Evil Doesn’t Change…..

Evil doesn’t change. It may vary in degrees of wickedness, but it doesn’t change. Here in modern day America, you could walk out in a street in any major city and hear these exact words, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our evil desires.” This just goes to show the true nature of the human heart; deceitful, wicked, and never fully trustable. It doesn’t change, unless Jesus calls you out.

5 Then the Lord gave me this message: 6 “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand. 7 If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, 8 but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. 9 And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, 10 but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey Me, I will not bless it as I said I would.11 “Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’ ”12 But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.” Jeremiah 18:5-12

Why Jesus Is So Great…..

This is why Jesus is so great. He erases our sins and grants us mercy. He withholds things we deserve, and gives us things we don’t deserve. Praise Him today, for He is the only One worthy of our trust, and deserving of our devotion. And He is the only One that truly heals and saves.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,with roots that reach deep into the water.Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.Their leaves stay green,and they never stop producing fruit. 9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,and desperately wicked.Who really knows how bad it is?10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards,according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:7-10

14 O Lord, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for You alone! Jeremiah 17:14

We Are Overcomers…

There’s one thing I know for sure when it comes to serving God: there will be times of pain and suffering and many of those times you will be all alone in the midst of it. I’ve experienced this more times than I can count, but I’m still here. During those times of uneasiness, we have to cry out to God. He will respond. He will answer. He will be there for you. The way we interpret these times is not “woe is me”, rather we ask ourselves, “what am I to learn from this?” Many times the lesson comes long after it’s over. But as long as you know Who you trust throughout the process, endurance is possible. The right attitude comes from our faith in God. He will empower you to “get through it”. And the exchange of growth for being distraught doesn’t even compare. Jesus, Himself, said, “in this world you will have trouble.... but take heart, for I have overcome the world”. In order for God to help us become overcomers, we have to overcome something. And that something comes in the form of loneliness, pain, and suffering. We are overcomers.

15 Then I said, “Lord, You know what’s happening to me.Please step in and help me. Punish my persecutors!Please give me time; don’t let me die young.It’s for Your sake that I am suffering.16 When I discovered Your words, I devoured them.They are my joy and my heart’s delight,for I bear Your name,O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.17 I never joined the people in their merry feasts.I sat alone because Your hand was on me.I was filled with indignation at their sins.18 Why then does my suffering continue?Why is my wound so incurable?Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook,like a spring that has gone dry.” 19 This is how the Lord responds: “If you return to Me, I will restore youso you can continue to serve Me.If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,you will be My spokesman.You must influence them;do not let them influence you!20 They will fight against you like an attacking army,but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze.They will not conquer you,for I am with you to protect and rescue you.I, the Lord, have spoken!21 Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men.I will rescue you from their cruel hands.” Jeremiah 15:15-21

Smells…Take Us On A Journey…

Smells have a way of taking us on a journey back in time, to a place in the past. We associate smells with experiences. They can be either good or bad, transporting us back to a place of comfort or distress. The smell of a mother’s scarf, walking in an old house that belonged to a relative, smelling freshly baked goods, or sorting through a closet and putting on a garment last worn on a special occasion, all can trigger these emotions tied to a special event or experience. After driving my dad’s car (after he passed away), the smell of the interior reminds me of him. It has an old person smell. If that turns your nose or reminds you of your mother or grandmother, I can’t explain it, but I refuse to place car scent in it because I want it to last as long as possible. Today’s proverb talks about heartfelt words from a friend. They are like perfume or incense. They, like the smell of my dad’s car, bring about a meaningful experience that transports our downtrodden spirit up to a level of significance that pleases the soul. It’s like smelling the aroma of a budding rose bush in the Spring, it lifts your countenance above the noise of mediocrity. It helps you focus on what’s important. It gives us reason to praise our Creator God. So the next time you experience a friend’s heartfelt counsel, acknowledge it and tell them how much you appreciate the aroma of the experience. Enjoy the effects those words have on your spirit.

9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9

Addressing The “Offendee”….

