What God Says About Egypt

(Note: I am far from being a Biblical scholar and theologian. However, I believe we are entering a season in which the Holy Spirit will give you a heads up on what is coming. The revelations in the Bible may offend you. If so, take it up with God since He wrote it.)

I've watched with great interest the news coming out of Egypt and the revolution that has recently taken place there. As you know, Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations. It is the place where Pharaoh was dealt ten plagues or judgments in the days of Moses. It is rich in history and I believe, for some reason, God has a favor toward Egypt. He has a special place in his heart for the land of Egypt and the people there. If you look in the Bible, the prophecy regarding Iran, Babylon, Syria and other Arab nations isn't good, but Egypt is positive and you can find it in Isaiah 19:19-25.

Verse 19: "In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD." Anytime LORD is capitalized in the Bible, it is referring to Jehovah God and no one else. A pillar is a memorial or where something significant happened. It says a pillar will be built to the LORD and not to Buddha, Mohammad, Allah or whoever. As people come in to the country near the border, they will SEE the God of the Bible lives.

Verse 20: "And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them." This monument or pillar will be a witness to others and the people will cry to the Lord. Many of the young people currently in Egypt were educated in America and they know about God. Could they be the ones to do this? I don't know. But it also says someone, possibly more, will be raised up by God and he/they will be a modern day Samson, Gideon, Moses and deliver Egypt!

Verse 21: "And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform [it]." In other words, God will be known to Egypt. Notice the Bible doesn't mention other Arab nations.

Verses 22& 23: "The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together." Assyria is the modern day Jordan, Kurdish area and part of Saudi Arabia. A revival will affect those areas and it says a highway (or possible path) will link Israel with those countries. This highway will be a holy place where the people in that area will worship the living God!

Verses 34 & 25: "In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, [even] a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed [be] Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. When God calls you blessed, He's not blowing smoke. He even calls the people in Egypt "my people".

Just before Jesus was crucified, the people were asking him how they would know of his return. He told them in Matthew 24:24-25, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before." Jesus said the things happening in the world would deceive even those in government, those who make major decisions. It's almost like they will be oblivious to what's really going on in the Middle East and they will see it as a government uprising because people are unhappy about the economy and such. But notice, Jesus said he has told us about these things. The Bible will never surprise you. The Bible prophesies about the future in advance. The things happening around us are not news events, but they are prophetic events.

I believe we will begin to see on television the things playing out here in the scriptures. Leaders will emerge. Some will be led by God; one will be led of Satan. The stage is being set and God has His construction hat on. These are exciting days because you and I may actually get to see the glory of God manifest in ways we could never have imagined!

The Right Words for Valentines

I wasn't aware until recently how the weather had actually kept many scheduled blood donors away this winter. Those who would normally donate cancelled due to severe weather, ice and snow in the last two months, so it's fitting today's blood drive get the reserves back to where they should be. Would you consider dropping by Mississippi Blood Service's Lakeland Drive location today and donating? Remember, when you donate you'll be entered to win those diamond watches from Carter Jewelers valued at over $3,000, Olga's Fine Dining gift certificates and you could possibly win a car provided by Watson Quality Ford. The Pizza Shack will be offered FREE lunch today and make sure you get your t-shirt signed by Marshall Ramsey while he's there a Noon. Give a gift from your heart today!

As a child, I loathed Valentines Day. Every year, we would decorate a brown lunch bag, tape it to our desk at school, have a party with cupcakes, then deliver paper Valentines to our classmates. Although we were supposed to give everyone a Valentine, somehow I always up short.

One year, a school club sold colored carnations for $2.00 to raise funds. A red carnation meant "I love you", pink meant "I like you", and a white carnation meant "friendship". I watched as several of the prettier and thinner girls in my class walked away with arm loads of carnations from their admirers. Before the day was over, I was given an anonymous red carnation. The utter excitement I felt knowing someone loved me was overwhelming! Was it from the guy I'd had a crush on since Kindergarten? Maybe it was a guy in the class ahead of me? While leaving that afternoon with my carnation in had, a classmate said, "I see you got a red carnation. I bet it is from your mother." I felt like I had been hit in the stomach with a bowling ball. Not that I didn't love my mother, but I really wanted the carnation to be from a boy and not my momma. I never really cared for Valentines after that experience in fifth grade as it was obvious my classmate didn't think I deserved a carnation from someone other than a relative.

We are careful to teach our children not to run with sharp objects and not to hand scissors to someone with the blades facing them. Sharp words hurt, too.

Proverbs 15:4 says, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life.." Are you guilty of using your tongue to cut, wound or criticize? Others may see you as someone who spews words laden with blades instead of words of healing and encouragement. Go about your week speaking words of love, hope and faith to those who have been cut too often by the carelessness of others.

Are You Revolving?

On Monday, February 14 editorial cartoonist Marshall Ramsey and I will be hosting a Valentine Blood Drive at Mississippi Blood Services on Lakeland Drive. Carter Jewelers has donated a pair of his & her's diamond watches valued at over $3,000 to be given away to one donor. Olga's Fine Dining has given us several "dinner for 2" gift certificates and all donors will be entered to win a car from Watson Quality Ford. Donors have enjoyed collecting Marshall's t-shirts for these blood drives and you don't want to miss out on this one! So, please take a moment on Valentines Day and donate blood and give a gift from your heart.Gracie has been learning about the solar system this week and the various aspects of the planets. She looked at a model of the solar system to see how the Sun is the center and all planets revolve around the Sun. Due to Mercury's close proximity to the Sun, it is the warmest. Because Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune & Pluto are so far away, they are colder.

Psalm 105:4 says, "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." When God is the center of your life, everything you do, everything that comes out of your mouth and even the things you purchase will revolve around Him and His will for you. Staying close to God will keep us warm in the light of his glory and grace. The farther away we are from Him, the colder, desperate and lonelier our life will be.

Are you going through this winter shivering because you've moved away from God and stopped revolving around Him? Or are you keeping your heart, your thoughts, your quiet time, your actions revolving around Him and enjoying the warm light He brings this season in your life?

Wednesday Snow Update

I don't normally blog on Wednesdays, but with snow in the forecast I've decided to post an update here.

Central Mississippi has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning while portions of the WLBT viewing area have been put under a Winter Weather Advisory. This warning means we could see significant snowfall amounts which could make travel difficult overnight and early Thursday. Areas north of I-20 could see 2"-3" of snow. The Mississippi delta counties (yes, hometown friends, that includes you!) could experience 3"+ of snow! Areas between the I-20 and Highway 84 corridor could see a light dusting upwards to 1" of snow. The precipitation will start as rain and make a quick change over to snow as temperatures drop and the precipitation moves east.

Here is the latest graphical depiction from the NWS. Find your county here but note, this COULD change. Click on the image to make it larger.

You can follow my up to the minute updates on Twitter @BarbieBassett, find me on Facebook at on the Barbie Bassett WLBT page or on the WLBT First Alert Weather page.

This could be a pretty snowfall, so enjoy!

Here Is What Others Should Be Asking You

While my husband and father-in-law watched the Super Bowl last night, I was typing away on another portion of my book. I walked into the room long enough to see the end of the game when confetti was blowing all over the field. I noticed the sideline reporters scrambling for the football players with microphones in hand. They were pushing and shoving, hoping to be the first to ask their all important questions. When the trophy was presented to the Green Bay Packers coach, he was asked the secret to his team's victory. "Their great resolve," he said.

The resolve you have to persevere through the trials and circumstances in your life should be newsworthy to those around you. Believers and non-believers should flock to ask questions like, "How were you able to make it through your darkest days? Why did you keep trusting Jesus? How were you able to keep your focus on God's Word?"

Jesus said in John 15:16, "I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

We should live our lives in such a way that those around us want to know our secret in keeping our joy, peace and resolve.

Friday's Winter Weather Update

After a night of slipping and sliding for most central Mississippians and hours of being stuck on "the stack" interstate combination of I-20/I-55, most are ready for the weather to improve!

Another batch of freezing rain/sleet will move over the state this morning. Temperatures are already warming, so much of this will change over to just a cold rain later in the day. The delta counties could see a few more snow flurries before the day is done as the bulk of the precipitation will move across the northern one-third of the state. However, if you must drive anywhere this morning, please slow it down. Bridges and overpasses are icy, although most have been treated by road crews. Click on the WLBT First Alert Radar and you can see what the current situation is. Remember, it is interactive so you can zoom over any location and make it do just about anything by picking your options.

The weekend will be much better! We're looking for cool sunshine Saturday and Sunday. But just as I mentioned this week on WLBT, winter is far from being over. Another potent system is expected to move in Wednesday and Thursday, so we may have another icing/snow event on our hands.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at Centreville Baptist Church's ladies luncheon Saturday. This event is sold out with a waiting list. Call the church is you would like to get on list.)

Tuesday's Severe Weather

A storm system will move into Mississippi today causing wind gusts up to 60-80mph! This type of wind force can cause significant damage. Strong tornadoes are possible throughout the state, so please have your weather radio on throughout the daylight hours. I do believe once the squall line sets up, it will race quickly across central Mississippi and should be into western Alabama by 7pm.

Expect the weather to deteriorate across areas west of I-55 from 11am-2pm. Areas east of I-55 will be affected from 1pm-5pm. Here is the latest graphical depiction from the NWS:

I'll be with you on WLBT throughout the afternoon and early evening hours as well as on Twitter and the WLBT First Alert Weather Facebook page.