What Are You Thinking?

What Are You Thinking?

We’ve all heard the well worn phrase; “A Penny for Your Thoughts.” Have you ever looked at someone and wondered; “what must they be thinking?” I think we all have probably been there. 

Thoughts are the most private parts of any human being. No one else in the whole world can know our private thoughts unless we share them. 

Consequently we imagine to ourselves that what we think, and do not express outwardly to others is undetectable by anyone! 

But, in reality, there is “one” who knows every single thought that we think! In fact, God knows everything about us, even our most well kept private thoughts. 

In fact, the Bible tells us that our Thoughts, even private as they may sometimes be, underscores what is really in our Hearts! 

Proverbs 23:7 For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he:

(“Ouch:” Think about that!)

The average person will typically have more than 6,000-8,000 thoughts in a single day, or about 300 every hour. That’s a busy mind! 

According to a research conducted by the National Science Foundation, around 80% of these 8,000 thoughts will be negative or of a vain purpose. 

Psalms 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

As someone has adeptly stated, a mind is a terrible thing to waste! Since our minds are continually framing thoughts, it behooves us to “set our Minds to Think better thoughts,” especially since Almighty God knows our every Thought!

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Focus on the Bible

May 1, 2022

by: Darrell G. Young

How Great is God?

How Great is God?

We all have heard that inspiring old Gospel song entitled, “How Great Thou Art.” It’s timeless lyrics bespeak of the awesome mighty power and wondrous love of God. 

The song: “How Great Thou Art” was written in 1885 by Carl Boberg and has since become the second most popular gospel song, trailing only the epic song, “Amazing Grace!” Everyone has probably heard these fascinating lines:

“Oh Lord, my God; When I, in awesome wonder; Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder; Thy power throughout the universe displayed”

I think of these grand lyrics and the following verses every time I look up into a night sky. Then I contemplate the reality that there is a very powerful and loving God; way out there someplace! 

Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Hebrews 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

These divine truths cause me to attempt to imagine just how Great God truly must be. While it is impossible for the minds of mere human beings to grasp how great God must be; analyzing a few things about him begins to reveal a slight glimpse of his majestic and glorious Greatness: 

Ten Great Things about Gods Greatness

# 1. I John 4:7 informs us that the Most High God that dwells far, far above the Heaven of heavens is in fact a “God of Love!” 

How fortunate we human beings are that the Mighty Creator of all things is a God of love. Can you imagine the vanity of life that would exist for all, if Almighty God was by nature a Dictatorial unforgiving Tyrant? 

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sin; hath offered us Grace through Christ.

It is Super Great that God is a Loving God!

# 2. God is not only Loving, he is Righteous! The opposite characteristic of righteous is to be an actor of Evil. 

Psalms 119:137-138 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

How Great it is that Almighty God is perfectly Righteous! 

# 3. Almighty God is also a God of “Justice!” Have you ever in your life been victimized by an evil doer? If you have, you have an idea of just how important Justice can be. Surely nobody wants evil to go unpunished! Only an omnipotent and righteous God can mete out true Justice!

Job 8:3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

How Great it is that God, who is Righteous will someday judge and execute his perfect Justice over all things!

# 4. Almighty God is a God of perfect Truth, and cannot entertain a Lie! 

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

How comforting and assuring it is that God is incapable of lying. Not only is God incapable of lying, but since He is holy, righteous and Just, He is thoroughly disgusted by all liars! Chief among the Liars that God hates is the Devil himself, the father of lies!

How Great it is that Almighty God is a mighty bastion of absolute Truth! We’re He not, we would all be incapable of knowing the Truth!

# 5. The God that dwells way out beyond the heavens and created all things that exist; is the absolute sovereign of all that he made! He is absolutely all-powerful! There is simply no greater power anywhere!

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

How Great it is that the God of Love, Justice and Righteousness is “The Almighty!” It is so comforting to know that no Evil Powers can ever overcome Almighty God! 

# 6. Isn’t it “Great” that The Almighty God is interested in our personal welfare and fate?

Psalms 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Psalms 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

Almighty God is so interested in our welfare and fate that He has undertaken the greatest “demonstration of Love” the world has ever observed; namely the sacrifice of himself on a Cross of Execution to offer us all a Pardon!