Ninety-nine percent of the time, sin is the reason we suffer. Our thought life leads to a behavior reflective of it. If you don’t think this is true, wait a while, sin will creep in and turn your world upside down. If we don’t see sin for what it is and choose the only proven method of dealing with it, then our pride will keep us in a mode that will constantly filled with pain, loss, disappointment, and suffering. There’s just no way around it. The only answer anyone can ever have for the problem of sin is repentance. And the only way sin can be forgiven is by addressing the “Offendee”, God. He is quick to forgive and restore your soul when your heart is in alignment with His. Human beings create their own problems, due to our sinful nature, and we continue to live there because of our pride.

22 You may ask yourself,“Why is all this happening to me?”It is because of your many sins! That is why you have been stripped and raped by invading armies.23 Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin? Can a leopard take away its spots?Neither can you start doing good, for you have always done evil. Jeremiah 13:22-23

The people say, “Our wickedness has caught up with us, Lord,but help us for the sake of Your own reputation.We have turned away from You and sinned against You again and again.8 O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble,why are You like a stranger to us?Why are You like a traveler passing through the land,stopping only for the night?9 Are You also confused?Is our champion helpless to save us?You are right here among us, Lord.We are known as Your people.Please don’t abandon us now!” 10 So this is what the Lord says to His people:“You love to wander far from Meand do not restrain yourselves.Therefore, I will no longer accept you as My people.Now I will remember all your wickednessand will punish you for your sins.” Jeremiah 14:7-10

A Person Who Is Full….

I’ve never thought of my relationship with God this way, but it makes perfect sense. If He is my Lord, then I have no need for anything else but to serve Him. Nothing will fulfill me or make me “full” as He does. Nothing will satisfy. For those that don’t have Him as a Lord, everything is tempting; everything has this allure that makes you believe by possessing it you will be satisfied. Over time you realize when the satisfaction doesn’t last, you need something else, so you spend your entire life pursuing “bitter food” believing it tastes sweet. The only way we will ever be able to see “spiritually” is to see God as the “First Great Cause”, the Reason for our existence. Then this deception will not cause us to pretend we are fine in our pursuit of significance, eventually training our tastebuds to like bitterness like its honey. If we have God in our lives, truly pursuing Him, even the sweetest of honey (the world’s best offer) will fail in comparison to what God has in store for us. We won’t feel the need to “over eat”. Satisfaction comes from what we take in as important. Do you see God this way?

7 A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry. Proverbs 27:7

It Distorts Our Reality….

Sin is deceptive. It distorts our reality. Our sinful nature must be addressed. If you don’t believe this, read the passage below. If you still don’t see this type of tendencies in your life, you may be too far gone. Everyone needs rescue, we need a Savior. Only Jesus can transform us. Only He can change a heart. That’s why the Gospel is such Good News.

Lord says: “ ‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again?When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back?5 Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path?Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back?They cling tightly to their liesand will not turn around.6 I listen to their conversationsand don’t hear a word of truth.Is anyone sorry for doing wrong?Does anyone say, “What a terrible thing I have done”?No! All are running down the path of sinas swiftly as a horse galloping into battle!7 Even the stork that flies across the skyknows the time of her migration,as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane.They all return at the proper time each year.But not My people!They do not know the Lord’s laws. 8 “ ‘How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the Lord,”when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies?9 These wise teachers will fallinto the trap of their own foolishness,for they have rejected the word of the Lord.Are they so wise after all?10 I will give their wives to othersand their farms to strangers.From the least to the greatest,their lives are ruled by greed.Yes, even My prophets and priests are like that.They are all frauds.11 They offer superficial treatmentsfor My people’s mortal wound.They give assurances of peacewhen there is no peace.12 Are they ashamed of these disgusting actions?Not at all–they don’t even know how to blush! Jeremiah 8:4c-12a

One Of God’s Toughest Jobs….

I think one of God’s toughest jobs is convincing human beings that sin is harmful. When we sin it’s like self-inflicting pain upon ourselves, then wondering why it happened, and looking for someone else to blame. Watching us harm ourselves has to be rough. I mean creating something for a purpose and watching it be used to serve other purposes never intended, has to be frustrating. I guess parents get a dose of this when they raise children. If they don’t experience it when they are young, the teenage years will certainly bring it about. If only we could get this. Unfortunately, human beings have short-term memory problems; we forget our shortcomings at the expense of our relationship with God. And when we do “get it”, we experience God’s frustration when we try to convey this truth to others. I’m just grateful to God for His short-term memory, He calls it GRACE.

