ARE WE DUE FOR A WORLDWIDE GREAT RESET?

 SECOND GREAT RESET

THE DAY OF THE LORD

Pastor Dave meets with Pastors, this time to continue their discussion of the Great Resets, saying, "Great pizza!  Do you believe there is a coming Great Reset?"

Pastor Frank grins, "The world is growing hotter, forests are burning, earthquakes, flooding and tornados.  What do you think?"

Pastor Jun De adds, " Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come."  (Mark 13:8  NLT - New Living Translation)

Pastor Manuel reads, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:"  (Malachi 4:5 AKJV - Authorized King James Version)

I believe there is going to be a great reset when the Lion of Judah, the Messiah returns to set up His kingdom on earth."

Pastor Dave says, "The day of the Lord can refer to God's Judgment.  Some believe it's the Great Tribulation while others believe it's the actual day for the Second Coming of Christ.  "Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the Lord is coming; Indeed, it is near, A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As dawn is spread over the  mountains, So there is a great and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, Nor will there be again after it To the years of many generations. A fire consumes before them, And behind them a flame devours. The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, But a desolate wilderness behind them,  And nothing at all escapes them.

(Joel 2:1-3 NASB - New American Standard Version)

Manuel adds, " Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen."  (Revelation 1:7 ESV - English Standard Version)

Jun De reads, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.  His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.  The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.  Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  (Revelation 19:11-15 NIV - New International Version)

Pastor Dave speaks, "At the climax of the Great Tribulation, Jesus Christ will ride a white horse and return to the mount of Olives.  I believe this is the Day of The Lord.  

Frank, can you read the seventh bowl judgement in Revelation?"

Pastor Frank grins, "The seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”  And there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as had never been since men were on the earth, so great was that earthquake.  The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered great Babylon, to make her drain the cup of the fury of his wrath.  And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found;  and great hailstones, heavy as a hundredweight, dropped on men from heaven, till men cursed God for the plague of the hail, so fearful was that plague. (Revelation 16:17-21 RSV - Revised Standard Version)

Pastor Jun De adds, "I believe God will restore the earth the way it was in the Garden of Eden for the millennium.  Jesus will rule the earth from Jerusalem as Messiah and King of Kings."

Pastor Frank gets up, "I've got appointments and need to leave."

Pastor Dave summarizes, "The earth will be a different place at the second coming of Jesus Christ.  I believe this is the second reset the for the earth.  Next time we meet, let's talk about the third Great Reset.

Pastor Manuel adds, "The new heaven and the new earth!"

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD PRAYERS

 DOES GOD ANSWER PRAYER?

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Mary the Sunday school teacher walks around to each table showing bottles of Ketchup and Mustard.  She asks, "Would anyone like to pray?"

Alicia waves her hand getting Mary's attention, saying, "Mary it's my turn to pray."

Mary hands her the bottle of Mustard, looking into her little brown eyes, speaking, "Alicia, I want you to hold this bottle of Mustard when you pray."

Bobby spouts out, "Are we going to eat corndogs with the mustard?"

Mary continues, "Did you know the disciples of Jesus asked Him how to have a more powerful prayer life?  "The apostles said to the Lord, “Give us more faith!”

The Lord said, “If your faith is as big as a mustard seed, then you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Dig yourself up and plant yourself in the sea!’ And the tree will obey you."  (Luke 17:5-6  ICB - International Children's Bible)

Alicia holds the bottle of Mustard and prays, "Heavenly Father, we need more rain for our garden.  All our tomato plants need water and are drying up."

Mary gives the bottle of mustard to Jimmy.

Jimmy prays, "Jesus, help my mom and dad to love each other again and not get a divorce."

Mary reads, "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we force the demon out of the boy?”

He told them, “Because you have so little faith. I can guarantee this truth: If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  (Matthew 17:19-20  GW - God's Word)

Jimmy, "Why am I holding the mustard?"

Mary replies, "It is to remind you to have faith when you pray to God.  And even if you have the faith of a little mustard seed, God can move great big mountains for you."

Alicia waves her hand, saying, "Mary, what does faith mean?"

Mary reads, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being sure of what we do not see.  That is what the people of long ago were praised for.

We have faith. So we understand that everything was made when God commanded it. That’s why we believe that what we see was not made out of what could be seen."  (Hebrews 11:1-2  NIRV - New International Readers Version)

Mary holds up the Ketchup bottle saying, "Who would like to pray holding the Ketchup?"

Ana raises her hand, saying "Me!"

Bobby interrupts, "Are we having french fries?"

Mary smiles, "No.  When we hold the Ketchup bottle, this reminds us to catch up on your prayer life.  It's not enough to say grace when we eat and bedtime prayers. How many of  you talk to you mom and dad all day long.  

Ana speaks, "I love holding my dad's hand when I talk to him."

Mary concludes, "If you love God, talk to him too.  Tell the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit you love them.  And if you have faith of a little tiny Mustard seed, believe that God can move mountains for you."

DO CHRISTIANS BELIEVE IN THE GREAT RESET?

 FIRST GREAT RESET

NOAH'S WORLDWIDE FLOOD

Pastor Dave, red hair Scottish American meets with three other pastors each month to discuss difficult topics and pray for one another.  After praying for breakfast, Dave asks, "Anyone have any issues you would like to talk about?"

Pastor Manuel, Hispanic American replies, "I believe my computer was hacked with viruses, malware and AI.  I had to reset my computer and reload all my software again."

Pastor Frank, blond, German American, spouts out, "Do Christians believe in the Great Reset?  Why don't we ever talk about climate change.  Our earth is crying out for help and we are wasting our time talking about our computer problems?"

Pastor Dave says, "Yes Christian do believe in the Great Reset caused by humans too.

In the Bible there are three Great Resets mentioned.  There's Noah's Flood, The Day of the Lord, and finally The New Heaven and The New Earth. 

Pastor Jun De adds, "It would be good to talk about all three Great Resets and learn from God's word."

Pastor Maneul smiles, "Did you know that Noah's great grandfather was Enoch.  There were two Enochs in the Bible, one a righteous descendent of Seth and the other from Cain."

Pastor Dave reads, "And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.  And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good."  (Genesis 9-10  ASV ~ American Standard Version).  God called the land he created Earth, not Pandora!"

Pastor Jun De asks, "Why did God reset the earth?  Was it because of the giants called Nephilim?"

Pastor Manuel reads, "Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”  The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown."  (Genesis 6:3-4 ESV ~ English Standard Version)

Pastor Dave adds, "Your right Pastor Frank, humans are to blame too!  "The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.  So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.  And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.”  But Noah found favor with the Lord."  (Genesis 6:5-8  NLT ~ New Living Translation)  What do you think Pastor Manuel?"

Pastor Manuel remarks, "Why did God have to wipe out the animals and plants?"

Pastor Jun De adds, "Jesus answered, “Every plant that my Father in heaven has not planted himself will be pulled up by the roots."  (Matthew 15:13  ICB ~ International Children's Bible)

Pastor Frank remarks, "It would be nice if God could get rid of all the Genetic Modified Plants today, and we could have organic plants."

Pastor Manuel adds, "Maybe the fallen angels modified the DNA of plants and animals in Noah's days.  Maybe that's why dinosaurs were giant and the grapes that Joshua and Caleb brought back were huge.  Did God create the Sandbox tree and Poison Ivy?"

Pastor Dave cuts in, "You're missing the point!  It was because of what was in the hearts of man, God was upset.   People were wicked and every thought was evil.  That's why God had the great reset with the worldwide flood.  God wanted to spare Noah and his family because they were righteous."

Pastor Jun De adds, "Enoch experience a pre-tribulation rapture, because he was righteous and had a personal relationship with God.  "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for prior to being taken up, he was approved as being pleasing to God."  (Hebrews 11:5  LSB ~ Legacy Standard Bible)

Pastor Frank interupts, "I've got a meeting this morning and need to leave."

Pastor Dave ends, "Noah's flood was the result of the first great reset.  Not only was there a worldwide flood that fossilized plants, animals and birds, but continents and mountains were formed.  At our next meeting we can talk about the next Great Reset--The Day of The Lord!  The Second Coming of Christ."

After Pastor Frank gets up and leaves, Manuel says, "I lost all my research and notes for Sunday's sermon on my computer and I was merely asking for help."

SHELLFISH PRAYERS

 SELF CENTERED PRAYER LIFE

SUNDAY SCHOOL 

Kim the Sunday school teacher holds a Lobster on a plate to her elementary kids class, saying, "When I pass this shellfish to you, it will be your time to pray."

Some of the students smile and giggle.

Kim continues, "How many of you have asked your father for money?"

Sally raises her hand, "I asked my dad for one hundred dollars, so I could have money to spend at the store."

Kim questions, "Did he give you the money?"

Sally replies, "No."

Kim speaks, "When we ask God the Father for things, are you holding the shellfish?  "Even when you do ask God, you do not receive anything. That is because you ask for the wrong reason. You just want to use these things to make yourselves happy."  

(James 4:3  EASY English Bible)

Bob speaks, "I asked my Dad if he would give me his car.  I want to drive to see my friends."

