Seasons

I know it sounds foolish but while thinking of what I am about to speak of, my mind flew to some pretty dish towels a friend gave me several years ago.  Others have used them in ways they were not intended to be used and they are badly stained.  They are not important in and of themselves, but still I feel sad they are ruined when I still see the nice designs among the horrid stains.

Joy fills me as I see the breeze chasing the fallen leaves across the lawn and the brilliant autumn color show even though many branches of the colorful trees are dead.  It is easy to see why GOD said, “It is good!” as HE made what HE made in creation (Genesis 1).

Thinking about GOD’s delight in HIS creation compared to the sorrow HE must feel in what HE has declared must take place to rid existence of evil, helps me understand why the temple in heaven will be filled with blinding smoke and none allowed to enter it during the Tribulation when the completing of GOD’s wrath against sin is poured out on those on the earth (Revelation 15:1, 8).

That reminds me of how GOD turned the lights off when HIS beloved SON hung on the cross carrying all mankind’s sin so we could be forgiven.

“And it was about the sixth hour (noon), and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour (3). And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when JESUS had cried with a loud voice, HE said, FATHER, into THY hands I commend MY spirit: and having said thus, HE gave up the ghost” (Luke 23:44-46).

Scripture is clear that the LORD GOD doesn’t find joy in executing HIS wrath (Ezekiel 18:32, 33:11) but because sinful men refuse HIS offer of cleaning HE must.  Wrongs must be righted, for any sin left will destroy therefore it must be eradicated.

How sorrowful GOD must be to have to destroy the beauty HE designed now that it is corrupted by sin.  I believe this is true, even though GOD knows what HE has planned to resurrect far outshines what now is. 

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).

Hugs

Sharon

Are you salty?

How salty are you?

The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. The lake’s surface is 1,412 ft below sea level, making its shores the lowest land-based elevation on Earth. It is 34.2% (in 2011) salt- 9.6 times as salty as the ocean –making it the saltiest body of water in the world and also which makes swimming similar to floating.

It went from a fresh-water lake to a salt lake when GOD sent fire down upon it in judgment (Genesis 19:24).

When GOD says,   “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6), the salt HE is talking about is the truth of the Word of GOD which is purifying.

Too much salt is not good for us.  In an open wound salt can really make it burn, so we must always seek GOD’s wisdom when talking and saying silent arrow prayer for direction always helps.  Yet as salt purifies and preserves and enhances the flavor of foods, so the truth of GOD’s word can preserve and enhance lives.   Therefore, even if it stings a bit it is a very good thing.

We live in a day of pandemics and increasing natural disasters, when all around the world people are going crazy with riots and looting because of food, gas and electric shortages.  We hear of wars in the Mideast and threats of a war and ultimatums from Russia and North Korea, it is a time when we who know what GOD has said would happen to be salty. 

We must care enough about others to tell them GOD’s plan laid out clearly in HIS Word the Bible.  Prophesies written centuries ago are being fulfilled one after another.  GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son JESUS to die for us to pay for our sin and reconcile us to GOD that we might have eternal life (John 3:16).  They need to know of HIS love and HIS plan to purify this world when HIS wrath against sin will be poured out.   

People need to know that all they must do to be saved from what is coming soon is to call upon the LORD.  (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

^“The one who believes on the SON (JESUS) has everlasting life: but the one that does not believe the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides on him (John 3:36).

Are you salty?  Are you ready?

Hugs

Sharon