But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice; 6 only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols. 7 Then I will let you stay in this land that I gave to your ancestors to keep forever.8 “ ‘Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It’s a lie! 9 Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, 10 and then come here and stand before Me in My Temple and chant, “We are safe!”–only to go right back to all those evils again? 11 Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears My name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord, have spoken! 12 “ ‘Go now to the place at Shiloh where I once put the Tabernacle that bore My name. See what I did there because of all the wickedness of My people, the Israelites. 13 While you were doing these wicked things, says the Lord, I spoke to you about it repeatedly, but you would not listen. I called out to you, but you refused to answer. 14 So just as I destroyed Shiloh, I will now destroy this Temple that bears My name, this Temple that you trust in for help, this place that I gave to you and your ancestors. 15 And I will send you out of My sight into exile, just as I did your relatives, the people of Israel.’ Jeremiah 7:5-15

19 Am I the One they are hurting?” asks the Lord. “Most of all, they hurt themselves, to their own shame.” Jeremiah 7:19

Wings To Fly Above The Noise….

The more I pursue God by reading His Word and relating to Him daily, the more clearly I see His will being worked out in my life, and the more I see wisdom and understanding I’m blessed with (some times just the ability to accept without understanding the “why” all the while being at peace about it). I know following God has its benefits, but none more so than knowing I’m fulfilling my purpose by loving Him and experiencing His grace. These blessings help me be more effective in the world. It gives me answers to my problems as well as others’ problems too. I can help others by listening, understanding their conflict, and give them truthful, honest, and time-proven methods to rectify their issues. It keeps me grounded and yet at the same time grants me wings to fly above the noise experiencing views never seen before. Do you feel the same way?

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light. 13 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:9-14

Liberalize It…..

Every time I see the progressive push in the world to “liberalize it”, I have to go back to the true nature of human beings. No matter how happy someone seems to be, if they are practicing sinful behavior, it only masks their countenance. Resentment and jealousy run rampart in the lives of those who practice ungodly behaviors. This pretending only lasts so long. Eventually you come to a crossroad. You have to decide do I repent and be made right with God, or do I fully, eternally reject Him for this way of life. The consequences that follow are eternal. As it says in Jeremiah 17:9, ““The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” When we choose to live worldly, worldly emotions follow. They weigh us down, are dangerous, and eventually destroy all that is good in our lives.

3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier. 4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous. Proverbs 27:3-4

One Thing I Cannot Stand….

There’s is one thing I cannot stand; it’s when people tell me something (even if it’s not true) to just shut me up. Fake prophets do the same, and there is nothing worse than hearing someone give assurance of peace when there is no assurance of peace because of an unrepentant, sinful act. Now-a-days people want new, very few are content with old, but the cold hard truth about the Gospel is that it doesn’t change or get old. Yet so many reject it, wanting new so badly, they fall prey to those who promise things with no intention of ever getting them. The bottom line in life is if you want rest for your soul, establishing and maintaining a relationship with God is paramount. It’s the only guarantee we have in this life. It may seem old to some, but when you see God in His true light, it becomes a well-spring of life, quenching the thirst you’re longing for, all the while protecting you from those who want to promise you the world, with zero power to grant it. Fight your nature to say “NO” to God, and you’ll find the peace God promises. From a true, sincere, and willing-to-accept-God’s-way heart is where you start.

14 They offer superficial treatments for My people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:14

16 This is what the Lord says:“Stop at the crossroads and look around.Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’17 I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm. ’But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’ Jeremiah 6:16-17

20 There’s no use offering Me sweet frankincense from Sheba. Keep your fragrant calamus imported from distant lands! I will not accept your burnt offerings. Your sacrifices have no pleasing aroma for Me.” Jeremiah 6:20

Never Know “How To Do Right”….

How can people expect to do “right” when they get their information from the “wrong” source? How can people expect to “get along” when they have no moral standard? How can people expect to be “happy and content” when they are not connected to the Source of “life”. No matter what people come up with as an argument to prove God doesn’t exist, they will never know “how to do right”.

22 “My people are foolish and do not know Me,” says the Lord.“They are stupid children who have no understanding.They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!” Jeremiah 4:22

If People Only Knew….

