A great danger for the Christian is to fall into hypocrisy, and worse, to not know we have become one. The Pharisee's were so blind, that Jesus' open rebukes to them, only made them even more mad with rage against him, and finally moved them to conspire to crucify him. We see the same conduct today, and the weapons of use, and the ruthless tactics, haven't changed. Satan uses what works, and he's been at it a long time.
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People who become deceived, blind hypocrites have certain traits that were evident in Jesus' day. The Pharisee's were scrupulous about pointing out everything he did, that didn't stay within the strict letter of the Law, but they chose to overlook the mercy, forgiveness, and miracles of healing and deliverance Jesus performed in front of them-they hated him for it, and they cared nothing about the person he had just made whole in their sight. One answer he gave them, I love; and it cut them to the heart:
​Luk 13:15  The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 

​Now, we have to understand that there's a distinction between the hypocrite and the preacher or believer of righteousness who's preaching against sin to bring conviction to the sinner, doing their best to get the unrepentant sinner to turn from their sin, and surrender their lives to Christ, and be delivered from their bondages. There's a vast difference here, and if the preacher or believer is preaching hard against sin, with no malice toward any individual, the Holy Spirit will confirm this to your spirit, and you will stand with them in prayer, that he/she will wins that soul for God.

Our guidelines in preaching are this:
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 
2Ti 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 
2Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 
2Ti 4:5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 

Read the preaching of Jesus himself- most of it to the Pharisee's will singe the hair on your head.

There are strategies God has taught me, that will help you overcome the attacks of the hypocrite, and the devil-and it works better than anything the devil can throw at you.
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1. Beat the devil at his own game- come out in public, and admit your sins, failures and temptations. Be completely honest about who, and what you are. I can gaurantee you, it works every time. I respect those like Paul, and John Newton, who describe themselves as "the chief of sinners". John Newton would answer those who spoke of his past sins and say "Yes, I'm a great sinner, but Jesus is a great Savior". I am in the same category as people like this, I have nothing to boast of, and no reputation. It is Jesus, and Jesus alone that has made me what I am this far, and even now, I know my faults which are many-But, Jesus paid my sin debt. Every time I fall, I repent, get back up, and walk on, that's what the devil hates. Don't give up, cling to Jesus, and seek Him for the power and strength to change you, renew you, and keep you. He will not fail you.

I won't guarantee you a million dollars, a mansion, or popularity. But, you will gain a walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, that you will never want to lose, and will throw away the world to keep His mantle of love, protection, and peace in your life. Any calling he may put on you, I won't tell you it will be easy, but knowing He is with you in it, will be worth anything you may go through in this life. One word from Him, is all it takes, he knows I will never say no to Him. When God calls people-it NEVER has a price tag on it. The power of the name of Jesus to forgive, heal, and deliver cannot be bought; read the book of Acts, to confirm this. See  Act_3:16, Act_4:7, Act_9:34, Act_16:18, Act_19:13-16
Act 3:6  Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Act 8:18  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 
Act 8:19  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 
Act 8:20  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 
Act 8:21  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 
Act 8:22  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 

2. Spend quality time with Jesus, and ask Him to show you your place in this world, and what He put you here on earth for, then make up your mind to do it, with all your heart. Don't be jealous of other people's callings, if you knew what they have to do, or have compromised themselves to get where they are-you wouldn't want to be in their place. God has shown me many times, people and their lives-are not always what they appear.

3. Be honest with yourself- do you still love this world. If you do, your level of consecration, and love for Jesus, will be revealed by what you do. If he convicts you of something He would want you to leave behind, and remove from your life, it's because He loves you, and wants the best for you. If you cling to the sin, or the thing that's keeping you bound, you're now walking in disobedience, and are open to a lot of bondage, and deceptions. Studying the word of God, and applying it to your life, is what puts on the armor of God Paul describes in Ephesians Ch. 6, and renews our minds to fight the lies that come our way by this world system, the devil and his demon hordes. If Christians are not willing to examine themselves consistently, and aren't willing to let the word of God change them, they are an open target for every deception, and the world is full of it today.

4. When the devil, or a person who's working for him comes to you accusing you again of a past sin that you've repented of, and it's now under the blood of Christ- remind him of the verses below, they work every time. Then, go on further and remind him of his future.

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Yes, remind Satan of what he is going to face, and it doesn't look like it's going to be long in coming. I enjoy speaking these verses to him often, when the battle gets heavy. The word of God is my weapon of choice, and I use it the same way the Lord did in the wilderness when he was tempted by the devil. It worked for Jesus, and it works for you and I, if we learn how to use it with faith. When you know who you are in Christ, you can see through the lies of the devil, and stand on victory ground.

Rev 20:1  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 
Rev 20:2  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 
Rev 20:3  And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 
Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 

Take up the challenge to become an adversary to the devil, and his works in this life. In order to do that, you need to spend quality time seeking the Lord in prayer, study His word, and be willing to apply it to your life daily. Trials, temptations and attacks from many areas will keep coming, but God will equip you to deal with it, and whatever comes your way, and be able to wield the sword of the Spirit with power to cast down the strongholds of Satan in your life. The biggest key to this, is let go of the world, and embrace God's word. It is the power of God unto salvation. 
​Lorna Couillard

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful: but his delight is in the law of the Lord." Psalm 1:1-2

OUR LORD lived inside the City of Blessedness, and in Mat_5:1-12 He reveals to all men the eight gates by which that City may be entered. For myself, I cannot go in by the Gate of Poverty of spirit, for I am not humble enough; nor by the Gate of the Mourners, for I am not grieved enough for my own sins or the sins of others; nor by the Gate of the Meek, for I often resent injury; nor by the Gates of Mercy, or Purity, or Peace. But I may claim to enter by the fourth Gate, for I Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness. And as I go in, I find myself inside the City, and in the company of all holy souls that have entered by the other gates. For in the Heavenly City, to enter by any gate is equivalent to having entered by all; and one grace which is inwrought by the Holy Spirit will ultimately lead on to all the rest.

What is Blessedness? According to our Lord's teaching, it is a condition or state of heart. Outward circumstances are not mentioned, unless it be reproach and persecution, as though they were matters of indifference. Blessedness is altogether independent of our outward lot, whether prosperous or perplexed, rich or poor. Blessedness begins and ends with a contented recognition of the Royalty of Christ's Kingdom; in the power of seeing the good in everything, and so inheriting the earth; in being satisfied, in obtaining mercy, in seeing God and being called His sons and daughters. Is it not worth while to strive to enter in at these wide-open doors? And if you can say that you really do yearn after better things, hungering and thirsting for more likeness to Christ, and more fitness for His Kingdom; if that desire really represents the purpose of your life, you may account yourself as being already admitted within the Gates of the Blessed Life.
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We must not suppose that Our Lord allocated the award of Blessedness to the possessors of certain attributes with an arbitrary and royal prerogative. He simply declared what was true in the very nature of things. To be true, pure, merciful, and meek, is to have in your possession the seed-germs of the harvest of Blessedness. If you turn from this wonderful enumeration of Christian qualities to Gal_5:22, you will find all of them set forth in the list of the fruit of the Spirit. May He work in us and through us a well-balanced and full-orbed Christian character.  (Our Daily Walk)

​Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

Mat 5:1  And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 
Mat 5:2  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 
Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Mat 5:4  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 
Mat 5:5  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 
Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 
Mat 5:7  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 
Mat 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 
Mat 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 
Mat 5:10  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Mat 5:11  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 
Mat 5:12  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  2Ti 3:12

