“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27)

Anxiety, worry, fret, distress, agitation, tension, irritability are emotions that we experience, and that effect our life, our decisions, and ultimately the direction of our life. Jesus addresses this issue in Matthew 6:25-34. He does not want us to be anxious and full of worry; He wants us to live life trusting in Him. He does not want us making decisions based on fear of the future; rather, He wants the direction of our life to be established on eternal truths instead of temporal things and empty promises that the world offers.

The Bible tells us that to worry and be anxious is not good; and it basically means that we fret because we don’t trust God. We don’t trust that He will help us through the situations that we’re facing and we don’t depend on Him to take care of us.

As Jesus was teaching, the word “worry” is found at least six times! The main thought in each occurrence is that we should not worry about the future. We shouldn’t worry about what we’re going to eat, drink, or wear (verse 31), for God knows all about these “needs” (verse 32) and He will surely provide for all our needs if we “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (verse 33).

Jesus asks a question in verse 27: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” The argument is very realistic, because, anxiety doesn’t get you anywhere; it doesn’t do you any good to worry. Whatever problem is causing you to feel anxious, you can be sure your anxiety will not lessen the problem. It will only make you miserable while you try to deal with it; so learn not to be anxious.

The truth is, no amount of worrying can lengthen your life. Instead, worrying robs you of sleep, health and many other things. In fact, it is only when you are worry-free that God’s anointing flows freely in you, strengthening, healing, and restoring to you the years that the locust has eaten, (Joel 2:25).

Secondly, it is foolish to be anxious, because, it demonstrates that we are “men of little faith.”

Our anxiety level is a good indicator of how much we really trust the Lord. It seems incredible, but we seem to have an easier time trusting that God will save our soul from Hell because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross than to trust that He will provide for our daily needs. If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, can’t we also trust Him for our daily needs? Jesus said, ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself,’ (Matthew 6:34). 

How can we avoid anxiety? First, trust in God. If God provides food for birds and clothes flowers with beauty, will he not provide the necessities of life for humans who make obeying Him a priority in their life? (Matthew 6:25-26, 28-30). Second, take one day at a time. Jesus said to never be anxious about the next day, because, the next day will have its own concerns.

So what is the remedy for not worrying? There are many Bible verses that provide the answer to this question one of them being Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Not to anxious about anything means we won’t be worrying about something and this is possible only through prayer and thanksgiving. If there is any concern about food, drink, clothing, or any other need we have, we simply need to bring those needs to the Lord in prayer. We need to ask and after asking we need to start thanking God for His provisions because He will provide for us. If we do this, worry will vanish from our lives and it will be replaced by “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.”

Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ. Then ask Him to help you put your worries into His hands every day. When anxieties come, bring them to God in prayer. When worries threaten, answer them with God’s promises by casting “all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). 

We may not be able to prevent anxious thoughts from entering our mind, but we can count on the Lord to provide for our needs, protect us from evil, guide us, and keep our soul secure for eternity. Remember that God will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in Him, (Isaiah 26:3). And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). 

Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly and to the fullness. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:10-11). 

Are you serving the thief who wants to kill and destroy and steal your life and joy? Or are you serving the “Good Shepherd” who is longing to give you an abundant life overflowing with joy and peace?  

People who worry and fail to trust God merely exist; however, the people who love and trust God are living abundantly and to the fullest. 

*******

Advertisements

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34).

 Why is obedience to God so important? Because it proves our love for Him (1 John 5:2-3), demonstrates our faithfulness to Him (1 John 2:3-6), glorifies Him in the world (1 Peter 2:12), and opens avenues of blessing for us (John 13:17).

By faith, Abraham obeyed God’s call even though he didn’t know where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). And that’s exactly how we should obey the Lord. He doesn’t reveal the entire way because with each step into the unknown, He’s strengthening our faith.