If people only knew how forgiving God is, they wouldn’t continue to torture themselves by choosing to live without Him. The only thing it costs you is your pride. Pride is why Lucifer was banished from Heaven. If pride is associated with Satan, why do people continue to choose pride over forgiveness? The Bible tells us, “Pride goes before a fall” (Prov 16:18). Is your pride worth falling for? Would you rather listen to Satan over God? Mercy is offered by God to all people, and yet forgiveness is denied because of a pride issue. Maybe by examining our heart, we will realize that pride and forgiveness are enemies. They cannot co-exist and there still be harmony in one’s life. The ultimate choice one must make in this life in dealing with our sin issue is this: are we willing to receive God’s free gift of forgiveness, or are we going to try to fix it ourselves (which is impossible). Pride makes the “impossible” seem achievable, while Grace allows us to receive forgiveness with humility. God doesn’t change, His offer of forgiveness is always free for us to receive. If forgiveness is necessary for us to be made right with God, why would anyone deny themselves of the ultimate free gift?

1 “O Israel,” says the Lord,“if you wanted to return to Me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more.2 Then when you swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise My name.” 3 This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or My anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins. Jeremiah 4:1-4

Amongst The Noise….

By searching for God, by seeking Him out amongst the noise in this world, we eventually find Him. The more we seek Him, the more He reveals Himself to us. The more we know about Him, the more we know Him. We know that He wants our sincerity. He wants our loyalty. He wants our honesty. He wants out trust. He wants our repentance. He wants us to know Him; to know His heart. He wants us to know He is the only One that can rescue us from ourselves, to rescue us for His glory. It’s only when we see this, that we overcome our sin. God wants us to seek Him out; to seek Him with all of our hearts. For when we do, we are granted peace because where our treasure is, there are hearts are also.

“O Israel, My faithless people,come home to Me again,for I am merciful.I will not be angry with you forever.13 Only acknowledge your guilt.Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your Godand committed adultery against Himby worshiping idols under every green tree.Confess that you refused to listen to My voice.I, the Lord, have spoken! 14 “Return home, you wayward children,”says the Lord,“for I am your master.I will bring you back to the land of Israel–one from this town and two from that family–from wherever you are scattered.15 And I will give you shepherds after My own heart,who will guide you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:12c-15

19 “I thought to Myself,‘I would love to treat you as My own children!’I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land–the finest possession in the world.I looked forward to your calling Me ‘Father,’and I wanted you never to turn from Me. Jeremiah 3:19

“My wayward children,” says the Lord,“come back to Me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” Jeremiah 3:22a

23 Our worship of idols on the hills and our religious orgies on the mountains are a delusion. Only in the Lord our God will Israel ever find salvation. Jeremiah 3:23

Pretending with God…..

Pretending will only get you so far. Pretending with God only gets you further and further into a pit of regret, shame, and guilt. Pretending to be sorry, only reveals how sorry your behavior really is.

6 During the reign of King Josiah, the Lord said to me, “Have you seen what fickle Israel has done? Like a wife who commits adultery, Israel has worshiped other gods on every hill and under every green tree. 7 I thought, ‘After she has done all this, she will return to Me.’ But she did not return, and her faithless sister Judah saw this. 8 She saw that I divorced faithless Israel because of her adultery. But that treacherous sister Judah had no fear, and now she, too, has left Me and given herself to prostitution. 9 Israel treated it all so lightly–she thought nothing of committing adultery by worshiping idols made of wood and stone. So now the land has been polluted. 10 But despite all this, her faithless sister Judah has never sincerely returned to Me. She has only pretended to be sorry. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jeremiah 3:6-10

Living By Design….

Giving in to our sinful nature and not living by God’s spirit, doesn’t deliver the goods. It may entertain you for a short while, but when it dries up, you’re left with a deep need for nourishment and very parched lips longing for something to drink. Real satisfaction comes from living by design, God’s design.

4 Yet you say to Me, ‘Father, You have been my guide since my youth. 5 Surely You won’t be angry forever! Surely You can forget about it! ‘So you talk, but you keep on doing all the evil you can.” Jeremiah 3:4-5

When We Leave God Out…

In a world where shaming and bullying are renounced, and political correctness is seen as law, we tend to miss the major point of leaving God out. When we leave God out of our lives by abandoning His ways, shame is a natural consequence. Abandoning God is an evil and bitter thing. People wonder why they “feel” a certain way when they choose a God-less lifestyle, or embrace a worldview that goes against truth. Without God, Life doesn’t work, at least not in the sense of His design. When you begin to use a tool for something other than it was designed for, it may do the job for that moment, but it’s not fulfilling its purpose. The same happens with human beings. When they live in opposition to God, at first it may seem to work, but eventually it begins to fall apart. That’s when man begins to demand reality to obey him, by demanding new rights, redefining words, and forcing tolerance on others by being intolerant. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot alter reality. The only thing he alters is his own perception of reality, which leads to the eternal struggle with internal turmoil. He can’t escape it. There’s no winning. Man’s wickedness will bring its own punishment. If only believers did a better job at making this truth clear. It will never rescue everyone, but maybe a few would “get it”, and turn to the only solution for our sin problem, Jesus.

19 Your wickedness will bring its own punishment. Your turning from Me will shame you. You will see what an evil, bitter thing it is to abandon the Lord your God and not to fear Him. I, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken! Jeremiah 2:19

21 But I was the One who planted you, choosing a vine of the purest stock–the very best. How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine? 22 No amount of soap or lye can make you clean. I still see the stain of your guilt. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken! Jeremiah 2:21-22

The Problem With Idolatry….

The problem with idolatry is substituting the real thing for something that doesn’t even hold water. It’s like trying to take a picture with a broken camera expecting perfect exposure. Or better yet, trying to take a picture with no film in the camera. You may have high expectations but when it comes time to develop the film (to see the picture) disappointment envelops you, destroying any hope of ever reliving that moment through viewing the paper print. When we abandon God, we will always try to replace Him with something. It’s impossible to replace the irreplaceable, One and Only God. That’s the cold, hard truth about idolatry. You can’t replace the Irreplaceable. How can you expect to drink Living Water when you don’t have a vessel to drink from that holds regular water?

11 Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!12 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,”says the Lord.13 “For My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned Me–the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jeremiah 2:11-13

A Reason For Embarrassment….

Have you ever gotten caught up in trying to answer critics and scoffers of the Christian faith? Have you ever been stumped by a question or statement leaving you feeling stupid or embarrassed? The reason why we feel this way is because we have one foot in this world, while the other is standing on eternal ground. We try to answer the objector with logic or in a worldly manner. It’s because of this that we struggle. Jeremiah was told by God Himself that if he adopted this kind of mentality, he would look foolish in front of those he spoke with. We look foolish to people when we present God’s truth to unbelievers already. So when we adopt this worldly attitude of trying to give answers from any other perspective than God’s perspective, we embarrass ourselves even more. The key is to stick to the Gospel. We are to fear God more than man. If we don’t have a rational answer then simply say “I don’t have an answer” and get back with them when you do a little more research (in prayer). We embarrass ourselves when we leave the simple plan of God’s salvation by fearing man more than God. Jeremiah may have been called the weeping prophet because he stuck with God’s plan, and he may have been mistreated for it as well. He knew what people were missing out on, and that made him mourn for these people. But we know God rewarded him for his faithfulness and protected him in times of trouble and despair. We must remember his example when it comes to dealing with the nay sayers. Stick to the agenda of presenting the Gospel. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in illogical, worldly thinking. The reason why these opposing people go there by asking questions is solely because they are trying to avoid the main question. And that question is, “How do I deal with my sin problem? What do I have to do to be made right with God?” The Gospel answers this. And by sticking with the Gospel you actually give them the answer they need but not necessarily are wanting to hear. You show them real love by addressing their needs not their desires. Sticking with the Gospel eliminates all the rabbit trails Satan wants us to go down, so the true issue of salvation doesn’t get addressed, for He knows the truth sets people free when they embrace it. Worldly fear always tends to pull us away from God, and eventually embarrasses us even more. So the proper solution to conquer fear is to put fear in its rightful place by fearing God (more than man), that way you won’t lose focus when interacting with people and stick to the only thing that will save them, the Good News of Jesus.

17 “Get up and prepare for action.Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say.Do not be afraid of them,or I will make you look foolish in front of them. Jeremiah 1:17

This Turns Our World Upside Down….

What I’m about to say may sound insignificant to some, but it’s stated right here in scripture. One way God punishes people is by withdrawing from them. Think about that for a second. God meant for all human beings to have a relationship with Him. Adam walked in the garden, talking with God daily. Jesus did as well. We were created to fellowship with God. When God withdraws, it allows us to feed off of our own ego/selfishness. This turns our world upside down. Sin runs rampant in the self-centered life. It destroys everything that is good. It doesn’t work. If God withdrew His presence from the earth life would cease to exist. So when God withdraws Himself from someone’s life, true life ceases to exist. They live an empty, meaningless life. Hell is the ultimate example of punishment. It’s living for eternity without God. If God meant for us to have peace, significance, and purpose, and if it’s only acquired through a relationship with Him, then not having Him in our lives is a form of punishment, often times self-inflicted. Without Him there is no peace. Strive to live with God on a daily basis. Pursue Him like He is oxygen. When you do you will find meaning and purpose in life. If you don’t you’ll never discover the peace that surpasses all understanding. If you don’t you’ll spend your entire life chasing your tail, only to end up reaping the consequences of it forever. True life comes with pursuing God.

The high and lofty One who lives in eternity,the Holy One, says this:“I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.16 For I will not fight against you forever;I will not always be angry.If I were, all people would pass away–all the souls I have made.17 I was angry,so I punished these greedy people.I withdrew from them,but they kept going on their own stubborn way.18 I have seen what they do,but I will heal them anyway!I will lead them.I will comfort those who mourn,19 bringing words of praise to their lips.May they have abundant peace, both near and far,”says the Lord, who heals them.20 “But those who still reject Me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt.21 There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God. Isaiah 57:15-21

Why People Die….

Why? Why do people die? Everyone has asked themself this question after someone close to them dies. It’s human nature to ask the “why” question. We may never get an answer, but here in Isaiah chapter 57 we get a possible explanation for our “why” question. It’s God’s way of protecting people from the evil to come. That may mean protecting them from acting out an evil act, or from an evil act of another. We may never know the full extent of the answer, but we can know the One Who is in control. The bottom line is God knows best, we don’t. We have to trust Him with the “why” when it comes to death, for He has conquered death, and the chains of Hell cannot and will not hold anyone who follows His path. We will Rest In Peace when we die, because we will rest in Him.

1 Good people pass away;the godly often die before their time.But no one seems to care or wonder why.No one seems to understandthat God is protecting them from the evil to come.2 For those who follow godly pathswill rest in peace when they die. Isaiah 57:1-2

If There Was Only One Chapter….

I can’t help but think if there was only one chapter in the Bible that would give the message of what God wants us to know, to take in, to process, to fashion our lives after, it would have to be Isaiah chapter 53. There’s a video on YouTube of a guy reading this chapter in Jerusalem to Jews. After he is finished reading it, he asks the simple question, “Who do you think this is about”? Every single person answers, “the Messiah”, yet they can’t admit Jesus is the Messiah. I don’t think it’s possible for every Bible-believing Christian to read this without responding with a humble, grateful heart and attitude. When I read this I think, “only God can speak into the future”. This was written hundreds of years before Jesus even walked the earth as a man. It tells us descriptively in detail exactly what was going to happen, why it would happen, and the result of what would happen. To me this is the most incredible thing God does. Knowing the future. Knowing how bad our behavior can and will be, and yet still extends His grace without even blinking still blows my mind. Living a life without God is the worst life anyone could live. I guess that’s why Hell is so offensive to some and no big deal to others. Those that live without God think nothing could be worse than this, because their lives have no meaning. If only they knew the truth. Read today’s passage and honestly ask God to put it into perspective. You’ll benefit greatly if you do.

1 Who has believed our message?To whom has the Lord revealed His powerful arm?2 My Servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,like a root in dry ground.There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance,nothing to attract us to Him.3 He was despised and rejected–a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way.He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses He carried;it was our sorrows that weighed Him down.And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God,a punishment for His own sins!5 But He was pierced for our rebellion,crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole.He was whipped so we could be healed.6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.We have left God’s paths to follow our own.Yet the Lord laid on Himthe sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,yet He never said a word.He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,He did not open His mouth.8 Unjustly condemned,He was led away.No one cared that He died without descendants,that His life was cut short in midstream.But He was struck downfor the rebellion of My people.9 He had done no wrongand had never deceived anyone.But He was buried like a criminal;He was put in a rich man’s grave. 10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush Himand cause Him grief.Yet when His life is made an offering for sin,He will have many descendants.He will enjoy a long life,and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in His hands.11 When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish,He will be satisfied.And because of His experience,My righteous Servant will make it possiblefor many to be counted righteous,for He will bear all their sins.12 I will give Him the honors of a victorious soldier,because He exposed Himself to death.He was counted among the rebels.He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isaiah 53:1-12

Salvation Will Never Arrive On Air Force One…

Another shooting here, a sexual scandal there, another person exposed for their bad behavior, another plot to disrespect those in high power, another example of prejudice or bigotry, or the abuse of power. And this is just the first 5 minutes of the evening news. What’s the solution? If congress had their way it would be legislated into a law in order to solve the problem, or print more money to solve the issue. If the religious had their way it would be do more, pray more, earn your way out of it more. The one and only solution to this world’s problems is Jesus. He is the only One that can make you right with God. The only One that can save you. And the only One that can transform a corrupt, selfish, and hateful heart. The problems in America can’t be solved by the government, it can only be solved by the transformation of one’s heart, one person at a time. That’s why our Christian witness, our behavior, and our walk with God is so important. It’s the evidence of what God shows the world, His love, to be true. The only way to unite, is to transform a heart of indifference into one of unity in love. And Jesus is the only One powerful enough and holy enough to accomplish this. Paul makes this crystal clear in today’s passage. Salvation will never arrive on Air Force One.

14 For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from Him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. Ephesians 2:14-18

Self-Sufficiency……

Self-sufficiency is like dressing up for Halloween. It’s pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s like acting; even though you may get paid to do it, in the end, it’s just pretending. If you think you’re self-sufficiency is because of something you’ve done or earned, you are acting. And you’re only fooling yourself. Self-sufficiency drives us towards independence. Independence only feeds pride. And we all know where Pride got Lucifer.

10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys His servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.11 But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from Me: You will soon fall down in great torment. Isaiah 50:10-11

POSTJUDICE….

God’s salvation extends to all people; all races, all ethnicities, all kinds and types. In the OT and NT He makes it clear. The Jews were His chosen vessel to bring this Message to the world. And that’s fine. But the more important part is for all who hear the message to respond. God doesn’t have favorites. He is not prejudice. Even if He was, it’s not the kind of prejudice we think of. He knows the future, He knows you and me better than we know ourselves. His judgements are just. So you could say He is POSTJUDICE. Yet He chooses us anyway. God is for anyone willing enough to be honest, and real about accepting truth. We don’t always have to do it with a smile our face, as long as we just do it. Eventually the joy comes out, when our hearts are willing to serve Him. God doesn’t play favorites. His message is for everyone. Never forget this.

6 He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to Me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

Never Be Put To Shame….

Trusting God is leaving whatever it is in His hand and trusting Him for your reward. Job did it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did it. And the ultimate example was Jesus, for He did it straight unto His death. That’s real faith. Do you do this? If not, what’s holding you back? Real faith trusts, regardless of the unforeseen future. That’s why it’s called faith. What matters is not what’s unseen, rather it’s what you put your faith in that truly matters. God is worthy of our faith. He’s the only One worthy of it. Those who put their trust in God, will never be put to shame; the kind of shame that God sees as real.

4 I replied, “But my work seems so useless!I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand ;I will trust God for my reward.” Isaiah 49:4

Those who trust in Me will never be put to shame.” Isaiah 49:23c

No Peace For The Wicked….

Some think that those who have no morals, those that have ill-gotten gain, or those who benefit from taking advantage of others are happy and successful. In God’s economy, there is no peace for the wicked. Having no peace isn’t worth gaining the entire world, for if you do, it means it cost you your soul.

22 “But there is no peace for the wicked”, says the Lord. Isaiah 48:22

Fit Like A Glove….

The second we think we are special in God’s sight and let it go to our head, we need a big slice of humble pie, a reality check. God chose us not because we did anything special, rather because He just chose to do it. God chooses us because He knows us thoroughly. He knows we will serve Him faithfully but also disappoint. He knows we are traitors and hypocrites. He knows we are all weak, fragile, and insecure. Sometimes the only reason He sticks with His plan of grace is to not tarnish His own reputation, for His own glory. God does what He does because of His great love for us, but we will always disappoint Him when it comes to this life. Be glad He continues to give for His own sake, and always remember the way of humility is the right path. God chose us, so our response isn’t arrogance or false security. It should be gratitude. Gratitude and humility fit like a glove. Wear them well.

8 “Yes, I will tell you of things that are entirely new, things you never heard of before. For I know so well what traitors you are.You have been rebels from birth.9 Yet for My own sake and for the honor of My name, I will hold back My anger and not wipe you out.10 I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.11 I will rescue you for My sake–yes, for My own sake!I will not let My reputation be tarnished, and I will not share My glory with idols! Isaiah 48:8-11

The Cost Of “EASY”….

The Babylonians were full of many god-worshippers. Unfortunately, none of them were God-fearing worshippers. They were idolaters and with all their successful military victories their wealth became their security. God allowed them to conquer Judah and exile most of them to Babylon. He allowed them to gain all the wealth Judah had and retrain all the brightest and strongest of the youth to benefit their own society. But then God punished them for abusing this privilege. Babylon became arrogant and falsely secure in their riches, fame, and power. Having this attitude prevented them from fully being prepared from disaster. How often do we tend to lose sight of the allure of these temptations? How often do we forget God because of our focus on fame, or, money or power? How often does this type of attitude fail us when adversity strikes? None of these can replace our relationship with God. Actually they compete with it. All it takes to prove this is for a rich man to get sick. His resources won’t cure his sickness. His fame won’t heal him either. As the saying goes, “having means (money) gives us the ability to say no to God” only gives us false security. It won’t heal us. It won’t save us. When the Bible talks about being rich, most of the time it means being close to God, having a rich, deep relationship with Him. That’s true riches. It’s not about accumulating wealth. Money does seem to make life a little easier, but the cost of "easy", robs us from a rich relationship with God. Is that what we really want?

11 So disaster will overtake you, and you won’t be able to charm it away. Calamity will fall upon you, and you won’t be able to buy your way out. A catastrophe will strike you suddenly, one for which you are not prepared. Isaiah 47:11

At Full Capacity….

When I read this passage I can’t help but think about all the nay-sayers. God allows Himself to be known. You just have to seek Him with all of your heart. Would you want to be loved by a person, say at 37% of their capacity? Unless we are desperate, no one would want anything less than 100%, right? Why would God expect anything less? He did create everything, correct? He does deserve our gratitude, doesn’t He? And that is true for all people, not just a select few. Everyone May know the God of the Bible. It just has to be at full capacity. It’s how it works. You’re either all in, or you only get surface knowledge at best. Is it any wonder why naysayers don’t believe God is real? How can you know about anything, if you’re not even looking for it? Jesus said it best, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". Is your heart seeking God, or is it searching for treasure somewhere else?

19 I publicly proclaim bold promises.I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner.I would not have told the people of Israel to seek Me if I could not be found. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right. Isaiah 45:19

We Experience The WHY….

Never forget we are created to honor and glorify God. That’s our purpose, regardless what your vocation or job description is. We are His masterpiece, created in His image, to be like Him, and to relate to Him and others. God made us, those He has chosen, specifically to walk and talk, and follow Him, interpreting world through His eyes. If you want to know your purpose, honor God by living a life of gratitude towards Him. That’s your purpose. And that’s what brings the significance you long for and your identity to life. When we honor God by giving Him the glory He deserves, we experience the WHY we were created, and all that goes along with it.

Bring all who claim Me as their God,for I have made them for My glory.It was I who created them.’ ” 8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,who have ears but are deaf.9 Gather the nations together!Assemble the peoples of the world!Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?Where are the witnesses of such predictions?Who can verify that they spoke the truth? 10 “But you are My witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.“You are My servant.You have been chosen to know Me, believe in Me,and understand that I alone am God.There is no other God–there never has been, and there never will be.11 I, yes I, am the Lord,and there is no other Savior.12 First I predicted your rescue,then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.No foreign god has ever done this.You are witnesses that I am the only God,”says the Lord.13 “From eternity to eternity I am God.No one can snatch anyone out of My hand.No one can undo what I have done.” Isaiah 43:7-13