He Shall Surely Live

Ezekiel 18:4-5,9 - “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die. But if a man is just and does what is lawful and right...If he has walked in My statutes and kept My judgments faithfully—he is just; he shall surely live!” says the Lord GOD.

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I’ve been reading the book of Ezekiel and came to Ezekiel 18:4. The soul of the father and the soul of the son are both God’s. If the father chooses not to believe in God and lives unrighteously, God says he will die. However, if the son sees the unrighteousness of his father and chooses not to follow In his father's ways, he will live. This to me speaks of personal relationship.  

This is what Jesus says: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ‭(John‬ ‭14:6) No one comes to the father but through Him. No one will receive eternal life without first receiving Christ. It’s a personal choice. It’s my decision alone. It’s your decision. If you have heard the Gospel and choose to be like the father above, you’ve made your decision. If you choose to be like the son, you’ve made a good choice. Knowing someone who knows the Lord doesn’t count. 

There is another scripture that tells us that the road to destruction is very wide but the road to eternal life is very narrow. This is also talking about those who will receive Christ and those who will not. There are many religions in the world but not all of them lead to God the Father. There is only one God, one Son, one Spirit and one way. Only one legitimate God. 

God cannot honor someone who looks to a myriad of animals as gods or bows to lifeless statues or the dead that have no power to save. He is not going to honor a religion that believes killing, not loving, is the right thing and treats its women with disrespect. 

There is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. All souls are His. He has the right to decide who lives or dies...but, thankfully, we have been given instructions on what to do. It’s very plain, very simple. The way He has chosen is receiving His Son, no matter how sinful we might be. He will forgive our sins. But we can’t do it on our own; it must be through Jesus. The rest is also spelled out...Follow Me. Be obedient to His Word. 

Just because someone attends church every week doesn’t mean they will go to heaven. If it’s an obligation or a work (law) it doesn’t count. No man has control over another’s spiritual life. Only God/Jesus. Some will point us toward Jesus but only we can make the decision. It's not based on what we think is good. What counts is having met Christ, realizing our sins, repenting of those sins and then living for Christ from that day on. It’s not living for Him one day a week but every day. It’s having been met by Christ and changing heart attitudes and lifestyles. 

Today is still available to make the decision for Christ. Do what is right in the eyes of God. 

Joshua‬ ‭24:15‬ ‭- And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

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Feed My Sheep

John‬ ‭21:17‬ ‭- He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

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After Jesus was resurrected, He appeared before the disciples and stayed with them awhile longer before being taken up to heaven to be seated at the right hand of God at His throne. Above Jesus had just commissioned Peter to be like a pastor, to tend to, watch over and continue, as Jesus had done, to feed the sheep the Word of God. 

Thinking about a conversation with a friend from the other day, the scripture reference above came to mind, which I blurted out. Peter, the impetuous disciple. I'm so glad there are examples of all different personalities in the Word. We are all different with a variety of gifts and talents. We are not to compare ourselves with others. In the body of Christ, His people are not the same. 

If we are born into the kingdom of God, our major emphasis is to serve Him and that includes helping to "feed" others in the Word. How we do it will vary. No two people will be, or even should be, like another. We are all created by God and have different talents. Doesn't make one better than another, especially if we are part of the body of Christ. As my friend had accidentally commented, Don't worry what thinkle peep!!! Listen:

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty..." (1Corinthians‬ ‭12:20-23‬)

I am just me and I realized this past week from various sources that I am being used to encourage others, which God knows has just encouraged me...when I needed it most! He's so amazing. And I'm just thrilled to be a child of His, with a simplistic love for Him and simplistic knowledge and understanding of Him. I'm content in this realization. Praise Him! He is so faithful. If my words are simple, so be it. 

Along with this scripture I was reminded of the question by Jesus, "What is that to you?" in answer yet again to a question Peter had regarding the disciple John (whom Jesus loved...not that He didn't love the others also!). Jesus had just shown Peter the manner of his death and the question Peter asked was about the means of the disciple John's death. 

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper... Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” (John‬ ‭21:20-22‬)

This shows that we are not to worry about or compare ourselves to anyone else. I am going to personalize this. I am God's creation. He knows me better than I do. My job as a believer is not to follow anyone else, but to follow Jesus. When I do follow Him, He will direct my paths in the way that is best for me, not anyone else. We are all, as children of God, called to feed His sheep, and be a light in this dark world. 

I have been encouraged myself this week in small ways, culminating in this blog! I know what I must continue to do. It's what I've been doing for a long time yet wondered if it was time to stop. I have my answer. 

Thank You, my God. 

Matthew‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭- Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

To Save Lives

Genesis 50:20 - But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

There are many biblical stories that describe what seems to be hardship situations. Situations which seem unfair. But God...always has a plan. There are reasons for everything all of us experience. We don't always understand them but if we are open to believing we can't know everything and believing still that God is in control of all things, we will be better off.

Remember these things: 

• Egypt is symbolic of the world, of the things not of God, of evil, as it were, decadence, over the top power, fame, fortune, excess. 
• God always has a plan. He can use evil or discomfort to bring it about.
• If we trust in Him, no matter what, His plan will be for our good.
• Only God truly knows what we have need of. 

