Read It, And Think For Yourself…

People who support abortion and claim to be Christians say there are no supporting evidences in the Bible that clearly show God’s stance on the issue. Apparently they have never read Ezekiel chapter 16. I’m just going to ask you to read it and think for yourself. The chapter is long, but you need to read it to its entirety. I’ll highlight major sections here. What are your thoughts now?

On the day you were born, no one cared about you. Your umbilical cord was not cut, and you were never washed, rubbed with salt, and wrapped in cloth. 5 No one had the slightest interest in you; no one pitied you or cared for you. On the day you were born, you were unwanted, dumped in a field and left to die.6 “But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, ‘Live!’ 7 And I helped you to thrive like a plant in the field. You grew up and became a beautiful jewel Ezekiel 16:4-7a

I will punish you for your murder and adultery Ezekiel 16:38a

43 But first, because you have not remembered your youth but have angered Me by doing all these evil things, I will fully repay you for all of your sins, says the Sovereign Lord. For you have added lewd acts to all your detestable sins. Ezekiel 16:43

16 There are six things the Lord hates–no, seven things He detests:17 haughty eyes,a lying tongue,hands that kill the innocent,18 a heart that plots evil,feet that race to do wrong,19 a false witness who pours out lies,a person who sows discord in a family. Proverbs 6:16-19

Need To See Evil Up Close…

Sometimes we need to see evil up close in order to understand God’s judgement and righteousness more thoroughly.

22 Yet there will be survivors, and they will come here to join you as exiles in Babylon. You will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and then you will feel better about what I have done to Jerusalem. 23 When you meet them and see their behavior, you will understand that these things are not being done to Israel without cause. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Ezekiel 14:22-23

Adhere To The Bible’s Instruction…

Oh, how I wish politicians would read, listen, and adhere to the Bible’s instruction. Here we read of God warning to false women prophets. He asks them if what they do is worth it. Is it not the same for politicians? They want your vote so they’ll promise anything. Their corruption blinds them to their own destruction, thinking they are immune to their deceptive practices. Their lies hurt honest people and help dishonest ones. They discourage righteous people, and encourage the wicked promising them life, while they continue in their sin. Does any of this sound familiar? Human behavior doesn’t change. There’s only so many behaviors possible that they repeat themselves after the cycle returns back around. God addresses this in His word. If only people asked God to discern truth, maybe the world would be a different place. Heaven looks no greater than to one who knows God and serves Him as Lord.

17 “Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations. 18 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits you women who are ensnaring the souls of My people, young and old alike. You tie magic charms on their wrists and furnish them with magic veils. Do you think you can trap others without bringing destruction on yourselves? 19 You bring shame on Me among My people for a few handfuls of barley or a piece of bread. By lying to My people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live.20 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare My people like birds. I will tear them from your arms, setting My people free like birds set free from a cage. 21 I will tear off the magic veils and save My people from your grasp. They will no longer be your victims. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 22 You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn’t want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins. 23 Because of all this, you will no longer talk of seeing visions that you never saw, nor will you make predictions. For I will rescue My people from your grasp. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 13:17-23

It’s God’s Name We Tarnish….

We hear all the time, “don’t judge”, but is that really true? We are not the ultimate Judge (God), but we are to use His standards. If someone isn’t a believer, we can still hold them to the 10 commandments, for it applies to everyone. But we are not to expect from them to listen and do them. However, if someone claims to be a believer and doesn’t act in a biblical manner, we have every right to hold them accountable. The whole “don’t judge” thing is biblical. If we are willing to use God’s standards applied to ourselves, then we are to apply it to other believers and pretenders as well. Why is it important? Because it’s God’s name we tarnish with our bad behavior. We are all created in the image of God, so regardless of what we believe, when we act badly, we give the world a sour taste. If we allow others to paint a false picture of God without confronting them, then we are contributing to the problem. We just have to use discretion when we “call out” one’s contradictory behavior. When people behave in a manner or support a behavior that contradicts God’s character, believers have a duty to confront, call out, and convict the offender’s behavior. That’s biblical. And to the simplest form, people see warnings as judgements. God’s judgement is coming regardless if you’ve been warned or judged at all. Just do me a favor, pray first, and ask God to guide your spirit in the process. We wouldn’t be in modern day America if Christians put this concept into practice. Those that claim to be Christians, yet act in a way contradictory to God’s character need to be confronted. A little yeast goes a long way in permeating the entire loaf. And so it is our duty to call out people claiming to be Christians, yet act unchristian, but we must do it with grace and respect. “Don’t judge”, needs to be a phrase not acceptable in a real Christian’s life. A real Christian knows what real judgement is, because it comes to those who ignore or rebel against God. We don’t want that for anyone, especially if they call themselves a Christian.

1 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord. 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all!’4 “O people of Israel, these prophets of yours are like jackals digging in the ruins. 5 They have done nothing to repair the breaks in the walls around the nation. They have not helped it to stand firm in battle on the day of the Lord. 6 Instead, they have told lies and made false predictions. They say, ‘This message is from the Lord,’ even though the Lord never sent them. And yet they expect Him to fulfill their prophecies! 7 Can your visions be anything but false if you claim, ‘This message is from the Lord,’ when I have not even spoken to you?8 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because what you say is false and your visions are a lie, I will stand against you, says the Sovereign Lord. 9 I will raise My fist against all the prophets who see false visions and make lying predictions, and they will be banished from the community of Israel. I will blot their names from Israel’s record books, and they will never again set foot in their own land. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.10 “This will happen because these evil prophets deceive My people by saying, ‘All is peaceful’ when there is no peace at all! It’s as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with whitewash! 11 Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down. 12 And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, ‘What happened to your whitewash?’13 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will sweep away your whitewashed wall with a storm of indignation, with a great flood of anger, and with hailstones of fury. 14 I will break down your wall right to its foundation, and when it falls, it will crush you. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 15 At last My anger against the wall and those who covered it with whitewash will be satisfied. Then I will say to you: ‘The wall and those who whitewashed it are both gone. 16 They were lying prophets who claimed peace would come to Jerusalem when there was no peace. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!’ Ezekiel 13:1-16

Regardless Of What People Say…

Any time we see evil go unpunished remember evil people are prisoners in their own body. Regardless of what people say, the conscience does exactly what it’s supposed to do, even if we don’t see it. People will always try to suppress it, medicate it, intoxicate it, or harden it, all to flee from its message; all to no avail. When we do wrong, wrong follows. God is just, He knows exactly what He’s doing. He allows evil in order to rescue those who respond to His call. He allows the wheat and the tares to grow together. He allows the sheep to graze with the goats. If He didn’t, we wouldn’t be here. One day, He will separate. Until then, know He’s got things under control. Evil can never be comfortable, regardless if we see this truth or not. God will never allow it.

17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! 18 The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. Proverbs 28:17-18

The Great Exchange…

The great exchange happens when a person gives his heart to Jesus. This transformation is instantaneous, even though it may take a while to regain all of its sensitivity. When a person answers God’s call, a heart transplant takes place. This new heart gives us back the power to overcome the power of sin, the sensitivity to God’s voice, the honesty with ourselves to accept truth, and the willingness to listen and obey Him. What more could you ask for? The great exchange, too wonderful for words.

18 “When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. 19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, 20 so they will obey My decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be My people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those who long for vile images and detestable idols, I will repay them fully for their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Ezekiel 11:18-21

The Antidote To Our Poison…

Never forget God is our hope, our refuge, and our sanctuary. He is not just a Spiritual Being. He is the Source of life with all the answers, comfort, peace, forgiveness, mercy, grace, salvation, and hope we could ever want or need. He is the solution to our problems, the antidote to our poison, the calm during the storm, the medicine for our sickness, and the peace in our war. Until we see God as the most important Person in our life, we will never grasp this scripture verse. It’s true, regardless if we see it or not. Ask Him to help you draw closer to Him today. Only then will God become your sanctuary in your time of exile. He will bring us home if we ask, for He is our Home. You can count on that.

16 “Therefore, tell the exiles, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. 17 I, the Sovereign Lord, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again.’ Ezekiel 11:16-17

God Knows Our Thoughts….