Kim adds, "God knows your needs before you even pray.  When you ask your dad, he's not always going to give you everything you want.  He knows what's best for you and he may say, no, or maybe you'll have to wait later until your 16 to drive his car."

Ann speaks, "I asked my papa for a $1,000 prepaid credit card, so I could always have money to spend everywhere."

Kim remarks, "Shellfish prayers are selfish prayers when everything we ask if about, 'Me, Myself, and I.'  "Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."  (Philippians 2:3-4  NLT - New Living Translations)

Tom speaks, "I quess we need to pray for other kids too."

Marie adds, "Pray for moma and papa too."

Kim concludes, "Who would like to hold the shellfish when you pray?"

All the children shout, "NO!"

Kim continues, "It's OK to pray for you own needs, but remember to pray for other people too.  And don't forget you're talking to your Father in heaven who knows what's best for you.  Are you praying for God's will to be done in your life?  Are you thanking Jesus for the good things he's done for you?  And are you asking for the Holy Spirit to help you each day?"

Sally smiles, "Do you have paper plates so we can eat the Lobster?"

HAVE YOU ASKED GOD FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT?

 MIDNIGHT VISITOR

OPEN UP THE DOOR

"Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you went to your friend’s house very late at night and said to him, ‘A friend of mine has come into town to visit me. But I have nothing for him to eat. Please give me three loaves of bread.’  

Your friend inside the house answers, ‘Go away! Don’t bother me! The door is already locked. My children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you the bread now.’  

I tell you, maybe friendship is not enough to make him get up to give you the bread. But he will surely get up to give you what you need if you continue to ask.  

So I tell you, continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you.  

Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them.  

Do any of you have a son? What would you do if your son asked you for a fish? Would any father give him a snake?  Or, if he asked for an egg, would you give him a scorpion? Of course not!  Even you who are bad know how to give good things to your children. 

So surely your heavenly Father knows how to give the Holy Spirit to the people who ask him.”  

(Luke 11:5-13  ERV ~ Easy To Read Version)

LETTUCE PRAYER

HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU SAY, "LET US?"

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

Mary the teacher speaks, "What is prayer?"

Charlie raises his hands, "It's talking to God."

Mary continues, "Why is it important to talk to God?  Sue answers, "It's like talking to my papa.  He wants to know what I need, he comes to me when I need help, and he cares for me when I'm sick."

Mary says, "When you say to your father, I need this, I need help, or I feel sick; you are personally talking to your father.  Same is true when you're having a personal conversation with God."

Sally remarks, "What does that have to do with lettuce?"

Mary adds, "Lettuce is healthy when it's fresh and washed properly.  But spoiled lettuce may make you sick."

Kevan speaks, "I ate a salad once and had to go home sick."

Mary continues, "Sometimes when we pray in a group, one person gets in the habit of using the words, "Let Us!"   Can anyone give me an example when Lettuce can be good in a prayer?"

Brenda blurts out, "Let us be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Bob adds, "Let us run the good race and fight the good fight."

Mary speaks, "Lettuce can be good when we encourage others. Can anyone give me an example when lettuce can be bad in a prayer?"

Sally smiles, "Let us take baths before coming to church."

Bob adds, "Let us grow up and read the Bible and stop playing video games."

Brenda blurts out, "Let us not talk in class."

Mary speaks, "But are you talking to God or are you talking to your classmates.

"Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. Don’t condemn others, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven."  (Luke 6:37 ERV ~ Easy to Read Version)

Bob adds, "I don't like it when others in the class point fingers at me."

Mary continues, "Lettuce can be bad, when we use it to judge others in a prayer group.   It's important when we pray to build others up and support one another.  We need to be humble and examine ourselves and not others.  And we need to be respectful when talking to God the Father who created the Universe!"

Bob, "I guess we need to talk to God and not to the teacher or classmates."

Mary adds, "Remember you don't have to always use "we" or "us" in everything you say.  What would you say if you were talking to your daddy at home?"

Sally grins, "When are we going to eat the salad?  Did anyone bring any salad dressing?  Do we have bowls and forks?"  

ELIJAH AND THE ANGELS

 TREES IN THE BIBLE

ELIJAH UNDER A BROOM TREE

"When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal.  So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.  Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary Broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”  He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.

Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.  There he came to a cave, where he spent the night."   

1 Kings 19:1-9  (NLT - New Living Translation)

A Broom tree is a symbol of God's provision, shelter, and judgment. Charcoal was made from the wood.

"I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.  

What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?  He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the Broom bush.

 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! 

Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.
 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war."  

Psalm 120  (NIV - New International Version)