Procrastinator!! How many times have you talked with someone about being saved—forgiven—and they say “not today,” maybe “tomorrow”! NEWSFLASH…..tomorrow may never come. How about Christian procrastinators? “I’ll start witnessing tomorrow.” “I’ll stop my bad habits tomorrow.”
Remember, we are not promised tomorrow. What is it that you need to do today?

DANGER AHEAD: HEARTS are HARDENED when EARS are DEAFENED and WILLS are STUBBORN! Can you identify?

1. Breaking Free from the devil calls for INTERCESSORY PRAYER! (Eph. 6:17,18) – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

JESUS PRAYS for His followers.

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31,32)

2. Breaking Free from MENTAL, and PHYSICAL torment by the devil calls for INTERCESSORY POWER! (Mark 5:1-13) – “And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.”

3. Breaking Free from MENTAL, and PHYSICAL and SPIRITUAL torment by the devil calls for INTERCESSION which leads to TRANSFORMATION! (Mark 5:15-20) – “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”

With that being said, there should be no misunderstanding. Now let’s face it. No one likes to be despised. But it comes with the territory! But think about it. Jesus suffered for us because of our sin. Imagine not knowing sin or having sin, yet becoming sin.

2. Were the Prophets persecuted? (Matt. 5:10–12) – “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

3. Are you “Counting the Cost” to follow Christ? (Luke 14:27, 33) – “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple…. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

Unfortunately, today there is a CHEAP CHRISTIANITY. Going to Heaven is exciting. But there are battles to fight before laying down our spiritual armor. Are you in a battle right now? If so, it is a good sign that you have “counted the cost.”

Conclusion: Speaking of paying a PRICE to follow CHRIST, look at the HIGH PRICE for NOT following JESUS CHRIST. Truthfully, it will cost a person more for NOT following JESUS. In fact, it will cost a person their soul in hell for eternity.

Introduction: Are you looking forward to going to heaven? Just think, in heaven there is not going to be any more troubles! Why should every CHRISTIAN long for heaven? Check out a few reasons:

1. No more Death! (Rev 21:4) – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Death has been defeated by Jesus Christ (Rev 1:18). His resurrection assures every CHRISTIAN of life after this life.

2. No more Sorrow! (Rev 21:4) – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

All tears will be wiped away. No more crying. But eternal happiness will prevail.

3. No more Pain! (Rev 21:4) – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

From birth to death, pain is common to all. But in that day, pain will be gone.

4. No more Sickness! (Rev 21:4) – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Can you imagine not having any stomachaches, or headaches, or other sicknesses. Wow!

5. No more Sin! (Rev 21:4) – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

The deadly virus of sin will be eradicated….gone.

6. No more Taxes! (Rev 21:4) – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

No light bills, phone bills or taxes owed in heaven!

7. No more Fear! (Rev 21:4) – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Faith replaces fear.

Did you catch what they said? Listen to their MOUNTAIN-MOVING FAITH: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

Did you notice that the only thing burnt off these boys was what the world put on them? God preserved them. His will was done. He was not finished with them. Thank God, He is not finished with those of us reading this!

The word “sorrows” is ὠδίν, which means labor pains! Every mama knows that as the baby gets closer to being born, the labor pains INTENSIFY! Would you say that things happening at lightning speed in our world are intensifying?

Does it seem like all hell is unleashing an attack, especially on God’s people? Remember, my friend, our Lord Jesus said it would be this way. Prepare for battle—spiritual warfare.

When JESUS steps out on the clouds of glory, He is not coming to take sides—instead, HE is coming to TAKE OVER! That is GOOD NEWS in a BAD NEWS world!!

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:16) 

Because on September 23, 2025, the Jewish Feast called “TRUMPETS” or Rosh Hashanah will take place. It is the first of the three FALL JEWISH FEASTS that the Lord gave to Moses to give to the nation of ISRAEL.

Remember, there are three Feasts in the spring {Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits}, one in the summer {Pentecost}, and three in the fall {Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Tabernacles}. These are practiced every year in Israel. Actually, the Feast of Trumpets marks the beginning of a New Year in Israel.

So the big question is: who is the focus on this date, Sept. 23—the Church or Israel? Let’s take a look at the Book!

1. GOD gave ISRAEL these JEWISH FEASTS! (Lev. 23:24) – “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.”

Basically, this is a “TIME OUT”! Their normal activities stop. Shofars (trumpets) are blown. The Jews are the focus. Therefore, if you apply the “literal method” of interpretation, there is no other way to understand it. It is to Israel, not the Church.

Howbeit, we do derive benefits from these Jewish Feasts, but technically speaking it was for Israel. Meaning the Church is not necessarily intended to practice these Jewish Feasts. After all, the Church was first established in the New Testament in the book of Acts (2), long after these Feasts were appointed to Israel.

So is the RAPTURE for the Church or for the Israelites (Jews who are not Christians)? How would you answer that?

By the way, since the establishment of the Church, Jews can become a part of the Church by repenting from sin and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Then and only then will they be RAPTURED along with Gentile Christians, according to the biblical teaching of Paul, Peter, James, John, and even Jesus.

2. Because the JEWS {ISRAEL} REJECTED their MESSIAH… (Acts 1:6–7) – “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”

…the KINGDOM period which JESUS brought to them to establish on earth has been postponed until He returns in His SECOND COMING!

Do you see that we are not now living in the literal KINGDOM of CHRIST where He will rule and reign on His throne called MESSIAH’S TEMPLE in Jerusalem for a thousand years, according to Revelation chapter 20?

3. JESUS CHRIST will first return in the RAPTURE for His bride, the CHURCH! (John 14:1–3; 1 Thess. 4:16–17; Rev. 3:10)

4. At JESUS’ SECOND COMING {not the RAPTURE, which takes place 7 years prior} many of the JEWS who are not a part of the Church will “look upon Him” and be saved! (Zech. 12:10; Luke 21:24–28; Rom. 11:25–26)

“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”

Clearly, Paul is speaking about God’s plan for Israel. In fact, in Rom. 9 we see Israel’s past; in Rom. 10, Israel’s present; and in Rom. 11, Israel’s future.

But like today, those who REJECT JESUS CHRIST will be sentenced to the Lake of Fire to spend eternity departed from God, to be tormented forever according to the Scriptures (Rev. 20:11–15).

Conclusion: Studying biblical prophecy greatly prepares Christians to “know the times” in which we are living so we can “MAKE a DIFFERENCE” in the lives of others, for the glory of our God.

The next Jewish Feast that follows the Feast of Trumpets will be the Feast of the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. So all of this means the RAPTURE of the Church is the next event on God’s calendar, which could happen at any moment.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” (John 16:1-3)

Speaking of PERSECUTION, Jesus set the example that we are to follow.

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Pet 2:21-23)

2. Consider what Paul was inspired to write about CHRISTian PERSECUTION! (2 Tim 3:12) – “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” (2 Tim 2:12)

Certainly, he experienced his share of PERSECUTION!

3. Check out what Peter had to say about the subject of PERSECUTION! (1 Pet 4:12-16) – “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” 

4. Listen to the historian and physician, Luke’s description of the early Church’s PERSECUTION! (Acts 4, 5) – “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide…..”

“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.”

Let’s face it! We do NOT see suffering as God sees it. For instance, in regards to Jesus, the writer to Hebrews says (Heb. 5:7–9): “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”

Introduction: Dealing and resolving disagreements is inevitable. Parenting, marriages, and even friendships have conflict. How should we resolve our disagreements?

Today’s devotion offers a few suggestions. This is certainly not exhaustive due to space. Yet, hopefully it will help some who read it.

1. We must understand that we see things differently at times! (Rom. 14:1-9) – “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” 

The Church of Rome was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, which included different backgrounds, convictions, and goals. Therefore, conflict was bound to happen.  And so it is with relationships today. 

2. We must not be quick to judge or criticize each other! (Rom. 14:10-12) – “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” 

When our idea or way is not accepted, then it is easy to become critical and judgmental.

3. We can become a stumbling block and not realize it! (Rom. 14:13) – “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” 

Our attitude and actions – reaction can present a stumbling block to others. In turn, others trip and fall instead of being lifted up. 

4. We need to give others room to grow! (Rom. 14:1-3) – “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” 

Everyone is not at the same level in their walk with Jesus. Be sensitive to that. Be patient with them. Let the Holy Spirit work in them. Help facilitate the growth process. God will be glorified.

Conclusion: While this is in a Church setting, these principles can be personalized in friendships and marriage, as well as parenting.

Think about where you have conflict. How should it be resolved? Look back over these points and pray about where you are and what our Lord would have you to do.