Knowing God knows our thoughts can bring about mixed emotions. It can make us feel vulnerable, knowing He knows before we do. It can make us feel guilty, knowing He knows every thought. It can make us feel nothing, taking for granted that He knows but have no immediate consequences. And lastly, it can bring comfort knowing that He is in control, and can help us manage our thoughts when we don’t like them. God knows everything; the beginning from the end. Knowing this, we can either embrace it and trust Him to help us, or see it as an infirmity and fight it the rest of our lives. God doesn’t change, so that only leaves us with one option: our attitude has to change. If God is important in your life, then you know what the right response will be (embracing it with gratitude). If God isn’t important to you, then continue living the way you’ve always been living, and continue to hope things will change. God knows our thoughts, even before they enter into our minds, and that means He knows us better than we know ourselves. If we want to truly know ourselves, then getting to know God is the surest way to achieve this goal. Know God, know yourself. No God, no peace.

5 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and He told me to say, “This is what the Lord says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds. Ezekiel 11:5

The Proven Way To God…

The proven way to God is consistently reading His Word, obeying it, and praying daily. When we seek Him whole-heartedly, we experience Him more thoroughly. God hears the prayers of the faithful follower. Knowing this, how does His response to your reverence for Him effect your life?

7 While Jesus was here on earth, He offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the One who could rescue Him from death. And God heard His prayers because of His deep reverence for God. 8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered. 9 In this way, God qualified Him as a perfect High Priest, and He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him. 10 And God designated Him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:7-10

Wear It Well….

In Ezekiel chapter nine we read of God sending men to kill the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem during the siege of the city. We learn that God sent a man ahead of them to mark the foreheads of those who were sorry and mourned for destruction of the city because of their sins. Those with marks on their forehead were spared. This got me thinking, “if God did that to America, would I be marked?” Would you be marked? What is it that would set me apart from others in order to be spared? Today before you leave the house, ask yourself, “what’s my mark?” What is it about me that others see that make me different? Is it love and compassion? Is it integrity and steadfast faith? Or do people see me any differently from others? Whatever you find your mark to be, make sure it’s God-given; then wear it well.

He said to him, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.”5 Then I heard the Lord say to the other men, “Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity! 6 Kill them all–old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin right here at the Temple.” So they began by killing the seventy leaders.7 “Defile the Temple!” the Lord commanded. “Fill its courtyards with corpses. Go!” So they went and began killing throughout the city.8 While they were out killing, I was all alone. I fell face down on the ground and cried out, “O Sovereign Lord! Will Your fury against Jerusalem wipe out everyone left in Israel?”9 Then He said to me, “The sins of the people of Israel and Judah are very, very great. The entire land is full of murder; the city is filled with injustice. They are saying, ‘The Lord doesn’t see it! The Lord has abandoned the land!’ 10 So I will not spare them or have any pity on them. I will fully repay them for all they have done.”11 Then the man in linen clothing, who carried the writer’s case, reported back and said, “I have done as You commanded.” Ezekiel 9:4-11

Without Wisdom, They Are Just Worthless Facts….

Education has value,and knowledge has value, but without wisdom, they are just worthless facts, acquired through lots of money and time. If there is one thing we could do to benefit not only ourselves but others as well, it would be to store up in our hearts the word of God. It’s the most valuable, useful, and beneficial knowledge you’ll ever attain. Think about it, Jesus told his disciples that God’s word was food to Him. You wouldn’t go a week without eating, would you? And so God’s word is the most powerful, most valuable, and most beneficial thing we can ever attain. It cuts through the bs, exposes our inner thoughts and attitudes and gives us the choice to follow and make right what we’ve wronged. It sets the guidelines in which we live. And rewards us when we live it out. And here’s the best part, it conquers evil. It’s weapons are defensive and offensive. And it’s truths are incontestable. God’s word feeds us spiritually, daily. It grants us wisdom and discernment. And equips us to shine light into a dark and hopeless world. What else can we say does all that? It’s worth pursuing. Ask God today to give you a resolve to acquire it and allow it to empower you to be a faithful witness to the world. For only in this lifetime we get to do what angels can’t do, acquire and spread the Good News of Jesus to the world. Take advantage of this fleeting opportunity by holding God’s word closest to your heart.

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the One to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:12-13

The Value We Place On Things….

