I received a call from a friend today. He was very upset, emotion choked his voice as he explained how the new dog he rescued was now at the vet unable to be retrieved. As responsible, loving owners do-this man took his dog to the vet for a check up only to discover that his dog was not his at all. This dog had a chip implanted under his skin with the owner's information. My friend was distraught!
The veterinarian was a responsible man who was doing what was required in contacting the owner. The owner even promised he would come pick up the animal but he did not come as he promised. My friend was upset. The dog was crying for him and he couldn't console the animal. The animal didn't understand, he wanted my friend but couldn't be there. Of course the vet could not give someone else's property to another person. It was not his place. But if the owner didn't return he could relinquish the dog to the public animal shelter for adoption or destruction.
I asked my friend if he'd be willing to pay either the owner or the shelter for the dog and his reply was full of anguish. He said, "I want him, I don't care what it costs, I will pay." At his job earlier in the day a friend tried to console him by pointing out to him that this is exactly what Jesus did for us. When we were taken captive He rescued us. Just like my friend would have to go to the pound and retrieve his pet, Jesus went into the ground to pay our debt! He paid with His life to get us out of the prison sin held us in. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Now what did this dog do to deserve my friend's kindness and devotion? NOTHING! The dog wandered into his place of employment and he was starving. He was skinny and had nothing to offer. But my friend saw the possibility in this dog and knew that if he fed him and loved him and trained him right that he could be a good dog and he might be good for companionship. In fact, the burden of how the dog turned out really rested on my friend, not the dog. All the dog had to do was eat, rest and be obedient. My friend would provide the housing, the food, the medical attention, the toys and the training-everything! That includes affection. Now this poor dog was waiting in a cold and lonely place because of a chip.
Now you might wonder why I chose to tell you this story. Because a friend and I were discussing things tonight including her recent missions trip. We talked about how America was very rich compared to the rest of the world and how people who live in sin and don't work and don't intend to hold those of us who do work in a form of slavery. We talked about how backwards our country is and how it cannot continue-how most people in America are so used to comfort that they will NOT suffer at all if they can help it...blah, blah, blah...Heard all of this before?
BUT THEN GOD, as He often does, began to speak and brought us back to this little dog. We began to discuss how God is going to shake the nations very soon to find out who is truly His. "See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken--that is, things that have been made--in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:25-29.
We began to talk about the mark which many believe is exactly what this dog has implanted under his skin and how it will contain information about who we are-just like this dog's chip. But not only will it contain information about who we are but information about our health care-replacing the emergency bracelets-and also information about our banking and whatever else they choose to include. It is rumored that pretty soon we won't be able to buy or sell without this mark. Actually that rumor reflects what the scripture says, "Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666." Revelation 13:16-18
You might be okay with going hungry but what about food for your baby? Remember this includes obtaining health care-even emergency health care. What if you were a diabetic and you knew without medication and a carefully balanced diet you would not probably but certainly suffer at your time of death. Would you choose to do it? What if you had asthma or congestive heart failure and you couldn't breathe? Would you take the mark and live and then go to hell and suffer for eternity or would you suffer for the moment and live in eternity forever free of sin and decay and in a body that would know no pain?
Now back to the dog. You see this dog has someone who loves him dearly-who is greatly concerned about his care, who paid for his food and provided a place for him, who loves him and will pay any price for him but who can't have him because of this chip. This man was almost in tears as he asked me, "Who do I call to find out how long I have to wait until I can go get him?" And his owner, the one who he belongs to according to the chip, did not show.
Do you understand that the mark matters? Just like that dog sits in that vets office, owner clearly defined, waiting to be rescued and loved and cared for, that is what will happen to those who have the mark. Eventually the vet will have to turn the pet over to the pound and Satan will most certainly let you receive your judgement. He will know where you are and he will not care. Satan is not coming to rescue you. He doesn't care about you. He hates you. Once you take that mark you will belong to him and the scriptures say, "And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, , he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name." Revelation 14:9-11.
This life is a training ground for the coming end. We all suffer. And in the soon coming days we will suffer even more. Very possibly before the rapture there will be some serious affliction and possibly torture or death of the saints. We don't know what we will encounter. But maybe, just maybe God is allowing little annoyances knowing that our faith will be tested. In fact the scripture tells us, "Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!"
Oh, Precious Ones, it hurts me to think that you may be like that dog waiting for an owner to come who doesn't care about you. God loves you and loved you SO MUCH that He sent Jesus to pay for your life, to pay the debt of your sins with His own blood! He longs to give you so much and to allow you to be all you can be because He knows why He made you and what you CAN be. Please let Him have you life. Give Him everything just as you are and watch Him make you brand new. And all you need to do is just what that dog did: eat, rest and obey! Tomorrow is promised to no one and you must decide who you will follow. The threat is real, the danger is real, the choice is real but more importantly-Jesus is real. Choose Jesus and choose Him today!