Yesterday I finished reading about Jacob and his deteriorating relationship with his father-in-law. Jacob needed to flee from his family in one country because his brother wanted revenge against him. And after being situated in that country for many years his father in law became upset with him so God told him to go back to his family and the previous land. Imagine being between a rock and a hard place. But it was God's suggestion. If he trusted God it would be okay, though he didn't know what the outcome would be. It would be fine. Reconciliation would take place! And because Jacob's life was spared, so was the lineage to Christ. And what was His role? To save lives. 

There's Moses. He was born a Jew. To save his life his mother put him in that little basket on the river. Pharaoh's daughter found it. Without her knowing it, Moses' mother became the nursemaid. The first 40 years Moses learned both his Jewish roots and the ways of Egypt. Again to save his own life, he fled to the mountains and became a sheep herder. Forty more years pass. During that time Israel is captured by Egypt and they are made slaves to pharaoh. God then calls on Moses to save them and lead these people out of Egypt back to their land. Moses needed those 80 years of training in Egypt's ways, his own Jewish roots and how to lead in the hills with sheep, for this important task. To save lives. I am reminded that we are all like sheep in need of guidance...(Isaiah 53:6)

Joseph's brothers were jealous of him because he was their father's (Jacob) favorite. Some wanted to kill him but rather than have his blood on their hands they decided to sell him into slavery. And guess where he ended up? Egypt, again. As a servant in his house, pharaoh's wife took a liking to him and attempted to seduce him. Joseph would not have it, but in trying to escape from her lost his coat. Out of anger because of the rejection, she used this to get him sent to prison. He was there for many years, an innocent man. Yet God used him in an extraordinary way and he was then released to become second in charge of Egypt, maintaining the storehouses. When there was a famine in Israel, Joseph's brothers were sent to Egypt to purchase food. Long story short, they met up with their brother, reconciliation took place, and Joseph saved his family.

God led all these people in one way or another into circumstances that, like I said, seemed unfair. Yet God knew the outcome already. He knew the preparation necessary in just these three lives. (Believe me there are more stories...Esther, Ruth, Noah, Jonah, Jeremiah, Job, and more...Jesus.) They were all used to save in some way. Sometimes salvation didn't occur, just like today. 

If we are believers and followers of God our lives may be in training for some end result. It probably, ultimately, even if we don't see it, will be to save someone's spiritual life. It may not be is as great a way as these three stories, but somewhere someone will have benefited. We don't see His plans. We live out our lives in that faith in the unknown and unseen going about His business. But God knows. Maybe not knowing or seeing takes the possibility of our pride out of the picture. God gets the glory. 

We trust in Him, right up to our last day. We stay obedient to our Father. We read His Word so we can know and hear our Shepherd's voice and be reminded of the times people of long ago went through trials just to see God's hand in the end. He speaks to us through His Word. All that is written in the Bible is for us to learn from. Examples of God's goodness to His people and His judgment when we choose not to trust and obey. 

We will never be perfect. We will take wrong turns or be disobedient at times. We might not hear God's voice because we are distracted by our own desires or thoughts. But God is in the business of saving lives. We have to lose things in our lives to gain the life He has to offer. Who is willing to trust Him in all things? Who is willing to look at difficult situations as stepping stones to greater things? He is the Good Shepherd. He will guide us and go before us, like He did with these three people. He will work behind the scenes. Who is willing to trust in Him till death's door is upon us?

Matthew 24:12-14 - And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Follow Me

Luke 9:23 - Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

Again, from 2009! Thankful His Word never changes.

We each have changes that need to take place in our lives.  I need to rely on God more and less on myself, I was once reminded.  This is nothing new to me.  If we let go of our own strengths, God will pick up the slack in the times of our greatest weakness.  We have all He requires of us at any particular time. He has chosen each of us for a specific purpose and through our obedience He will work out that plan through us.

How is this done?  Part of it is through discipline, a word that can make us cringe.  Discipline can be negative when it means punishment, correction or restraint.  Yet it is also positive when it means to instruct or prepare.  The word "disciple" comes from the word discipline and I believe that to be positive--and we are called to be Jesus' disciples.

We have a good example to follow, that of Jesus Christ, who took up His cross daily and literally.  He took up His cross even before He physically took it upon the road to Golgotha.  He thought not of Himself but of all others first.  That's a disciple's discipline!  

Discipline starts inwardly through meditating or studying God's word, prayer and fasting.  Obedience is a discipline and that's all the Lord desires of us.  We should not doubt or question His will for us.  It means putting aside my desires and living the life that Jesus would want me to live.  When we allow Him to guide us, He will make those necessary changes and I believe we might not even recognize all of them right away.  Our lives should be one of instruction and preparation.  The discipline of punishment or correction will come if we choose to go our own direction.  Christ's discipline, however, is done out of love.

Remember Christ went before us in discipline.  He knows all about it.  When we received Him as our Savior, we were also crucified with Him on the cross.  We gave up our old, sinful nature so we could follow Him.  He will be there for us when we stumble, lift us up when we fall, comfort us when we are distressed and guide us when we lose our way.  Let us show our gratitude for His discipline through our own self-control.