Faith is necessary to please God (Hebrews 11:6), and if our faith is genuine and true, we will live a lifestyle characterized by righteousness, modeling the example set for us by Jesus Christ. We obey His commands, not because we have to, but because we want to, because we love Him. Once we believe in Christ and are saved, we are a new creation and we want to obey Him because: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When we obey the Lord, we can live a life of joy, without shame, rooted deeply in the Lord and confident in our eternal hope. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

When God’s children obey their Heavenly Father, He is glorified. Jesus told us that His purpose and desire is for others to “see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Of course, performing “good deeds” requires obedience to the One who calls us to good deeds. A Christian’s testimony of holiness is a strong witness that God is at work in the world. “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to Him” (Psalm 128:1).

Christians must take a stand against worldly practice and obey the Lord. Daniel has given us an outstanding example of how to do this, not only courageously, but graciously and successfully. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8)

As one of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility (Daniel 1:3), he realized that he had the responsibility of maintaining a godly standard as a testimony for the true God when he was asked “to serve in the king’s palace” (Daniel 1:4); after he and his friends had been carried into captivity.

Daniel knew that the king’s wine would be harmful were he to partake of it. Also, the king’s meat would certainly be prepared in an unlawful way and come from unclean sources that would be prohibited for him, as a Jew, to eat (Leviticus 11:7-8; 17:10-14). Therefore, he determined in his heart to take a stand against it and not to defile himself.

The Babylonians thought they were doing him and his friends a great favor, and Daniel appreciated this; so, Daniel handled the situation in a very wise and courteous manner and suggested: “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants” (Daniel 1:12-13).

God honored Daniel’s graciousness, as well as his courageous faithfulness, and so will He do for us as well. Being assertive like Daniel was, is what a Christian should learn to do in a non-Christian world. We must “be ready always to give an answer,” and it should be done, not arrogantly, but “with meekness” (1 Peter 3:15).

Being obedient to God means living by the Spirit and walking in His love, as we abide in Him, trusting Him to guide our life, to train us to live righteously and to empower us to be all He created us to be.

We need to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, trust the law He has written on our hearts, and obey from a heart that is filled with God’s love.

Jesus was teaching us that obeying the Father brought Him fulfillment. It wasn’t the approval of the crowds who came to hear Him speak, but the joy of pleasing the Father that satisfied Him. It would be good for us to learn this important lesson from our Savior, so that He can use us to accomplish His purposes in this world.

We need to understand that God works all things, according to His purpose. Nothing can happen without God permitting it. Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.” God has numbered our days and will fulfill every purpose He has for each one of us if we are obedient to His calling.

Like the prodigal, if we have gone astray we can always choose to be obedient and come back to Him and He will welcome us with open arms.

Keep in mind that when we choose to obey God, He will bless us. Therefore, let’s obey the Lord and watch Him work in our life.

*******

 

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

One of the sad truths is that Christians can sin. No matter how diligently we devote ourselves to practicing righteousness, sometimes we can fail and we sin. When we realize that we have disobeyed God, our immediate response should be to confess and get right with Him. However; we do not have to sin; sin is a choice, and NO, the devil didn’t make you do it.

The Bible tells us that, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). And the remedy available is also found in Scripture. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This forgiveness is based on the fact that “the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

In the first part of verse 13 we find the world’s way of dealing with sin along with the result such action brings; “He who conceals his sins does not prosper.”

A sinner in his pride always wishes to be thought of better than he is; and since man’s conscience bears witness that his actions are evil, he seeks to cover or hide his sin.

When a person conceals their sin by denying it, it still does not remove its effects. God’s Word states that despite man’s effort to conceal his sin, “he shall not proper.” God’s natural, moral and spiritual laws cannot be avoided; He cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7). Although sin in its spiritual nature cannot be seen by human eyes and weighed by human scales, it is real and so are its effects.

The voice of God summoned Adam from his hiding place to receive his sentence (Genesis 3:9). Abel’s hidden blood cried from the ground in Genesis 5:10-12. Conscience lashed out and stole the joy of life from Joseph’s brothers (Genesis 42:21-23). Saul’s covering his sin cost him his kingdom (1 Samuel 15:21-23). The leprosy of Naaman clung to Gahazi and his seed forever (2 Kings 5:27). We need to understand that the deeds done in the deepest darkness are visible and clear to an omniscient God.