How GREAT is a God that he would be so mindful of man that He would do that! Talk about Awesome!

# 7. What if The Almighty God was not a god of Patience and demonstrated the ultimate in self temperament? 

Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Oh my! How fortunate we all are that God is Patient, even long suffering! Imagine if God was not in control of his righteous wrath and demonstrating extreme patience toward us! We’d all be in big trouble! 

How GREAT it is is that Almighty God is so Patient and Merciful, and not given to hasty Judgments!

# 8. Almighty God has made well over 7,500 promises in his Word! Many of His promises involves our personal welfare and fate! What if God couldn’t simply deliver on some of his Promises?

Psalms 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

How GREAT it is that God, who cannot lie, also never Promised anything that he could not deliver! His Word is Forever Sure and settled in Heaven!  (Psalms 119:89) 

# 9. Almighty God would never entertain any concepts of Compromise! God is sufficiently powerful enough and knowledgeable enough and wise enough to ever need to change his foreordained course. 

James 4:4 know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Deuteronomy 5:32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

The Bible makes it clear that God does not condone compromising His commands. And neither does God alter his ways or construct compromises with the World. In fact, God is so perfect in wisdom and knowledge that he has no need of change or redirection! 

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; 

How GREAT it is that Almighty God is so perfect in His wisdom and character that He has no need to Change or Compromise! If God “changed” or “compromised” we could not rest in peaceful contentment with Word!

# 10. What if God could fail or lose? That would be terribly disturbing, wouldn’t it? But in fact, God cannot fail at anything! 

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

How GREAT it is to know that God cannot Fail or ever be defeated! In fact, his greatest rival, Satan has already been Defeated! Yea, we now look forward to the Day when the Lord shall “put down” all enemies! 

I Corinthians 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he (Jesus) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Oh How Great Thou Art! When I in awesome wander try to consider how Great God must be, I’m so glad that God is all that He is! 

Focus on the Bible

April 1, 2022

by: Darrell G. Young

Special Note to FOJ Readers (part III)

Special Note to FOJ Readers (part III) “Who is Vladimir Putin?”

Vladimir Putin is in the news a lot these days. Many Bible believing Christians are suddenly wondering just who Vladimir Putin is, and what role might he play in Bible prophecy; especially so since he is the present leader of Russia.

Most speculation revolves around whether or not he might be the actual player that the OT prophet Ezekiel speaks of as Gog, the chief prince of the land of Magog, Meshech or Rosh. 

Others are even theorizing the idea that Vladimir Putin might even be the Antichrist! 

These are all very poignant concerns! Ezekiel’s prophecy is of paramount importance in the Last Days, and therefore any actions relative to the names listed in the discourse in chapters 38 & 39 require deep analytical research. 

Vladimir Putin’s Rise to Power

Mr. Putin is the leader of the Russian Federation. Since his invasion of Ukraine recently, he has become a subject of intense interest concerning Russia’s role in end times Bible prophecy.

Vladimir Putin is 69 years old and was born on October 7,1952 in St. Petersburg, Russia, then known as Leningrad. His father was an atheist and his mother was a follower of the Russian Orthodox religion. His paternal grandfather was a staunch Communist who served in the employ of Joseph Stalin. 

Putin, spent his teenage years galavanting as a street thug in the gangs of St. Petersburg. He was notoriously brutish, despite his small stature and caught the eye of the Soviet KGB. 

From these humble beginnings, Putin began his meteoric rise through the ranks of KGB spying operations, ending up as a chief in East Berlin of Soviet espionage. 

While in the KGB, Putin was prepped for future assignments by attending law school in his native St. Petersburg, graduating in 1975, at the age of 43.

By, 1990, Putin was a member of Boris Yeltsin’s inner circle of anti-democracy or anti-Gorbachev proponents. Finally, Yeltsin’s declining health, opened an opportunity for Putin to be selected by Yeltsin as his successor in 1999. 

As they say, the rest is history. Putin has basically become another Russian Dictator ever since. He has rigged elections, eliminated opponents, stolen companies and greatly enriched himself to where he is reputed to be the richest man in the world.

Putin’s Paranoia

1- As a philosophical Russian Communist, Putin is paranoid about the intent of the West regarding the former Soviet sphere of power. He is fearful that the West, with its multi-nation alliance under NATO is seeking to encroach more and more into Eastern Europe, thereby undermining the domain of Putin’s concept of Greater Russia. 

2- Seeing himself as the Savior of Russia, Putin fears the prospect of Russia being reduced to an impotent power player on the world stage.

3- Putin is highly sensitive to the emerging New World Order that is being orchestrated, designed and implemented by powerful non-governmental agencies in the West. (WEF, G-7, Club of Rome and many others)

4- Putin also harbors suspicions about a Shadow government operating within the United States, that he views as being obsessed with stealing the resources of the south Russian Caucasus region. (Oil, gas, etc.)

5- Putin is adamantly opposed to the prospect of former Soviet occupied states being independent from Russia, and becoming amalgamated into the European Economic Union. 

Putin’s Gambit

In his vision to rebuild Russia once again into an Euro-Asian Empire, Putin is intent on formatting former Soviet client states into an alliance that is virally anti-West. These states include Syria and Iran. Putin’s hopes are to annex many other areas into his sphere of influence; such as Ukraine. 

Russia and Iran, as well as China share a common interest in limiting the political influence of the United States and Europe in Central Asia. This common interest brought into existence the structure of economic and military cooperation known as the Shanghai Cooperation Council and the formation of the  Euro-Asian Economic Union. (EEC) These alliances between Russia, China and Iran form a competitive counter of the Western styled NATO and European Union. 

Iran is the only country in Western Asia that has been invited to join with Russia’s CSTO. (Collective Security Treaty Organization) As a result of this collective alliance, Russia and Iran have been teamed together in a policy to displace Western influence in Asia and the Middle East. 

Syria is Central to the Russia-Iran Axis

With the so-called “Arab Spring” uprising in 2010, Russia and Iran have cooperated in stabilizing Bashar Assad in Syria. 

 

The “Arab Spring” was a Western devised operation to supposedly promote Democracy in the Middle East, especially in Libya, Egypt and Syria. In 2011 the Syrian civil war began with the United States and Europe lending support to various Syrian rebels. 

The Syrian Civil War became a nightmarish struggle between East and West with the dynamics of Islamic Revolution underlying the volatile geopolitical mix.

Simply stated, Russia’s Syrian strategic importance resonates beyond the Middle East as a test case for Russia’s desired “post-West” world. 

This Russia-China competitive “post-West” world features Russia’s elevated status at the expense of US power. Nowhere is this vision more apparent for Russia than in the Middle East and Syria where Moscow plots to exploit the perception of a US withdrawal from the region to project its own influence.

Then, Afghanistan happened! When the US suddenly withdrew from Afghanistan, Putin saw a golden opportunity to wage a second war on Ukraine! His first war garnered him control of Crimea and much of the Black Sea corridor down to Syria. 

For Iran, Russia’s partner in anti-West plots, Syria is also a strategically key ally. It’s Iran’s main conduit to the Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon, the proxy through which Iran can threaten Israel with an arsenal of short-range missiles.

* These two factors foreshadow the events that Gog, of the land of Magog will someday perpetrate against, not just Israel; but also the Empire of the Antichrist! 

An obscure prophecy about the Antichrist in the book of Daniel reveals that the future Antichrist will become distressed about news of mighty powers coming against him from the North and the East! These two powerful groups of nations will be led by Russia and China

Daniel 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

Answering Questions about Putin

First, the most pressing anxiety about Putin!

1- Is Vladimir Putin the Antichrist? 

Answer: NO! Vladimir Putin is not, nor will he become the Antichrist! Mr. Putin is no doubt a very evil man, but he is a mere puppet in the “unseen war” within the ongoing battle between the angelic warriors of Satan and Almighty God! 

2- Might Vladimir Putin be the powerful Gog, the “Prince of Rosh” or Mescheh mentioned by the prophet Ezekiel in his prophecy about Magog?

Answer: Gog is definitely tied to the land of Magog in some mysterious way. But the answer to this direct question is a bit more complex and is still open to conjecture! Only time will tell the tale on this question.

But there are two credible theories about the identity of Gog, as to whether he is a political ruler of Russia; or if by the classification as a “Chief Prince” of Meschech, he might be a forceful “principality” of the fallen Angel ilk; who is manipulating the rulers of Magog and others in the North, associated with Russia. 

Gog is possibly a powerful Prince within the unseen supernatural war against the Prince of God; Jesus Christ himself! Again in Daniel chapter twelve, we are accorded a view of another powerful Prince; a Prince that will stand against the “principalities” of Satan as he defends Israel during the Tribulation:

Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

However we may view Vladimir Putin, these things are certain: 

1- He is an evil minded man that Satan can easily manipulate to threaten Israel. 

2- He is demonically controlled and possess a venomous hatred for freedom and Western democratic ideals. 

3- He is systematically preparing Russia for exactly what the prophecies of Ezekiel long ago (2600 years) forecast for Russia, Iran, Syria and even the Antichrist. 

4- The future Antichrist will not come from Russia, Iran, China, or any other associated or allied nations. 

* Synopsis: The future Antichrist will, in my humble opinion, more than likely emerge from either the West or the near Middle East! 

But the most important thing about the times in which we live today, is not who Gog is or, what Vladimir Putin represents; or whom the Antichrist will ultimately be. 

The most important thing today is knowing Jesus Christ as one’s own personal Savior! Jesus is Coming! As if we needed any more evidence of that fact, the present ongoing circumstances in “All of the nations” of our world, foreshadow the fact that the history of mankind is coming to a climax!

This old world has a pending date with God; and it is nearing! Be ye therefore ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh! (Matthew 24:44)

Focus on Jerusalem

March 20, 2022

by: Darrell G. Young

Special Note to FOJ Readers Part II

Special Note to FOJ Readers Part II

While we are all currently fixated on the Russian war in Ukraine, and the ongoing speculation about Ezekiel 38’s prophecies related to Russia, too many people are focused “only” on God’s judgements on Magog!

Russia is clearly the great nation to the “uttermost North” from Israel that God declares that he is against and will judge when it comes against Israel in the Latter Days. 

But little attention is paid to Ezekiel’s continued prophecies about this Russian invasion in chapter thirty-nine. 

In the very same prophetic setting, Ezekiel reveals another very interesting tidbit of information about that war that foreshadows a calamity befalling another powerful nation. 

Ezekiel 39:6 And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I amthe LORD.

Here, Ezekiel adds that when God judges Russia and her allies on the mountains of Israel, he also enables a fire (probably nuclear) to fall on those dwelling carelessly in the aisles! 

This phrase too often gets overlooked. But in my exhaustive research, I have linked this “aisles” region of a careless population to likely be the United States!

Oh, now that gets your attention, doesn’t it? As Christians, it is easy to become enthused about the notion that God will judge Russia, but what about America? 

It should be duly noted that the prophecies of the Valley of Decision in Joel 3:14; as well as many other verses about the “Day of the Lord” mention God’s judgement on “all” the nations of the world! 

You see, God is using the Last Days to bring events of our world to a climax regarding the great “controversy of Zion!” 

Isaiah 34:8 For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

This prophecy and the events described by Ezekiel are further depicted by the prophet Jeremiah. 

In chapter 25:15-32; God grants Jeremiah a panoramic view of “impending judgements” that he will bring to pass in this world, historically speaking, concerning the city of Jerusalem! 

In this prophecy, God tells Jeremiah to drink of the “wine cup of the Lord’s fury.” 

In turn, God informs Jeremiah that “all the nations of the world” shall drink of this Cup, and become “maddened” of that which it has ingested. 

Uniquely, in verse twenty-two, we find a reference to the kings “dwelling in the aisles; which are located “beyond the Sea!” 

The Sea referenced here means beyond the Mediterranean Sea, away from Israel and her neighbors, and located across the ocean! 

If that isn’t enough to peak your interest, consider the conclusion of chapter twenty-fives description of the final judgement day scene, which we know as Armageddon:

Jeremiah 25:31 A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 25:32 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

These two prophetic references bespeak directly to the Controversy of Zion, and the involvement of a great power vested in the controversy from the “Coasts” of the earth, and dwelling safely in the aisles, beyond the great sea! 

Now; whom do you think that these prophecies might represent? 

The most logical candidate that suits all of these conditions is none other than our good old United States of America!

Our nation, yes, we as a nation have steadfastly for decades forced Israel into compromising the land that God gave to Jacob! 

We have been at the forefront of compelling Israel to “Divide their Land” into two states, all for the hope of world peace!

Secondly, this unidentified power lying carelessly beyond the sea, is depicted as inserting itself into the controversy of Zion as if it were a great Whirlwind! This depiction is likely describing a mighty national Air Force, flying in from the Coasts of the earth. 

Ironically, Ezekiel 38:9 also depicts the future Russian invasion as like a “Cloudy Storm” that covers the land; another likely reference to a mighty national Air Force!

Jeremiah’s verse 30, preceding these two prophecies, clearly portrays the literal Second Coming of Jesus Christ in all of his might and glory to judge ALL the nations! 

Remember this my fellow Christians, as you watch the news, and observe the actions of Russia, Iran, China and other nations; especially as they involve Israel in the Last Days, the United States is also in the crosshairs of God’s imminent judgement! 

The distress of the nations today is paramount concerning the threats of rogue rulers to use Nuclear Weapons! These weapons are very likely the “FIRE” that could one day befall Magog and those nations dwelling securely beyond the sea; as mentioned by Ezekiel in connection to Russia’s invasion on Israel.

Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and “all the nations” that “forget God.”

The United States cannot expect to escape Gods righteous judgement; for we, “who have known God;” we have abandoned him, Sidelined him, mocked him and blasphemed his law like no other nation today! 

Jeremiah 18:11 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

I truly believe that Almighty God is actively “devising a device” against our beloved nation for judgement, if we as a nation do not turn from our ungodly ways! 

Focus on Jerusalem

March 18, 2022

by: Darrell G. Young

Special Note to FOJ Readers

Note to FOJ Readers

I have for several weeks now pondered over the Russian war on Ukraine; and how it might fit into Last Days Bible prophecy.

I have also noted that many other prophecy ministries are researching the same topic; as all of us are very curious about the present global implications. 

I think it is easy to attach the Ezekiel 38 scenario to the present war. 

Personally, I do not think,  yet at least, as it has developed thus far, that we are witnessing that particular prophetic event. But it does reflect the intense motivation of Russia for their eventual campaign southward, towards Syria and Israel.

At this point in the Ukraine theatre of war, the Allies of Russia depicted in Ezekiel 38 are not engaged, unless we consider the network of Russia with Iran.

Nevertheless, one thing the current nightmare in Ukraine has exposed is the vacuum of any “strong leadership” in the US, EU, NATO, or the West in general. 

Even President Zelensky today, (March 16) in his speech to the US Congress, quite literally challenged the President of the United States to grow a spine, and stand up as the “Leader of the Free World” that all America’s Presidents have duly represented themselves as since the end of WWII. 

Four things are apparent:

1-The Presidency of the US, especially under the Biden Administration is no longer the “leader of the Free World.”

2-The “Free World” no longer has any leader, strong or otherwise! (*Has this “weakness” in leadership been purposely created?) 

3-This vacuum of strong leadership in the West begs for a Strong, Savy, crafty, charismatic and diplomatic genius to rise to the occasion! 

4-The present geopolitical situation is perfectly ripe for someone like the future Antichrist to begin his miraculous rise to Global prominence! 

Daniel 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Every Christian should already know that we are living on borrowed time, within the “Last Days.” We should all be alert to the serious nature of the times in which we live. 

I do not know when Jesus is coming; but I KNOW he is coming Soon; because I see all the Signs of the Times that his Word told us to Watch for.

Keep Focusing on Jerusalem! 

by: Darrell G. Young