Hebrews 12:11 - Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 

Heavenly Father, let us be challenged today with discipline.  Let us develop good spiritual disciplines that lead to godliness and righteousness.  Turn us toward the road that leads to our own daily cross and give us the strength to pick it up as you picked up Yours.  Thank You, Lord, that You did not deny us the life that was intended for us.  Guide us in the ways that are right.  Speak to us that we might know what Your desires are for each of us and thank You they are not all the same.  Your ways are good and true and we cannot go wrong in following Your desires for our lives.  Lord, open our eyes to see where we need to change.  Take away the selfishness that can take over when we desire to do our own thing.  Convict us, Lord, when we have strayed.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Good Land

Joshua 24:20-21,23-24‬ - "If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good." And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the LORD!" "Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.” And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!” 

I had written this particular blog awhile ago but never got around to posting. After yesterday's blog, I thought it appropriate to post now. Perhaps the timing is better!

The foreign gods we are to put away are the things of the world. As Christians we are considered foreigners in this world because when we have received Christ we have a heavenly kingdom to think about. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful [worldly] desires, which wage war against your soul. (‭1Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭11) 

Like I said last time, Adam and Eve were ushered out of the good land. Jesus ushers us back in through His forgiveness of our sins, those sins the two in the garden did not at first have. None of us are good. None of us are free from sin...until we receive Jesus Christ.

Then when God has given us the good land, after receiving Christ, we should want to cling to it because of His goodness. We must be obedient to listen, obey and serve Him. Just as God gave Israel the Promised Land, God gives us our heavenly kingdom. Israel had to follow Him, though. Did they always do it willingly? No...those who struggled most were the older people who had known the life of captivity in Egypt. That complaining is what held them back, caused them to wander forty years in the desert. Plus, they did not make it to the Promised Land. They'd forgotten about all the signs and wonders of God that released them. It was a form of rejection of God. Only the next generation, who had not known captivity, but were steadfast in following God, who daily saw Him at work, entered this Promised Land.  

As God has shown, His judgment fell upon those elder Israelites. (Numbers 14) This will happen to those who do not think God is to be revered today, who choose not to follow Him. The kingdom of heaven is reserved for true followers.

Our lives, once given to God, are fueled by our obedience and His goodness. We must remember this. It is He who urged us into relationship with Him. It is He who gave His only Son to die for our sins. It is He we should be eternally grateful to. Joshua reminded Israel of the goodness He displayed:

“Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed." (Joshua‬ ‭23‬:‭14)  God is the same today as yesterday. 

Joshua also reminded Israel, like God has reminds us, if we are not willing and obedient:

"[If you transgress] the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed down to them, then the 
anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you.” (‭Joshua‬ ‭23‬:‭16‬)

I AM WHO I AM

Exodus 3:14 - And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "This you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Moses was commissioned by God to deliver His people Israel out of captivity in Egypt. Moses, despite a little personal struggle, was obedient and did God's will. He did it because Israel was his people also. 

I've written this before but it never gets old for me. Today Egypt is a type of the world. We are all in captivity in this world until we are set free through Jesus Christ. We may not even realize we are in captivity without God, but we are. Moses was to be Israel's deliverer. He was a type of Jesus. We are all called to do the same, to share the truth of God's Word to a lost and dying world that they might be set free.

In Sunday school we are going through the Book of Ecclesiastes. Fits right in here. You'll recognize some of these words: I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted... (‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬, 2:22, 3:1-2)  In the end of the book, which we are far from, are these words: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13-14‬)  

Life is meaningless without Christ as the center of it, without I AM WHO I AM. If anyone has ever wondered why they exist, for what reason...He is the reason; we exist for Him. (‭1Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬)

When we come to Christ whether it be through a sermon, an individual, a scripture, even a vision, the means that has gotten us there is the power of the Holy Spirit. God Himself has intervened. And when we then share our experience or our beliefs, we become the means to do the same for others, to be like Jesus. Not be Him, but like Him because we do His will. I cannot take credit for what He does in and through me. It is all Him, His Spirit...and my obedience. 

It is as if I AM WHO I AM has been sent. I AM is for everyone, whosoever believes...That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭15-16‬)  He and this truth never change. What God opted to do for Israel in Moses' day He will do today also. If you believe in your heart, not your head...

Revelation 1:8 - “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” 

Tastes Like More

Matthew 10:15 - Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

A few days ago I was part of a women's retreat with some of the ladies from our church, young moms to grammies. As with most women it was a nonstop gab fest! We call it fellowship. And fellowship we did...in teaching sessions or at breakfast or dinner or like five of us who just had to go out to satisfy the craving we all surprisingly at the same time for a hot dog! Tee hee. We fellowshipped. Discussion for young and old on the importance of prayer...for the young moms over their children to grow up in the love of and to continue in their love and service to Christ to the older for persistence and patience in prayer for the salvation of family, friends, neighbors.

It was good, uplifting discussion, even in times when we just talked about everyday issues. We laughed, we cried, we rejoiced, we prayed. Time flew. Rest hours were shorter than normal for most, I'm guessing. And giggles erupted in the wee hours when there was stereo snoring! (Six to a suite.) The meals put together were done with love. The joy of our Lord was there ministering to each of us. I was taking it in and hopefully dishing out, although it was a perfect time for me to get to knowing a little more by listening to my new church family. As one young mom said to me one evening, "I hope we have made you feel welcome." Brings tears to my eyes even now.

Surrounded by like minded Christians, a person tends to find out how similar one's thoughts are to others...doubts, fears, anxieties which seem so prevalent in one's life seem a little less so when you know the hearts of others. One such thing happened to me. And the excitable and encouraging words from one woman allowed me to realize I'm not so different! I love this woman for sharing without her even realizing I needed to hear her words!