The value we place on things is usually temporary. What we treasured as a child becomes meaningless as an adult. I remember wanting a coon skin hat, the Davy Crockett kind. We had gone to the rodeo and they had them there. My parents didn’t have the money to get one. I pouted for months. I eventually got one, but it had lost its magical fervor. Money tends to do the same thing to us. It gives us a false sense of security. We use it to obtain things that we think will make us happy, only later to find out it didn’t last very long. The value we place on things can also be very subjective, usually based on our circumstances. Case in point, a dehydrated, dying man crawling in the desert if given the choice of receiving a bucket of diamonds vs a bucket of fresh water will choose the bucket of water every time. Unless of course he is a fool. The bucket of diamonds will do him no good in his circumstance (death). That’s what the allure of wealth does. It’s valued by all until we get into a circumstance that renders it valueless. When that happens our priorities get rearranged and put into proper perspective. Usually this tragedy ends up being too late and we suffer regret which leaves us hopeless, unable to fix what we broke. Here in Ezekiel chapter 7 we see the Israelites who were trapped in Jerusalem being attacked by the Babylonian army desperate for help. God was punishing them for their sin. Their money, silver and gold were being tossed out in the streets like garbage. The point is, nothing will be able to save a human being from God’s judgement; not money, not popularity, not power, and not even a prominent position. Wealth cannot save us on the day of judgement. The only thing that can save us is our position in Christ. And money cannot put us there. What we value matters. And how we use it to get to that position matters more. Value our relationship with God the most and we benefit and receive the greatest value of return. Don’t buy into Satan’s lies about money. It will eventually cost you your life. And the only wealth you will receive is the punishment unrepentant sin so richly deserves.

19 “They will throw their money in the streets,tossing it out like worthless trash.Their silver and gold won’t save them on that day of the Lord’s anger.It will neither satisfy nor feed them,for their greed can only trip them up. Ezekiel 7:19

Living Your Life With No Hope….

Can you imagine living your life with no hope? Imagine getting up every day and looking out your window and seeing no hope. Here in Ezekiel chapter 7 God tells Ezekiel to tell the Israelites that their sin is being punished, doom is awaiting them. He will call them to account for all their detestable sin’s. Not one person whose life twisted by sin will recover. When God deals with unrepentant sin He takes whatever hope we have away. Ultimately, He casts it into the farthest part of the universe, never to return for those who refuse to make right what they’ve wronged. This is the destiny of those who reject Him. And there is a place where people reside that has no hope, it’s called Hell. It’s permanent. There people will know God is real. They will know how loving and just He is, but never get to experience it, while being tormented with their own anger and regret, robbed of any hope, because of their own decision to reject God. I would never wish this on anyone. But sadly, people choose it for themselves. Unrepentant sin ultimately steals any hope we may have and leaves us in a place no one would ever want to be. We all have a choice. Choose God or choose our own pride. The outcomes are vastly different. Hope only resides when we swallow our pride, being honest with ourselves, and deal with sin the only way it can be remedied, through repentance. It’s easy, just hard to swallow and do.

3 No hope remains,for I will unleash My anger against you.I will call you to accountfor all your detestable sins.4 I will turn My eyes away and show no pity.I will repay you for all your detestable sins.Then you will know that I am the Lord. 5 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says:Disaster after disasteris coming your way!6 The end has come.It has finally arrived.Your final doom is waiting!7 O people of Israel, the day of your destruction is dawning.The time has come; the day of trouble is near.Shouts of anguish will be heard on the mountains,not shouts of joy.8 Soon I will pour out My fury on youand unleash My anger against you.I will call you to accountfor all your detestable sins.9 I will turn My eyes away and show no pity.I will repay you for all your detestable sins.Then you will know that it is I, the Lord,who is striking the blow. 10 “The day of judgment is here;your destruction awaits!The people’s wickedness and pridehave blossomed to full flower.11 Their violence has grown into a rodthat will beat them for their wickedness.None of these proud and wicked people will survive.All their wealth and prestige will be swept away.12 Yes, the time has come;the day is here!Buyers should not rejoice over bargains,nor sellers grieve over losses,for all of them will fallunder My terrible anger.13 Even if the merchants survive,they will never return to their business.For what God has said applies to everyone–it will not be changed!Not one person whose life is twisted by sinwill ever recover.  Ezekiel 7:3-13

Refuse To Go There….

This core truth revealed in scripture is the remedy for man’s sin. It’s so simple, yet extremely hard to do. It opposes our pride. It tells us what kind of Person God really is. Forgiveness is right there waiting for us, just one short breath away. Yet this one simple act (repentance) when confronted with our Pride, will keep many out of Heaven. Is it really worth it? I’ll answer this with two questions that only you can answer. If someone offends you and they ask you to forgive them, what will you do? If you offend someone else, and you ask them to forgive you, what do you expect? Your answers will reveal the condition of your heart. If it’s filled with pride, repentance may never give you access to salvation, because you refuse to go there. My question to you would be, if you expect forgiveness from someone else but not be willing to forgive, your sin will not prosper and you will not receive mercy in return.

13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13

Fear God Not Man….

When Jesus tells us to fear God over fearing man, it wasn’t a new concept. Here in Psalm 119 we read of this same principle. Fearing God more than man keeps us in the right mindset. It protects us from “Political Correctness”. It saves us from the regret of compromise. It keeps us on the right path. Fearing God is the proper attitude we all need to have, because it sets our eyes on the eternal. It’s where humility is birthed. Fearing God is where wisdom begins. When we focus on the Almighty, the temporary mighty doesn’t seem so intimidating, because we know their power won’t last. God reigns King of all, no matter if people don’t accept Him. And when we serve the king whole-heartedly, things go well for us. If there is ever a question as to Whom we should hold in the highest regard, God is the only answer worth considering. It’s because of His Grace that He is worthy of our devotion. Fear God not man. It sets our priorities in the right place.

Powerful people harass me without cause,but my heart trembles only at Your word.162 I rejoice in Your wordlike one who discovers a great treasure.163 I hate and abhor all falsehood,but I love Your instructions.164 I will praise You seven times a daybecause all Your regulations are just.165 Those who love Your instructions have great peaceand do not stumble.166 I long for Your rescue, Lord,so I have obeyed Your commands.167 I have obeyed Your laws,for I love them very much.168 Yes, I obey Your commandments and lawsbecause You know everything I do. Psalms 119:161-168

Simply The Messengers…

Christianity is an individual, personal journey. It involves individuals, who have made a commitment to follow Jesus, coming together collectively, forming what We call the Church, and the Bible calls His Bride. We cannot be saved through someone else’s faith or commitment. We cannot come to faith because of our parent’s commitment or non-commitment. It may help or hurt our decision making, but they are not the blame or the justification of our decisions. Once we make that personal decision to follow God, He provides us with all that we need. That might mean thick-skin, the ability to take criticism beyond what normal people can stand, or an enormous amount of patience and respectfulness. Or a combination of both. Regardless, there will always be people who will oppose the Gospel message, so we have to understand that we are simply the messengers of the Good News. When we are attacked and persecuted, it’s because of God not because of something we did. Ezekiel is a great example of this, as were all the prophets. God tells him that He made his (Ezekiel’s) forehead as hard as stone in order to keep on prophesying to the exiled Israelites. God provides us with our needs, even up to the last second of life. Trust Him and all your needs will be met. And if you don’t feel like you’re where you need to be in your walk, realize God knows exactly where you are and He might just use your perceived “hardness” to further His kingdom by dealing with hard-hearted, obstinate people in desperate need of hearing the “Good News”. The only thing we can use to cut diamonds is another diamond. Our walk with God is a personal one. Keep the faith.

7 But the people of Israel won’t listen to you any more than they listen to Me! For the whole lot of them are hard-hearted and stubborn. 8 But look, I have made you as obstinate and hard-hearted as they are. 9 I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock! So don’t be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.”10 Then He added, “Son of man, let all My words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. 11 Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.” Ezekiel 3:7-11

Why Doesn’t God Reveal Himself….

Skeptics always ask, “Why doesn’t God reveal Himself?” Well, He has, through creation, and through Jesus. If you want to know God, then know Jesus. It’s funny how skeptics need little evidence to believe a lie, but demand enormous amounts of evidence to believe the truth. No other religion or group has this privilege. Christians have been given the gift of grace through Jesus. Get to know Him and your faith will empower you to live life as it was meant to be lived.

1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son He created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave Him is greater than their names. The Son Is Greater Than the Angels 5 For God never said to any angel what He said to Jesus: “You are My Son.Today I have become Your Father.” God also said, “I will be His Father,and He will be My Son.” 6 And when He brought His firstborn Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship Him.” 7 Regarding the angels, He says, “He sends His angels like the winds,His servants like flames of fire.” 8 But to the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.You rule with a scepter of justice.9 You love justice and hate evil.Therefore, O God, Your God has anointed You,pouring out the oil of joy on You more than on anyone else.” 10 He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundation of the earthand made the heavens with Your hands.11 They will perish, but You remain forever.They will wear out like old clothing.12 You will fold them up like a cloakand discard them like old clothing.But You are always the same;You will live forever.” 13 And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at My right handuntil I humble Your enemies,making them a footstool under Your feet.” 14 Therefore, angels are only servants–spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:1-14

Knowing We Are Declared Righteous…

Godfidence - knowing we are declared righteous by God (undeservedly), and being assured that we will inherit eternal life. Instead of trying to be confident in ourselves, why not pursue this virtue? It’s something no one can ever diminish, or take away. And it’s something we can always draw on to renew our hope. God can be trusted.

4 But–“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, 5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. Titus 3:4-8

See Right Through People….

They say children can see right through people when they are fake or insincere. Well, I would add believers to that list, when they are close to the Lord. He grants discernment to those who are faithful, which allows the world’s attitude to no longer have a grip on them. Sincerity and integrity go a long way with those that believe in God. And it goes even further with God Himself.

11 Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. Proverbs 28:11

Those That Show No Respect….

In our modern world, believers need to stand up and call out those that show no respect. We are to pray for them, show them the cause of their behavior, and point them towards God. If we don’t, who will? Part of living out the Gospel is loving others enough to tell them the truth. People will realize this when they actually see true, Godly love being lived out. And part of living it out is showing people what love and respect looks like, a lost art in modern society today. Ask God to help you be the light people need to see.

16 The Lord Himself has scattered them, and He no longer helps them. People show no respect for the priests and no longer honor the leaders. Lamentations 4:16

When We “Sign Up” For Christianity…

When we “sign up” for Christianity we must realize what it all entails. It is not all “snips and snails and puppy dog tails”. The prosperity gospel isn’t part of the agreement either, at least not in the monetary sense. True Christianity is being rejected, ridiculed, slandered, and lonely at times. It’s being needed when things go bad, but being abandoned when things are good (get used to it). People don’t want to hear the Gospel message. They don’t want to be fed truth. The world will hate you if you disagree with its message. But take heart, God is good to those who depend on Him, to those that seek Him out. And that, by far, outweighs the adversity, the struggle, the loneliness, the rejection, and the persecution we will face. Knowing God’s faithfulness and goodness are the reward for pursuing Him in this lifetime, is the reward. Eternal life is the greater reward in the life to come. Jeremiah experienced all of these things in his lifetime. The destruction of Jerusalem was one event that ended many people’s hope. It devastated Jeremiah, but it was his faith and close relationship with the Lord, that ultimately won out. Imagine living life with no hope. You’d probably spend your entire life trying to find some, looking in all the wrong places, only to find your journey to be in vain. When we sign up for Christianity, just know it will be a long and arduous journey, filled with ups and downs, and tragedies and triumphs. Peace will be constant, hope will always be staring you through the front windshield of your car, and confidence in God will be the sustaining factor because His presence is the greatest gift. In the end, you will known it’s worth when we get to see God face to face and hear those all encompassing words, “well done, good and faithful servant”. That’s real life. That’s real hope. That’s Christianity.

20 I will never forget this awful time,as I grieve over my loss.21 Yet I still dare to hopewhen I remember this: 22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!His mercies never cease.23 Great is His faithfulness;His mercies begin afresh each morning.24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;therefore, I will hope in Him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who depend on Him,to those who search for Him.26 So it is good to wait quietlyfor salvation from the Lord.27 And it is good for people to submit at an early ageto the yoke of His discipline: 28 Let them sit alone in silencebeneath the Lord’s demands.29 Let them lie face down in the dust,for there may be hope at last.30 Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike themand accept the insults of their enemies. 31 For no one is abandonedby the Lord forever.32 Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion because of the greatness of His unfailing love.33 For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow. 34 If people crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land,35 if they deprive others of their rightsin defiance of the Most High,36 if they twist justice in the courts–doesn’t the Lord see all these things? 37 Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission?38 Does not the Most High send both calamity and good?39 Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? 40 Instead, let us test and examine our ways.Let us turn back to the Lord.41 Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven and say,42 “We have sinned and rebelled, and You have not forgiven us.  Lamentations 3:20-42

The Most Valuable Things To Pursue….

