Godly And Wicked…

There are two kinds of people on this earth, godly and wicked. It’s just a matter of degrees. The godly promote right living, unity, and peace. And the wicked promote themselves, which leads to division and chaos. They will always be in opposition, because they follow different leaders. Never forget this.

27 The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly. Proverbs 29:27

Bring You Closer To Your Day In Court…

Here’s a thought for those who shun God and practice evil: even though your actions distract you from your sense of irresponsibility, they bring you closer to your day in court with God. Judgement comes to those who disregard God much faster than they realize. For those that make Jesus Lord, judgement has already come.

2 But go over to Calneh and see what happened there.Then go to the great city of Hamath and down to the Philistine city of Gath. You are no better than they were, and look at how they were destroyed.3 You push away every thought of coming disaster, but your actions only bring the day of judgment closer. Amos 6:2-3

What He Pleased….

If God created what He pleased, why is it so hard to be pleased with what He created?

11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and they exist because You created what You pleased.” Revelation 4:11

Barking Up The Wrong Tree….

We live in strange times. People want equality, they demand justice, and they protest just about everything. The reason most protesters and equality seekers seem angry and violent is because they are barking up the wrong tree. They seek these things from the wrong place/source. Equality and true justice come from God. Without Him, there is no justice, equality, hope, or peace.

26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the Lord. Proverbs 29:26

A Sinful, Loveless Lifestyle…

The reason politics and economics remain the same, corrupt and untrustworthy, is because they are controlled by people whose lives are dictated by their sinful nature. Godless people have no effective way of dealing with their sin. They also have no access to true love. A life lived without God is characterized by living for self. How can we expect human beings striving for power, making laws that they themselves aren’t accountable to, and making deals that violate every aspect of integrity, to be trustworthy? A sinful, loveless lifestyle can only generate sinful and loveless behavior. How can we expect any different when God is shunned by people that make hopeful promises, but lack the Resource to make them a reality? We can’t. Jesus is the only One worthy of our faith. Do you trust Him with every aspect of your life? Even with the deepest, darkest corners of your heart? If not, how can you expect to be any different?

How you hate honest judges! How you despise people who tell the truth!11 You trample the poor,stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent.Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses,you will never live in them.Though you plant lush vineyards,you will never drink wine from them.12 For I know the vast number of your sins-and the depth of your rebellions.You oppress good people by taking bribes-and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.13 So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time. 14 Do what is good and run from evil-so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed.15 Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of His people. Amos 5:10-15a

21 “I hate all your show and pretense–the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. 23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps.24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living. Amos 5:21-24

Pride Is A God Killer….

If you haven’t noticed by now, Pride is a God killer. I don't mean it actually kills God, rather it prevents us from experiencing God and all of His blessings. It’s ultimate destination is humiliation, the very thing it tries to preserve and protect (one’s dignity). It opposes the very thing God wants from us, humility. When we honor God, He honors us. The only thing standing in our way of glorifying our Heavenly Father is our pride. The longer we give into it, the more humiliation we will experience. Pride is what Satan feeds off. It’s the only thing he can use that responds to his temptation. If we refuse to be prideful, and stop feeding the one who tempts us and keeps us from God’s presence, our true treasure, we will experience the honor that God sets aside for those who follow Him.

23 Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Proverbs 29:23

The Exclusivity Of Salvation…

The last two chapters of Hosea are full of judgement and destruction, but also full of wisdom and hope. One of the truths that stands out is the exclusivity of salvation. You hear people say that Christianity is an exclusive religion. It is, but it’s exclusively open to everyone, yet because of our pride it’s only those that repent and trust in Jesus that get to experience and receive salvation. There are no others gods, but Yahweh. What you think may be gods are really demons, trying to keep us from God. God’s ways are best, when we walk in them we flourish and thrive, but when we try to live through our own selfish ways, we stumble and fall. When it’s all said and done, salvation comes down to each individual finding and serving God. Christianity is exclusive, because there is only one God, one way to Him. It’s exclusive to all, but only to those who receive God’s grace. The exclusivity that the world complains about has to do with one’s pride. Heaven excludes those whose pride refuses to accept and honor God in the way He has designed it to be. Scripture makes this clear.

4 “I have been the Lord your God ever since I brought you out of Egypt. You must acknowledge no God but Me, for there is no other savior. 5 I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land. 6 But when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and forgot Me. Hosea 13:4-6

3 Assyria cannot save us,nor can our warhorses. Never again will we say to the idols we have made, ‘You are our gods.’ No, in You alone do the orphans find mercy.” Hosea 14:3

9 Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. Hosea 14:9