1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Judging ourselves. We don't like to judge ourselves do we? We'd much rather leave that to others and then we like to condemn those who do judge us as those who have no right to judge us, they don't walk in our shoes so to speak. Still and all, we don't like to judge ourselves because we are forced to realize our shortcomings are truly more than we can bear and that leads us to despair and despair continues with the cascading effect of hopelessness and that leads us to more sin because we see the impossibility of ever being worthy. Judging ourselves can have another affect and that is instead of leading us to hopelessness we find our hope in Christ. Understanding that when we are judged and accept the Lord's revelation of our unworthiness we won't be condemn if we realize we need the Lord in all things.
If we neglect to judge ourselves how will we see our need? If we don't see our need then we can't understand how much we need Christ in our lives.
Heb 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him
Every transgression and disobedience receives a just recompence of reward.
What is the reward for transgression and disobedience?
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death...
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?
Our only hope is through Christ and if we do neglect to understand this need, if we neglect to judge ourselves and recognize and confess our sins, if we don't repent and seek forgiveness in Christ we are truly condemned.
Let's not be afraid to judge ourselves and in judging ourselves find ourselves unworthy and seek Christ because it is only in Christ that we are worthy through His righteousness. If when we judge ourselves we are chastened by the Lord we should be happy.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
May the Lord help us to judge ourselves and to seek forgiveness in Him, to see our unworthiness and count on Him and His righteousness. May we be rebuked and chastened by the Lord, repenting of our sins always.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior now and forever.
Amen.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Washed In the Blood Daily
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Rev 4:11 Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
Rev 7:14 And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:9 After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands
Created the heavens and the earth. Without the earth we would not exist. God created the earth and made it ready for us and then He created us and gave us the earth.
Psa 115:16 The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah; But the earth hath he given to the children of men.
We've been given the earth. We live upon the earth, this is our realm. We act within this realm, live out our lives here using the earth as we need to in order to survive for as long as we possibly can. God allows us to use the earth as we see fit. Men have built up the earth; planting trees and gardens, keeping waterways clean. Men have also destroyed parts of the earth; tearing down forests, ripping up the ground and making it unliveable, polluting and damming up water ways. We have controlled how we use the earth. No, this isn't a big GREEN blog post today, we are talking about the creator and His creations. God is the creator and we are His creations. God is worthy because He created all things of His will. We creatures need to have clean robes and no I don't mean literally, though having clean clothes is always a good thing.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags
Our righteousness, the righteousness of God's creations, us human beings is as filthy rags; so dirty they're not just lightly soiled but filthy. There is only one way to clean them and that's with blood. How contradictory, right? If we're talking literally then taking a filthy rag and soaking it in blood only makes it even more filthy, right? But we're not talking literally we're talking spiritual. Our righteousness is a spiritual thing and we can be spiritually filthy and nothing spiritually filthy will enter heaven. The blood of the Lamb is the only thing that can clean our spiritual filthiness and we cannot manufacture that blood. We could try for a lifetime to manufacture the blood of the Lamb but it would be impossible. There will be no synthetic cleansing blood- it doesn't exist and will never exist though many will tell you that you in fact can cleanse your spiritual self all on your own. The only thing we can do is present ourselves to the Lamb and ask for His cleasing. He won't hand us a gallon bucket of His blood and send us on our way. Spiritually He will offer Himself to us and we accept the offering allowing His blood to wash away our spiritual filthiness.
How often do we present ourselves to the Lamb of God?
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread
Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime
Luk 1:9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Luk 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
Exo 30:7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
We are to pray for our daily bread- Jesus is the Bread of Life.
As customary Daniel prayed 3 times a day.
At the time of the incense people are praying. Every day the people are praying. The prayers of the saints ascend before God.
Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper.
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Jesus the Bread of Life which we are to pray daily for, the Bread of Life- Jesus dying for us, broken for us. The blood of the Lamb we are to remember often. So how often are we to present ourselves to the Lamb of God, to receive the spiritual cleansing only He can give? Daily. Often.
Most people if given the opportunity will wash daily if not bathing their entire body they'll at least wash their hands and face. We wash our physical selves and we need to have our spiritual selves cleansed and our robes will be made white in Jesus' blood. We will have HIS righteousness that will make us ready before God.
By the will of God, by the mercy and forgiveness, the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Rev 4:11 Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
Rev 7:14 And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:9 After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands
Created the heavens and the earth. Without the earth we would not exist. God created the earth and made it ready for us and then He created us and gave us the earth.
Psa 115:16 The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah; But the earth hath he given to the children of men.
We've been given the earth. We live upon the earth, this is our realm. We act within this realm, live out our lives here using the earth as we need to in order to survive for as long as we possibly can. God allows us to use the earth as we see fit. Men have built up the earth; planting trees and gardens, keeping waterways clean. Men have also destroyed parts of the earth; tearing down forests, ripping up the ground and making it unliveable, polluting and damming up water ways. We have controlled how we use the earth. No, this isn't a big GREEN blog post today, we are talking about the creator and His creations. God is the creator and we are His creations. God is worthy because He created all things of His will. We creatures need to have clean robes and no I don't mean literally, though having clean clothes is always a good thing.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags
Our righteousness, the righteousness of God's creations, us human beings is as filthy rags; so dirty they're not just lightly soiled but filthy. There is only one way to clean them and that's with blood. How contradictory, right? If we're talking literally then taking a filthy rag and soaking it in blood only makes it even more filthy, right? But we're not talking literally we're talking spiritual. Our righteousness is a spiritual thing and we can be spiritually filthy and nothing spiritually filthy will enter heaven. The blood of the Lamb is the only thing that can clean our spiritual filthiness and we cannot manufacture that blood. We could try for a lifetime to manufacture the blood of the Lamb but it would be impossible. There will be no synthetic cleansing blood- it doesn't exist and will never exist though many will tell you that you in fact can cleanse your spiritual self all on your own. The only thing we can do is present ourselves to the Lamb and ask for His cleasing. He won't hand us a gallon bucket of His blood and send us on our way. Spiritually He will offer Himself to us and we accept the offering allowing His blood to wash away our spiritual filthiness.
How often do we present ourselves to the Lamb of God?
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread
Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime
Luk 1:9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Luk 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
Exo 30:7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
We are to pray for our daily bread- Jesus is the Bread of Life.
As customary Daniel prayed 3 times a day.
At the time of the incense people are praying. Every day the people are praying. The prayers of the saints ascend before God.
Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper.
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Jesus the Bread of Life which we are to pray daily for, the Bread of Life- Jesus dying for us, broken for us. The blood of the Lamb we are to remember often. So how often are we to present ourselves to the Lamb of God, to receive the spiritual cleansing only He can give? Daily. Often.
Most people if given the opportunity will wash daily if not bathing their entire body they'll at least wash their hands and face. We wash our physical selves and we need to have our spiritual selves cleansed and our robes will be made white in Jesus' blood. We will have HIS righteousness that will make us ready before God.
By the will of God, by the mercy and forgiveness, the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Let Not Sin Have Any Dominion Over Me
Psa 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Such a prayer. This prayer should be one we all pray shouldn't it? 'Order my steps in thy word', we want our lives to be led by God don't we? If our steps are ordered in His word we are following His ways aren't we? We are following the path He would have us take. Adding to that; 'let not iniquity have dominion over me.' we are saying that we don't want sin to rule us. Sin does that, doesn't it? It rules us. It controls us, it dominates us in so many ways. We fall victim to sin and then it starts to consume us. Any addict will tell you the depths of depravity that an all consuming, domineering sin has over them. The craving to sin is intense, the longing to give into the sin to find relief from the pain of not sinning is so intense. Of course then the guilt creeps in after the offense and the self-loathing reigns and the cycle starts all over again. Is it any wonder that David wrote those words- 'Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.'
For those who don't believe sin can have dominion over a person they are wrong. The chains of sin are so strong, so binding.
Luk 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
Luk 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Satan bound that woman 18 years! 18 years! It doesn't matter if Satan is binding a person physically or mentally, perhaps emotionally, the thing that matters is Satan does have the power to bind a person and sin can have dominion over a person. We are fools to think otherwise. Fools to look at a person and think that their binding sin is trivial just because it's not a sin that tempts us or tries to bind us.
