It’s been a while since I’ve written an article, and I haven’t specifically gotten the “Aha, that’s it” article title to do, but I bet this will work. We here want all our papers to be a blessing to everyone reading them in some way that only the Lord knows. We at R/R also want to be a blessing to God as we share our personal stories along with scriptural truth and prophecy.
There are many notes scattered around on my desk and bookshelves that have been written over the years that I could share. One paper here has scribbled notes of all sorts from my thoughts with the premise of sharing them, probably. Let’s see:
- New heaven, new earth
- God’s Word survives and goes into eternity with us.
- 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit
- Coming with Jesus
- Be fruitful and replenish the earth.
My! Each one here is an article in itself.
From Genesis to Revelation, studies are here from the Bible for all to look up and ponder in awe of God’s Living Word. I didn’t plan this, but look how God brought it together (bet His hand is in this writing after all) so far. Like the other talented writers so much more gifted than I, my reason also is to bring truth and encouragement, but warning as well as to what’s coming. Actually, it’s Who’s Coming and why.
Like the other testimonies given by the writers, I also have one. Growing up poor with parents that were alcoholics, my parents were good to me as I was an only child; well sort of – my twin died at birth. I did not grow up in any “church environment,” to say the least, but went to a Methodist church a few times when I was 11 years old, I think. I remember my dad going a couple of times, but not my mom. She stayed home all the time and didn’t drive. I remember going down and getting baptized.
Never went back after that and started drinking at the age of 16. At 19, in the service, one of the guys “led me to the Lord, and I was on fire” for a couple of months. But I fell away quickly and don’t remember how or why; it’s all blank.
Fast forward 19 years of living in the worldly ways: Jesus stepped into my life one day, in my house (extreme action needed, I believe), and when I got up from off the floor while heading into the kitchen to get a drink of water (funny, I was reading the Bible; go figure), I knew who Jesus was. Tears immediately gushed from my eyes as I repented and confessed and acknowledged who He was instantly while down; I didn’t even have time to think about it. I didn’t see him literally, of course, but spiritually; talk about blindsided! I wouldn’t have it any other way. People come to the Lord in their own unique way, chosen by God, and no one way is better than the others. No person, no matter how big or strong, could stop His presence at a time like that.
Since then, that very same day (my wife and I got married when I was 30), we have been serving the Lord faithfully now for almost 30 years. That’s what Jesus can do for you.
We raised a boy and a girl up in the Lord at home and in church. Our son passed at 24, and our daughter “is away temporarily from the Lord; and it’s heartbreaking like some of the stories I read from others here going through this. But we are all warriors, contending for the Faith, holding Truth in righteousness till our Lord comes for us in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Paul, in his Epistle here, states in verse 18, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
I share in the times we are going through like the rest of you in ‘hurry Lord; it’s so hard now with all that we are going through.’ We are wearisome in so many ways. It’s been a long battle against the world, flesh, and the devil. We just want to “go home” TO HEAVEN!
We are looking for our eternal hope; Jesus our redeemer, our blessed hope (Titus 2:13).
All of you from other countries and nationalities that read these articles, the Lord loves you and desires a living, loving relationship with you that only He can promise and fulfill. He desires for you to become a child of His, coming to salvation in His Name only. His Hebrew name is Yeshua. He alone can save and offer you eternal glory in heaven with Him one day. That day appears to be near (Hebrews 10:25) “as ye see the day approaching.” I left some parts of the verse out; look it up.
Here is another verse from the same chapter I just happened to have colored. A verse that would apply to those who reject Christ and His Word; verse 31, same chapter: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Note the word the; there is no “a.” Yahweh is the only living God. Trust in what I and the other writers say in our articles, but look the scriptures up so the Holy Spirit can confirm in your spirit the truth.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
I hope this brings comfort, peace, truth, and salvation to you that you can share in heaven one day with the rest of us who have trusted Jesus as Lord. Whatever you are going through, one day it will be worth it. Don’t despair; hold on to your faith.
Clay Smith
All emphasis mine
All Scripture is from the King James Bible.