Mercy Abounds loves you.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
God The Judge
Have you ever been to court? Just walking into the doors of a courthouse and into the room where the hearing will be held stirs something in you. There is an air of formality and expectation. There is a knowing that something important is about to happen.
Soon you hear, "All rise." And everyone, even the criminal, stands as the judge enters the room. The judge is about to hear and examine the evidence presented to him and determine, decide, or judge someone's guilt or innocence. It is a somber occassion. Though some may predict the outcome by following the law-the judge has the ultimate say. You MUST respect him because he has the power in this room and your fate rests in his hands.
If you are unruly he will fine you and throw you out. If you are guilty he or one like him will decide your fate. The law is his plumbline. If he is a good judge he will not let guilt go unpunished. There must be consequences for breaking the law or the law has no power. It is his job to maintain that authority for the security of a civilization depends on it. But there is a Judge even higher.
God is the ultimate judge. And just as there is imposed respect for an earthly judge, whether one agrees with the law or not, God demands our same respect. And though earthly judges have power-they have no power that is not given to them. God is Omnipotent meaning all powerful. In fact, God IS power. No one had to GIVE God anything-in fact He breathes and gives life and there is nothing that has life that did not get life from Him (Jesus). "For by [fn] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16 And just as the judge in the courtroom must judge to maintain authority and the fate of a civilization we are so dependent on God that if He were to take His hand off of us we would dissolve. "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17.
Daniel 5 tells us the story of a rebellious king, Belshazzar, who disregarded the power of Almighty God. As the scriptures tell-this king should've known better because his father was a rebellious king who was humbled in a very unusual manner. But he did not remember his father-or his father's God. That, precious ones, is always a very bad decision.
Daniel 5:1-4 tells us of a feast that the very proud and unwise king Belshazzar was hosting. He thought it would be a "kick" to take the cups and things of God taken from the Temple in Jerusalem and drink from them. These were vessels that were used to offer sacrifices to God. That was the last straw with God for this wicked king! "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Galatians 6:7.
Suddenly a hand appeared and began to write on the wall. So, what did this rebellious, proud and arrogant king do? "Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together." Daniel 5:6. Oh yes! He grew pale and his knees KNOCKED together! He was scared and rightly so!
Belshazzar began to call in everyone he knew to see who could read the writing on the wall. But noone could and h bcame even more pale-or maybe green with nervous nausea-whatever it was "Mr. I'm So Bad" was not looking so good!(Daniel 5:7-12).
Enter Daniel-sold out Jesus Freak of a man. Sat beside hungry lions during prayer time, interpreter of dreams, has his own book in the Bible named after him, respector of a Holy God- Daniel....(Daniel 5:13 through the rest of the chapter). The king began to question Daniel and offered to ply him with riches and authority. Daniel told him to keep what he had but jumped at the opportunity to tell him about his God. He started with the first rebellious king mentioned, Nebuchadnezzar, and reminded this foolish king of his father's folly and forgiveness that was completely ignored by this wicked son. Next came the interpretation of the sentence passed by God on this doomed man.
"And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered [fn] the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed [fn] in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." [Daniel 5:24-28. And so it did happen that very night.
So, the question begs to be asked-are you mistreating, misusing, disregarding as holy unto the Lord the things of the Most High God? Are you disrespectful to the name of the Lord? Do you OMG and use His Name in vain? Do you mistreat your parents or husband, wife, family or friends? Are you careless with your time, your money, your responsibilities, your words or body?
EVERYTHING we have comes from God and belongs to Him. He is holy. Our bodies are His temple. Your neighbor's body is in the least His creation if he is not saved and if he is saved then that's God's temple too! Our abilities and resources and BREATH were given to us to manage and use for God's glory not our own selfish devices. I have much work to do this year to bring myself into agreement with God on my life and resources but I am willing and a work in progress.
Are YOU a work in progress? So far this new year we have had two Sundays-have you worshipped Him yet this year? We are commanded to do that. Have you read His Word? If you have not done either of these could I tell you with love that you are mishandling things that belong to a Holy God and He will not tolerate that forever though He is longsuffering with us. He created you to praise Him and serve Him.
God is merciful because if He was not we would be dead already for our trespasses against Him. But knowing we could never get to Him, praise God- He came to us in the person of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. That very same person of Jesus Christ is God the Creator and also is the Judge. Who better to judge than the one who took the punishment for our sins. If you chose to make Him, Jesus, Lord of your life-you will live forever under His pardon, His grace, His forgiveness which can NEVER be reversed. But if you do not recognize His position of authority and ownership you will surely be judged and found wanting and the penalty is and has always been death. I do not want you to die without the promise of Heaven. If you do not go to Heaven, you will surely go to Hell where you will live in darkness and torment apart from God and you will live there forever with no hope of release.
