Christ's Second Coming

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

The world waited and watched 4,000 years for the first coming of the Lord; then He came. He lived on earth only 33 years before He returned to His Father, but he promised that He would come again to gather up His people. Those who anticipated His first coming didn't wait in vain, nor will those who watch for His second coming.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way (Isaiah 53:6a)

"Man has been a failure everywhere when he had his own way and has been left to himself."* "I look on this world as a wrecked vessel. God has given me a lifeboat, and has said to me, 'Moody, save everyone you can.' God will come in judgment to this world; they [Christians] are in it, but not of it, . . . and their greatest danger is not the opposition of the world, but their own conformity to the world."*

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

". . . the world is going to grow worse and worse, and that at length, there is going to be a separation."* "The church [the true believers] is to be transported out of the world."* "To wait for His Son -- that is the true attitude of every child of God."* "He is coming -- we know that; but just when He is coming, we don't know."* "Do we live our lives as if worldly or spiritual things are more important?"* Which do you think will matter in eternity? Are you really ready for His coming?

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come (Matthew 24:42).

*Taken from the writings of Dwight L. Moody

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Using @everyone

I'm rather appalled at the number of people who are using Facebook's @everyone to pull people to their posts on author, reader, and book pages. When it is a general post that has little to interest me or doesn't apply, I find it rude and annoying, and those who use it casually aren't doing themselves any favors. In fact, they are alienating readers rather than building a platform.

I belong to one group where the administrator does this each morning. I've learned to just delete the notification without going there, but I'm considering leaving the group because of it. This afternoon, I got another @everyone from a young lady drawing people to the information she'd blogged, and I've gotten others. The number of Facebookers overusing the feature seems to be growing.

Now, there are some legitimate uses for this tag, and I appreciate those. For example, I'm in several MAP groups where authors come together to write the books in a series. When administrators need to get information out to all the writers in the group, the @everyone tag is helpful and even essential. I just hope those using it unnecessarily will reconsider what they're doing and quit trying to force themselves on the rest of us.

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The Bible in Brief

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

All the books in the Bible work together to give us a clearer picture of God and our place in His kingdom. The Old Testament gives us the foundation that will lead to Christ's coming, and the New Testament shows us how this plays out and how His followers carry on after His death, resurrection, and ascension. 

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold woundrous things out of thy law (Psalm 119:`18).

The first five books of the Old Testament give us the law stemming from the Old Covenant. The next books, Joshua through Esther, give us the history of the Hebrews. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon give us wisdom and poetry. Then come the books of the prophets, layered with messages from God on different levels, but all eventually leading to Christ.

All scripture is given by inspriration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The themes of the Old Testament cover the creation, the call of God to Abraham that forms a new nation favored by God, the growth of the nation of Israel, the division to form both Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom), capture and exile, and the return from exile leading to the New Testament events.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4).

The New Testament includes the four Gospels about the life and teachings of Jesus, the history of what we now call Christianity, the espistles giving instructions on godly living, and a glimpse into the last days. The themes here include: the life of Jesus, His teachings, the beginnings of the Church, how to live a Christian life, and our future hope in Christ.

He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

If you aren't reading and studying the Bible daily, even if for only a few minutes, you are missing out. It's not only a great way to get to know God and draw closer to Him, it will also strenghten you, increase your faith, and help you dodge Satan's arrows. You can't be the person God wants you to be without it.

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The Pony Express

Before I started writing so many westerns,  I didn't realize the Pony Express lasted for such a brief time, from April 3, 1860, until October 26, 1861. I guess it has been written about so often that I assumed it operated longer, but the transcontinental telegraph ended its usefulness. In addition, it was never very financially successful, and the telegraph catapulted it into bankruptcy. 

The mail service started in St. Joseph, Missouri, roughly followed the Oregon and then the California Trail for most of the way, and ended up in Sacramento, California, with quick pauses along the way to pick up or deliver mail pouches. The route was just shy of 2,000 miles long with about 185 stations. Around 400 horses were used in the operation. Eighty riders during the period of operation received $125 dollars a month at a time when most workers were receiving around $30 a month. However, the job could be dangerous, and small, light riders were preferred. The total weight of everything on the horse couldn't exceed 165 pounds.

Pony Express mail pouch

On my trip to South Dakota, Jim and I stopped in St. Joseph and visited the Pony Express Museum. I loved the exhibits and the information I found there. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend it. It made me want to include a Pony Express rider as one of the main characters in an upcoming book. Right now, I'm fully scheduled for the next two years, and there's not one where it would fit, but we'll see. As I've discovered often, things have a way of changing.

Checking a horse

Pony Express station

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Elijah confronts Ahab

 All In

1 Kings 19:19 begins the story of Elisha. Elijah had been God's prophet for many years. He'd reprimanded Ahab, stayed with the poor widow and her son, confronted the Baal prophets on Mount Carmel where he called down fire from God, and ran in a moment of fear stemming from Jezebel's threats. When God revealed that he would take Elijah to heaven in a chariot of fire and a whirlwind, Elijah went to Elisha to call him to take his place.

He found Elisha plowing his family's fields. When Elisha understood why Elijah had come, he left the field immediately. He killed some of the oxen to throw a party and tell his family goodbye. He roasted the meat by burning some of the yokes and plows. He was ready to leave the old behind, embrace the new, and commit to serving God according to His will.

Elisha also showed his commitment as he followed Elijah. When Elijah went to Bethel, he told Elisha to stay behind, but Elisha insisted that he would stay with his mentor. When God called Elijah to go to Jericho, he again told Elisha not to come, but the new prophet refused to be left behind. Before Elijah was taken up in the chariot of fire, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit because he wanted to be the best prophet he could be, and he knew he couldn't rely on himself for that.

After Elijah left, Elisha did great things because of his deep commitment to following God and doing His will. That's what the Church needs today -- Christians who are totally committed. That's what the Lord meant in Revelations 3:16 when he talks about spewing the lukewarm from his mouth. We are either totally committed to God, or we aren't committed at all. Where do you stand? If you find yourself lacking, you can change that right now. Pray about it.

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Solomon's Secret

My last book in the Hers to Redeem series publishes tomorrow (8-1-23). I've loved writing in this series and hate to see it end. I'm trying to work in at least one more book, but so far, my schedule has been too tight with me committed to writing too many other books. However, I'm still excited about Solomon's Secret.

On his deathbed, Solomon’s father asks him to move West and hide his Jewish heritage. With misgivings, he does so, but his life in Nebraska doesn’t turn out as he expected. He’s kidnapped and robbed of all his money. A helpful pastor takes him to the farm of a young woman who’s known for helping those in need, but even as he hides his secret, she inspires him to deepen his Christian faith. Yet with some people suspicious of him, he has no idea what his future might hold.

The print and Audible versions of Solomon's Secret are already out. Adam Skousen did the narration for the Audible version. He also produced the Audible for Simon's Shame. He's one of the strongest narrators I've ever worked with because he has such a wide range of voices. I'm hoping he will agree to do another project for me soon.

Although the ebook for Solomon's Secret doesn't publish until tomorrow, you can preorder it today, and it will come to you tomorrow when you'll also pay for it. That way you won't forget. If you've read my other books in the series, you'll certainly want to get this one, and you get to choose your favorite format.

Link to order Solomon's Secret

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Only God

Read Psalm 62

David realized that only God could be what he needed. He was David's rock, the One he could depend on -- strong, sturdy, solid, never failing. In times of need, in all times, David waited on the Lord. Men often let him down, but God never would. God shielded him, protected him, and saved him both physically and spiritually.

The Lord was his fortress and his stronghold. A fortress is a strong, impenetrable structure designed to withstand any onslaught or attack. A stronghold can be a synonym for fortress, but it also can refer to thoughts, arguments, and reasonings that take root and become ingrained in our lives. When these are adhering to God's Word and truths, they make us stronger, better people. However, if we let Satan misguide us and establish errant strongholds of his making, it's an entirely different story. (Read Ephesians 6:12-16.)

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). He comes to our defense, guards and shields us, protects us, gathers us to Himself in the shelter of His wings. (Read Psalm 91:4.) David tells us to trust God at all times and pour our hearts before Him. He and He alone is worthy.

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