The world does not love Christ or Christians any better than of old; and all who are minded to live godly lives will come inevitably to the cross in one form or another. To be without persecution should put us in serious doubt as to whether we are right. The spirit of the gospel is in absolute disagreement with the spirit of the world. But, whatever the losses and trials, let the children of God abide in the things which they have learned, and walk in blameless purity and consistency. The conduct, purpose, and patience of this great and holy Apostle gleam in front of us for our inspiration and guidance; and his experience will be ours-that there is no sorrow out of which we shall not be delivered, when we have learned the lesson it was sent to teach.
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In the stern experiences of human life there is no stay that is comparable to the Holy Scriptures. The infinite variety of Scripture adapts itself to different states of the soul. Whatever our need, we can find its solace and remedy here. Thus we may live a complete life, finding in the Bible an equipment for all our emergencies. In this armory is every weapon for offense and defense; in this pharmacopoeia is a medicine and antidote for every wound.  (F.B. Meyer)

​2Ti 3:10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 
2Ti 3:11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 
2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 
2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 
2Ti 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 
2Ti 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 
2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

Take Up the Cross-and Follow Jesus
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up
​his cross, and follow me.  Matt 16:24

If any man be willing to come after me - None is forced; but if any will be a Christian, it must be on these terms, Let him deny himself, and take up his cross - A rule that can never be too much observed: let him in all things deny his own will, however pleasing, and do the will of God, however painful. Should we not consider all crosses, all things grievous to flesh and blood, as what they really are, as opportunities of embracing God's will at the expense of our own? And consequently as so many steps by which we may advance toward perfection? We should make a swift progress in the spiritual life, if we were faithful in this practice. Crosses are so frequent, that whoever makes advantage of them, will soon be a great gainer. Great crosses are occasions of great improvement: and the little ones, which come daily, and even hourly, make up in number what they want in weight. We may in these daily and hourly crosses make effectual oblations of our will to God; which oblations, so frequently repeated, will soon amount to a great sum. Let us remember then (what can never be sufficiently inculcated) that God is the author of all events: that none is so small or inconsiderable, as to escape his notice and direction. Every event therefore declares to us the will of God, to which thus declared we should heartily submit. We should renounce our own to embrace it; we should approve and choose what his choice warrants as best for us. Herein should we exercise ourselves continually; this should be our practice all the day long. We should in humility accept the little crosses that are dispensed to us, as those that best suit our weakness. Let us bear these little things, at least for God's sake, and prefer his will to our own in matters of so small importance. And his goodness will accept these mean oblations; for he despiseth not the day of small things. Mat 10:38.  (John Wesley)
​Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 

 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
​ 2Sam 11:1-4 (it's recommended to read the entire chapter)

David's life was one of many paradoxes, many flaws, imperfections, many tests, trials, and yet God called him a man after his own heart. 
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In chapter 11 of 2Samuel we are given the account of his fall with Bathsheba. Some important points in this story are:
It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. In this region wars weren't normally fought in the winter, cold weather made travel too difficult.

David should have been out at the battle but he remained behind. This opened the way for Satan's trap to unfold, and take root. Laying idle on his bed, he rises and wanders to his roof, and sees in full view Bathsheba bathing. This was all the spark the devil needed to get the fireball of sin rolling.

However, this was not the beginning of David's history of events with numerous women in his life, long before Bathsheba. David had shown no regard for fidelity in marriage years before when he took more than one wife. (1Sam 25:42-43, 2Sam 3: 2-5) He had shown no restraint when it came to his passions and indulgences with women, and it proved to produce a lifetime of trouble, both with the women, and the children he produced with these various women. 

As David watched this woman bathing, he committed adultery in his heart on the roof. When he had her brought to the him, he committed adultery with her in practice-which is much worse.

David could have ended the temptation with Bathsheba if he had fled the roof, and gotten away from the sight of her, and gotten his hands busy doing the Kings' business. But, he didn't, he pursued it further and sent and inquired about her. From here, David's heart turns very dark, and the plot to kill Uriah develops in his mind. One sin, gives birth to another, and more wicked, and more vile than the first. In this, he totally abandoned everything he knew of honor as a King-lust was now ruling his heart and soul. He ignored every warning and way of escape God had set in front of him. 

The unfortunate pattern of unchecked passions, indulgences and descent into wickedness and murder of Uriah can be seen as a climax of things going on in David for over 20 years. David had 8 wives: Michal Ahinoam Abigail Maachah Haggith Abital Eglah Bathsheba. No one knows how many concubines he had, 2Sam 5:13 reads "And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, and after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David; and 10 are mentioned in 2Sam 15:16. In 2Sam 16, we see the root of rebellion in his son Absalom when he takes David's concubines, and lays with them:
2Sa 16:22  So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 

This principle is shown again in the life of his son Solomon, who had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Like father, like son-only worse. It can be seen, what the obvious influence David had on Solomon. He followed in his father's steps, and lusts; which ultimately destroyed Solomon. The life of these men teaches us if one woman isn't sufficient, 1000 wouldn't be enough.

If David had known the cost of his lusts, acting on impulses and feelings instead of sound godly thinking, he may well have averted many sorrows, some in this list:
• An unwanted pregnancy
• The murder of a trusted friend-trying to cover up the sin of laying with Bathsheba, and her pregnancy. Trying to cover his sin, instead of repentance. He wanted to draw Uriah back home to have relations with Bathsheba to give a reason for her pregnancy. But, when this didn't work, he orders him in the frontline of battle, knowing he would be killed.
• A dead baby
• His daughter raped by his son
• One son murdered by another son
• A civil war led by one of his sons
• A son who imitates David’s lack of self-control and it leads him and much of Israel away from God

The same kind of ruin comes of adultery today. Many children go to bed every night without daddy in the house, because of adultery.

David learned the hard lesson that trying to cover one sin, leads to deeper sin, more treacherous deceptions and disaster. David's life continued to spiral out of control, and blind to his own darkness, until God sent Nathan the prophet to him, and confronted David, forcing him to see what he had done and that he had sinned greatly in the eyes of the Lord. Psalm 51 gives us David's prayer of humble repentance, and restoration. But, it didn't exempt David from living the rest of his life with many consequences of his actions. 

The important points we can glean from this is, what God's view of the unrepentant sinner is, and how he deals with us. Some important quotes that give good insight are:

“The real question for us all is: Are we prepared to face sin? Not to discuss someone else’s sin, but to face our own.” (Redpath)

The answer to hidden sin is confession and repentance. To whom should we confess? The answer is in the question, “Whom have we sinned against?” “If you sin secretly, confess secretly, admitting publicly that you need the victory but keeping details to yourself. If you sin openly confess openly to remove stumbling blocks from those whom you have hindered. (J. Edwin Orr)

“As soon as ever we are conscious of sin, the right thing is not to begin to reason with the sin, or to wait until we have brought ourselves into a proper state of heart about it, but to go at once and confess the transgression unto the Lord, there and then.” (Spurgeon)

Over the years, as I've studied this account of David's fall with Bathsheba I've thought, what would the churches, the religious leaders, and the world do with David today if he was here, and lived like this, and fell like this?  Think about it.
Lorna Couillard

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matt. 2:1-2

​Throughout the day today the Holy Spirit has been giving me some insights into some similarities, and comparisons between Herod king of Israel during the time of Jesus' birth-and Klaus Schwab; yes, I was saying "no"-wagging my head also. I said to the Lord, "You will have to make some clear examples to help me see this, if I'm hearing you correctly."

But, as I read the account in Matthew chapter 2, and Herod's cunning deceit and attempt to kill Jesus several times, and knowing some statements Schwab and Yuval Noah Harari a Jewish man who works for him have been making lately in the news, I came to see the same pattern between them. The same demons that owned Herod and worked through him to try to kill Jesus, are working in Schwab and Yuval Noah Harari. They both hate God, and hate Christians. Their both working to try to undermine Christianity, and claim to have acquired "divine powers" (yes, demons). Both of them exhibit the same evil ambitions and openly tell us they believe God is dead. They are their own god, for them, there's no room for Jesus. He's in the way of their goal of world dominance. The last three years with the diabolical plans they are pushing to force the NWO onto everyone, is from Satan himself. It will culminate in the battle of the ages, when Christ returns.