The only things that last forever on this earth are God’s word, and the souls of people. Why not focus on those two things? Why not make them the most valuable things to pursue? Why not trust God’s proven word? Why not rearrange your priorities to reflect this new value system? Certainty and change co-exist. No one really likes change. Comfort comes in certainty. Why not trust God’s word and experience what certainty can do in an ever changing world?

O Lord, You are righteous,and Your regulations are fair.138 Your laws are perfectand completely trustworthy.139 I am overwhelmed with indignation,for my enemies have disregarded Your words.140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested;that is why I love them so much.141 I am insignificant and despised,but I don’t forget Your commandments.142 Your justice is eternal,and Your instructions are perfectly true.143 As pressure and stress bear down on me,I find joy in Your commands.144 Your laws are always right;help me to understand them so I may live. Psalms 119:137c-144

4 But–“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, 5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. Titus 3:4-8

This Isn’t True…..

I hear people say all the time that “we are all children of God”. This isn’t true. The Bible clearly tells us that we are all enemies of God. The only way we become children of God is through repentance, forgiveness, and allegiance to Jesus. This transformation is called salvation and sanctification. Here in America God has protected us not because we are all children of His, but because of the real believers that live here. One day He will remove that hand of protection because of our collective sin. And that will be because of those who are not His children outnumber those who are. He will bend His bow even against those that follow Him in order to punish those that despise Him. But take note, even in this punishment, He will protect and provide for His faithful followers. If He didn’t, He wouldn’t be the God of the Universe. He wouldn’t be just, merciful, and loving. He wouldn’t be worthy of our worship. No one is beyond the love of God. It’s there waiting for us to embrace it. But we have to embrace it. That’s when we become true “children of God”.

All the strength of Israel vanishes beneath His fierce anger.The Lord has withdrawn His protection as the enemy attacks.He consumes the whole land of Israel like a raging fire. 4 He bends His bow against His people,as though He were their enemy.His strength is used against them to kill their finest youth.His fury is poured out like fire on beautiful Jerusalem. Lamentations 2:3-4

4 But–“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, 5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. Titus 3:4-8

One Thing Sin Does….

One thing sin does in its deception is it keeps thoughts about our future out of our minds. When we don’t take an idea that requires action all the way through to its end, we fail in our evaluation of that idea. When we fail in our evaluation, the chances are almost a guarantee that idea will be disastrous. Think about instant gratification. Does it involve future thought? Does it distract by making the “now” more important than using discernment? Does it even allow future thought? Sin has a way either through blatant deception or through subtle distraction to accomplish its goal of separating us from God. The solution is to recognize its avenues of deceit, and not allow it to run its course. Sin’s ability to make us run away from God can be stopped by realizing God’s love for us gives us a choice. We can choose to repent of our sin, ask for forgiveness, and embrace God’s mercy. He doesn’t want us to perish. He wants us to follow Him. The next time sin creeps in and whispers “RUN”, we still have a choice. Choose to run towards God, not away from Him. It may seem difficult fighting your pride, but you’ll get used to it, and in the end, it won’t compare to the alternative. Without God there is no hope. Without God there is no peace. Without God life isn’t “living” at all, it’s just existing, pretending is more like it. Hope comes from God. And hope about your future plays a key role in truly living life. Don’t let sin rob you of this gracious gift.

9 She defiled herself with immorality and gave no thought to her future. Now she lies in the gutter with no one to lift her out.“Lord, see my misery,” she cries. “The enemy has triumphed.” Lamentations 1:9

Run Away From People….

Our behavior directly reflects the effectiveness our witness will have on others. Never forget this. When selfish moments come, and they will come, run away from people, so that it won’t tarnish the gospel.

9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. Titus 2:9-10

Rearranging….

One of the most ironic outcomes of gaining wealth by taking advantage of others (greed), is it eventually ends up in someone else’s hands that will use it to benefit others that really need help. God is good. God provides everything we need for life, it’s just a matter of rearranging things (2 Peter 1:3-4). God knows this and does the rearranging. Imagine what man corrupts through greed, God still makes good come out of it.

8 Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. Proverbs 28:8

Believers Want To Help….

When we truly seek God and are willing to except God’s truth regardless of the cost, He grants us understanding. As we grow closer we understand Him better. And that helps us live in a world full of chaos, deception, and misinformation. Unbelievers don’t see this, that believers want to help them see the truth and help resurrect them from the deception and condemnation that listening to the world brings.

Your laws are wonderful.No wonder I obey them!130 The teaching of Your word gives light,so even the simple can understand.131 I pant with expectation,longing for Your commands.132 Come and show me Your mercy,as You do for all who love Your name.133 Guide my steps by Your word,so I will not be overcome by evil.134 Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;then I can obey Your commandments.135 Look upon me with love;teach me Your decrees.136 Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey Your instructions. Psalms 119:129-136

With Him, Or Against Him….

With all the craziness going on in America today, you have to wonder what the cause could be. Reading through Jeremiah chapter 51, you might be given a possible reason. It tells us that Babylon was a gold cup in God’s hand. And that the world has drank from it becoming intoxicated, making it lose its mind. In God’s sovereignty, He uses all things, good and evil, to accomplish His will; to bring all believers into His kingdom. Maybe all these crazy people with all their crazy ideas and actions are drunk from Satan’s deceptive gold cup. Maybe God allowed them to drink from it to separate the sheep from the goats. Maybe all these violent protesters, who don’t really know what they want, are being used to bring new believers closer to God. Maybe long-time followers of Christ are being given a reminder to stay strong and persevere. And maybe just maybe, the absurdity of this craziness with either be a conviction in new conversions to the faith, or a condemnation to those reveling in their wickedness. Regardless, God will get His glory in all of this. The paramount question remains, which side are you on? Are you a faithful believer trusting God’s sovereignty, continually pursuing Him daily, regardless of the emotional swing it brings upon you? Or are you one contributing to the chaos, rejecting truth, and participating in the “hatred to end hatred”? Either way God is sovereign, He will accomplish what He has set out to do. We are either with Him, or against Him, even if we are complacent.

7 Babylon has been a gold cup in the Lord’s hands, a cup that made the whole earth drunk. The nations drank Babylon’s wine, and it drove them all mad. Jeremiah 51:7

Nominal Christian…..

Nominal Christian - one who proclaims to know God, but denies Him by the way they live. Hypocrite might be a better definition. The worst witness anyone can ever have is to have your words never match your behavior. Over time people will see that what you claim to be and what you actually are don’t match up. And Jesus said it best, “When salt loses its saltiness, it’s worthless, and needs to be thrown out and trampled underfoot”. Claiming to be something you are not will only last a short period of time. People aren’t stupid. You can’t give what you don’t possess. Living a lie strips a person of their very own soul. It damages the conscience. And wastes every bit of your energy and thought-life trying to keep up with the lie. In the end, pretending to be someone you’re not, will expose you for what you really are, a hypocrite performing in a theater, that in moments the curtain will fall, the audience will leave, and you’ll be left standing on an empty stage wishing there was more limelight. But it never returns. You either pursue authenticity, or you pretend to be something or someone you are not. God knows the difference. And that’s what matters most. Hypocrisy has a short attention span. At the end of being nominal, people find themselves all alone, with no one but the undertaker attending their funeral.

15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good. Titus 1:15-16

Character Is More Important….

Character is more important than money. Sure we need money to live, but we don’t need it in abundance. Look at the world’s problems. Money can’t fix them, can it? If it could, why do problems still exist? Simply because people lack character, and live to please themselves. Can money buy your way out of an instance where you displayed a complete lack of character? Can riches fix a bad reputation? Money may buy a person’s ability to let an incident slide, but no amount of money can fix people’s knowledge of a heart that is lacking integrity. What is in your heart, once revealed, will stay with others, and form opinions that may never be altered. There’s only one way to win a person’s loyalty and money is only superficial or a temporary fix at best. Having character sets the tone in every relationship. Trust is based on how people behave, how honest they are, and not by how much money one has. If you examine this proverb, you’ll find these comparisons are at both ends of the spectrum, Rich-poor, and honest-dishonest. These qualities factor into our character and relationships more than you think. Notice you can’t be both at the same time.

6 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. Proverbs 28:6