When we read the account of Achan in Joshua chapter 7; nothing was to be plundered from the city of Jericho, but Achan buried gold and clothing underneath his tent. When his sin was eventually discovered, he and his family died as a result. And here we see again that the man who conceals his sin shall not prosper. Rather than admit his guilt and perhaps call on the mercy of God or at least demonstrate reverence for Him, Achan attempted to hide and paid the price.

It is important to comprehend that the sins that entangle us must never be ignored because the transgression we try to cover up will eventually bring us down.

The opposite activity of concealing is confessing and forsaking our transgressions; “but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Genuine confession stands opposed to the covering of sin. “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2).

Confession is to be made to the one against who sin has been committed. All sin is against God; therefore all sin needs to be confessed to God. If acts of sin have also been committed against another person, confession should be made to them also.

We do not admit our wrongdoing for God’s benefit for He knows all. God demands complete confession for our good. Because, it brings the divine victory over pride and self-deception and initiates our return to God, just as we read in the story Jesus told about the prodigal son.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:17-24).

Notice that once sin is confessed and forsaken, mercy is found. Mercy means compassion or kind leniency shown toward an offender; resulting in not receiving the due justice for our sin. Once we earnestly confess and renounce, mercy places sin under the shed blood of Christ where it is forgotten and never remembered again by God (Hebrews 8:12, Isaiah 43:25).

This amazing forgiveness by our Lord and Savior should take us to our knees and pray each day as David did. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Confession is the solution to the problem of guilt. What about you? Is there something in your life that you are covering up? It won’t work. You can’t fool God. Admit your transgression to the Lord and experience His mercy, love, and grace. Confession is the key that opens the door to forgiveness and purification of the soul.

God is the only One who has the solution and He gives us this wonder working promise, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

It is only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ that sin’s stain can be removed, and we can be forgiven and cleansed. So, how can we be inspired to not sin and live a life that honors God and our Savior?

Get to know God in His great Holiness, dignity and majesty and spend much time in prayer, reading the Word and humbly walking with Him. Humility is the best protection against sin, rebellion and pride. 

*******

The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. (Proverbs 17:24)

Discernment is the ability to decide wisely between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth, especially about God’s Word.

The Bible makes it clear that discernment is something that we should all desire and that it is necessary to help us to grow in our faith and keep us from being deceived (Hebrews 5:14).

Spiritual discernment has to do with the capacity of knowing truth, and comes from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we will also gain spiritual discernment, which is a growing ability to know and obey the truth.

We need discernment in order to understand the Bible itself. Our human minds cannot understand the Scriptures without the discernment that comes from the Holy Spirit. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The wisdom we need for our lives is contained within God’s word, but it is impossible to comprehend, unless we have the discernment to understand them (2 Timothy 3:12–17).

Discernment also means “to diligently search, to examine.” We see a great example of this with the Christians of Berea. They not only listened to Paul’s teaching, but after hearing what he said they went to the scriptures to see if what he taught was true.  Because the Bereans checked Paul’s teaching against Scripture, he commended them saying: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). 

Christians who spiritually discern are able to properly distinguish between true and false teaching. Those with discernment have wisdom. Moreover, in the Bible we’re told that a true believer possesses the mind of Christ. “But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)

As we see, God only gives the spiritual man the knowledge of His will, because he has the mind of Christ. 

So how do Christians grow in spiritual discernment? By allowing the Holy Spirit to be their guiding light; your word is a lamp to my feet (Psalm 119:105); and thorough carefully studying the Bible.

We as born again Christians are commanded to test what’s being taught. The apostle John tells us to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Why is “testing” so important? “Because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

Seeking discernment is a goal for all who desire to walk righteously: Hosea 14:9 says: “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them.”

We are commanded to “hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). But, unless we have true discernment, how can we determine what is “evil” and what is “good”? We can only do it because of the continued presence of the Holy Spirit in us, we never have to make a decision alone, or trust our limited resources. He is always with us to guide us to all truth, and to remind us of the words of Jesus Christ, “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 and 16:13). So we have the responsibility to put the word of God in our mind, so that He can make us remember it; so that we maintain the purity of the gospel, and know how to distinguish the truth from heresy.

