The Whirlwind of the LORD

Jeremiah‬ ‭30:3‬ ‭- “For behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah," says the LORD. "And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

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I say this often: I'm so thankful I know the God of this universe who has a plan for the lives of those who know Him. His plans are not for evil but for peace, hope and a future. Praise God!

We His people may go through trials, but if we continue to look up, He will be beside us. He will walk through the storm and be our comfort. No man or woman can do this, i.e., government leader. Our future is secure if we know Him no matter what.

I like what the LORD God later tells Jeremiah the prophet. This is for believers. By the way, believers can be considered as Israel in the Old Testament days...His children, His people. But because of their repeated rebellion against God, He allowed them to be captured, as a means to draw them back to Him. Perhaps with the election we are facing, God may be wanting yet more to stop their rebelliousness against Him. And why couldn't He use our government to do the same? We could be heading into a captivity of our own. It's just so not about a man or woman, especially ones who do not look to God for guidance.

“For it shall come to pass in that day," says the LORD of hosts, "That I will break his yoke from your neck, and will burst your bonds; foreigners shall no more enslave them.

Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob," says the LORD, "Nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make him afraid.
"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds," says the LORD, "Because they called you an outcast saying: 'This is Zion; no one seeks her.'

"You shall be My people, and I will be your God. Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goes forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind; it will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD will not return until He has done it, and until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will consider it.” (‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭30:8,10,17,22-24‬)

In the end God will judge. He will prove what was wrong and right in the world. His people will endure to the end. How do we know we really are not in the last days? Evil is rampant at all levels. The enemy is appearing to drag down as many as he can. This is why it is important to know Jesus, know the truth outlined in His Word. In the beginning God created...in the end He will return to judge those who have taken Him and His Word lightly. 

The election that lies ahead will be what it will be. God knows. Either candidate could be the impetus for many to receive Christ. I am standing on the truth of God's Word that He can heal anyone not just of disease or illness but of the rebelliousness of sin and not believing in Him. Man's sometimes empty promises are not the promises from a God who desires all men come to Him and believe in Him. His promises are true...and just.

Lord, have mercy on this nation, on those who do not know You, that they might choose You. You can heal anyone, even enemies. If it be Your will... Thank You for Your grace and mercy to us who have chosen to follow You and who put their trust in You. Let us be lights and endure with the Gospel when darkness closes in. 

The Bible tells us that in the last days what we are seeing in the world TODAY will be rampant. Lovers of self, evil, all doing their own thing, immorality and things opposing what God says is good, right, true. We need to know the God who knows the beginning from the end. 

It's never too late to receive the God who has created all things, who loves more than we can wrap our heads around, even those who do evil. Yet in the end, only those who seek Him will receive the best end to this life. It will be a struggle but...God...

Psalm ‭107:19-21‬ ‭- ...they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

A Change of Heart

Deuteronomy 32:18 - Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten the God who fathered you.

Wondering what's happening in the world? I'm sure more people than we know are wondering. Many think it's just a glitch in "something." Maybe we need a change in the county's leadership, more tolerance, gun control. Maybe it's the climate! Something. How about a very special change of heart? The only change that would be beneficial would be returning back to God.

I had two occurrences this week that I were closely related. I received an email from a friend wondering:

*Why God doesn't do something about all the evil happening in the world.

*Why He won't do something NOW, instead of waiting.

And then...I was amazed the other morning when a physical therapist at the hospital where I volunteer sat down with a patient in a small waiting room I was in. He picked up the Bible on the table next to him, opened it randomly and read aloud Deuteronomy 32:18 above. I had to comment: Sounds like what's happening in the world today. Even the patient commented on its content. This IS what is happening...and God sees. 

If you read that verse in context there's more. It tells a truth. It should open our eyes. Just a few points from this song of Moses as he proclaimed the name of the LORD. Moses wanted God's people to hear him: Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. (Deuteronomy 32:1) These words. How important. We have done the same thing. Hear these words. They bit then and they bite now.

God is: great, our Rock, perfect, just, truthful, without injustice, righteous, upright, our Father

But the people (us included) have become:

Corrupt - perverse - crooked - foolish - unwise - have no faith.

Here's what He says He will do and who those are who reject Him:

And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith. They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; they have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn to the lowest hell; it shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap disasters on them; I will spend My arrows on them. 

They shall be wasted with hunger, devoured by pestilence and bitter 

destruction; I will also send against them the teeth of beasts, with the poison of serpents of the dust. The sword shall destroy outside; there shall be terror within for the young man and virgin, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs. 

For they are a nation void of counsel, nor is there any understanding in them. Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them. 

Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. For I raise My hand to heaven, and say, “As I live forever, ...I will render vengeance to My enemies, and repay those who hate Me." (Deuteronomy 32)

But praise God for what He promises those who take Him seriously, who reverently fear Him, who rejoice in His return:

Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people. (Deuteronomy 32:41,43)

As for the email I received. It took days to write a response. Days of praying the words weren't too much and right. 

What is happening in the world and why hasn't God done anything; why is He waiting? While my answer was much longer, the first answer is sin! We have, like Israel thousands of years ago, removed God from our lives. And that isn't just ignoring Him. It's believing the lie that some churches promote that God is good but nothing about repentance or His anger and His being just, not liking our sin. Yes, God loves us. He loved us so much He sent His Son to die for us.

So here comes the hard part.

We think because we have grown up in a church, attended classes and Sunday school, sing in the choir, are "basically good people," that we don't need to receive Christ with all our hearts. We don't need to get baptized again because we were as children. If we are not born again as Jesus tells us we must be, we have not received Him. If we have not sometime in our lives 

believed we are filled with sin, confessed Christ, repented of our sins, 

believed He has removed those sins and begun to live for Him, we have not really received Him. 

So sin abounds and it's not a popular subject because no one wants to admit they are something other than what they think they are. Me included! There are days when I have to remind myself I am no one apart from God. I have to remind myself of what He did for me. I have to take stock of my life today and ask for forgiveness when I feel I have failed Him...again...and again. This is what we (should) do. Am I living for Him?

Why won't God do anything? He did. He sent Christ. It's what we aren't doing. Receiving Him. Instead we are pushing Him further out the door. So He allows these disasters in the world and even in our lives through sickness and strife to draw us to Him. To ask these questions and begin to seek Him. 

He IS going to do something. But it may not be what many would like to see. He will return. But He will return to bring justice. He will return to remove His saints from the mess we've created and the foolish unbelievers and scoffers remain will remain to face the ultimate judgment, the wrath of God. It will not be pretty. He will destroy this earth one more time that He may return and reign for 1000 years with His dedicated followers.  

So it is important, timely, urgent, as we repeatedly say in our class on Revelation, to let people know of the coming judgment and how to avoid it. To, unapologetically, preach Christ. To, if necessary, offend like Jesus did, with His hard words. 

Things have not changed. The Word remains the same. The salvation of Jesus Christ remains the same...You must be born again. God never changes. He remains the same today... For I, the LORD, change not...(Malachi 3:6) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Hebrews 18:3) 

So, a change of heart is what we need. Only Christ can do this and through the power of the Holy Spirit. We need Christ for that. He must live in our hearts. We must abide in Him and Him in us. He must be our vine that brings life. He must be the living water, the bread of life. His words must be in our hearts and on our minds. We must commune with Him daily and worship Him. We must recognize His greatness in all we see. 

Oh, Lord, great is Your faithfulness. Your mercies are new every morning. Your promises are true and just. They are yes and amen. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. Your Word never fails. You are honest and true...and just. You love unconditionally. You are longsuffering for us. But it can't last forever because You have said You WILL return to bring judgment. Lord, search my heart and see if there be any wickedness in it and then purify my heart and make it whole. Let the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be pleasing to You, O my God and my Redeemer. 

Deuteronomy‬ ‭32:4‬ ‭- He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.

What Is Good?

Micah 6:6-7 - “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”‭‭

...Proof we cannot do anything on our own to be once again reconciled to God. No offerings with improper motives. No works or labors of our hand. The Old Testament offerings were futile; they did not bring about permanent atonement for their sins. No sacrifices that we might choose.

That was then, this is now. 

New Testament, new man that God has redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. 

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭22) No jumping through hoops, attempting to be better than so and so. No ladder climbing to make the bucks to be the man!  Receive  Christ. That's it.

Jesus requires what we can often miss as important.

Micah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭- “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but 

to do justly, 

to love mercy, and 

to walk humbly with your God?”