We need to pray that sin doesn't have dominion over us. We need to pray for Jesus to set us free.
Jesus read from the book of Isaiah-
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
(Found in Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound)
Deliverance to the captives, liberty to them that are bruised, liberty to the captives, opening of the prison to them that are bound.
In Christ we are all made free even if we are suffering afflictions here and now. We can be freed from the dominion of iniquity and make no mistake Satan tries to get dominion over each and every one of us using sins that are particular to us as individuals.
Set us free Jesus, set us free in You, in Your love. Fill us with Your love so that when we are freed from our sins we aren't leaving ourselves open to even more domineering sins to take over. Help us Lord. We pray the words in Your Holy Word--
'Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.' Help us seek your word, let your words fill our lives and please Lord, keep sin from ruling us, ruling our lives.
By Your grace and mercy O Lord, now and forever.
Amen.
Such a prayer. This prayer should be one we all pray shouldn't it? 'Order my steps in thy word', we want our lives to be led by God don't we? If our steps are ordered in His word we are following His ways aren't we? We are following the path He would have us take. Adding to that; 'let not iniquity have dominion over me.' we are saying that we don't want sin to rule us. Sin does that, doesn't it? It rules us. It controls us, it dominates us in so many ways. We fall victim to sin and then it starts to consume us. Any addict will tell you the depths of depravity that an all consuming, domineering sin has over them. The craving to sin is intense, the longing to give into the sin to find relief from the pain of not sinning is so intense. Of course then the guilt creeps in after the offense and the self-loathing reigns and the cycle starts all over again. Is it any wonder that David wrote those words- 'Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.'
For those who don't believe sin can have dominion over a person they are wrong. The chains of sin are so strong, so binding.
Luk 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
Luk 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Satan bound that woman 18 years! 18 years! It doesn't matter if Satan is binding a person physically or mentally, perhaps emotionally, the thing that matters is Satan does have the power to bind a person and sin can have dominion over a person. We are fools to think otherwise. Fools to look at a person and think that their binding sin is trivial just because it's not a sin that tempts us or tries to bind us.
We need to pray that sin doesn't have dominion over us. We need to pray for Jesus to set us free.
Jesus read from the book of Isaiah-
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
(Found in Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound)
Deliverance to the captives, liberty to them that are bruised, liberty to the captives, opening of the prison to them that are bound.
In Christ we are all made free even if we are suffering afflictions here and now. We can be freed from the dominion of iniquity and make no mistake Satan tries to get dominion over each and every one of us using sins that are particular to us as individuals.
Set us free Jesus, set us free in You, in Your love. Fill us with Your love so that when we are freed from our sins we aren't leaving ourselves open to even more domineering sins to take over. Help us Lord. We pray the words in Your Holy Word--
'Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.' Help us seek your word, let your words fill our lives and please Lord, keep sin from ruling us, ruling our lives.
By Your grace and mercy O Lord, now and forever.
Amen.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Teach Us Thy Will
Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Psa 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Luk 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
*
God's will be done. Not our will, but God's. Jesus came to fulfil the will of His Father. Just imagine Him saying this--
'O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.'
He spoke to His Father and submitted to His Father's will doing something that He really would rather not do. How often are we called to do things we would rather not do? And how often do we simply not do it rather than submit? Sure it'd be easier if things were clear cut, but we know how God would have us be. How Jesus came to reveal God to us, to reveal His will that we should love one another and all that entails. We don't love each other, not really. We don't even like each other the majority of the time. Why? Because we are so focused on ourselves and our own feelings, our own desires, our own opinions, our own ways. We are selfish, totally selfish and we put ourselves first before God's will- all the time.
With David we should pray-
Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Psa 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Teach us God, teach us to do Your will.
In and of ourselves, left to our own we can't know how to do God's will. We must surrender to God's will and when we find ourselves totally self-absorbed and considering our own selves, our feelings, our wants, our needs, we have to stop and consider whether or not what we want is what God wants.
Jesus taught us to pray and pray- Thy will be done, not our will be done.