Out of His mercy, and restraint they continue on with their blasphemies, and hubris. But, like Herod, their days are numbered. Just as he died and met his judgment, Klaus Schwab and Yuval Noah Harari will one day breath their last, and find themselves in hell, with their master the devil.

If you picked up your bible and read the account of Christs birth, and cross referenced the prophesies given hundreds of years before it happened-it would send chills down your back. It would also remove all doubt, who Jesus is-He is is exactly who He says He is, God in the flesh. This is why the devil works tirelessly to keep people away from the bible, and puts every entertainment in front of them to entice them away from reading it. He knows if you ever began to research it yourself, and read the historical truth, he would be exposed. Hopefully, this may spark an interest in your heart, and open your spirit to how exciting this book is-there's no greater drama than this, and it holds the truth, and food for our souls.
Jesus came the first time, in the fulness of time. Just as he was foretold by the prophets, He will come again, just like he said.
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 

Herod couldn't stop him, and Klaus Schwab nor his co-worker won't stop him. He will come again, and receive us unto Himself. We can count on it.

Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 
Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 
Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 
Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

It is these promises coming from the mouth of Jesus to his disciples, and us, that brings great joy and  the true meaning to the believer- Merry Christmas.

The day will come when the Klaus Schwab's of the world, the God-haters, and those who hate his people will see Him coming in power and great glory in the clouds, and with His holy angels-and they will weep, and mourn, but, too late. Those of us who have been watching a long time-we can hardly wait. Even so, come Lord Jesus. You may say-what if he doesn't come in your lifetime-I've lost nothing. I'll either see Him coming in the clouds, or will go to Him in death-either way, I win.

Lastly, after reading this, you may not see the same comparisons, and feel I'm totally off. That's ok, take it to the Lord yourself, and pray about it. Ask the Lord for His view of this, and see what happens. Pick up your Bible yourself, study, and seek God's insights, and be willing to learn. I do not ask anyone to just believe me, check everything out, by prayer, and the word of God.
Lorna Couillard

Klaus Schwab Says ‘God Is Dead’ And The WEF Is ‘Acquiring Divine Powers’ (Video)
https://niyitabiti.net/2022/11/klaus-schwab-says-god-is-dead-and-the-wef-is-acquiring-divine-powers-video/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLLyNzQylxg
BLASPHEMY!: God is dead, according to the World Economic Forum, who have also declared that “Jesus is fake news,” and that WEF leaders have “acquired divine powers” to rule over humanity.

​Luk 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 
Luk 2:9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 
Luk 2:10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 
Luk 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 
Luk 2:12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 
Luk 2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 
Luk 2:14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 
Luk 2:15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 
Luk 2:16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 
Luk 2:17  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 
Luk 2:18  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 
Luk 2:19  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 
Luk 2:20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time
​without sin unto salvation.
Hebrews 9:27-28

​Everyone born of women, will face a set appointment. That appointment date is unique, and the day and hour is known only to God-but it comes for everyone. No one escapes it. The day of our death. 
There's important facts concerning this appointment. This short devotion will break down this verse, and bring these points to the surface.

It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Just as that is obvious, so it is plain that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. For the writer to the Hebrews, the truth that it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment is an indisputable principle.
​
We do not die and live and die and live and some number of lives down the road face an eternal reckoning. This life is it, and then we face judgment. This means that there are no second chances beyond the grave. Now is the time to choose for Jesus Christ, because when we die, it is simply after this the judgment.

The fixed order for all men is to die once only, and to be judged after death. When they die, finality is stamped, on their life work.

There has set in of late a strange foolhardiness, as if in the present age it were an agreed point among all people of discernment that judgment to come is an idle tale. Very seductive this must be to the young. Even if there be a judgment after death, death to them seems a long way off; and society does a very good job of giving them every entertainment, and pleasure, so they regard death as a very long way off, and nothing serious to deal with. Many a young person has died, and found themselves in hell, and the devil laughs at those in the world who do his work of brainwashing for him.

There is no undoing the past altogether. When the books are opened, we shall be judged out of the things which are written in the books, notwithstanding the book of life. The days of swine-keeping leave their mark. There is no fear of his being judged unjustly. He will appear in the form of what he is. The dominant affections that are in him will manifest themselves whether we are made out of heaven, for heaven; or made out of the elements of, for the world of sulfur and smoke and its dusky associates. We shall have to keep the appointment that is made for us. All the laws without us and all the laws within us will urge us on to our own place. The works of the flesh he reveled in while on earth, will be exposed to the Light-and seen for what they are, and judged accordingly. Where he/she is sent in the compartments of hell-will be according to their own deeds-they will be without excuse.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 
Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Heathenism is not simply a misfortune in the world the vast majority of men are ensnared by. It is a crime—a huge, next to world-wide, age-long crime, with its roots in a deep hatred of God, and bearing a prolific crop of utterly inexcusable and hideous vices. 

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

In luke chapter 16:19-31 Jesus tells a story of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. The rich man died and was sent to hell, the beggar Lazarus was carried to heaven. At the end of the discourse the rich man begs for someone to go to his family and warn them, that they wouldn't end up in that place of torment, where he was. The answer he was given was chilling.

Luk 16:31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

This is the way the vast majority of people are today-and it's very sad to watch them go on with their lives, never believing they'll ever face what the rich man was warning. They think it will never happen, until the day of their appointment comes, and it's too late.

​In contrast, by the mercy and power of the grace of Christ, we see as an example of His inner working; the woman of the city, to whom much was forgiven, loved much. Luke 7:44-48
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Luk 7:44  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 
Luk 7:45  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 
Luk 7:46  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 
Luk 7:47  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 
Luk 7:48  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 
The entire story should be read from Luke 7:36-50

In the story of this woman, we see the redemptive power of Jesus to forgive and restore anyone, no matter the sin. This woman, a great sinner, shows that she is forgiven by her great love. Her faith in Jesus led her to trust for forgiveness.

Her faith brought her to the feet of Christ, a contrite and weeping sinner.
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Those who come to Christ with this faith and humility-find forgiveness, and peace. At the day of their appointment with death- they will go out of this world as David describes in Palm 37:
Psa 37:37  Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 

For the believer, Christ stands as our advocate. He appears in heaven for us who believe and belong to Him, as our Intercessor and Mediator, presenting our prayers mingled with the rich incense of His merit, and acting as the ground of our beseechings, Rev_8:3. 

He will appear the second time.
All the saints who desire his appearing; to them he shall appear a second time, at his second advent, sinless and the mighty Savior. He becomes a sin offering but once, and appears the second time without a sin offering, because he hath done the work once and forever.

Death opens a new door, and we pass from behind our curtains and disguises into the great sunlight. God is the eternal sunlight. God is truth. If, with the unveiled face of our heart, we form the habit of beholding His face in Jesus, the glory of His face will change us into the same image, and our glorious Lord will be glorified in us.
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Joh 5:26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 
Joh 5:27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 
Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 
Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

To those who read this-it's my prayer it will be taken as a solemn reminder, and warning. Consider your appointment, and take stock of your life, now, while you are still here. Be honest with yourself, and with God. No one is guaranteed tomorrow-this may be the day of your appointment.

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That is why Jesus came, He's standing waiting for you to simply come to Him as you are, admit you are a sinner, and receive His forgiveness. Now is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time to make a turn, an eternal change in your life-from darkness to light-the Light of the Son of God.
Lorna Couillard

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.