The remnant: Believers who won't give up on the Lord

The Remnant?
  
  The believers who won't give up on the Lord


"Then at last the Lord Almighty will Himself be Israel's crowning glory. He will be the pride and joy of the remnant of His people." - Isaiah 28:5 

Diana Washington Valdez/FTCM

Does this scripture mean that the Lord did not expect more than a remnant of His nation to continue following Him? Or, for their faith to fail in the face of wars, persecutions and other adversities?

The same questions apply today to Christians, the Gentiles that were spiritually grafted into the family of Abraham. The scriptures in the New Testament describe a major "falling away" before the return of Jesus Christ.

Will we be part of the remnant that takes pride and joy in the Lord? The time to do something about it is now, not at the last minute. Doing something means building up and maturing in the faith. 

I encounter many Christians who still carry a lot of baggage from their former lives, including unprocessed pain. They are in need of healing and other things. But, they don't know how to go about it. They never grew beyond choosing to become a Christian. There is help, so please ask. Plug into a Bible-centered church that offers discipleship training, pray daily and read the Word of God. 

These days, we have numerous online tools available to learn how to grow in the faith, and it's smart to take advantage of them. It's also very important to fellowship with other Christians who can pray for and with you, and encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

Some believers who live in remote regions of the world where persecution is a way of life will obtain God's grace to help them find the things they need to grow strong. (To readers in other parts of the world - I am praying for you! Do not give up.)

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 (KJV) - 

(1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

  ⁽²⁾ That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

⁽³⁾ Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;


(Notes: The 'man of lawlessness' refers to the antichrist.)

 Remnant voice message

Faith Today Christian Ministries

The Hebrew language and the End Times

The Jewish Holy Scriptures

 The Hebrew language and the End Times

Diana Washington Valdez/FTCM

I recently received a complimentary copy of the Jewish Holy Scriptures containing the first five books of the Bible in the Old Testament and the Psalms.

The introduction mentions a Jewish tradition that Joshua had the scriptures translated into 70 known languages of his time to permit the rest of the world to read God's revealed Word for themselves.

There is another supposition that the translations, or later translations, were intended for Jews who were scattered beyond Israel.

I also learned that except for liturgical purposes and prayer, Hebrew was considered a dead language (dead from daily common disuse) until the late 19th Century. The revival of the Hebrew language began in 1881, according to an article in the Jerusalem Post, with Eliezer Ben-Yehuda. J-Post article

Some students of Jewish history consider the revival of Hebrew as one of the important events pointing to the "end times." This is in addition to the creation of Israel as a nation in 1948. It's probably true. The Lord is restoring all things.

Christian Bible colleges and other institutions include Hebrew in their curriculums for religious studies degrees or certifications. 

What language did God use when He spoke to Moses and the prophets? 

It is possible that Hebrew will become the new universal language at the return of the Messiah, whom Christians believe is Jesus Christ. 

Others have weighed in on the side of a possible universal language based on these prophetic words found in Zephaniah 3:9 - 

"For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent."

That's something to think about.

We certainly live in exciting times.

Faith Today Christian Ministries 

 Voice message

Healing and proclaiming God's Word

Praying for healing?

 Proclaim God's Word to yourself and others:

"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord." - Psalm 118:17

Diana Washington Valdez/FaithToday Christian Ministries

Today (Wednesdays) is set aside for focused praying and fasting. There are several posts on people's social media pages expressing prayer needs for healing. Please pray for everyone concerned.

The Lord recently convicted me of falling into some negativity. We cannot have negative thoughts (such as pessimism) and claim to have faith. It is one or the other.

As we continue to seek a closer walk with the Lord, He will continue to show us areas of our life where we need to repent and commit or recommit to do His will. From my recent training, I will share some key points to getting our prayers answered:

* We must forgive others. (I've shared this before but it bears repeating for those who haven't heard it, been taught it or haven't obeyed it." Matthew 6:12 "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." 

Jesus taught this principle when He showed his disciples how to pray. We cannot expect God to forgive us if we refuse to forgive others, no matter who or what was involved. The lack of forgiveness hinders your prayers and may hinder your own healing.

* Faith versus positive thinking. Our faith is in God and His promises. Negative thinking looks at what God has not done yet instead of what He said He will do. If you have been praying for someone, do not be discouraged because he or she has not turned around yet; keep praying and committing them to God. 

- Galatians 6:9 " And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

* Faith comes through hearing God's Word, not by reading "positive thinking" books or social media platitudes. Stay actively engaged in the Word. Don't wait until the church weekly service. Feed and nourish your spirit every day. 

Romans 10:17 - "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Read Bible verses aloud to yourself. That is, proclaim the Word of God and actively reject the lies of the enemy that may have taken root in your life.


Shalom!

Social media is no subsitute for real friends and Christian fellowship

Social media "friends," "followers" are no substitutes for genuine fellowship.

Faith Today Christian Ministries

I regularly come across posts expressing disappointment in Facebook "friends" or other social media-type "followers," because they don't appear to really care or don't take time out to respond to every message you post. 

I've said it before and will keep on repeating it. Please do not view social media users as your friends. Some of them may be people you know, and may actually be your real friends or supporters.