Please Lord, open our hearts and minds to Your will whatever it is. Let our will be that your will be done, always. Teach us, help us, through the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who prayed Your will be done.
Amen.
Psa 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Luk 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
*
God's will be done. Not our will, but God's. Jesus came to fulfil the will of His Father. Just imagine Him saying this--
'O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.'
He spoke to His Father and submitted to His Father's will doing something that He really would rather not do. How often are we called to do things we would rather not do? And how often do we simply not do it rather than submit? Sure it'd be easier if things were clear cut, but we know how God would have us be. How Jesus came to reveal God to us, to reveal His will that we should love one another and all that entails. We don't love each other, not really. We don't even like each other the majority of the time. Why? Because we are so focused on ourselves and our own feelings, our own desires, our own opinions, our own ways. We are selfish, totally selfish and we put ourselves first before God's will- all the time.
With David we should pray-
Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Psa 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Teach us God, teach us to do Your will.
In and of ourselves, left to our own we can't know how to do God's will. We must surrender to God's will and when we find ourselves totally self-absorbed and considering our own selves, our feelings, our wants, our needs, we have to stop and consider whether or not what we want is what God wants.
Jesus taught us to pray and pray- Thy will be done, not our will be done.
Please Lord, open our hearts and minds to Your will whatever it is. Let our will be that your will be done, always. Teach us, help us, through the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who prayed Your will be done.
Amen.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Eternal Life in Jeopardy
Mal 2:17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
Making God weary. Saying that those who do evil are good to the Lord, that the Lord is pleased with them even though they do evil. Questioning God's ability to judge.
We can understand a little, and personally because we become tired of people questioning our reasoning and this is fallible, human reasoning. A judge sitting on the bench in court passing judgement won't tolerate people challenging their judgement. They put people in contempt of court if they're belligerent and openingly questioning of decisions they pass. There are proper channels for people to take when they believe a judgement wrong, but to outright challenge a decision is cause for being fined. This is our court system. God is infallible, God's judgment is perfect even if we don't understand it all. When we question God we reveal our lack of faith in Him. Having your faith questioned is very tiring. A couple with one of the partners constantly questioning the others faith is very, very tiresome. We want our loved ones to believe in us and not question our faithfulness, don't we? Imagine how it must be on the level of God.
When we make claims that evil is good and live our lives in what we call acceptable evil, we also weary God. God is in control though many would think otherwise. It's easy to question God when we look at the horrors of life, when we ourselves find it so incredibly impossible to keep from sinning. We become numb to the true horror of sin and we begin to condone it and call it natural and good but in truth, God sees through the thick clouds of confusion we succumb to. We cause the Lord to be wearied by denying the evil that we do, and that others do in His sight, actually claiming that God is delighted in the evildoers, or questioning God's ability to judge, all of this displeases God as it should.
We might question God's ability to be wearied, but there are many forms of being weary and it's not at all hard to imagine God fed up with evil and evil doers.
We live in a world that promotes instant life after death. That death is just a slip into a new existence and more often than not we stress that people should go towards a light- to the good life that waits. We have shows on television that portray people after death struggling to find the right path after death and the majority seem to find it and go the right way with the minority succumbing to the evil, dark side. The Bible tells us that the broad is the way that leads to death and narrow the way that leads to life, and it also tells us death is a sleep and the dead will wake to their judgement. Matt.7:13,14; 1 Thess. 4:14-18
We also read this-
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
There is no instant life after death and the reality of it all is that FEW will be resurrected to life, the majority of people will be resurrected to damnation. We don't WANT to believe this. We want to sugarcoat salvation and believe that everyone will go to heaven. We'll see our loved ones in heaven even is we know they've led a life contrary to God, it's because God is good and forgiving, right? The Bible doesn't teach us that the majority will find Salvation in Christ, it teaches the opposite. We have to question whether we are among those that call evil good, if we say God is delighting in the evil- because we are calling that evil good. Truthfully it's easier to believe that the evil doesn't matter because few want to truly realize the possibility of their own eternal life in jeopardy.
May God bring to light and reveal to us any evil in our lives and in revealing it help us to overcome through Christ. We find salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through forgiveness of our sins-- may we recognize our sins so that we may ask for forgiveness, may we not sugar-coat our sins trying to fool ourselves that they are good.