I'll share. I have from time to time wondered how much I really love the Lord. We are told to love the Lord with all our heart and all our mind. Well, what if you never had proper training on how to love? You didn't experience real love growing up, there were no hugs, no words to let you know. How do you know if you are giving the Lord all the love due Him?

As I listened to this woman share some things about herself I recognized the same thoughts that she's had that I have. I'm not so unusual, nor alone. And why should I even think I am? While I just now contemplated what she said, the thought about coming as a little child came to mind.

Coming to Christ takes no more than childlike faith. Put away the deep thoughts about how this is achieved. It happens at God's right time when we just believe. When children are small don't they just believe whatever is said to them? They trust their mommy and daddy, providing they are good parents. (As a small child I know I was loved; that changed over the years because sadly my parents' lives changed.) Young children haven't grown so intellectual as to weigh all the issues. That comes later. This is what Jesus wants...that we just come to Him as little children, trust in Him, believe in Him. Faith so small, like a mustard seed. And then He will give you the knowledge and wisdom. Although like I said in my last blog...we still only know the "mere edges" of God.

So, I was pondering the conversation and thinking it isn't so difficult to receive Christ. When it happened to me it came in an instant, without reservation as if someone had filled me with a perfect conviction that this was what I needed and I was going to go for it without any thought to what others would think. And Someone did. This was for ME! And I was going for it, now. No thoughts about whether it was the right thing to do or not. I didn't realize it then, but My spirit knew it was right because God filled me with His Spirit then and there. I was at a place in my life when I was an "easy, fillable target." And receive I did.

I came as a little child, full of excitement and a bit of wonder at it all, which has grown over the years. The questions still arise: How is it that I should be sought out by God? Why was I chosen to see things in such a different light? Why should MY ears hear or eyes see or spirit discern things that others do not? What makes ME so special? This woman said she has had these uplifting yet humbling thoughts too. We both relished the idea that God chose us. And this is not haughtiness or arrogance. Here is the explanation in a song.

The only answer we had is that God knew our hearts, our longings to know Him more, our desires to go deeper in relationship with Him. I don't want just a little, I want more. There's a phrase I use when I'm eating something that really tastes good: It tastes like more. Well, we are told to taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). One little taste of His Word, His love, His compassion, even His judgment, and it "tastes like more."

Well, I still haven't gotten to the answer as to how we know we love the Lord. If we love Him we are obedient to His commands, first of which is loving Him above all other things. This same woman once before asked me if something/anything didn't happen that I so longed for would I still follow the Lord. I said yes...because He is the strength I need to get through this life. He is the first and the last, beginning and the end.

If we can just turn away and not continue in our walk with Him, or if we can go a day without a thought or acknowledgment of Him or thankfulness for Him and to Him, we don't love Him with all our heart. While it's not supposed to be about feelings, we are often prone to be caught up in them. I believe we don't need to know intricate details of how all this happens. Just come as that little child. Don't doubt, don't ask questions, just come. Isn't that the very first act of obedience, after all? It's yet another trust issue. He who has called us out of the darkness and into His glorious light has seen our hearts if we have responded to that call. If we have shown that we do not want to be conformed to
this world but desire to be transformed by the renewing of our minds by His Word to prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God in our lives (Romans 12:2), we are showing our love for Him.

As my friend told me, she asked the Lord to show her how much she loved Him and He did...through Scripture. Why it's important to be in the Word...and paying special attention, listening to Him speak, asking for the answers to specific questions. Jesus also said we must first be converted, then come as a child. That conversion is that turning from darkness to light. From wrong to right. From "don't need Jesus" to needing Him. That's obedience too. Surrendering to God's authority.

I have questioned but believe I have known all along. The enemy will drive us nuts trying to undermine the good God has done. He wants seeds of doubt. Let's not let up on tasting and seeing the Lord is good and obeying His commands. Let us cry out in our spirits, "It tastes like more." The more we surrender, the easier it gets...and the more we love the Lord.

I will end with a scripture near and dear to my heart and one which was brought up in a teaching at this retreat. It was a scripture that was quoted at the end of the sermon the day I received Christ. It helps to show what loving the Lord is.

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?

But the LORD...

Deuteronomy 3:26-27 - "But the LORD was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the LORD said to me: "Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter. Go up to the top of Pisgah, and lift your eyes toward the west, the north, the south, and the east; behold it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. 

Moses was a godly man; however, when it came time for the people of Israel to cross over the Jordan river to possess the promised land God had promised them, Moses was not allowed to go. He had angered the LORD...because the people angered him.

Forty years and one whole generation of Israel who had been told they would enter into their promised land had come and gone. They had grown weary of their travels, were disobedient to the God who was providing all their needs daily. They were thirsty and complained to Moses about this God. In his anger over their complaint Moses took it to God and bitterly complained about them. God said to speak to a rock and water would be theirs to soothe their grumbling yet again.

Once before these grumblers complained about water and God ordered Moses to strike a rock with his staff. Water poured out. This time, in his anger, Moses again struck this rock. Water did come, but at a price. Moses was disobedient...he needed only to speak to the rock. He had disobeyed God.