So, to gain spiritual discernment, we must seek God and to do this we are instructed to pray for wisdom. James 1:5-6 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting…”

Therefore, we must look for wisdom in God’s Word because, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

As we seek to know Jesus more, study the truth of God’s Word, learn to put truth into practice in our life and rely on the Holy Spirit within us, we will grow in spiritual discernment.

We can be confident that God will provide us with the wisdom and discernment we need, when we ask Him for it, because He desires us to live an empowered Christian life, filled with the understanding we need to follow Christ.

In summary, spiritual discernment is the ability to distinguish with clarity what is true and what is false when it comes to God’s Word. Consequently, a person with strong spiritual discernment can distinguish if a teaching, idea, or doctrine that they are hearing comes from God or comes from another source.

In our world with many competing voices that claim to speak for God, we need spiritual discernment. Without discernment, we are going to be led astray by false teachers and wrong ideas.

If we want to have discernment, we need to read God’s word, learn God’s word, and constantly apply it to our life. This will give us the training we need to withstand the wrong ideas about God in the world.

God has called and empowered His children to be warriors of truth and to protect the weak believers among us; He will not bless us if we become religious weakling and “yes men and women” for false religious leaders and manipulators. So study the Bible and “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

So like Paul, we pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:9-10).

*******

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

It’s interesting that Peter, a man who had been known for his impulsiveness, in these verses shows us a disciplined approach to spiritual growth. So as we see, if Peter who once was the impulsive fisherman could become a disciplined, godly man, then anyone can do the same.  

Peter is saying, because God has imparted new life and spiritual riches to us in Christ, we should be diligent to grow in godliness. 

As we look back to the two previous verses we read where Peter told us that when we believed in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness (1:3). And that through the glory and moral perfection of Christ, He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires (1:4). 

We need to understand that before God imparted new life to us, we were dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). When we trusted in Christ as Savior and Lord, was not due to our own achievement was not due to our own achievement, it was because God mercifully opened our blind eyes to see through His Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7). 

The point is we cannot begin to grow as a Christian until we have received new life from God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the life of Christ in us that gives us the motivation and power to change and grow spiritually. The instant we trust in Christ, God graciously gives us the key to the unfathomable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8), which supplies us with everything we need to live a godly life. 

Peter writes that faith is the foundation on which the other virtues rest and from which they grow. We receive faith in Christ as God’s gift (1:1), but then we supply the other qualities, which are the fruit of faith (1:8). So, to grow in godliness, we need to make sure that we have trusted in Jesus Christ and His gracious promises; because faith is the essential foundation for growing in godliness. 

Now to grow in godliness, we must have the right motivation and add to it diligence (1:5). Peter is basically saying that God has given us His life and all of His promises; now, we need to apply diligence so that we may grow. 

Think about this; are we applying “all diligence” to grow in Christ? Do we make time to grow spiritually? Do we read accurate commentaries, theological books and important doctrinal matters that broaden our mind to think about the hard questions in the Bible? If we don’t, we will not grow spiritually the way God wants us to. 

So, what does growth entail? Where should we focus? This brings us to the topic of our text. To grow in godliness you must make progress in the areas Peter states. 

Faith is the foundation; to that we must supply virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.  

Why did Peter choose these qualities? Probably, because they are the opposite of the evil characteristics of the false teachers that he exposes further on in his letter. They claimed to have knowledge, but they didn’t know God, who is holy. They lacked self-control and continued in immorality (2:2, 10, 14, 18). They were not persevering in godliness, but had gone astray. Rather than demonstrating true brotherly kindness and love, they were simply exploiting people for their own gain; and lacked Christ likeness. 

“Faith” is the bedrock foundation. Without faith we are not Christians. “Moral excellence” (virtue) is necessary next, because without that, we cannot have a clear conscience. If we live in known disobedience to God, He will not reveal spiritual truth to us. Thus, virtue precedes “knowledge.” “Knowledge” follows, because we must know the Word of God to inform our conscience and guide us in all our thinking and behavior. 

