T.J.I.F.A.
 
THANK JESUS IT’S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON…& ON…& ON…& ON.
MAY 27, 2005
 

SUBJECT: EDITORIAL COMMENT ON:  THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S
 
THIS WEEK, I WILL COMMENT ON LAST WEEK’S FEATURE ARTICLE.  DON’T YOU WONDER WHERE AMERICA IS IN THE PROPHETIC VISION? . . . READ ON!
 
NOTEWORTHY:  A FIRE HAZARD!  PLEASE READ FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY.
 
TJIFA’S BOOK SHELF:  A COMMENT ON PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE; BY BMCC.
 
FRIDAY’S WORD:  ESCHATOLOGY
 
IN THE MIRROR:   SLC COMMENTS ON THE MORNING NEWS.
 
O TASTE AND SEE!  FRESH APPLE CAKE – WHAT A DELIGHT! AND IT’S NOT HARD.  SUBMITTED BY BMCC…ENJOY!
 
LOOKING FORWARD
 
SEE YA NEXT TIME!
 
TER
EDITORIAL COMMENT ON:
“THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S”
Last week, TJIFA’S primary article was, “The Battle is the Lord’s”.  This week we are referring to the portion of the article that mentioned that the Hebrew children, the chosen of GOD, had no weapons to fight the Philistines except their agricultural tools.  This is the same article that introduces the brave David, who went up against the giant Goliath, and won. 
(He had faith in his GOD, and hope in his future.)
 
This week, I’ve had occasion to study in brief, Biblical Prophecy, or Eschatology.  (See Friday’s Word).  There have been many times that I have wondered where we, as Americans, were, in the prophetic vision.   Haven’t you?  Well, after writing last week’s article, and knowing America has sold their ability to produce strong iron to foreign plants, I feared for us.  Why?  If America no longer has the ability to produce its own steel, (No Blacksmiths),and we have to buy it from foreign steel mills; what prevents them from not producing “weapons” for us just like the Philistines did not for GOD’S chosen people?  That’s food for thought, isn’t it? 
 
In the Prophetic Time Line, we are moving fast toward the “One World Order”.  I was reminded recently of our buying patterns with these questions:  “Who made your car?  Where was your computer manufactured?  Your clothes and your shoes; where were they mass produced?”  America has always been a nation of consumers.  Have we consumed ourselves out of house and home?  Everyone sells to America.  When we were producing and selling to ourselves and others, we were gaining wealth, but not fast enough.  We made the decision to produce our goods in another country, (cheaper) cut back the American work force, and sell to the Americans who were still working.  The quality suffered, but the quantity was strong, and as long as the name had already been established to be a good and reliable brand…Americans BOUGHT.   The adage says.  “Americans know the cost, but they don’t know the value.”   
 
This type of free enterprise has been going on for a long time.  It’s considered to be the right thing to do.  Any other kind of thinking wouldn’t be economically sane.  The problem with this mode of obtaining wealth is that the SOURCE is fast drying up.  The big old American purse lays open, turned inside out, and deserted.  It no longer houses ‘the American Buck’.  It now yearningly covets fulfillment through the ‘Euro’.   
 
Why can’t the American, who has been forced to retire because of downsizing, be considered for the telephone job that has been snatched via satellite to another country? 
How many jobs do Americans get from other countries?  We are headed toward a ‘one world government’, but in order to become one, the playing field will have to be leveled; socially, economically, spiritually, and mentally.  It’s been said.  “They’ll not be happy, until America looks and acts like a third world country.”  
 
Christian Reader, where does that leave YOU?  Puzzled?  Dumbfounded?  Unknowing?  Hopeless?  Fearful?  Are you Christian?  Let’s journey from the standpoint that you and I are Born Again Christians . . O.K? 
 
Neither the Theologians, Eschatologists, nor the Prophets can determine the fate of our great land America, but if I can be so bold, I will suggest. The terrible time of the ‘Great Tribulation’ will be preceded by an event called, “The Rapture,” at which time; GOD will call His children home.  According to His Word.  “  15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”1Thes.4:15-18.
 
GOD’S Word tells us to comfort one another with these Words.  Our comfort comes in the knowing that we will not be here during a time of great tribulation.  Right now, we are looking at the terror and the decline of our government and morality.  We wonder just how much worse off can we get.  We tremble because of the threat of not having what we need …BUT…we have to remember that we’re NOT going to be here when the worst of the worst is in place.  So we might not have steel to make weapons, but on the other hand, we might not need them either. 
During the Great Tribulation, may I tell you where we’re going to be?  According to the Word of GOD, let’s read, and comfort our hearts: Revelation 21
1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And 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. 5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 18And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
 
Revelation 22
1And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 8And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. 9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 10And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17And 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. 18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
 
 Why are we looking for America in prophecy? 
America is our old home.  Our new home is that which Jesus has prepared for us.  John14.  Our new address is…“NEW JERUSALEM.” 
 
LOOKING FORWARD
 
SEE YA NEXT TIME
 
TER
 
NOTEWORTHY: 
 
ATTENTION READERS AND FRIENDS!  FIRE HAZARD…
Thought this was worth passing on:
 
FIRE DANGER.  This was received from a friend in the home insurance business.   It is well worth reading.    This is one of those E-mails that if you didn't send it, rest assured someone on your list will suffer for not reading it.    The original message was written by a lady whose brother and his wife learned a hard lesson this past week.  Their house burned down....nothing left but ashes.  They have good insurance so the home will be replaced and most of the contents.  That is the good news.
However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire. The insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours.  He had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom.  He asked her sister-in-law what she had plugged in the bathroom.  She listed the normal things....curling iron, blow dryer.
He kept saying to her, "No, this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures".  Then her sister-in-law remembered she had a ‘Room-Deodorizer’ ‘Plug-In’ in the bathroom.  The investigator had one of those "Aha" moments.
He said that was the cause of the fire.  He said he has seen more home fires started with the plug-in type room fresheners than anything else. He said the plastic they are made from is a THIN plastic.  He also said that in every case there was nothing left to prove that it even existed.
When the investigator looked in the wall plug, the two prongs left from the plug-in were still in there.  Her sister-in-law had one of the plug-ins that had a small night light built in it.  She said she had noticed that the light would dim and then finally go out.  She would walk in to the bathroom a few hours later, and the light would be back on again.   The investigator said that the unit was getting too hot, and would dim and go out rather than just blow the light bulb.  Once it cooled down it would come on.  That is a warning sign.  The investigator said he personally wouldn't have any type of plug-in fragrance device anywhere in his house.  He has seen too many homes that have been burnt down due to them.
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL  THE PEOPLE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK.
NOT ONLY COULD IT SAVE  SOMEONE'S  HOME,  BUT IT COULD SAVE
SOMEONE'S LIFE.
(Original message from internet. Sender remains anonymous)
Submitted by NC
 
Thanks NC. TJIFA readers will be glad to receive this information and will wisely make any changes that need to be made.  TER
 
 TJIFA’S BOOK SHELF:
 
ABOUT THE HOLY BIBLE:
“There is no mention of the word…Unisex…in the Bible.  GOD made male and female.”
“China, Russia, and Cuba all have surrendered to the strong family structure presented in the Bible.  They, now, encourage their citizens toward that mode of living, because it yields a strong nation.  America, on the other hand,   is rejecting strong family values for chaotic unbiblical, weak family units.  The results will eventually be that which our enemies found to be inconsistent with victory.” 
“GOD has not changed His mind about how He wants the family unit to look.”
These quotes were taken from Billy Graham.  TBN 10.00PM E S T. May 12-05.
 
Purpose Driven Life:
“A road map.  A plan.  A journey:
To righteousness, to love, to joy, to fulfillment. 
I have read many wonderful books through the years.  Next to the Bible…this book is the best.  It is a guide for your journey that will never end.”  BMCC
 
Thanks BMCC. Are there any more of you that wish to comment on this book, before our time is up?  Just send in your comments.  TER
 
FRIDAY’S WORD:
ESCHATOLOGY: The teaching concerning the last things in world history. The Greek word eschatos means “last” or “final.” Accordingly, eschatology is the study of the things expected to occur at the end of history. There are two basic ways of approaching eschatology. The first, which has been most common over the centuries, focuses on those final events or situations which have not yet occurred. These are, chiefly, Jesus’ return, the millennium, the last judgment, the final resurrection, and heaven and hell. Over the last century, however, scholars have generally agreed that the New Testament was written in an atmosphere pervaded by eschatology. Early Christianity was rooted in the paradoxical conviction that the last things had “already” occurred, even though they were “not yet” fully completed. (Jesus’ resurrection, for instance, was understood as the beginning of the final resurrection of the dead [1 Cor. 15:20]). This conviction lay at the heart of the early church’s joy and hope. It shaped its understanding of Jesus, salvation, mission, and all else. Accordingly, when scholars speak of eschatology today, they are often referring not simply to events which have “not yet” occurred, but chiefly to the way in which the last things are “already” present, and to the attitudes and expectations which this arouses.
Since eschatology, throughout much of church history and in much common speech today, often means the study of events still future, this article will first explore the traditional discussion of these things. Second, however, it will consider eschatology as the breaking of the future into the present and the meaning of this for Christian life.
FROM HOLMAN’S BIBLE DICTIONARY   
 
 IN THE MIRROR:
Coming from four good days of sound Biblical teaching furthering my faith in God’s work in Christ Jesus, it was no real surprise to turn on the morning news program and hear a news report on Jesus’ “possibly being married, and even having a family,”just to give you an ideal of one of many things that were being said of Him. After a few more minutes of this interesting information, I began to get the idea that Jesus was a mere man, and not God.
Once Jesus is seen as anyone except God incarnate, came down from the Father to redeem us and to save us from our sin, it destroys everything else He came to do and to demonstrate in our lives.
If you’re a believer in Jesus Christ today, you can rest assured that how the Bible teaches in John 10:10a “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: . . .”, will be applicable until the day we draw our last breath.
I’m writing you today to remind you that the Bible is an awesome revelation of God Himself, revealed to all mankind in the character and the nature of Jesus Christ. Secular news, historians, archeologist, scientist, biologist, and those whom I may have missed, all have a way of explaining the Bible away, but as for the Born Again, Baptized, Sanctified (made one with Jesus), Washed in the Blood Believer; We will continue in the Faith that what was done in the life of Jesus as He went to the Cross and revealed the Father’s love to us, is greater than any document, or any man-made message that says that Jesus Christ was anything but, “CHRIST IN US, OUR HOPE OF GLORY.”    God Bless!   SLC
 

O TASTE AND SEE!
 
FRESH APPLE CAKE
 
 
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
3 EGGS  
1 ˝ CUPS OIL  
2 CUPS SUGAR  
3 CUPS SELF RISING FLOUR  
2TSPS. VANILLA  
3 CUPS FIRM FRESH COOKING APPLES (SOAKED IN   JUICE OF 1 LEMON AND DRAIN EXCESS BEFORE ADDING TO MIXTURE).  
1 ˝ CUPS CHOPPED PECANS  
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
MIX EGGS, OIL, SUGAR AND BLEND WELL.
SIFT FLOUR TO MIXTURE.
ADD VANILLA, DRAINED APPLES AND NUTS. 
POUR INTO WELL GREASED AND FLOURED TUBE PAN AND BAKE 350 DEGREES FOR 1 HOUR.
 
SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS!
SUBMITTED BY BMCC