Sounds like a menial thing, right? But when God wants you to do something, you do it His way. His was is the right way. I was talking with a friend the other morning about how we sometimes feel we are not quite always right with God. Feel is the word. We can let our feelings get in the way. God doesn't call us to do something big every day. We hear His voice often as we read His Word, think about Him, meditate on His Word. But He doesn't always call us to just get out and do some huge thing every day. It's all the little things we do each day. I knew I heard from God when He told me to leave my church. That was a huge thing! I didn't want to! I didn't understand why until I started questioning Him. Why, why, why?? You will see this happen, and get this and know this...were the answers that came in time. All I could do is obey...and some day I know those things will come about.

But for Moses' indiscretion, however, he was not allowed into the Promised Land. Seems like a crushing blow. Although disheartened, Moses knew he had done wrong...and he went on to plead with the people, See what the LORD has done to me. Pay attention. This is as an example to you. You wandered 40 years in the desert because of your disobedience. Many of your people died. If you want to cross over to the land He has promised you, you must be obedient, that you might live. I wrote about this yesterday. Deuteronomy 4:1 - Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you.  

There is a reason we have a Bible, why God chose to inspire the men who wrote it...that we might know Him, His power, His commandments, His Way to eternal life, His right to determine what must be done to receive this eternal life. For Israel it was direct obedience to God who was with them, yet unseen. For us it is through Jesus Christ, who can be with us always, yet unseen, if we receive Him into our lives and obey what He tells us, which is the very heart of God, the very things He hears His Father tell Him. Jesus is God also and the Holy Spirit, once we have received Christ, will teach us things because He also is God. Oh, I love the mysteries....

When you seek the Lord and receive Him, you will see all He has done for you and what He will do as a result of your obedience. It is imperative to never forget where you have come from...what He has done to make positive changes in your life...to keep His commandments, to know them and never forget them.

Deuteronomy 4:3-4, 9 - Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal Peor; for the LORD your God has destroyed from among you all the men who followed Baal of Peor. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you. Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren...

Confession From the Heart

Numbers 32:11, 13-15 - Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they have not wholly followed Me... So the Lord ’s anger was aroused against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until ALL the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone. And look! You have risen in your fathers’ place, a brood of sinful men, to INCREASE STILL MORE the fierce anger of the Lord against Israel. For if you turn away from following Him, He will once again LEAVE THEM IN THE WILDERNESS, and you will destroy all these people.”

From captivity to freedom. The story of Moses leading the people out of Egypt to enter into a land God had promised them. There is so much to glean from this account. It is the story of salvation. It is a most vital story. Like Moses, Jesus leads us out of captivity. Moses is a type of Jesus.

We will never enter our promised land without receiving Christ, without obedience to Him. The promised land can be our paradise, through Christ. It has been discussed that Jerusalem, where Jesus will return one day soon, was the center of the garden of Eden. God started life in the garden, banished Adam and Eve from that garden when they sinned. We are all separated from God as a result of their sin. Jesus said on the cross to one of the other sinners, "Today you will be with Me in paradise," when this thief confessed Jesus and hurled these remarks at the other thief: Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong. (Luke 23:40-41)
He offers that same paradise statement to each person who confesses Jesus as Lord. That promised land.

But as the scripture above states, we will not see the promised land without first following Jesus and wholly following Him. The wandering in the wilderness of the world will continue. The sinfulness of man will continue to increase. The anger of the LORD will continue to grow. The people will one day be utterly destroyed for their lack of belief in and obedience to God/Jesus.

We can confess Jesus in two ways. One is from our heart and one is from our mind. If confession is not from the heart it has no meaning. Nothing has changed. We have not crossed over to enter the promised land. God knows what lies in the recesses of both our heart and mind; nothing is hidden from Him. He knows... What we say, how we feel, react, live, is all taken into account. I picture God with a clipboard and checklist for each of us and He's making notes. (Now I know He doesn't need to really do that...) Our sin will find us out. Will we ever be perfect? No. But we must make a conscious effort to do as He says and not deliberately sin.

To inherit eternal life, Jesus tells is, to love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and all your strength (Luke 10:25, Matthew 22:36-38). This is the first commandment...to have no other gods before Him. Confess your sins like the thief, confess Jesus as Lord...from your heart.

Numbers 32:23 - But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.

Good Things

Leviticus 26:3-4 - If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 

• If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways
• walk in My statutes
• pay attention to these laws
• faithfully obey the commands I am giving you
• fully obey the LORD your God
• listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right
• walk in all the ways I command you*

• Then, will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land
• give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce...you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land safely...I will give peace in the land...you will chase your enemies and they shall fall by the sword
• the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you
• I will send rain on your land in its season... so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil
• the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth
• I will not bring on you any of the diseases...for I am the LORD, who heals you
• I will be your God and you will be my people
• that it may go well with you*

Just imagine. If all this nation did was believe in and seek the God who gave us all we have, who created this earth that we might enjoy it and it's goodness and abundance...and obeyed His commands, listened to Him and do what is right....all the other things would be granted to us.

These are only a portion of the if, then statements we can find. There are other if, then statements but I'd prefer to dwell on the positive today. It seems like our part of the deal has less words...it boils down to obedience in seeking, hearing, obeying. God's end of the bargain is eternal goodness, safety, healing, abundance, love. All for the simple act of obedience to Him.

