GOD is fair

GOD is just. HE does what is right.

The war in Israel is being talked about everywhere along with videos the horror of it’s beginning, plus Israel’s retaliatory actions necessary in order to stop further attacks of like nature not only from the south but also from the north.

Israel WARNED Gaza’s residents to leave before they bombed.  That was Mercy to the unmerciful. Just as our great GOD and Savior the LORD JESUS taught us (Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:7).

I pondered on that WARNING given to Gaza before Israeli active retaliation against the terrorists. It gave the citizens time to leave, which is something Israel is known to do before civilians are affected.  That WARNING makes me think about how Israel’s need to strongly retaliate in order to stop further such attacks is like GOD’s need to stop sin but cause it only increases.

GOD’s WARNING is what we believers are to give out to the unbelievers.  It says “GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “He who believes on the SON has everlasting life, and he that believes not on the SON shall not see life, but the wrath of GOD abides on him still” (John 3:36.

Just as the Jews must stop these attacks for they will only get worse, so GOD must stop sin. HE must utterly wipe it out. Yet GOD does not delight in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn and live (Ezekiel 18:23, 32). 

In the ALMIGHTY’s longsuffering HE sends out the WARNING both through HIS word and HIS believers longing for people to reach out to HIM and be saved (Acts 17:27).  But the day of reckoning, that day of the attack has been set (2 Peter 3:7) we call it the 7-year Tribulation or Jacob’s Trouble.  No one knows when it will happen, but when it comes it will come suddenly unsuspecting.

Have you fled to safety by believing in the LORD JESUS CHRIST’s blood that saves from the coming wrath of GOD?

As I thought of these things I recognized that this is a picture of what is coming. Israel is giving us a view of GOD’s wrath.  

We have a hard time watching, but seeing the escalation of sin we know it is necessary.

Surprisingly, many nations who usually condemn Israel’s defense of themselves are now in support of Israel.  By that very action we know this isn’t yet the time of the  Ezekiel 38 and 39 war. For the Bible is clear that at that time, though many nations will say to the aggressors why are you attacking Israel, no nation will help Israel.

Be ready for we know not the day.

Hugs

Sharon

What would you do?

What would you do if you saw a little child running into a busy street?

C.S.Lewis said, “When everyone is running toward a cliff (and certain death), anyone who runs the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.”

The world thinks we who hold to the truth of GOD’s eternal standards are crazy.  If that isn’t enough the world is saying we, who lovingly try to stop those about to go over the cliff, are full of hate.

As I was reading in Hosea two verses jumped out at me.

1-“All their wickedness is in Gilgal, I (GOD) hate their wickedness” (Hosea 9:15).

What happened in Gilgal?

In 1 Samuel 15 King Saul was told to destroy the enemy of GOD.  Saul did partially what GOD told him to do, but actually he did what he thought best. Saul did it his own way. Look what GOD said about what King Saul did.

“Has the LORD as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken (listen and obey)…For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, HE has rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

Do you ever think, like when something bad happens, that you know better than ALMIGHTY GOD Maker of heaven and earth?

2-“They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah…”. 

I wondered what happened in Gibeah.  I turned to the crossed reference and remembered the gory story in Judges  19. A man and his 2^nd wife (concubine) stopped in Gibeah on their way home.  An old man, aware of what could occur, insisted they stay at his house and while there all the men of the city (young and old) gathered around the house and demanded that the old man send the traveler out so they could have sex with him.  When the men were about to crash the door down the traveler threw his own wife out and they raped her all night.  In the morning the traveler found her dead as he opened the door to leave.

Not just our nation but the whole world seems to have gone sex and gender crazy.  That is exactly what Romans 1:18 and following says will happen when people turn away from GOD and HIS ways. 

Though the world may think we Christians crazy because we still hold to the eternal unchanging truth of GOD’s standards found in the Holy Bible, we must love enough to warn.  We cannot affirm those heading to disaster.   For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

“But the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST” (Romans 6:23).  “For GOD (who must punish sin because it destroys) so loved the world that HE sent HIS only begotten SON (JESUS CHRIST) that whosoever believes in HIM will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“If you confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS, and believe that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness (see Romans 3:10-12, 20-22), and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever calls on the name of the LORD (JESUS) shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

Praying

Hugs

Sharon

How do you know?

Ever wonder what you should do?

What did JESUS mean when HE said, “Man (and women) can not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD” Matthew 4:4?

GOD’s Words are our instructions to empower us to successfully move through the maze of this life, just as food energizes our bodies.

As Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the Word of GOD is living and powerful.”  It shows us ourselves and directs us to GOD’s way for us.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and LEAN not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes fear (humbly reverence) the LORD and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7.

Notice it does not say direct your understanding. That means the LORD leads the way but like with Abraham HE does not always explain Hebrews 11:8). Being GOD is more powerful than the devil or you, it is guaranteed HE will be the one directing you if you humbly ask.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go I will counsel you with MY eyes upon you.” Psalm 32:8

When GOD tells us to talk to HIM about everything. HE means it for only HE knows what lies ahead. To comply with HIS word and nudges is what is meant to walk in the SPIRIT. GOD promises that if we just acknowledge HIM in a situation, HE will instruct and teach us in the way we should go.

Isaiah 30:19b-21 “How gracious HE (the LORD) will be when you cry for help! As soon as HE hears you, HE will answer you. Although the LORD gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, … whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you (impressed within you), saying, ‘This is the way walk in it’.”

You might ask, “But can’t the devil talk to us too and trick us? And what about my own desires couldn’t they override GOD’s leading and make me think it is GOD?” 

If you had not brought it before the LORD with a humble willingness to do whatever HIS will is, I would have to say yes on both counts. But once we admit our need in a situation, acknowledge HIM (come to HIM with a willingness to listen and obey) The LORD promises to direct your steps, and remember GOD cannot lie Titus 1:2).

How can we determine that GOD is speaking in a verse or in a nudge? GOD impresses in our hearts and minds and initially we know that is what we should do (see Hebrews 10:16, Philippians 2:13).

“… hearts are in the hand of the LORD, as one can direct the spray of water from a hose by moving it from one place to another, so the LORD directs the thoughts where HE wants them to go …” Proverbs 21:1

For it is GOD who is at work in you, both to want to do and to be able to do what HE wants done. Philippians 2:13

“Commit your work to the LORD and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:9.

GOD is speaking to us. The question is, are we listening?

WARNING: If you still do not know the next step after asking, WAIT- GOD is saying, stay put until you do know what to do.  Do NOT plot your own plans! GOD says not to do that for it will only cause you trouble (Isaiah 50:10-11).

Hugs

Sharon

In just a moment

When my son John was just a little guy we lived in a tiny trailer.  He loved zooming around so keeping him in his walker when I was busy was the easiest and safest thing to do. That was back in the day before there was a circular tray around the seat of a toddler’s walker. On a day when I was baking some bread, repeatedly he headed toward the kitchen area where I was.  I kept blocking his way and telling him “NO! you will get hurt.” But the second I’d turned around to grab something, there was a terrible scream.  In that instant John had zoomed over in his walker and touched the forbidden oven door and seared his little fingers.  I can still see those crocodile tears rolling down his tiny face.

GOD is love and HIS plans for man are good.  GOD made us for eternal (immortal) life (2 Corinthians 5:4-5).  GOD never wanted/desired that men die (Ezekiel 18:30-32). 

If GOD had wanted us to die HE would never have told Adam and Eve “Don’t eat of that tree of the knowledge of good and evil or you will die.” 

But they, like my little John didn’t listen, and we still experience the results of their action. You and I are still following their example when we demand to do what is right in our own eyes instead of listening to GOD’s warnings.

A look at Russia and the Ukraine right now is a vivid example of the effect of man doing what is right in his own eyes.

But GOD is love and HIS steadfast love and mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning (Lamentation 3:22-23).  GOD has made a way. “GOD was in CHRIST, reconciling the world unto HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them (2 Corinthians 5:19) and if we come to HIM and call on the name of the LORD there is forgiveness (Romans 10:13).

GOD’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours, vastly beyond our ability to comprehend Isaiah 55:8-9).  You might ask, “If HIS plans for us are really good then why does HE allow wars and pain and sickness?”  They are a result of men’s choices. Sin brings spiritual death and leads to physical death.

GOD is just and must punish sin.  But because GOD loved the world and wanted people to live and not die, HE sent JESUS to die for us in our place (John 3:16) and not only that but GOD the FATHER was in CHRIST (JESUS) reconciling the world to HIMSELF and does not hold sin against any who believe in JESUS (2 Corinthians 5:19). 

Due to JESUS payment for all sin on the cross, GOD can be just (fair) when HE declares believers in the cleansing work of JESUS’ blood justified (just as if I’d never sinned) Romans 3:26, 5:9 and they are kept from the wrath to come.

What an amazing plan, what an amazing GOD.  Do you know HIM?

Hugs

Sharon

For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM (JESUS) should not perish, but have everlasting life John 3:16

Do you pay attention?

We don’t hear much about Joseph- the one GOD picked to be JESUS’s stepfather. This morning I read a short email mentioning him and it triggered my thoughts.

The Bible tells us that Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, was a just man. When he learned she was pregnant he had the power to have her stoned to death.  But he wanted to protect her but not marry her since it was not his child.  As he thought on these things an angel appeared to him and gave him a message from GOD.  Joseph listened carefully, believed and obeyed that word (Matthew 1:19-20, 24).

Joseph shows the truth that initially when we hear a word from GOD, even though a messenger, we recognize it as truth. If we receive it and believe it leads us.  But if we turn from it, we will lose the knowledge it offers.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.  And HE said to them, Take heed to (be careful)  what you hear: with what measure you mete (listen), it shall be measured to you: and to you that hear shall more be given.  For he that has (believed), to him shall be given: and he that has not (believed), from him shall be taken even that which he has (heard) (Mark 4:23-25).

If any man will do HIS will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of GOD, or whether I speak of myself (John 7:17).

Because Joseph carefully listened and obeyed the 1^st message, we are told of two other times GOD sent him messages that Joseph followed carefully (Matthew 2:13-14 and 19-23).

Initially, that is to begin with, you will know if what is said is of GOD.  If you pay attention and obey it you will gain direction and be told more that is the promise of GOD. 

On the other hand, there is the WARNING- If you turn from truth, because you don’t like it or don’t want to think about it then you will not only lose that direction, but you have chosen to walk in the dark.

Hugs

Sharon

The squirrel

Donna and I went to the park and fed the squirrels and drank our coffee. It was amusing watching them eating the banana and nuts . At one point there was about 15 squirrels scurrying around and gathering the goodies we had tossed out. After they were satisfied one by one they left the scene leaving a single baby squirrel feasting on a nut.

Down dove a huge black bird with a long pointed beak 3 times the size of the young squirrel confronting the baby squirrel. The two of them squared off and the baby scared that big bird with his long pointed beak so that it backed off. Then came another big black bird so there were two, and then another came so there were three big black birds confronting him but the baby squirrel held his ground. When the 4th blackbird descended the little squirrel hesitated only a moment and then scampered to the tree and lickity-split he scurried up the trunk and hid in the branches of the towering tree.I

It was such fun to watch but for a brief moment I feared those big old black birds would grab him and either fly away with him or peck him with their long sharp beaks.

All is well for that little guy listened to that inner warning to flee.

Are we half as bold in our witness for JESUS saving grace and are we careful to listen to the nudges of the HOLY SPIRIT in when to speak and when to be silent?

“In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the SPIRIT (who was given to us when we believed and lives in us). Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with (promptings or nudgings of) the SPIRIT have their minds set on what the SPIRIT desires” (Romans 8:4-5). “For if you are led by the SPIRIT, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:18). “Since we live by the SPIRIT, let us keep in step with the SPIRIT” (Galatians 5:25 NIV). Just like that brave little baby squirrel heeded that inner warning to flee.

Hugs

Sharon L Manning