I don’t know exactly where I want to begin this post, but this morning I want to share some thoughts with you about the dramatic differences we’re seeing between now and then.

now –

nearly every post here at the Cottage is a devotional, motivational, or spiritually inspirational thought I am simply compelled to share with my readers.

Knowing full well that almost everyone who is a regular guest here is also a Christian believer, I am convinced that posts similar to yesterday’s offering may bring someone who has not made a decision for Jesus to life. That idea keeps me focused on the signs of the times and the urgency of eternal salvation for everyone I can reach.

We have been reading Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s latest book, “the return of the gods” during our quiet time this week. His writing reveals things the Spirit of the Lord showed me years ago! The book will answer the question so many have been asking for years. “Did you think, even ten years ago, you would ever see the circumstances and situations we’re facing right now?” Honestly, this book should motivate every Christian to focus on the urgency of sharing their faith and introducing Jesus into their sphere of influence in the world right NOW! I hope you’ll give it a read.

then

Ten years ago, when I moved the Cottage Blog to this platform most of my posts were about the day-to-day minutia of our life. We cooked. I posted the recipes. We gardened. I posted the beautiful bounty. Then one day I was motivated to speak out about our walk with The Lord, all that He had done and was doing in our life (our witness).

This morning I was reviewing some of those old posts after discovering a rather nasty hack in one from 2012. The link now led to Asian porn! How on earth did that happen? Anyway, I found this in a post from March 9th, 2012

On a totally different note – I have to mention the change in readership of this blog since I took the step to be up front about who we are and what we stand for! I knew it would have some effect. I didn’t expect it to be quite so dramatic! Although I don’t know why it should surprise me. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is not a popular subject in today’s market. Folks will visit your blog and applaud Photo Albums, Motivational Moments, silly jokes, senseless drivel; almost anything except “preaching”. Most of my readership, up until a month or so ago was based on motivational moments, silly jokes and senseless drivel. But when I started “preaching” – Hooboy! That thinned ’em out quick. Still, I have to do what God has called me to do, and if even one is blessed because of it – well, that’s all up to Him anyway.

CCB – Ellen Lebsock 03-09-2012

now and then

I don’t know where your thoughts may be regarding where we are now. I do know none of us can, in good conscience, remain where we were then. God’s Word clearly spells out the things we are facing now.

Don’t be naïve. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 MSG

And, let God’s Word remind us all of what the future holds for those who put off a decision to trust His Son until some future then.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ
1 This is the revelation of Jesus Christ [His unveiling of the divine mysteries], which God [the Father] gave to Him to show to His bond-servants (believers) the things which must soon take place [in their entirety]; and He sent and communicated it by His angel (divine messenger) to His bond-servant John, who testified and gave supporting evidence to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to everything that he saw [in his visions]. Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near.

Revelation 1:1-3 AMP
The God-given disclosures contained in this book relate to both Christ and future events.

Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.”

Behold, NOW is the acceptable time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:1-3 RSBV