Social media is a tool of communication, and it can be used to connect people. Some people are genuinely seeking to share helpful or encouraging information with others. 

There are also some who are con artists and who disguise themselves with fake names and fake accounts and fake personal histories.

I understand that some people are stuck in their homes because of health reasons, or feel isolated because the friends and family they once had are no longer around (in the same city).

Please connect with a good church that encourages fellowship, and make new friends. Some church members can check up on you and pray for you. Some churches offer their services online, and there are many reasons to take advantage of the good use of social media.

Do Not advertise on social media if you live alone - Ever!

Be careful about posting details about your health concerns ... insurance companies in the future can use the information against you (preconditions).

Be wise about what you post, or use email or similar formats to share details with those you know are actually going to pray for you. Prayer help may be a phone call away through a church that actively prays for others.

Diana Washington Valdez

Shalom!

There is no 'easy Christianity,' Jesus Christ made it clear

Jesus Christ made it clear that there no such thing as an easy Christian walk

"Easy Christianity" doesn't exist. If that were the case, then Jesus Christ would not have said in Matthew 16:24-26 (ESV):

"(24) Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (25) For whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"

Diana Washington Valdez

Faith Today Ministries

 

Following Jesus gets easier once we die/give up our selfish ambitions and desires, and trade them in for God's best for us. Many Christians will miss out on the victorious life, and fail to grow and mature spiritually, by hanging on to the same old habits that drag them down.

The Lord longs to bless his sons and daughters; but, He is a holy God and we cannot realistically expect Him to bless us if we continue living disobedient lives. Feel-good messages from positive-thinking (only) preachers are no substitute for repentance. If you wonder why the blessings of God's promises aren't flowing, then we need look no further than the mirror.

Hebrews 12:14 (NLT) - Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord."

And then see -

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

I heard a Bible teacher put this in a very clear and simple way - from the Bible verse - and that is to place our bodies on the altar of God. We can offer ourselves up to God, who made us, or we can continue serving the devil with our bodies and the rest of our faculties.

There is no in between. We have one thing we can offer God - ourselves, our bodies. Use mind, soul and body to serve Him. We are ALL called to serve Him.

Find out from the Lord what exciting adventure He has in store for you. Don't settle for getting by until the rapture or whatever, or for mediocrity; ask Him for what He really wants to give you. That is the only thing that will really fulfill you.

Blessings to everyone,

Shalom

Diana Washington Valdez is an independent ordained Christian minister and president of Faith Today Christian Ministries.

The new Babylonian captivity is approaching: Seek the Lord's protection

The new Babylonian captivity is approaching: Seek the Lord's protection

"Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my heart's delight, for I bear Your name, O Lord God Almighty." - Jeremiah 15:16

"That is why we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" - Hebrews 13:6

Diana Washington Valdez

Faith Today Ministries

I have many personal experiences of near-death and dangerous situations over the course of my life, and looking back on some of these things, I can say without a doubt that the Lord protected me. The proof is that I'm here today. 

Sometimes He used others to warn me of certain perils, other times He intervened to save me from certain death. No kidding.

The Lord has His reasons for keeping us alive, and for taking some of us sooner. He knows best, and only He has the big picture, as well as the historical view of our lives and of the generations.

Jeremiah is one of my favorite prophets in the Old Testament. He was imprisoned, beaten, ridiculed and ignored for the divine messages he delivered to others who did not want to listen. 

In the Book of Jeremiah, we can read that Jeremiah complained to the Lord about the mistreatment, and the Lord responded by letting him know that He would protect him. 

The Lord also made it clear that Jeremiah would not necessarily be spared the pain and suffering stemming from his service as a faithful prophet. The Lord even told Jeremiah to be prepared because worse things were about to happen to him. I can just imagine Jeremiah thinking, "Lord, you're killing me."

It appears that the prophets Jeremiah, Ezequiel and Daniel were contemporaries - there was some overlap in their ministries - during the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish nation during the peak of the Babylonian Empire's power. Yet, the Lord had different roles for each of these three men to serve out in that era. Daniel, for example, served in the palace during most of his ministry.

Whatever the Lord calls us to do, He will equip us to do it. We can be like Jonah, trying to evade our responsibilities in our service to the Lord, and thereby suffer the consequences; or, we can cooperate fully with Him and be faithful like Daniel and the others.

We can't fight God, that's for sure; it's a losing proposition. And, He doesn't need us to accomplish His purposes. Yet, what a privilege it is to serve as co-laborers with Him and with each other.

I believe we are entering a new phase of Babylonian captivity. It goes beyond the physical captivity of a powerful earthly empire. It will include widespread idolatry and it will have a worldwide impact.

We know that the Book of Revelation describes a certain "Babylon," one that we must avoid and which the Lord Himself will destroy. 

Chapter 18 in Revelation describes the fall of Babylon, and in verses 4 and 5 we are told to come out of her:

⁴ Then I heard another voice calling from heaven,

“Come away from her, my people.
    Do not take part in her sins,
    or you will be punished with her.
⁵ For her sins are piled as high as heaven,
    and God remembers her evil deeds. (NLT)

Come what may, our path is clear, and it is to trust and obey the Lord.

Shalom! 

Diana Washington Valdez is an independent ordained Christian minister and president of Faith Today Christian Ministries.