But knowing the truth does not help if we do not practice “self-control” and “perseverance” to help us when trials and temptations come. As we persevere, we develop “godliness,” which refers to living in reverence to God in every situation. But true godliness is not just a private matter between the individual and God; it manifests itself in godly relationships. Consequently we need “brotherly kindness” and self-sacrificing “love.” 

The result of growing in these godly character qualities is that we will be useful and fruitful in knowing Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:8). Because He gave Himself on the cross to save us from God’s judgment, we should desire to be useful and fruitful as His blood-bought servant. But to be useful and fruitful, we must be growing in godliness, which requires diligent effort. 

Spiritual growth is a long process and it only shows results when we practice it consistently. If we are not making much spiritual progress, then we should examine ourselves because he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:9-11).

*******

 

“Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:37-38)

There is a similar verse to this one in Psalm 118:26, which is one of the great Messianic psalms. It was fulfilled, at least in a preliminary way, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a small donkey just one week before His resurrection, thereby acknowledging that He was fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy: “. . . behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly, and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

As Jesus rode into the city, many “took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!” (John 12:13). Many Christians still commemorate that occasion, which they call Palm Sunday, one week before Easter.

Unfortunately at that time most people, as well as nowadays, doubted, and soon rejected Him completely, crying out for Him to be put to death. He knew, of course, that this is what would happen, and He had already said: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem. . . See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 13:34-35).

When Jesus declares; “See! Your house is left to you desolate.” These solemn words were literally fulfilled in A.D. 70, when the Roman general Titus destroyed the city and slaughtered thousands of Jews and the nation was dispersed until 1948. As we see, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31); therefore, when God abandons a nation or an individual, that nation or person is truly left isolated!

Jesus not only issues a warning, but also a promise, that the nation would see Him again and that next time they will say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”, which is a quote from the messianic (Psalm 118:26).

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, this rejection by the Jews had a purpose from God’s view: As Paul writes in Romans 11:11-32, which in summary states that the Jews refuse to accept the Good News, so they are God’s enemies. This has happened to help the non-Jews. But the Jews are still God’s chosen people, and God loves them very much; He loves them because of the promises He made to their ancestors as we read in Isaiah 59:20-21 – “The Redeemer will come to Zion and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the Lord.  “As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.”

God never changes His mind about the people He calls and the things He gives them. At one time you refused to obey God. But now you have received mercy, because those people refused to obey. And now the Jews refuse to obey, because God showed mercy to you. But this happened so that they also can receive mercy from God. All people have refused to obey God. God has given them all over to their stubborn ways, so that God can show mercy to all.

We need to remember, that “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14), and that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for all are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28), that have made Him Savior and Lord of their life.

As we see, although God has set Israel aside in judgment during the present time of the Gentiles, when this period is fulfilled, Israel will experience a great turning back to God just before the second coming of Jesus the Messiah. And at that time the prophecy of Zechariah 12:10 will be fulfilled, “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

We need to understand though, that the warning and the promise of Luke 13:35 are not only for the nation Israel, they also apply to every individual. If anyone continue in rebellion against God and rejects the Savior whom He sent, God will leave them desolate, not only in this world, but for all eternity. But if anyone will repent of their sins and trust in the Savior who willingly went to the cross in obedience to the Father to save His people from their sins, then they will know the joy of saying, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

If you will humbly turn from your evil ways, repent and ask Jesus to be your Savior and the Lord of your life, He will hear you and you will be reconciled to God for time and eternity; and you will reign with Jesus when He comes in His glory with His holy angels.

Jesus told us: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). So let’s be ready for our Lord’s soon return and look forward to hear Him say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:23).

Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son!

(Ephesians 1:6)

*******

Therefore thus says the LORD, “Behold I am bringing disaster on them which they will not be able to escape; though they will cry to Me, yet I will not listen to them. (Jeremiah 11:11)

This verse gives the reader a very stern warning telling us that those that will not submit to God’s command will not be able to escape His wrath. There is no fleeing from His justice, or avoiding His presence. Evil pursues sinners and entangles them in traps from which they cannot free themselves; unless they turn from their wicked ways and seek Him with all their heart.

Jeremiah is called the “Weeping Prophet”, and his heart is distressed because of what his people are doing. The Jewish nation has gone astray because they have willfully and purposefully rejected God and his job is to call them back to Him.

