Afraid To Die….

Maybe one reason people fear death so much is because they live their lives disproportionally. Yes, God placed in us a will to live, but that desire goes beyond this life. Only when we have the right perspective of God, Who He is, and the right standing with Him, can we appropriately value our lives without being too self-centered. It’s only when we truly know God, His love puts everything in the right perspective.

11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Revelation 12:11

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