Exodus 9:12 NLT
(12) But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and just as the LORD had predicted to Moses, Pharaoh refused to listen.
Regardless of what facts are presented people refuse to listen just like Moses told Pharaoh about the horrible plagues that would come if he did not listen to God and I believe once again God's people are being prepared for a great exodus as the Jewish people were being prepared to leave Egypt. The harder hearts become the closer we get to seeing God do something big! As it was with Pharaoh many opportunities have been provided to turn from his disobedience but in the end he chose selfishness which brought him low for the rest of the world to see and for all time but even then he did not surrender to God's authority. Is America headed for the same judgment, many think they can over-power or push God's hand. I was reminded of this as I watched video of the Black Lives Matter movement blocking traffic only to be ran over by angry motorist. God is kind and merciful but that does not mean He is weak. It seems odd to me people who dislike their country enough to come looking for a new life are trying so desperately to change America into the same type of country they came from but then sin and disobedience is not about common sense is it? For they, like Pharaoh, are being driven by demonic forces as Satan himself fights against the Living God by trying to destroy what is most important to Him, His people. I feel a great tribulation is coming and we know that only means the second returning of Christ Jesus is also coming. Some believe it will happen before things get bad but I know Jesus, our teacher did not leave this world before the great tribulation he faced and I know the Bible teaches we must be like him.
Matthew 10:24-28 NLT
(24) "Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master.
(25) Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of My household will be called by even worse names!
(26) "But don't be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.
(27) What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
(28) "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
As days go on watch and see if people don't get more angry as the truth is revealed for that will be a sure sign that the time of Christ Jesus' return is near. Listen to the words of Jesus as he told His disciples what would take place before the end.
Matthew 24:1-51 NLT
(1) As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, His disciples pointed out to Him the various Temple buildings.
(2) But He responded, "Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!"
(3) Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to Him privately and said, "Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal Your return and the end of the world? "
(4) Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you,
(5) for many will come in My name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many.
(6) And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.
(7) Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.
(8) But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
(9) "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are My followers.
(10) And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other.
(11) And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.
(12) Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
(13) But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
(14) And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.
(15) "The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about--the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place." (Reader, pay attention!)
(16) "Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.
(17) A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack.
(18) A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat.
(19) How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days.
(20) And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath.
(21) For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again.
(22) In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Sunday, August 21, 2016
For they know not what they do
Luke 23:33-35 NLT
(33) When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified--one on His right and one on His left.
(34) Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice.
(35) The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let Him save Himself if He is really God's Messiah, the Chosen One."
We are quick to ask for forgiveness when we fall short of God's standard but if someone falls short of our standard how often do we follow Jesus' example, “Lord forgive them for they know not what they do”? No, more often we keep score remembering their deliberate choices against us. In our self-righteous position we justify our prayer for equality, completely forgetting what God has done in order to forgive our deliberate choices against His will. At some point we all come to this place due to the pain and hurt we have endured and we think somehow if we forgive then the offender will not be held accountable. Jesus was not concerned about those responsible for his pain and suffering being held accountable but instead looked past that and saw them as lost children who needed saving. Jesus knew the Father would judge and even though Jesus could have called them out in His righteousness that was not what He came to do, instead He trusted the Father to do what only the Father can do. Remember this the next time someone deliberately comes against you or your intended good; can you trust Father God to do what you cannot, to see what is really going on and judge each one not only by their deeds but also by their hearts?
I have a saying that I try to live by when someone is acting out, “Don't let their problem become your problem.” Meaning we are so often concerned about things being even that when someone hurts us we are quick to act in kind to show them how tough we can be but did you know when we take matters into our own hands God's judgment moves from the offender to us, in part because we had the opportunity to show them God's love and kindness but we were disobedient. Now instead of the offense being against a child of God it is against God himself!
Lord, help me to love like Jesus loves. Please forgive me for holding on to my hurt and pain like they are some sort of trophy to be worn in front of others as a indicator of what I have endured for You, how silly. I am reminded often of my own need for forgiveness and exactly where I would be without it. Give me spiritual eyes to see what is really going on and a heart that trust You know what You are doing. To worry about people being held accountable for their deeds is to worry that You don't know what You are doing and that too is silly. Lord I love You, thanks for loving me first. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
(33) When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified--one on His right and one on His left.
(34) Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice.
(35) The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let Him save Himself if He is really God's Messiah, the Chosen One."
We are quick to ask for forgiveness when we fall short of God's standard but if someone falls short of our standard how often do we follow Jesus' example, “Lord forgive them for they know not what they do”? No, more often we keep score remembering their deliberate choices against us. In our self-righteous position we justify our prayer for equality, completely forgetting what God has done in order to forgive our deliberate choices against His will. At some point we all come to this place due to the pain and hurt we have endured and we think somehow if we forgive then the offender will not be held accountable. Jesus was not concerned about those responsible for his pain and suffering being held accountable but instead looked past that and saw them as lost children who needed saving. Jesus knew the Father would judge and even though Jesus could have called them out in His righteousness that was not what He came to do, instead He trusted the Father to do what only the Father can do. Remember this the next time someone deliberately comes against you or your intended good; can you trust Father God to do what you cannot, to see what is really going on and judge each one not only by their deeds but also by their hearts?
I have a saying that I try to live by when someone is acting out, “Don't let their problem become your problem.” Meaning we are so often concerned about things being even that when someone hurts us we are quick to act in kind to show them how tough we can be but did you know when we take matters into our own hands God's judgment moves from the offender to us, in part because we had the opportunity to show them God's love and kindness but we were disobedient. Now instead of the offense being against a child of God it is against God himself!
Lord, help me to love like Jesus loves. Please forgive me for holding on to my hurt and pain like they are some sort of trophy to be worn in front of others as a indicator of what I have endured for You, how silly. I am reminded often of my own need for forgiveness and exactly where I would be without it. Give me spiritual eyes to see what is really going on and a heart that trust You know what You are doing. To worry about people being held accountable for their deeds is to worry that You don't know what You are doing and that too is silly. Lord I love You, thanks for loving me first. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
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