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anger, Favor, Joy

Psalm 30:5 - For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. (‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (‭1John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬)

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. (‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭4‬)

For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. (‭Psalms‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬)

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory...(‭2Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬)

We can claim all these promises when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior, confess our sins, serve Him. His anger subsides when we do this. His favor is then on us. What He does and says is true and just. He does not--cannot--lie.

For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. (‭Psalms‬ ‭47‬:‭2‬)

It's Our Choice to Make

Psalm 33:4-5 - For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

These two verses cover a lot of bases. First of all it's all about God!

The word of the LORD is right. His Word is straight, upright, correct, pleasing; to be right, level, just, lawful and smooth, as Strong's Concordance tells us. Of course, one has to believe in His Word to start out, or be interested in learning from it. The Word of the LORD is His Word and His Word is His Son, the Word made flesh. And Jesus is truth.

His work is done in truth. There is no falseness in our God. He is all truth and honesty. He is, after all, Almighty God and why would He lie? That's what we have a devil to do, and he's good at it.

He loves righteousness. That's why He sent His Son to die for all mankind. His desire is for all to receive His gift of salvation. ALL. He wouldn't choose one and not another. We are all steeped in unrighteousness and sin. ALL. He would love to see all become righteous, through Jesus...only through Jesus. Jesus, the only Mediator between God and man.

He loves justice. He will not let those who do not receive the gift of His Son go unpunished. It wouldn't be fair. Yet there are some who will totally reject Him. So if one thinks that all people will go to heaven, they are mistaken, believing satan's lie. Remember, He is truth, His Word is truth, His work is truth. His Word shows us, if we search the scriptures, what happens to those who reject the truth of His Word...Jesus.

The earth is filled with His goodness. Goodness comes from God. He created this earth that we might see His goodness, know the wisdom and power of our Creator, be awestruck by it all, live in it and with it. But man chose and still chooses to believe he can be like God. If one sees poverty, oppression, death, destruction, it is not caused by God. It is a result of man making the wrong choices over so many years, with it escalating today, choosing self or stuff over God...being separated from Him. He does not want to see these bad things happening.

However, we can live amidst the trauma of this life with peace in our souls if we know that we know the God who created all things, including us. Created...not evolved. That revelation, that truth, will be revealed when seeking His Words of truth and by living an upright life in Christ, bearing the title of righteous...only because of Jesus.

It all starts with God and will one day end with Him. We are either for Him or against Him. We either worship Him or other idols/gods. Choose this day whom you will serve: God or gods, spiritual life or physical life (life or death), truth or lies. Remember, He is eternal, no beginning, no end, life started with Him, it will end with Him. But eternal life begins and ends with Him also! Praise God. He wishes none to perish but that ALL would have eternal life. It's our choice.

Psalm 33:11 - The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.

Walking Humbly

Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. 

When these words came in my mailbox yesterday I could just hear the voice of Pastor Bob Ona as he spoke them the very day (April 18, 1999) I came to Christ! Nothing magical about those words, but powerful...especially to walk humbly with our God.

Our Pastor, Rory Grooters, spoke last Sunday on success coming from seeking God. He spoke about King Uzziah who walked closely with the LORD during his 52 years as being king of Jerusalem. His seeking God was an act of humility. He had been raised with the reverent understanding of who God was and what He would do for those who respected Him. He became king at 16. Times have changed a bit. Imagine today's 16 year old, on average, given that type of responsibility. Imagine 16 year olds walking humbly with God....not that it isn't happening.

Sometimes we don't think of success coming from humility but rather boldness and an "it's my way or the highway" position. It seems humility can be viewed as weakness. In God's eyes humility is just the opposite. Proverbs 22:4 is a good word from God: By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life. Sounds like walking humbly with our God.

Uzziah was successful throughout his 52 year reign because he sought God. But let's take a look a what happens when there is a change. How it didn't happen before 52 years we'll never know but somewhere along the way Uzziah stopped walking humbly with God. His pride got the better of him and this displeased the LORD...to the point of placing leprosy upon this king, removing him from his duties and living the rest of his life in shame. This well known proverb is another example: When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom (Proverbs 11:2). And of course there is the often quoted Pride comes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18).

An aside: I was listening to news one morning and Senator Rick Perry was being discussed as a possible presidential candidate. He's a staunch Christian. I know in today's world we want answers NOW, so one of the panel members made the remark that when Perry was asked a question about an issue he said, "Let's pray about it." This just does not fly in today's world. However, this may be what Uzziah did during his successful years. This is really what we should be doing, but I know it just ain't gonna happen! Success through humility and seeking God? Unheard of!?

