Roy’s Blog: “Almost”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2021/01/12/roys-blog-almost/(opens in a new tab)

Acts 26:28 “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.'”

Almost. It’s a member of a family with nearly, next time, if only, and just about. They all live in towns called missed opportunities, aborted effort, and blown chances.

Almost–the one that got away, the business deal that didn’t reach closing, the gamble that almost paid off. How many people have stories of almost reaching fame, almost brokering the deal of a lifetime? As long as there have been people there have been almosts. People who almost won the race, who almost climbed the mountain, who almost found the treasure. The runner-ups…the too late’s.

One of the most famous is King Agrippa found in the Bible. What he missed was far more significant than catching that big fish, or an award, or making it to the major leagues. He almost found the only hope any of us really have, and that is trusting in Jesus as Lord and Savior. But, he put it off…for some other time, not now. I need to think about it for a while.

Almost. Six ugly little letters. How many times do they find their way on despairing epitaphs? You can’t make it almost to heaven. It’s all or nothing. Your whole heart–now.

Don’t let it be said at your funeral, “Well he/she almost made it to heaven.” Trust in Jesus and follow Him now before it’s too late!

Roy’s Blog: “Victory”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2021/01/11/3919/(opens in a new tab)

I John 5:4 “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve been slung around and around by my toenails the last few weeks. This last year, especially the last quarter, has been hard to handle. So far this year isn’t shaping up any better.

A runaway rollercoaster is the best comparison I can think of. You feel helpless and hopeless. You have no control, and those that are supposed to aren’t doing their jobs! As for me, I’m so thankful I have a God who is in control, and I can have hope.

I know many wonder how long, how much more wickedness God is going to tolerate before He says it’s time. It will be in God’s perfect timing, but I believe He is getting ready to call us out of here at any minute. I’m ready!

With all our fancy technology and our all our medicines, we could never have imagined a virus could cripple our world the way it has. In America, who would have dreamed we would go from a country of freedom to one of tyranny and harsh control so quickly. (Hint: it didn’t happen quickly). It’s been building for many years, but we’ve ignored the symptoms.

Some say, “Take me back to the good old days.” But for those who are in Christ, we don’t want the “good” old days. We are looking forward to a victory over the world through our Lord and Savior. A NEW day!

Deuteronomy 20:4 “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

Roy’s Blog: “Keep Your Eyes On The Light”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2021/01/10/roy’s-blog-keep-your-eyes-on-the-light/

Matthew 28:20b Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.”

This year is starting off like last year ended. Plenty of fireworks. You can sense the tension in the air. It’s like a fog. We have shifted into an even darker period. Terrible despair has fallen over much of the planet. One reason is the financial hopelessness.

It’s hard to imagine spending most of your life working at or building a business, just to see it collapse due to a pandemic or in certain cities due to rioting and arson. You are in economic despair. You wonder how can you provide for your family? How can you keep a roof over their heads and food on the table?

The shift we are experiencing in the financial world is fueling globalization away from independence of the human spirit toward dependence on government and totalitarian rule.

No doubt about it, we are in a rough period. It is just the way Jesus said it would be near the time of His return. But, don’t despair. He is with us always even unto the end. Keep your eyes on the light–Jesus. He will guide your way through this dark valley.

Roy’s Blog: “Deliverance”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2021/01/09/roy’s-blog-deliverance/

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; Yes, I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Throughout scripture we see many examples of God’s deliverance, such as Noah and his family being removed from judgement through the ark; the children of Israel being taken out of Egypt; and Daniel being freed unharmed from the lion’s den. There is a general truth when it comes to the protection of His people. God promised that He will always deliver those who call upon Him. However, the time and circumstances are determined by by Him.

We can be assured knowing that God will deliver His people today, just as He did in the times of the Bible. God promises to be with those who are in Him. Through every situation, He is here with you. When the world appears to have gone stark raving mad, He is with you and will deliver you.

Remember Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

There is deliverance for God’s people–always!

Roy’s Blog: “A Monumental Time”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/roy’s-blog-a-monumental-time/

2 Thessalonians 2:5-6 “Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.”

This is such a monumental time. America has never seen some of the things going on today. I’m disappointed at many of the happenings, attitudes, and conniving that have taken place. But, I’m not surprised by them. The forces of evil are growing, gaining a foothold. Hearts have darkened, strayed further from God. However, there is good news in the midst of the darkness. Our departure is imminent!

My hope does not lie in the orb that revolves around the sun. My hope revolves around Jesus Christ.

It’s no mystery why tensions around the world continue to mount. What used to be considered right and good, are deemed wrong by many. And those things the Bible says are wrong are considered by many to be the right and desirable path. Isaiah 5:20a “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…” This is just as Jesus said it would be at the end times. People will be going their own way, apathetic toward God.

It’s amazing what has transpired with the Abrahamic Accords in the Middle East. It is foundational for the soon coming war of Gog/Magog that no nation comes to the defense of Israel. It would be impossible for Israel to defeat such a huge attack, but God is a God of the impossible.

The force that has restrained the completion of evil, will soon be taken away. We’ll be going home!

“I’m going there to see my Father

I’m going there, no more to roam

I’m only going over Jordan

I’m only going over home.”

This is a chorus from “I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger” (Jos Slovick 1917).

Roy’s Blog: “Imagine The Mansion”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2021/01/07/roy’s-blog-imagine-the-mansion/

John 14:2-3 “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am you may be also.”

When Jesus told His disciples that He would soon be leaving them, I can imagine the fear that must have taken hold of them. And why not? He was the One they had left their jobs, their families, everything for. He was the One who taught ultimate truth and lived it. He was the One who had been liberating the world from Satan’s grip of pain, sorrow, and death. Now He’s declares He’s leaving them? What were they supposed to do without Him? He was supposed to set up a kingdom. They still didn’t understand the Kingdom Jesus was to reign over.

I would like to believe when this announcement was told to those gathered around long ago, I would have been the one to say, “Yes, Jesus! You go and prepare that beautiful place for me, but hurry back and get me!”

Just think, what God did in six days. The beauty and majesty He performed. Then imagine what a mansion He has prepared for those that love Him. As I look around at the world, I still see the beauty God made, but I also see the darkness that has eroded the hearts of mankind. I long for that heavenly mansion. Home. Jesus is coming again to take me there. Praise God!

Roy’s Blog: “Nothing But Dust”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2021/01/06/roy’s-blog-nothing-but-dust/

Psalm 103:14 “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”

Oh what a comfort…”He knows our frame”. He knows we cannot go it alone here on earth. That remembering of us is the guarantee He’ll never lay undue burdens on us, but instead will lift us up and give us the strength we need for His plans and purpose.

Throughout the entire Bible, our strength is never criteria for access to the unlimited power of God and His mercy. At Calvary’s cross, we can grasp the full extent of God’s love and compassion, and His comprehension of our weaknesses. Our sins were laid upon His only Son who took our place. His unfathomable love could not allow Him to abandon us to a life without hope.

God knows your anxieties, your temptations and trials. He knows you are but dust formed from the ground and breathed life into. In the midst of the ups and downs of life, He will not allow you to walk any path beyond what you can bear.

Roy’s Blog: “Walking Into The Impossible”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2021/01/05/roy’s-blog-walking-into-the-impossible/

Exodus 14:13-14 “Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.'”

The children of Israel marched from Egypt toward the Red Sea. Pharaoh had changed his mind about letting them go and was chasing after them. Before the Israelites was the Red Sea; on either side of them was mountainous desert and behind them was Pharaoh entire army.

They faced three alternatives: They could give up and go back to slavery in Egypt; stand still where they were and be slaughtered; or they could go forward and drown. God commanded them to march forward into the impossible. He saved them through a great miracle, parting the waters so all they had to do was walk through on dry ground, trusting God to keep the waters at bay.

Many face such impossible crossroads. Behind you is a sordid past; in front of you is a seemingly impossible challenge. Maybe you would be walking away from the only life you’ve ever known, from all the “friends” you know. It’s scary. Maybe your fears, your memories, your frustrations are holding you back from the life God wants for you. What do you do? Stand still in defeat…or walk into the impossible at God’s direction.

Roy’s Blog: “Without Fear”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2021/01/04/roy’s-blog-without-fear/

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Every day I see more and more men and women having panic attacks. They are overcome by what they see and feel and that breeds fear and anguish.

David faced the choice of faith or fear. In Psalm 27 David gives us a picture of a faith that triumphed in spite of a very real fear. He faced persecution, warfare, and the inability to trust even his own family members. His message in Psalms: your personal faith can overcome all fear when fellowship with God dominates your life. David began each and every day affirming that God Almighty was his light and his salvation, his safety was assured.

Because of the priority he placed on his relationship with God, fear could find no place. Jesus Christ is the light that dispels darkness and leads the way out of fear. David did not overcome his fear through understanding the scriptures or remembering what God had done for Abraham and Moses (even though those things were good to know and understand). His faith was built on ONE thing–his personal relationship with God.

Psalm 27:4 KJV “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; 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 enquire in his temple.”

Roy’s Blog: “Sing A New Song”

Revelation 5:9a “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the book and to break it’s seals…'”

In chapter five of the book of Revelation, we learn of a future scene of worship taking place at the very throne of God. A new song…sung by a countless multitude; a song of redemption: “Worthy are You to take the book–for you were slain, and purchased for God, with Your blood, men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

We can’t see what lies ahead for us in the next few days and months, but we can know the end of the story. We, unlike the world around us, can have the joy that only the Lord can give.

In those verses in Revelation it speaks of multitudes singing a new song. Those singing are the people redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, along with the heavenly host. It’s been said that if we’re going to sing up there, we need to start down here. The world sings an old song, reminding you of what you were before, never letting go of the flesh. We should be singing a New Song! Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. For us!

Begin this new year with a new song in your heart. Praising God for all He has done, and for what He is going to do.