Revelation 18:1-24

August 22, 2013

Another angel came down from heaven and declared in a loud voice:

Ruined! Ruined!

The city of Babylon is used throughout Revelation as a symbol for wickedness, greed, materialism, power—all things of the world and contrary to the teachings of Christ; and all things we as Christ followers should not be a part of.

And another voice from heaven said:

"Come out of that city, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive the disasters that will come to her." Revelation 18:4

We must separate ourselves from evil actions and from people who practice evil behaviors. We must! Disasters will come to anyone who practices evil actions and behaviors. Revelation 18:5b - "God has not forgotten the wrongs she has done."

The voice said:

• Give them the same punishment they gave to others
• Give them back twice as much as what they did
• Double the punishment they prepared for others
• They gave themselves much glory and rich living
• Give them suffering and sadness in the same proportion they gave themselves glory and pretentiousness
• They think themselves above everyone else
• They think they are untouchable and exempt from consequences
• So these disasters will happen to them in one day
• Death
• Crying
• Great hunger
• Destruction

Others will see what has happened and they will be afraid and distance themselves. They will be shocked by what they see. The punishment came quickly—it happened suddenly and without warning. Some were saddened because of what happened to "her" (what Babylon represents) and others were saddened because the destruction of "her" meant they were going to lose business and profits. All those who watched cried, "Terrible! Terrible!" All the things they wanted and desired were gone. Their rich and fancy things disappeared, and they would never have them again.

So, on one side you have the people of the world sad because of the destruction of "her" and sad for themselves because of the profits they were going to lose. But for God's people there was a totally different reaction.

"Be happy because of this, heaven!
     Be happy, God's holy people and apostles and prophets!
God has punished her (them) because of what she (they) did to you."

Then an angel picked up a large stone and threw it into the sea. He said, this is what it will be like. They will be thrown down and gone forever.

• The playing of music—gone
• Employment and work—gone
• Growing and harvesting of crops—gone
• The light from a lamp—gone
• The happy sounds of marriage and family—gone

Every. Thing. Gone. Forever. They were held accountable and judged guilty for their trickery and violence against innocent people.

From Life Lesson:

"Greed and materialism will be judged and crushed. Christians must derive their security from faith in Christ."

"John pointed out that although society was built around the economy, only what was built on God would last forever."

Side note: Besides the generalization of what/who Babylon represents, I'm sure there is also literal meanings to the symbolism and prophecy of Babylon of which I am not qualified to understand or write about.


Next Entry: Revelation 19:1–21

I John 3:1–24

July 18, 2013

We are loved by the Father so much that we are called "children of God." And that is what we are—"children of God." There is a reason why we don't fit in with the world. It is because we are strangers. The world cannot possibly understand us because they don't know Him.

Christianity is a concept you really cannot understand without experiencing it. As Christians, we know we were made in the image of God; we are children of God; and when Christ returns we will be made like Him because we will see Christ as He really is. What a day that will be!! While we eagerly await that day, it is a foreign concept to people who have not accepted Christ as LORD.

Until that time, we have the responsibility to live as Christ taught.

• Christ is love—we must show love
• Christ is pure—we need to keep ourselves pure
• There is no sin in Christ—we cannot go on sinning
• Christ is all that is right—we must do what is right
• Christ is light—we cannot have darkness in us

Those who are God's children do not continue sinning because the new life from God is in them. I John 3:9 - "They are not able to go on sinning because they have become children of God." I John 3:6 - "Anyone who goes on sinning has never really understood Christ and has never known him."

Those two statements are very clear. If Christ is truly living in you, then He is Master and you are not able to continue in sin. The reverse is also true. If you do not change your hearts and lives and you continue to sin and live a lifestyle contrary to God's Word, then the truth is you never really understood Christ; you've never truly known Him; you are not a child of God; and He is not your Father. The narrow road is in fact—narrow. I John 3:10 - "Those who do not do what is right are not God's children, and those who do not love their brothers and sisters are not God's children."

It doesn't get much plainer than that.

From the very beginning of the Bible there has been one clear message: you must love God and you must love others. And from the very beginning, both teachings were broken. Cain killed Abel because he was jealous of him. Cain was corrupt, his heart was evil, and he was out to destroy his brother who had done nothing against Him.   

Our actions reveal the truth about our hearts. Sin (darkness) and Truth (light) cannot co-mingle. It should be no surprise that people of the world (as slaves of Satan) seek to harm you and hurt you. However, it was shocking to us when our own family members purposely set out (using trickery and then this lawsuit) to seek our destruction, especially since we thought we were like minded with them. What we now know (by the evidence of their actions and by searching God's Word) is that my sister and brother-in-law's actions show the truth about their hearts. I John 3:15 - "Everyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderers have eternal life in them." Jesus taught in Matthew 5:21–26 that hating someone in your heart is the same as the act of murder.

Hatred. Is there another way to describe the actions of my sister and brother-in-law. I wish there was. To purposely deceive and trick us and then file a lawsuit to try and ruin us—is hatred. Oh, they've couched it as "business" or "unfortunate" or whatever, but the bottom line is that in their interest of self-promotion, everything is on the table and nothing is sacred even if it means the destruction of others. There is a whole of list of other family and friends (as evidenced by my brother-in-law's list of broken relationships) who were victims of the same thinking, and there are others who are still unaware of the truth behind the scenes. I'm sure my sister and brother-in-law don't see their actions as a hatred of others. Whatever happens to the other person is just collateral damage to what they want or think they deserve. But, it is hatred. I've witnessed first hand the clenched teeth, the pointed fingers, and the squinted eyes.

God in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament taught the same message. They commanded that we love one another. I John 3:18 - "We should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring." You cannot be a child of God and seek the harm of other people. Cannot. I John 3:23 - "This is what God commands (not suggests): that we believe in his Son, Jesus Christ (Him as Master and we as servants) and that we love each other, just as he commanded."  (Emphasis and comments mine.)

You cannot purposely and intentionally choose to go against God's teachings and Jesus' clarifications and still have the blessing of being at one with God. I John 3:22 - "God gives us what we ask for because we obey God's commands and do what pleases him." This verse isn't referring to selfish "things." When we do what He commands and when we do what pleases Him, THEN our desires align with His desires and God gives us what we ask for, and we are in fellowship with him. I John 3:24 - "The people who obey God's commands live in God, and God lives in them. We KNOW that God lives in us because of the Spirit God gave us." Reminds me of the old camp song, "We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.... they will know we are Christians by our love."

Matthew 22:37–39 - Jesus said (quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18), "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command. And the second is like the first: Love your neighbor as yourself."


Next Entry: I John 4:1 – 5:21

Ephesians 4:1 – 5:20 (Continued)

April 29, 2013

When self is in control God's plan for unity gets destroyed, and the message of His Truth does not go forward. If we insist on following our own selfish desires we don't just harm ourselves, we also harm others and the cause of Christ. Paul told them:

1. You must stop telling lies. Be truthful!
2. Don't hold a grudge. Let your anger go! If you hold onto anger (which is an elevation of self) you are opening yourself up to the one who is against God.
3. You must stop stealing. Start working for a honest living. Share what you have honestly worked for with others.
4. Don't say harmful things. Your words should bring encouragement to others—not harm.
5. Do not make the Holy Spirit grieve. Follow His ways.  
6. Do not be bitter, or angry, or mad.
7. Never shout angrily or say anything to hurt others.
8. Never do anything that God calls evil.

Instead, "Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ." (Ephesians 4:32) Keep the bond of peace. If you are a child of the light then live like it! Ephesians 5:8–9 - "...live like children who belong to the light.  Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth." Be careful how you live. Ephesians 5:5 - "Anyone who is greedy is serving a false God." So, live wisely. Do good. Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:19–20 - "Speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."


Next Entry: Ephesians 6:1–24  

I Corinthians 5:1 – 6:20

March 16, 2013

Wickedness in the church.

These two chapters talk about what to do when there is wickedness in the church and it is very clear—we are to separate ourselves from them. It isn't that we are to keep isolated from the world. Of course there is sin in the world when people are without Christ. These verses are very clear, "You must not associate with those who call themselves believers in Christ", but "who is sexually immoral, or greedy, an idolater, or a slanderer, a drunkard, or swindler." (I Corinthians 5:11)

Those are God's words, not mine. It's easy to think God was just talking about the "big" sins (there is no such thing as "big" verses "little" sin) like murder or sexual immorality. But look at the list: greed; someone who is only interested in "I" (a worship of self); one who slanders; and one who swindles. The Bible clearly states that it is our business to discern those types of people who claim on one hand to be followers of Christ, yet on the other hand are actually active participants in what God calls evil. And we are to separate ourselves from them.

In early 2007, we began to see for the very first time what the "truth" was when it came to my sister and brother-in-law's lives. We knew so little back then compared with what we know now, but it was enough to KNOW we had to separate ourselves from them. We could not be aligned in business or personally with people who lived their lives so contrary to our beliefs—whether they were family or not. We would have never went into any kind of joint venture with them if we would have known the truth about them earlier. Never! I remember the first time I went online and saw what their new get-rich-quick-internet business was all about. I felt absolutely sick to my stomach. As truth began to be revealed, we came to the realization that we had to separate ourselves from them.

I've written before how God (in incredible ways) provided our first lawyer and a buyer as a means to end what should have never been started if we had known the truth. God always provides a way for surrendered hearts to follow His teachings. But, not everyone seeks to follow His teachings and God's way was rejected and a lawsuit was filed. 

And now we come to what God has to say about that in I Corinthians 6.


Next Entry: I Corinthians 5:1 – 6:20 (Continued)

John 15:1 – 16:4a

November 07, 2012

Remain! Remain! Remain!

John 15:4 - "Remain in me and I will remain in you." Jesus is the vine; God is the gardener; we are the branches. It is

God

↓

Man

It is not God = Man or

Man

↓

God.

We must understand this! The branch cannot exist without the vine; it will wither and die; be thrown into the fire; and burned. It cannot produce fruit without the vine. It must remain with the vine. To produce fruit, to produce much fruit, the gardener (God) must trim away the dead or anything that hinders the production of fruit. The pruning process makes the branch thrive and the branch produces even more fruit—fruit that lasts.

The branch doesn't decide what to change—the gardener decides. It is our responsibility to remain. Remain connected to the vine. Remain committed to the vine. Remain in submission to the vine. Remain in the flow of life and love from the vine. Remain dependent upon the vine. To remain means to submit yourself to the authority of the vine and gardener. To truly understand the

God's Will

↓

Man

relationship. John 15:7 - "If you remain in me and follow my teachings, you can ask anything you want, and it will be given to you." There are some who read a verse like this and selfishly think it means they can use God like a puppet or benefactor so they can ask for anything they want and they can get it, as if God is their own personal servant. But look at it more closely. "If you remain in me and follow my teachings..."if you do those things, then your will and God's will, will be aligned and your heart will desire what His heart desires. John 15:16 - "Go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name." IF—THEN.

One of the fruits we are to produce is LOVE. John 15:12 - "This is my command: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:17 - "This is my command: Love each other." Pretty clear and straight forward. Those commands leave no room for anger, revenge, greed, deceit, force, control, or selfish desires. Those actions absolutely remove you from the vine and the ability to produce fruit. The fruit God wants is: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is what God wants. The only way to achieve those fruits is to remain. Remain in the vine. Welcome the pruning of the gardener. The producing of fruit is worth it all.

