So much has happened since the last post! We took a two week break from everything but the Next Door Bible Study because my 25 year High School reunion took place this past Friday. Notice the new picture and you'll see me with my friend of over 30 years. It was interesting to see old friends and make new ones. Girls and boys morphed into women and men. Some people looked totally different to me.
I was very pleased that so many of us made it. Some were not with us because of time and travel. Some were not with us because their lives had come to an end. I was also glad to see that so many had come to know Christ as their Savior. 25 years is a way out! God was gracious to give us this time and there are still some who don't know Jesus. It reminded me to continue to pray for my family and friends who are lost, and I rejoiced to see everyone, no matter their walk. As long as there's breath in a body, there's a prayer for salvation. Only God knows who will and won't turn. As the song says, "I'll sing until the whole world hears!"
This has been another terrific week at Mercy Abounds. The Next Door Bible study family are working our way through Genesis, the sons of Jacob and the beginning of the nation of Israel. We are learning so much. This particular week from Genesis 25 we learned about falling and getting back up.
After Dinah had been raped and Simeon and Levi murdered an entire city of men, took the women and children and all of the family of Jacob (now called Israel by God) had to travel out of the area, God took them back to the place where He had introduced Himself personally to Jacob. Again He reminded Jacob that he was no longer to be called by his given name of Jacob, which means "supplanter, deceiver, liar..." but Israel meaning Prince with God. Only God elevates the lowly! Every other culture and some religions ignore or pity the poor and pitiable. BUT GOD, I love to hear that, "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." James 4:6.
Jacob told his family in Genesis 35:2 that they were to "put away your foreign gods (thanks again Simeon and Levi for bringing all the foreigners and their gods in....emphasis mine), purify yourselves, and change your clothes." Isn't that just how we should approach God? Putting away all our idols, everything that has stolen time from God; purifying ourselves, get rid of the false and the flamboyant; and change our clothes, come clean and humble before the Lord. Then, go back to where it all began. Where was it that God gave you your calling or made you that promise? Where was it that He told you what you were to do or where to go? Go there again, make a new altar, get a fresh Word from Him and be refreshed, reassured and renewed of strength.
When God reminded Jacob of His plan for a nation through him there was no reprimand. God did not yell at Jacob, nor did He mention, according to the scripture the offenses committed. Jacob and his family had outwardly done the act of repentance. Turning from their sin to God. When they left, Jacob buried Rachel and his past (the old man) and Israel (the new man) moved on according to Genesis 35:20,21. I love that God's Word put it just like that! Following is a genealogy of his family.
Now, I believe with all my heart that we should take instruction from God's instruction manual, His Word. We now do inwardly what Jacob and his family did outwardly by repentance that leads to salvation through Jesus Christ. We put away what was once important as we turn humbly to God leaving all that was false and flamboyant so that we can be made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Before we can be refreshed, reassured and renewed with strength we have to be redeemed by the blood of Christ. If you've never experienced what I'm talking about, would you consider the possibility that you may not truly know Christ as your Savior? I'm not judging or accusing, just opening the question for exploration.
A good litmus test for salvation is to be able to understand the Bible and hearing God speak through it. I'm not saying that the minute you get saved you can open the Bible and preach. However, Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27. So, if you have never heard God speak to you through the scripture and you are not following Him, you might want to take some time with Jesus to reconsider things. Or, maybe not. You do certainly have a choice. I hope you make the same one I did, because this choice is one with eternal consequences.
Maybe your heart is hurting and you are angry with God, the choices you've made and the fact that He allowed you to make them. I have certainly been there. Would you allow me to serve you by telling you that God is in the same place you left Him, everywhere, all the time, and He knows everything that happened. He saw it, and He cares. The fact that He allowed pain into your life doesn't make Him a liar or unfair. Jesus told us, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33, and, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." John 15:18. How much more honest can God be? Could it be you didn't know these things because you don't know the Word? Knowing God's promises from the Bible are like knowing your algebra equations. You must study to know it.
There is so much more to tell but I'll write in a couple of days. If there is anything I can do to encourage you in the Lord, please allow me to do so. My contact information is on this blog or go to the Mercy Abounds FB page and message me. May God bless you as you search your heart these next few days!
To God be the glory!
Jamie
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment