For Anyone Who Only Sees God As An Enemy….

In the matter of 4 verses Nahum covers a wide description of God’s character. God is slow to anger (meaning it takes a lot to rouse His anger). God is just. He never allows sin to go unpunished. Regardless of what anyone thinks, sinful behavior has consequences that cannot be wished away, forced away, or legislated away. God is good. He is a safe haven for those who trust in Him. His presence is the greatest answered prayer. With Him near our side life’s troubles aren’t so troublesome. Even though Nahum’s job was to declare God’s judgement on Nineveh, he also revealed God’s true nature and love for humanity. For any one who only sees God as an enemy, they’re not being totally honest with themselves. The evidence is quite clear.

The Lord is slow to get angry, but His power is great,and He never lets the guilty go unpunished.He displays His power in the whirlwind and the storm.The billowing clouds are the dust beneath His feet.4 At His command the oceans dry up,and the rivers disappear.The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade,and the green forests of Lebanon wither.5 In His presence the mountains quake,and the hills melt away;the earth trembles,and its people are destroyed.6 Who can stand before His fierce anger?Who can survive His burning fury?His rage blazes forth like fire,and the mountains crumble to dust in His presence. 7 The Lord is good,a strong refuge when trouble comes.He is close to those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:3-7

The Problem With Selfishness….

The problem with selfishness is that it always needs to be fed; it wants more and more and is never satisfied.

The leech has two suckers that cry out, “More, more!” Proverbs 30:15a

What Does God Want From Us?

What does God want from us? It’s a question that’s been asked millions of times by millions of people. Is it possible to know the answer? Is it possible once we know to actually achieve it? The answer is clear, God has plainly told us through out scripture. Here is one example. What does God want from us? To do what is right, to love mercy (especially His mercy), and to walk humbly with Him throughout our lives. More simply put, to be like Him, to be like Jesus. The only way that is possible, is we have to know Him. In order to be like Jesus, we have to know Him first. If we aren’t pursuing Jesus, it’s impossible to please God, it’s impossible to do what’s right, it’s impossible to love mercy, and of course it’s impossible to walk along side someone you do not know. Knowing what God wants from us is a matter of “wanting to know”. Then actually doing something about it when we find out what it is. It’s not hard to find the answer. What’s hard is doing something about it once we do. If God matters to us, we will make righteousness, mercy, peace, and love at the core of our existence, and thus show the world, God, and ourselves what really matters most in life.

8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,and this is what He requires of you:to do what is right, to love mercy,and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

How’s Your Prayer Life?

When I read about all the regulations and offerings the Israelites made in the Temple up until Jesus’ death and the Temple’s destruction, I can’t help but think the incense burning symbolizes our prayers going up to God. How’s your prayer life? Is it offered daily? Do your prayers flow up to God?

3 Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. Revelation 8:3-4

I Beg Two Favors….

This is a prayer I think every human being on this planet would benefit from asking God. I did it a long time ago. Sometimes it’s not fun struggling to make ends meet, but it can never compare to the alternative, living without God, trying to figure out why I’m here and what my purpose is. God always honors those that honor Him. He gives some wealth and some poverty, because He knows each one’s heart and where it will lead them. As for me, the greatest treasure any one could ever ask for is having God’s presence in one’s life. If I have that, I am truly wealthy, and I don’t have to worry about what I do with it.

7 O God, I beg two favors from You;let me have them before I die.8 First, help me never to tell a lie.Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.9 For if I grow rich, I may deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. Proverbs 30:7-9

He Gives Us A Choice….

All people are important to God, but not all get saved. Love is a choice. God loves us so much that He gives us a choice. Do you reciprocate His love? Or do you reject it? Heaven is for the former, and Hell is for the latter. In all reality, man chooses his eternal destiny by his response to the Gospel. God grants each human being that option. Now that’s real, genuine, and true love. It can’t come from anywhere other than from its only Source.

10 Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” Jonah 4:10-11

When Is It Okay To Play God?

Here’s the biggest question that man faces in life: when is it okay to play God? The answer is simple: only when our actions reveal our hearts are in line with His will. Any other time it’s off limits, especially when we feel we owe it to another human being. When is it okay to play God? When our behavior resembles Jesus’ behavior. The fruit we produce is above the law, when it glorifies our Heavenly Father. When is it okay to play God? Not when we feel the need to abuse the power we’ve been given. Playing God isn’t our job. Being like Jesus is. And Jesus was fully human and fully God, but He was a humble servant, obeying God in every aspect, without ever abusing His power. So I guess I need to rephrase my answer to the question. When is it okay to play God? Never. But it’s our duty to be like Jesus every day. And if that means “playing God”, then we must submit to the sanctifying process God has for every believer.

1 This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that You would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”4 The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”5 Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.7 But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. 8 And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”“Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!”10 Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120 ,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” Jonah 4:1-11