But we have a difficult time obeying. We always fall short. Our human minds have minds of their own sometimes! But again, if we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). That sets us straight again. Why is this so difficult to understand?

I think a lot about this nation of ours and think about the innocence there was when I was growing up. It wasn't pure, but technology sure did a number on it, opening up one door after another letting the purity escape. And we wonder why we struggle these days, why there is so much hate, destruction, death...self-centeredness.

Oh, Ecclesiastes says there is nothing new under the sun. There have always been times of evil and perversion, but boy we had it good for awhile. Times do change.

It all boils down to our disobedience to God. Period. Imagine no terrorism, no market decline, no oppression, no disease. It will always be there because not everyone ever will be obedient to God. And we all will suffer for it.

There will be a day, perhaps sooner than later, when God will put an end to all this and many will eternally suffer the consequences. There's the negative in all this, the thing that could be avoided by believing, trusting and obeying God. We would have a very long way to go to make these changes necessary. We would have to change the twisted thinking that has become normal in society today. I know nothing is impossible with God but I can't see it happening. People will not do it on their own. There's too much stubbornness, pride, greed, haughtiness.

Am I being unfair, judgmental? I don't think so if I believe what God tells us. We are allowed to judge when something is so against God's will and commands.

Psalm 119:2 - Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!

*(2Chronicles 7:14, Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 7:12, Deuteronomy 11:13, Deuteronomy 28:1, Exodus 15:26, Jeremiah 7:23)

Stretched But Not Snapped!

Mark 13:11 - ...do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 

Those who know me will understand what I am about to write. God has given us all certain gifts. I have mentioned in past blogs a desire for a voice although my gift is writing. I don't do well speaking in public, even smaller groups. I have things to say but the words don't always come out in a way that is interesting to others.

So...today I was stretched. I spoke. But it was not really I who spoke. It was definitely the Holy Spirit who had been prompting me all morning. These words came smoothly, despite shaking hands and voice!! We are, after all, called to witness. It just don't matter whether we are eloquent or not; we are called to be obedient. This was a small step.

I attended a book club meeting and was the leader of the discussion of a book I chose. Most liked the book and the conversation was full. It was better than I imagined it would be.  

The book was Angels of Morgan Hill by Donna VanLiere, about a black family in the late 40's, early 50's who moved to the small community of Morgan Hill where they were the only black family, causing people's true selves to really surface. The book showed how bad things happen to good people but sometimes those bad things have to happen in order for good to come about. And how the people in our lives shape our character, whether good or bad.

A fire to the home of this new family causes Milo to lose his entire family. The cause of the fire is not exactly known, but it was suspected to be arson. There were several characters in the book: Jane, the young girl narrating, her once-abused mother Fran, whose husband had died, and who promises Milo's mother on her death bed she would take him in as her own, Milo who turns the community upside down just because of his color, Henry, the owner of the general store and Joe, Fran's new love. 

After reading the book I thought about the characters. For some reason I couldn't shake that Henry the grocer was to me the central character. And I knew this was the basis for my review. You see he knew what everyone was going through, what they needed, could supply their needs if they allowed (or without their even knowing), was a father figure to Jane and a comfort to her family and probably others. It was his way. 

As I was reading the book, I didn't see what I'm about to share. It only came later. What I felt in my spirit was Henry being like God, omniscient, all knowing, knowing everything about us and what exactly we need, supplying those needs if He is the central figure in our lives. He is our Father and can be our Comfort if we allow Him. 

But just hours before I left I felt led to add Joe. I questioned why. I think I knew I was questioning the Holy Spirit. The answer came in an instant...he was a Savior. It was made known in the book that Joe had always loved Fran. From the time they were small children till now. He had never married and had returned to the town occasionally to help in his parents' tobacco field at the fall harvest and auction. It didn't matter that Fran made some wrong choices and suffered for them; he loved her no matter what. And he wanted to give her a better life to allow her to realize she was worthwhile. He wanted to be her husband.

Jesus does that for us. He has loved us with an everlasting love. He doesn't care what we've done as long as we turn to Him and allow Him to be our Husband. He forgives all things and makes us new. Just what Joe wanted to do. 

All the bad situations were turned around for good. Lives changed for the better. Milo was accepted in the community. People's hearts changed. There were those people who fought against evil and did good despite others and evil did not prevail. 

God allowed my voice today. I don't know how everyone felt about it but it doesn't matter. If I had not been given the two ideas, it would just have been another book
club review. But God had other plans. I know this may seem a not-so-big thing to many, but it was for me. And, sadly, it shouldn't be. I was stretched but I did not snap! I just followed through. One comment was: That was a great analogy. 

I thank God. I cannot take credit for any more than opening my mouth and being obedient to speak. Lord, bring it on!!!

Galatians 1:10 - For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

More Than Ever Before

Matthew 5:17 - Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

I love how Old Testament words often are so prophetic. I love how Jesus shows in the New Testament how He fulfilled those words.

I was reading in Hebrews 10 this morning. It described how the law demanded constant sacrifices by the people to atone for their sins...yet those sins were never taken away. What was the purpose of hundreds of years of sacrifices? Verse one says the law of that day was a shadow of the good things to come (Jesus). The purpose was to show through Old Testament events and accounts who Jesus would be when He arrived to be the New Testament. Old Testament, Jesus concealed; New Testament, Jesus revealed.