Israel had broken covenant with God, and Jeremiah had the unpleasant task of warning them of the coming judgment.

Today, we see history repeating itself; we see the same things happening again. So let’s see what we mean by this statement. First, they were guilty of innocent blood.

“For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind” (Jeremiah 19:4-5).

It is hard to believe that these people could become so hard of heart that they would burn their children up as a sacrifice to a god – but that is what they did. They took the innocent, defenseless little newborn babies and killed them in such a horribly painful way.

Today it is no different as we read increasing accounts of child sacrifice to Satan, the god of this world; along with the horrific practices of abortion which kills millions of babies each year.

Heartless and uninformed people call babies a lump of flesh, when the Bible tells us that God created our inmost being; and knit each one of us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).

Judgment definitely is coming to any disobedient nation. Jeremiah writes, “But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it, declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 12:17).

Jeremiah also warns of judgment coming because of sexual practices. He knew what Leviticus and many other scriptures taught: “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13).

Notice that this sin was called an “abomination”. All sin is rebellion and all sin is appalling, however, this sin was singled out as an “abomination” to God. Those that support this sin are quick to attack the Word of God, but if they carefully read what happen in Sodom and Gomorrah and realize that they where annihilated because of this great abomination, there may be hope for people who decide to study the word of God and make a radical lifestyle change. 

The Bible is filled with warnings as we read in another passage in the New Testament. “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11); so as we see, there is hope.

Jeremiah also tells us that “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

When we look at many nations in this world, we see that those countries are rapidly coming under judgment because, as a society, we have voted to toss God out of our land. We have voted to clearly do that which we know God abhors. However, “When you tell these people all this and they ask you, ‘Why has the LORD decreed such a great disaster against us? What wrong have we done? What sin have we committed against the LORD our God?’ then say to them, ‘It is because your ancestors forsook me,’ declares the LORD, ‘and followed other gods and served and worshiped them. They forsook me and did not keep my law. But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors. See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts instead of obeying Me” (Jeremiah 16:10-12).

God’s judgment was coming on the Israelites because of many sins including child sacrifice and homosexuality; and because these people had rejected God; they rejected His rules and commandments; they rejected His covenant with them. The United States and many other countries in the world have done the same. What the Bible proclaims through Jeremiah over Israel – it proclaims over all disobedient nations.

From beginning to end of the book of Jeremiah, we see God pleading, begging, and inviting His beloved people to come back to Him. Again and again He pleads with them to return so He can bless them. But they stubbornly go on their sinful way.

God is pleading with our country, too. But, like, Israel, we are not listening. Abortion is a law of the land. Many states have legalized same sex marriage. Many states are requiring these sinful practices be taught in school to our kids. God has been removed from our legislative halls and from our courtrooms. We are raising a country of selfish, rebellious, hedonistic people who tolerate everything but God and Christianity.

So what are we going to do about it? Here are a few suggestions:

We need to humble ourselves and realize that we are far from God and very close to His ultimate judgment. We need desperately to get rid of all pride and humble ourselves before the Lord. We need to submit to God and resist the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7).

We have a merciful and forgiving God that wants us to come to Him; not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

We need to make an assessment of our life, admit our sin and turn from it; remembering that sin hinders our prayer life and robs us of spiritual power.

We need to speak the truth in love and need to pray daily for our nation.

God wants to forgive and restore, He does not want to destroy us. He does not want to bring judgment on us. He says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD…” (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

God has wonderful plans for us. He wants to prosper us. He wants to give us hope. He yearns for a loving relationship with us; but, we need to turn to Him and seek Him while He can still be found.

How can you escape the horrors of hell? The plan is as simple as A.B.C.

1. Admit that you are lost, sinful person and cannot save yourself from sin and hell.
2. Believe that Jesus Christ suffered on the cross to pay for all of your sins.
3. Confess that God raised Jesus from the grave – confess that you want Jesus Christ to be the absolute Lord of your live.

*******

 

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17) 

True Christians radiate Gods Holiness; we live in His presence and the Holy Spirit lives in our body.  

We are endowed with His attributes and His personality; we live in and with God’s dignity, purity, wisdom, humility, integrity, love and compassion. We are children of our great Father, Creator and King; we are priests unto our Holy God and Savior. 

If you are a True Christian – live like it every moment of your life – live like a child of The King.     

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). 

“Those who look to God are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame” (Psalm 34:5). 

Satan likes to try to condemn true Christians with false guilt about the past sins that they have committed; but we can counter those assaults from our arch enemy with the truth of God’s Word.  

Romans 8:1-2, Life Through the Spirit – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you a free from the law of sin and death.”  

“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). 

Every true born again Christian has a grave in their past; the old person is dead and buried. You are a new person in Christ; so don’t let Satan pretend to resurrect a dead person who does not exist anymore.  

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life” (Romans 6:22) 

 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

*******

 

 

“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens…When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:1, 3-4). 

In the beginning, God laid the earth’s foundations . . . and marked off its dimensions . . . while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy (Job 38:4-7). Everything He created was a work of art, a masterpiece. He designed a breathtaking beautiful world and pronounced it “very good” (Genesis 1:31); and all this to nurture our soul with His loving presence.  

All creation testifies to God’s goodness. The earth, the skies, the oceans, the trees and mountains, the sun, moon, and stars, all speak of the beauty and perfection of God. In the Genesis account we read how after each day of creation God looked on His works and called them good.  

Nature reveals to us God’s beauty, glory, power, wisdom, presence, creativity, and, most of all, His loving care. This is why we should spend time in the beauty of nature and enjoy His creation. Jesus makes continual use of nature in His parables that welcome us to find life with Him in the Kingdom of God. The revelation of God in nature is so prevailing that the Apostle Paul cautions if we don’t notice and honor our Creator we are without excuse (Romans 1:20); because through nature, God is able to teach us, speak to us, and provide for us. 

The whole universe gives testimony to God as Creator. The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies show that His hands created them. Day after day they speak about it. Night after night they make it known. But they don’t speak or use words. No sound is heard from them; yet their voice goes out into the whole earth. Their words go out from one end of the world to the other. God has set up a tent in the heavens for the sun . . . and the sun is like a great runner who takes delight in running a race. It rises at one end of the heavens; then it moves across to the other end and everything enjoys its warmth (Psalm 19). 

The sun shining in the sky gives testimony to the existence and care of God for without it there would be no life on earth; and the truths about God handiwork are all around, for all of us to see.  

We have an awesome God that loves us. Next time you have an opportunity to stand at the foot of a waterfall, a rushing river, or on top of a mountain; take time to reflect on the power of the Creator. Another marvelous way to do this is to gaze into a star-filled sky on a moonless night.  

Have you ever taken the time to look at the intricate patterns of a flower? Do you taken time to reflect on God’s magnificent artwork He so beautifully paints in the sky at a sunrise or at a sunset?   

From the smallest to the largest God reveals Himself to us; whether it is from the smallest atom or the largest galaxy, from the simplest life form to the most complex, our living God is constantly making Himself known to humankind. 

The Bible testifies that creation gives clear testimony to God’s existence. Everyone, everywhere, has this testimony. Nature’s revelation is more than sufficient to make humanity responsible and to show them they are “without excuse.” Consequently humans should attempt to find out who their Creator is and what He requires of them. Unfortunately, many people have corrupted the revelation of God in nature and have chosen to worship and serve the creation rather than the Creator. Instead of worshiping God, they have turned creation into a god. For this, God has pronounced judgment upon them (Romans 1). 

The prophet Nehemiah writes, You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all.  The host of heaven worships You (Nehemiah 9:6); and so will all those who have trusted in Him as their Lord and Savior do, when He calls us to be with Him. 

God designed our world so that through it we would come to know Him, His beauty, His power and majesty, His attention to detail, His unending creativity, and so much more. And He did all this to draw us to Him so we could experience the incredible love He has for us. 

While it is the Holy Spirit that communicates such a testimony to us, we must prepare our hearts to receive it. We need to understand and believe that, “Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands” (Psalm 102:25).

*******