We are a people so desirous of doing things our way. Sometimes when all is said and done people wonder what they could have done different to have been more successful. Walking humbly with our God, which doesn't always come to mind, might have been the answer. Some might say they are successful without seeking God. One will never know the plans God had if they sought Him first. 

Walking humbly with Him. Did you notice that...with Him. (Not apart from Him.) We can do this if we have a mind to receive Him and allow Him to transform our lives...not that we are puppets only being manipulated by God, but first knowing Him intimately, then knowing what His promises are for those who choose to follow Him and be obedient to what He knows is best for each of us. We are to fear God. We are to reverence Him and honor Him. We are to praise Him. 

He has shown us...by example. Jesus has shown us. What awful things can you think of that Jesus ever did? He spoke softly in love and firmly with words that were (and still are) hard. It was how others chose to receive that made those words appear harsh. He only spoke the truth because that's what He is. He had great mercy. He taught and healed. He remained silent as people chastised Him. He bore our burdens. He also gathered people as a Good Shepherd would and protected them. He walked the long road to Golgotha for each of us. He did not complain, but rather did it out of love for us. And at the end He asked God to forgive us.

Truly an amazing example. Who wouldn't want to walk humbly with this Man? It is what He requires of us who have chosen the path of righteousness with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Imagine the successfulness of our lives if we adhered to a humble path of mercy and justice toward others. Success comes if we set our minds to doing as Micah suggested. Ah, we have a long way to go before perfection...

1Peter 5:6 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

Good News

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

Awhile back I read this scripture.   It caused me to set out to do a study on it.  Let me share my findings.  Let me share what God offers us.

We are to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.   

True:  Not concealed, not unaware of; not the world's version of true, but God's.  His Word is truth; His plans for us are good; His promises for us are great and precious.  (John 17:17; Jeremiah 29:11; 2Peter 1:4)

Noble:  Meaning good; covered above; reverend, worshipped

Just:  Meaning moral, truthful, honest, fair; without criticism, without judgment; righteous, virtuous, innocent, faultless; conformed to the Word of God, approved of God. (Romans 12:2)

Pure:  Wholesome things; sacred, modest, clean, most holy

Lovely:  Pleasant, agreeable, delightful, acceptable.

Good report:  Sounding well, uttering words of good omen; good news or the Good News.  God's Word is a good report.  (Hebrews 11:2)

Virtue:  Good quality, honest, moral, upright

Praiseworthy:  Admirable, creditable.  Like the good news report, not what we get through most secular media

All these words describe God.  It's all about Him.  It's not about us, it's not about the world, it's all about God.  Only He offers these things in the truest sense.  He is the Good News and offers Good News to each and every person.

How often does the news we hear everyday on television or radio give you the warm fuzzies? Most often we hear about disasters, murders, kidnappings, drugs, theft.  What's so good about this news?  But the news of Jesus Christ is all good.

There are good people.  There are honest people.  There are wholesome people, pleasant people, virtuous people.  Even if a person is all or one of these things, he is not without sin.  That's why there is the Good News of Jesus Christ:  The Good News is about His life on earth, His discipling of men and women, His teachings, His example to live by, His death and, praise God, His resurrection.  The Good News is He suffered unto death in order that we might be reconciled once again with God.

The attributes I mentioned above are what we are to desire for within ourselves as well as looking for in our relationships.  We are to relate to and treat others with these good attributes.  And, if we truly take the time to consider these things, our attitudes will begin to look like them.  

Consider the Good News of Jesus Christ, that which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. 

1Samuel:12:24 - Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

Heavenly Father, in these days with so much negativity in the news and in the world, a good report is so welcomed.  I thank you that You have given us a good report.  All we need do is listen for it and take it into our hearts.  I thank You that You constantly call us into relationship with You.  It's not about religion or denomination, but relationship only.  How freeing a concept that is.  It is a true, just, pure and lovely concept.  And how wonderful that it is free to all who want it.  Lord, in these days ahead, I ask that You work in the hearts of those who think they know You because they go to church every week or believe themselves to be good people.  I ask that You show Yourself to them in a way that only they would understand and believe.  You desire that ALL men would come to You.  Let that also be the cry of my heart for all mankind.  Thank You, Lord, for the grace and mercy You give.  Thank You for your risen Son, Jesus.  Amen