Spreading the love of Jesus...the Cowboy Way!

Echoes From the Campfire

“There's nothin' else you can do, 'cept stand yer ground and do what's right.”

--Michael D. Abbott (Colorado Wind)

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly."

--Luke 21:34 (NKJV)
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There was a song that was very popular a few decades ago written by Gordon Jensen. The chorus is

"Signs of the times are everywhere
There's a brand new feeling in the air
Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky
Lift up your head, redemption draweth nigh."

Have you heard that the Euphrates River drying up, and all the problems that it is already causing? I read this week that the source of the Thames River is dry and that the Yangtze River is drying up and that China had to cut off the power to 94 million people. Now, it isn't a total shutdown, but what will happen if the river continues to dry? Not only does it bring about the necessity of fresh water, but because of the shortage the water that is there is not fit to drink.
Signs of the times...
Look at a couple of the Trumpet Judgments in Revelation. Could this be an omen of things to come? Results of the First Trumpet: "And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up." (Revelation 8:7, NKJV). The Third Trumpet: "The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter." (Revelation 8:11, NKJV) From the riding of the Black Horse we know that there will be a scarcity on the earth of the staples of life.
Signs of the times...
Jesus says that "There will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven" (Luke 21:11, NKJV) Pestilence--we have just gone through what is being called a "pandemic" of the COVID virus. Thousands died, yet what is to come? Another virus, natural or man-made. I read just this morning that polio cases were reported and samples of the virus were found in wastewater. Polio? Wasn't it supposed to be eradicated? Plus, there is the monkeypox--something that is 99% among gay people.
Signs of the times...
Science has the answer, but science is always changing so how can the "answer" be trusted? We were to get vaccinated for the COVID, now there are saying that we should use common sense. Knowledge is ever increasing, ah, but what kind of knowledge. Daniel prophesied, "...Shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; any shall run to and from, and knowledge shall increase." (Daniel 12:4, NKJV) Think of that, the intelligencia tell us one thing, then another, and yet some more--"professing to be wise, they became fools... Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness...." (Romans 1:22, 24, NKJV)
Signs of the times...
We live in a time when immorality has become the morality of the culture. When evil is now called good by the cultural progressives. They are more enlightened, but actually they are declaring themselves fools and are mocking God's eternal moral values. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:20-21, NKJV) Does that sound like the elite of this country today? Arrogance, haughtiness and they speak the lie with a smirk on their face.
Signs of the times...
I assume that you have heard the talk regarding digital money. It is on the agenda of President Biden and is very much a focal point of the United Nations. They are calling it "digital sustainability" and it goes beyond money. The idea is to have a "trustworthy internet" that is to be "consistent with our shared global values." Purchases will be "registered and assessed" according to how they benefit climate. In other words, the United Nations wants to control who purchases and what is purchased. No more cash, all will be digital. Now, think of this! You say something against the government, against the media, against the policies of such and what happens--your money is shut off. You can't get it from the bank even though you have it on deposit. Forget about the cash you have hidden under the mattress. "No one may buy or sell except one who has the mark of the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:17, NKJV)
Signs of the times...
Ah, but you say this can't happen. This is America, and I'm free, and I have my rights. But are we subtly having our rights taken from us? Are we giving them away for what is called "progress"? When I taught I always had my students write a paper: Liberty or Security? As the years progressed Security became to dominate until by my last couple of years of teaching over 80% of the students believed that Security was more important than Liberty. "Peace and safety! then sudden destruction comes upon them..." (1 Thessalonians 5:3, NKJV)
Signs of the times...
Oh, you are so negative and pessimistic today, I hear you cry. No, just reality. This is the world in which we live, and this is just a smidgen of what is happening. It is really an exhortation of joy. We are told to "not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:6, NKJV) The words of Jesus should make us look heavenward and with an expectant and hopeful heart. "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near" (Luke 21:28, NKJV). I like the way the Amplified puts it, "Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”
Stand tall, straighten up, and when you have done all to stand continue standing -- signs of the times.

D.C. Adkisson