It is also clearly pointed out that none of the sacrifices was ever enough or they would have ceased. Hebrews 10:4 - For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

But God...made a way, the Way, in Jesus Christ. By His blood and righteousness.

I'm going to switch from Hebrews 10 to Psalm 40 where the words were first formed in the mouth of David through his prayer.

Psalm 40:6-8 was quoted in Hebrews 10 as words Jesus would have spoken. I became absorbed in this psalm. The words quoted were: Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."

Granted David spoke these words in the psalm, but little did he know he would have been speaking of the Messiah that was to come. Of course we read them and it's obvious who he was speaking of. In the scroll of the book it was written of Him! Do you see it? This is not all new to me, but I am excited to share this.

Earlier in Psalm 40 David says: He (the Lord) set my feet upon a rock, established my steps, put a new song in my heart...because He heard David's cry for mercy. Sounds like what Jesus does to those to believe. David goes on to say that those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. And He does not require sacrifices and offerings but that we do His will when we allow our ears to be opened to hear the truth of who He is and allow His law into our hearts.

These, people, are words--no, a song--of salvation! From the Old Testament...words that speak of Jesus and the perfect work of salvation He alone gives. They are words that are encouraging and freeing. We do not need to work for any of this. We just need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and with the very depth of our heart and soul receive Him as our Savior. But it doesn't stop there. We then become disciples and do His work...HIS work, the works that are now deemed good.

Oh, how David continues by saying he is proclaiming the "good news" of God's righteousness. His lips cannot be restrained. This is Old Testament David speaking about Savior God, who has yet in David's lifetime come to become the last perfect sacrifice for all mankind. He is last sacrifice given for us all that we no longer need to work out our salvation through good works that do nothing because how much is really enough??

Today many still believe going to church is a sign of goodness. Some believe their philanthropic giving to very worthy, for sure, organizations will satisfy God's idea of goodness. Yes, we do good things in our lives, but when we do them in the name of Jesus, they are better. Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. I delight to do Your will, O my God. We cannot work out our salvation on our own. Jesus did it for us. We need only earnestly seek Him.

David calls out to God that His lovingkindness and truth preserve him. Lovingkindness...in that He became the perfect sacrifice for our sins because He knew we could never attain the perfect sacrifice on our own. But God...could, through His Son Jesus. The willingness of one Man to do this for the sins of all mankind. And nothing we could do of our own would be enough. Nothing.

Oh, I'm sure I'm repeating myself....

David goes on to admit that his sins were innumerable...greater than the number of hairs on his head. Might I add, greater than the sand on earth. How many times have we committed the same sin, no matter how great or small, repeatedly in our lifetime? Imagine the immeasurable number of sins, past, present and those yet to come. You can't, can you? But Jesus knows them all. And He will forgive us.

Psalm 40:13 - Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me! David's enemies were after him. We have an enemy too and he relies on our sins to botch up our lives. Let Jesus deliver from those sins. Let those who seek God rejoice and be glad for all He is wanting and able to do in the lives of those who truly do look for Him and learn His truths. He offers the hope of salvation. David unknowingly prophesied about that. David trusted in God, but knew not Jesus.

More than ever before this world needs to know that Jesus does save. Many will agree that this world is changing. Things we have little control of are happening in our own individual lives, too. Many in our country see that. I believe, well, I pray, in the next year or so even more will see the destruction that is coming...and how much closer, biblically, we are to Jesus' return. He does not require ongoing sacrifices to become a child of God; He only requires we seek Him and then are obedient to Him.

He desires that none should perish, although many will. For those of us waiting for His return, we pray that He come quickly...but it will be in His timing alone. More good news, there's still time to receive Christ. But I wouldn't wait too long.

Psalm 40:17 - But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.

The Great Misconception...Or If, Then

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Heavenly Father, open hearts and minds to receive and understand these words. Remove all pride and take blinders off that the message may be received graciously. You were a gentle Man, Jesus, with hard words. Penetrate hard, stubborn and rebellious hearts and minds. In Your name I pray, Jesus. Amen.

There is a misconception that IF we know with our minds that there is a God and that Jesus is His Son and that we only acknowledge Him in this way, we are Christians. I was among those with this understanding. No one was going to tell me that I needed more than that belief. I had gone to church as a child and young adult but it was not doing much for me. Besides, I knew who Jesus was and what He did for me; what more did I need?

Yes, this is a repeat of past blogs on this subject. I'm hoping each time I write it a new thought will make it's way through my fingers and more importantly, into hearts and minds. 

The idea that if we know there is a God and know who Jesus is and that's all we need hinders His true intent. We are not true Christians until we have made a heart attitude change toward Him. Sound like a narrow view? It is. 

Jesus said Himself that the gate is small and the road narrow that leads to life...and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:14) Look at that statement and where it comes from...first book of the New Testament, seventh chapter...mighty close to the beginning. It didn't take long to show us what is required, did it? We need to shed the misconceptions and listen to His words more clearly.

He also said that there will be those who think they are followers of Christ. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) There could be, and very will be, even members of the clergy who will think they've done a great work for God only to be turned away. If that can happen to them, what about us? Gives one pause...

The Bible is filled with "if" statements regarding who we truly are in Christ and who He actually calls His children. "If" may be a small word but one whose meaning is powerful. It means the difference between the small gate and narrow road which few find and the wide gate and wide road that lead to destruction. It means the difference between being saved or not, going to heaven or not. I'm not making this up. 