By His Grace and Mercy now and forever.
Amen.
Making God weary. Saying that those who do evil are good to the Lord, that the Lord is pleased with them even though they do evil. Questioning God's ability to judge.
We can understand a little, and personally because we become tired of people questioning our reasoning and this is fallible, human reasoning. A judge sitting on the bench in court passing judgement won't tolerate people challenging their judgement. They put people in contempt of court if they're belligerent and openingly questioning of decisions they pass. There are proper channels for people to take when they believe a judgement wrong, but to outright challenge a decision is cause for being fined. This is our court system. God is infallible, God's judgment is perfect even if we don't understand it all. When we question God we reveal our lack of faith in Him. Having your faith questioned is very tiring. A couple with one of the partners constantly questioning the others faith is very, very tiresome. We want our loved ones to believe in us and not question our faithfulness, don't we? Imagine how it must be on the level of God.
When we make claims that evil is good and live our lives in what we call acceptable evil, we also weary God. God is in control though many would think otherwise. It's easy to question God when we look at the horrors of life, when we ourselves find it so incredibly impossible to keep from sinning. We become numb to the true horror of sin and we begin to condone it and call it natural and good but in truth, God sees through the thick clouds of confusion we succumb to. We cause the Lord to be wearied by denying the evil that we do, and that others do in His sight, actually claiming that God is delighted in the evildoers, or questioning God's ability to judge, all of this displeases God as it should.
We might question God's ability to be wearied, but there are many forms of being weary and it's not at all hard to imagine God fed up with evil and evil doers.
We live in a world that promotes instant life after death. That death is just a slip into a new existence and more often than not we stress that people should go towards a light- to the good life that waits. We have shows on television that portray people after death struggling to find the right path after death and the majority seem to find it and go the right way with the minority succumbing to the evil, dark side. The Bible tells us that the broad is the way that leads to death and narrow the way that leads to life, and it also tells us death is a sleep and the dead will wake to their judgement. Matt.7:13,14; 1 Thess. 4:14-18
We also read this-
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
There is no instant life after death and the reality of it all is that FEW will be resurrected to life, the majority of people will be resurrected to damnation. We don't WANT to believe this. We want to sugarcoat salvation and believe that everyone will go to heaven. We'll see our loved ones in heaven even is we know they've led a life contrary to God, it's because God is good and forgiving, right? The Bible doesn't teach us that the majority will find Salvation in Christ, it teaches the opposite. We have to question whether we are among those that call evil good, if we say God is delighting in the evil- because we are calling that evil good. Truthfully it's easier to believe that the evil doesn't matter because few want to truly realize the possibility of their own eternal life in jeopardy.
May God bring to light and reveal to us any evil in our lives and in revealing it help us to overcome through Christ. We find salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through forgiveness of our sins-- may we recognize our sins so that we may ask for forgiveness, may we not sugar-coat our sins trying to fool ourselves that they are good.
By His Grace and Mercy now and forever.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Praise God!
Act 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Act 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Act 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Act 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God
Praise God!
Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Thank you God!
Life gives us so much uncertainty and brings us so much heart ache and pain. It's hard to praise God when our worlds are crumbling apart and worry threatens to consume us. When a miracle is thrown our way it's easy to praise God. We are still left with uncertainties and we don't know what lies ahead of us, what horrors that lurk around the next corner, but God willing may we continue to praise Him even in our storms.
There's a song call, 'Praise You In This Storm' by Casting Crowns and it's a beautiful song. It's not easy to praise God in the storms, not easy at all. May God help us to truly understand that no matter what comes our way- good or bad - that this world is only a temporary home for us and He is worthy of our praise because He offers us eternal life, a world to come that will be free from all storms.
Praise God for His amazing love. Praise God for the miracles He performs that so many would scoff at as being nothing. Praise God for His unending love!
May we leap up and praise God as we are healed, may we leap up and praise God as we face our storms. A person once said that life is either being in a problem, coming out of a problem or waiting for the next problem and it truly is an accurate account of life because life is filled with ups and downs. Wherever we may find ourselves in life may God be found with us. All glory, honor, and praise to Him!