God is Holy. We should be also. May you live this year to serve a Holy God. If you are not sure how to do this, please message me because, "...it is not the will of my* Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."
To God be the Glory,
Jamie
Soon you hear, "All rise." And everyone, even the criminal, stands as the judge enters the room. The judge is about to hear and examine the evidence presented to him and determine, decide, or judge someone's guilt or innocence. It is a somber occassion. Though some may predict the outcome by following the law-the judge has the ultimate say. You MUST respect him because he has the power in this room and your fate rests in his hands.
If you are unruly he will fine you and throw you out. If you are guilty he or one like him will decide your fate. The law is his plumbline. If he is a good judge he will not let guilt go unpunished. There must be consequences for breaking the law or the law has no power. It is his job to maintain that authority for the security of a civilization depends on it. But there is a Judge even higher.
God is the ultimate judge. And just as there is imposed respect for an earthly judge, whether one agrees with the law or not, God demands our same respect. And though earthly judges have power-they have no power that is not given to them. God is Omnipotent meaning all powerful. In fact, God IS power. No one had to GIVE God anything-in fact He breathes and gives life and there is nothing that has life that did not get life from Him (Jesus). "For by [fn] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16 And just as the judge in the courtroom must judge to maintain authority and the fate of a civilization we are so dependent on God that if He were to take His hand off of us we would dissolve. "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17.
Daniel 5 tells us the story of a rebellious king, Belshazzar, who disregarded the power of Almighty God. As the scriptures tell-this king should've known better because his father was a rebellious king who was humbled in a very unusual manner. But he did not remember his father-or his father's God. That, precious ones, is always a very bad decision.
Daniel 5:1-4 tells us of a feast that the very proud and unwise king Belshazzar was hosting. He thought it would be a "kick" to take the cups and things of God taken from the Temple in Jerusalem and drink from them. These were vessels that were used to offer sacrifices to God. That was the last straw with God for this wicked king! "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Galatians 6:7.
Suddenly a hand appeared and began to write on the wall. So, what did this rebellious, proud and arrogant king do? "Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together." Daniel 5:6. Oh yes! He grew pale and his knees KNOCKED together! He was scared and rightly so!
Belshazzar began to call in everyone he knew to see who could read the writing on the wall. But noone could and h bcame even more pale-or maybe green with nervous nausea-whatever it was "Mr. I'm So Bad" was not looking so good!(Daniel 5:7-12).
Enter Daniel-sold out Jesus Freak of a man. Sat beside hungry lions during prayer time, interpreter of dreams, has his own book in the Bible named after him, respector of a Holy God- Daniel....(Daniel 5:13 through the rest of the chapter). The king began to question Daniel and offered to ply him with riches and authority. Daniel told him to keep what he had but jumped at the opportunity to tell him about his God. He started with the first rebellious king mentioned, Nebuchadnezzar, and reminded this foolish king of his father's folly and forgiveness that was completely ignored by this wicked son. Next came the interpretation of the sentence passed by God on this doomed man.
"And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered [fn] the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed [fn] in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." [Daniel 5:24-28. And so it did happen that very night.
So, the question begs to be asked-are you mistreating, misusing, disregarding as holy unto the Lord the things of the Most High God? Are you disrespectful to the name of the Lord? Do you OMG and use His Name in vain? Do you mistreat your parents or husband, wife, family or friends? Are you careless with your time, your money, your responsibilities, your words or body?
EVERYTHING we have comes from God and belongs to Him. He is holy. Our bodies are His temple. Your neighbor's body is in the least His creation if he is not saved and if he is saved then that's God's temple too! Our abilities and resources and BREATH were given to us to manage and use for God's glory not our own selfish devices. I have much work to do this year to bring myself into agreement with God on my life and resources but I am willing and a work in progress.
Are YOU a work in progress? So far this new year we have had two Sundays-have you worshipped Him yet this year? We are commanded to do that. Have you read His Word? If you have not done either of these could I tell you with love that you are mishandling things that belong to a Holy God and He will not tolerate that forever though He is longsuffering with us. He created you to praise Him and serve Him.
God is merciful because if He was not we would be dead already for our trespasses against Him. But knowing we could never get to Him, praise God- He came to us in the person of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. That very same person of Jesus Christ is God the Creator and also is the Judge. Who better to judge than the one who took the punishment for our sins. If you chose to make Him, Jesus, Lord of your life-you will live forever under His pardon, His grace, His forgiveness which can NEVER be reversed. But if you do not recognize His position of authority and ownership you will surely be judged and found wanting and the penalty is and has always been death. I do not want you to die without the promise of Heaven. If you do not go to Heaven, you will surely go to Hell where you will live in darkness and torment apart from God and you will live there forever with no hope of release.
God is Holy. We should be also. May you live this year to serve a Holy God. If you are not sure how to do this, please message me because, "...it is not the will of my* Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."
To God be the Glory,
Jamie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)