth of your children.

*The death of a loved one.

*Health problems (your own or that of a loved one).

*You mark some years by crazy happenings, violent storms, or accidents. “Remember when…”

Everyone has experienced one or more of these benchmarks of life. Changes. Some for the better and some for the worse. You’re always in one of them. From birth to the grave. The real question isn’t whether you have these experiences, but how do you handle them? Some of them can be devastating. So what do you do?

• Search within the crisis for God, reach out, and focus on Him.

• Allow God to use the crisis for good (in your life and the life of others around you).

• Remember there is hope even in times of crisis. He can transform your anguish and give you peace.