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, now and forever.
Amen!
Act 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Act 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Act 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God
Praise God!
Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Thank you God!
Life gives us so much uncertainty and brings us so much heart ache and pain. It's hard to praise God when our worlds are crumbling apart and worry threatens to consume us. When a miracle is thrown our way it's easy to praise God. We are still left with uncertainties and we don't know what lies ahead of us, what horrors that lurk around the next corner, but God willing may we continue to praise Him even in our storms.
There's a song call, 'Praise You In This Storm' by Casting Crowns and it's a beautiful song. It's not easy to praise God in the storms, not easy at all. May God help us to truly understand that no matter what comes our way- good or bad - that this world is only a temporary home for us and He is worthy of our praise because He offers us eternal life, a world to come that will be free from all storms.
Praise God for His amazing love. Praise God for the miracles He performs that so many would scoff at as being nothing. Praise God for His unending love!
May we leap up and praise God as we are healed, may we leap up and praise God as we face our storms. A person once said that life is either being in a problem, coming out of a problem or waiting for the next problem and it truly is an accurate account of life because life is filled with ups and downs. Wherever we may find ourselves in life may God be found with us. All glory, honor, and praise to Him!
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, now and forever.
Amen!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Renew a Right Spirit
Psa 51:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Psa 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psa 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psa 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psa 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Psa 51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
*******
After David had sinned grievously his remorse, his repentance was great. When we sin it should be the same. David had the concept of right and wrong, he knew what he was doing was wrong and he did it any way. He was overcome by the flesh, serving his flesh.
We need the mercy of God. We need to have our sins blotted out by God's mercy. All our sinning is against God. We hurt God when we sin and yet sin is part of our existence from birth itself. God would have us filled with truth, He would have us know His wisdom- to understand the seriousness of our sinning and our need of Him as Creator and Redeemer.
Dictionary Definition for hyssop-
2. An unidentified plant mentioned in the Bible as the source of twigs used for sprinkling in certain Hebraic purificatory rites
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
David longed to be purified by God. He knew he was filthy inwardly, spiritually from sinning. He knew only God could clean Him. He wanted God to blot out ALL his sins. He needed God to create a clean heart and a right spirit in Him. His spirit was no longer right. Our spirit is no longer right when we sin, we need the forgiveness of God to make our spirit right with Him again. David cried out for God to cast him not from his presence, to not take the Holy Spirit from him. We need to cry out the same.
Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
With our spirit broken we realize our need to have a right spirit renewed in us. With our hearts broken and contrite we realize the need of God's healing love. Jesus died so we could have this love fully and it's to Him we cling as we seek forgiveness and pleade for a right spirit within us.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior now and forever.
Amen.
Psa 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psa 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psa 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psa 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Psa 51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
*******
After David had sinned grievously his remorse, his repentance was great. When we sin it should be the same. David had the concept of right and wrong, he knew what he was doing was wrong and he did it any way. He was overcome by the flesh, serving his flesh.
We need the mercy of God. We need to have our sins blotted out by God's mercy. All our sinning is against God. We hurt God when we sin and yet sin is part of our existence from birth itself. God would have us filled with truth, He would have us know His wisdom- to understand the seriousness of our sinning and our need of Him as Creator and Redeemer.
Dictionary Definition for hyssop-
2. An unidentified plant mentioned in the Bible as the source of twigs used for sprinkling in certain Hebraic purificatory rites
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
David longed to be purified by God. He knew he was filthy inwardly, spiritually from sinning. He knew only God could clean Him. He wanted God to blot out ALL his sins. He needed God to create a clean heart and a right spirit in Him. His spirit was no longer right. Our spirit is no longer right when we sin, we need the forgiveness of God to make our spirit right with Him again. David cried out for God to cast him not from his presence, to not take the Holy Spirit from him. We need to cry out the same.
Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
With our spirit broken we realize our need to have a right spirit renewed in us. With our hearts broken and contrite we realize the need of God's healing love. Jesus died so we could have this love fully and it's to Him we cling as we seek forgiveness and pleade for a right spirit within us.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior now and forever.
Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)