Jesus is not a game. He is not just a passing thought. He is to be our Source, our life, our rock...and our salvation. None other. Knowing and following Jesus...you do or you don't. "If" scriptures give us a glimpse of all His promises. Here are a few:

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." John 8:31

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

"...but [if you] drink of the water that I shall give [you] will never thirst. But the water that I shall give [you] will become in [you] a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." 

John 4:14

If you love Me, [you will] keep My commandments. John 14:15

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 2Timothy 2:12

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 1Thessalonians 3:8

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 1Peter 3:13

There are always provisions in the scriptures. God's promises are for those who are obedient to Him. We will never be perfect, I might add. He doesn't expect that. He does expect a good, heartfelt try! And He knows the motivations of our hearts. The provisions are in these "if" statements. If we seek Him, He will... If we obey Him, He will... If we confess Him, He will... Not always easy "then" statements. Like a father sometimes has to exhibit tough love on a child, so does our Heavenly Father. It's because He loves us and wants none to perish. But it's all about our choice. Either we believe, follow, trust, obey, seek or we can choose not to.

It's not about religion or denomination. It's about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Again, we will never be perfect, but if we confess our sins...and this is an immediate confession...to the Father, right now wherever we are...He is faithful to forgive. Confession is mandatory. 

We cannot say we are saved if we have not done what the Bible says is mandatory. Those things are to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life, receive Him as our only means of salvation, turn from our old lifestyles because the old man has gone and the new has emerged, and then seek Him daily through prayer, song, dancing (like David did), and all you do. 

One last "if" statement: 

Romans 10:9-10 - If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Heart of Worship

Romans 15:5-6 - Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I love my little church in Arizona. It has a new pastor. Pastor Nathan is a big man with a booming voice...and messages that are pointed...right to Jesus, right to our hearts and right to our spirits, the way messages should be. Oh, I love my church in Wisconsin too. I get the best of both states.

A couple Sundays ago Pastor Nathan spoke on Acceptable Worship. Seems I’ve heard something like this before from my Wisconsin pastor! God loves a joyful noise. And He loves and knows a heart of worship that comes out of spirit and truth.

What Pastor Nathan was telling us, however, was we should get into the habit of worship NOW. Pastor Rory said something similar. Some day in heaven it’s what we will do. We should get used to doing it today. We don’t need to know the words to the song nor do we need to like the sound of the music, Pastor Nathan suggested. We come to worship God with a heart of humility and out of an attitude that it’s between He and me! We come out of an act of obedience; it is what we are called to do.

He used the example of King Saul who had been appointed to be the king of Israel because of his heart for the Lord. When he began his days as king he was humble and he was obedient to God in all he did. As time went on, however, he became proud and thought he knew better than God and acted against God’s command.

He was told to battle against the Amalekites and that God would see to it he would capture them. He was also told that he should not spare the lives of anyone or any beast. Nothing should be spared. Nothing. But Saul spared the king’s life and all the best of the animals and crops and any thing that was good, to become a sacrifice to God. But this was clearly against God’s command. He did not want the sacrifices; He wanted obedience (1Samuel 15:22). Samuel had not even been aware he had gone against God. His pride took over. His thinking that what he did was good. 

This can happen to us when we determine we do not like the music. It’s not about the music; it’s about our hearts and our obedience when we stand to worship before God. As Pastor Nathan said, Any arrogance or pride will destroy our worship. If we determine that this music doesn’t suit us so it must not suit the Lord, we are making our own decision. We don’t know God’s heart, other than He loves a joyful noise! 

There's a song by Michael W. Smith called the Heart of Worship. The lyrics tell us it goes much deeper than the music. The song is not what is required; it is our heart and what comes out of that heart. A heart that knows that it's not about the music but it's all about Him.

Worship should be between God and me. If my heart grouses at the music, I’ve destroyed that time of worship right then and there. I have been disobedient; I’ve not sacrificed my time, my heart to be with the Lord. It is displeasing to Him that I have placed more importance over the sound of the music than my closing in and worshiping Him. There’s no reason why we can’t take in the words and form prayers within our hearts out of them.

No church will ever meet the needs of all people. We would love to have an atmosphere of unity, but is it possible to ever attain this? As far as music goes, which is most important, unity of worship or music that “I” like? Could that be an attitude of pride? Could it be an attitude that says it's all about me and my likes and dislikes? Could it be an attitude of the heart that God finds undesirable?

A humble heart is what is acceptable to the Lord. Humbleness in our attitude even when we don’t always agree with the music...or anything that causes disunity within the body of Christ. There are times when something is not right and something needs to be pointed out as wrong. It’s just not always all about me, or anyone. Music seems to be the typical hot topic of disagreement. And isn’t that just what the enemy wants?

Is my worship between me and God or is it an outward display for others to see? It’s all about Him. If we are doing it for the sake of others seeing us, they are empty actions. God knows our hearts and our thoughts. He can see right through our actions. Sometimes actions can be visibly seen as defiance because we don’t like something. There goes unity. Are we sacrificing our own feelings and thoughts about something in order to worship God? Are we laying those thoughts and feelings at His feet and humbling ourselves or are we being defiant? God delights in obedience.

1Samuel 15:22 - So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams."