Roy’s Blog: “Upside Down”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4373(opens in a new tab)

Job 9:5 “It is God who removes the mountains, they know not how. When He overturns them in His anger.”

We live in a world turned upside down. Chaos and immorality abound. And we are surprised? Why?

Prophecy teachers have been warning people for many years that end-time events would be shocking. As we draw closer to the rapture, men of God have let people know that tribulation events would cast their shadow on the church age as God gears up these lasts years of the church. Many of my blogposts and many sermons I’ve done have called out for people to recognize these ‘birth pangs’, to know these are the last days before Jesus Christ’s return.

God shocked the entire globe during the time of Noah and again at the Tower of Babel. Job 9:5 explains His actions: “He overturns them in His anger.” God is a jealous God. He wants us to put no other before Him. When He sees His creation move too far away from Him, He will “move mountains” to bring them back to where they should be.

We, as a nation (and most of the world) have drifted far from God, tried to ban Him from every facet of our lives. When you put everything together that is going on in the world, the chaos, the immorality, the worship of everything else but God, you can see we are in a set up made for the rapture of the church.

Roy’s Blog: “Custom Made”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4370(opens in a new tab)

Isaiah 44:24 “Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and He that formed you from the womb…”

It’s wonderful to know that I am not an accident. God formed me and knew me from my mother’s womb. In fact, long before I was conceived by my parents, I was conceived in the mind of God. It’s not by chance you are breathing right now. No matter what you may have gone through it’s not luck or chance you are alive today. You and I are alive because God created us. He planned every detail of your body.

Have you ever had a custom made suit or dress? In Texas there are quite a few men who have custom made boots, or cowboy hats. They need (or want) a certain look or want them to fit perfectly.

God custom made you and I to fit…perfectly in His plan for our lives. The Bible says in Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”

God never does anything accidentally, and He never makes mistakes. One of the most amazing things is you are the focus of His love and the most valuable of all His creation. God made you so He could love you.

This is an amazing truth to build your life on.

Roy’s Blog: “A Time Like Today”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4366(opens in a new tab)

Daniel 8:19 “He said, Behold I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end.”

Russia has greatly enhanced it’s forces near its border with Ukraine, as tensions between the two countries have reached a boiling point once again. Just last week, the Russian military began shelling Ukraine forces near Donbass. While this seems not to matter much in the Middle East, the ramifications of an emboldened Russia certainly reach throughout Europe and Asia.

The weakness of the American administration encourages Russian President Vladimir Putin to do whatever he wants without fear of any great retaliation. But this is also true of Iran, North Korea, China, and others. America’s current foreign and domestic policies are emboldening governments around the world to finally move to fulfil their dreams of power.

The final moves that will usher in the last seven years (known as the Tribulation) don’t come out of a vacuum, but out situations and times –like we have today.

Roy’s Blog: “The Eye”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4362(opens in a new tab)

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

It is unimaginable what millions of Jews suffered during the holocaust. A holocaust that so many today deny even happened or have no clue that it did.

It’s hard to imagine the suffering of Joseph, not only the fact that he was sold as a slave, but it was his own brothers who sold him. Then to spend thirteen years in prison, for something he didn’t do. From where could forgiveness toward his brothers come.

When you are in the eye of the storm, it’s hard to imagine it could be used for any kind of good. You hurt, you’re sad, you are frightened. But, the next time you are in a tragic situation look for ways to bring God glory. Don’t just look for the exit. As a matter of fact, He may have led you to that point in your life so you or others around you may see God’s power and glory manifested in the ‘eye of the storm’.

There is a beautiful song “Eye of the Storm” by Ryan Stevenson:

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control, In the middle of the war, You guard my soul. You alone are my anchor, When my sails are torn, Your love surrounds me, In the eye of the storm…

God is there with you in the storms of life. Hold onto Him and He will carry you through.

Roy’s Blog: “Rejoice”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4359(opens in a new tab)

I Thessalonians 5:2-3 “The day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying ‘Peace and safety’! Then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.”

As I think about this passage, I can see how perfectly the metaphor of the labor pains fits the headlines today. An expectant mother endures quite a trial as she prepares for the birth of her child. She may have morning sickness, her body goes through all kinds of drastic changes as the time progresses, and then the labor pains arrive. As the child prepares to enter the world the mother’s discomfort intensifies. It’s a message God doesn’t want the woman to miss.

Similarly, our world is expecting birth pains. The governmental break down across the world, the collapse of morality across the globe, the turmoil and growing threat of wars all are indications that our redemption is drawing near. In Psalm 94:3-4 the people cried out to God, “Lord how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?” I have heard others cry this same plea, have done so myself. “How long Lord?”

Rejoice! Our redemption is near, even at the gate. The pain, the confusion, the anxiety is only for a little while longer. Rejoice!

Roy’s Blog: “Overcoming The Odds”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4351(opens in a new tab)

Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

The odds were not on Joseph’s side when his brothers sold him into slavery. Yet, what they meant for evil, God used for good. (Genesis 37-50)

The odds were not in Moses’ favor when he stood before Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world. (Exodus)

Gideon found himself greatly outnumbered by the Midianites. (Judges 6) The odds were against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they stood in the fire at Nebuchadnezzar’s directive. (in Daniel) The same is true of Daniel as he was thrown into the lion’s den. (Daniel 6) Yet, God manifested His power over each unimaginable circumstance.

The same was true for the Apostles as they stood before the lost all over the world. At times it may look like the odds are so far against us nothing could fix the situation, but remember, the Lord is on our side! God wants the world to know that He is the Almighty. One of the ways He has accomplished that is by manifesting His power and His strength over our struggles.

Psalm 118:6 “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Roy’s Blog: “Extraordinary Times”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4347(opens in a new tab)

I Thessalonians 5:1-2 “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

These are indeed extraordinary times, and remarkable occurrences are happening every day that move us closer to the ‘Day of the Lord’.

There is news that a coup was narrowly averted in Jordan as former government officials were arrested. Foreign and domestic forces are at work to destabilize Jordan as Jordan sits on Israel’s southern border.

China has agreed to invest 400 billion dollars in Iran over the next 25 years in exchange for a steady supply of oil to fuel its burgeoning economy and for a security agreement. The deal will deepen China’s influence in the Middle East, while strengthening Iran’s terrorist moves in the Persian Gulf.

Russia is on the move with heavy arms and missiles. We don’t know for sure what they are doing, but it can’t be good. Russia, Iran, Turkey, North Korea, and China all feel emboldened due to a weak American Administration.

We are indeed living in extraordinary times. Don’t get so sick of the news the main stream media feeds the world that you don’t keep watch. God has given you all the information you need so you won’t be caught unaware. It’s right there in your Bible.

Roy’s Blog: “Home”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4343(opens in a new tab)

Isaiah 66:8 “Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children.

This prophecy is three thousand years old and it is remarkable. Everything about it is awe inspiring. The prophet spoke of the nation Israel in the latter days of human history. The Lord, through Isaiah, predicted a never before seen event that would take place before all the world. It was an event that would start Israel’s clock( stopped during the time Israel was not a nation) ticking again and would eventually usher in the return of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah prophesied that Israel would be born in one day and brought back in a day. This is exactly what happened on May 14, 1948 by a United Nations declaration. Israel reappeared on the map with the stroke of a pen. In one day. The world heard the announcement, “Israel is back home!” The world wept with astonishment and joy! God kept His promise.

The Jewish people, scattered across the world, made their way back–HOME.

Roy’s Blog: “The Resurrection”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4339(opens in a new tab)

John 16:16 “A little while and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me…”

Every spring I’m overwhelmed by the wild flowers that spring up along the roadsides and fields. The dead grass gives way and the world comes alive with new green grass and colors of orange paintbrushes, yellow daffodils, pink evening primrose, and of course in Texas, bluebonnets. New life has sprouted everywhere from seed buried deep in the ground, waiting for those warm spring days to burst forth.

A perfect picture of life from death. After Jesus’s many amazing miracles, including the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the people would cry out, “Wishing to see Jesus.” It was a persistent asking as Jesus passed through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem. You can imagine how excited the people were to hear the words, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” John 12:23

Do you “wish to see Jesus”? Look beyond the birth of Jesus. Look beyond the cross where Jesus died for our sins. Look at the resurrection of Jesus from the grave! That is what He did for us!

Roy’s Blog: “The Day Is Near”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/?p=4334(opens in a new tab)

Zephaniah 1:14 “Near is the great day of the Lord, Near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of the Lord!”

Events are moving quickly. It seems like every day there are huge changes taking place pushing toward the day of the Lord.

Almost every day there are Houthi airstrikes on Saudi Arabia that are intensifying using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ballistic missiles. Meanwhile the Biden Administration has decided to remove three Patriot air defense batteries from Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies as part of a new assessment and reduction of United States presence in the region.

In addition, according to other reports, the removal of American defense system THAAD (terminal high altitude aerial defense), which is also in the area is being considered, along with the removal of the aircraft carrier Eisenhower from the Gulf. This is a withdrawal of American forces (turning our backs) from longtime allies in the Middle East. This emboldens Iran and their terrorist organizations to attack Saudi Arabia and ultimately Israel through the Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria.

Genesis 12:3 “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee…”

Psalm 122:6 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”

Zechariah 12:9 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”

I pray America will not turn its back on Israel.

Surely the day of the Lord approaches at a gallop!