Remaining in Him does not mean a trouble free life. The world hated Jesus and the people of the world may hate you. But, we are not alone because we are part of the vine. John 14:16–17 - "I will send you the Helper... he is the Spirit of Truth." People who hate you may try to destroy you, but they cannot be successful. They cannot separate you from the vine. The gardener's pruning is what makes you strong. It's makes you understand that life is not about you—it is about Him. Jesus tells us what we do for the "least of these" is what we do for Him. The reverse of that is true as well. When someone does something to try and stop us or destroy us, their actions are actually against Christ because we are part of the vine. They may try to stop the production of fruit, but it isn't just the branch they are attacking, they are attacking the vine. It isn't our fight. It's God's. So let Him handle it.  Leave it in His hands.

We have one responsibility—Remain! Accept the pruning. Produce MUCH fruit.

Addendum: 7/4/2018 ~ As I was reading this post this morning the words of John 15:16 stuck out to me. "And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last." Fruit that will last. This has new meaning to me. It is the only thing that is important and truly lasts.

We've all heard the saying that you "never see a U-Haul behind a hearse," meaning you can't take your earthly possessions with you when you die. But it is so much more than that. In the months before my father-in-law's death, he lost all of his cognitive skills. It was a very sad thing to watch. In life, he was a very prideful man. He was proud of his business, his awards, his trips and vacations, his accomplishments, etc. But now, at the end of his life, he lost all memory of the things he was so proud of. He forgot he had taken those trips, he forgot about his awards and accomplishments, he forgot about the business he started, and in the most part, he forgot about his family. It was all gone. And then it hit me. It isn't just your possessions you don't take with you. You don't take your goals and accomplishments, your awards, the things you take pride in—you don't take anything earthly with you. 

The only thing that matters is "fruit that will last," the things you have done that brings Honor and Glory to God.

Who did you lead to Christ? Who did you help in His name? Who did you encourage in their walk with Christ? What have you done that holds Kingdom value? Because if your life accomplishments don't hold Kingdom value, if it isn't "fruit that lasts," then it really doesn't matter.

The poem by C.T. Studd says it all. 

Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yest only one,
Soon with its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice,
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
Living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh, let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Next Entry: John 16:4b–33

John 13:1–38

November 05, 2012

I have been thinking about this chapter for days now but have been unable to write because of the whirlwind surrounding the birth of our youngest (and last) grandchild.

It was time. It was time for Jesus to leave this world and go back to the Father. His time on earth and His work was nearing completion. Jesus washed the disciples feet showing them by example how they were to serve others as He (their teacher and Lord) served them. Jesus told them what was going to be happening even though they couldn't clearly understand what it all meant. John 13:19 - "I am telling you this now before it happens so that when it happens, you will believe that I am he." 

We strongly feel God has done this in our lives. He has revealed things to us before it happens, then when we see it happen it increases our faith. This is also why we go way out on a limb and tell others what we feel God has revealed to us so that when it happens their faith will be increased as well. John 13:20 - "I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send also accepts me. And whoever accepts me also accepts the One who sent me."

God has been faithful to us. We need to share His faithfulness with others. ALL for the purpose of bringing Honor and Glory to Him.

The betrayal by Judas. I've been thinking about the progression of sin/evil in Judas' life this past week. Judas was not a victim of circumstances. In John 13:27 it says that "Satan entered him." He was not an innocent man that was somehow taken over by Satan and therefore a victim of circumstance. He was not a victim—he was the product of his own choices. There should have been a progression to understanding, belief, and heavenly reward. Instead there was a regression to lies, deceit, and destruction. A downward spiral.

• Judas was one of the twelve apostles  Luke 6:12–16 - "Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the night praying to God. The next morning, Jesus called his followers to him and chose twelve of them, whom he named apostles... Judas Iscariot, who later turned Jesus over to his enemies." Since Judas was following Jesus he had every opportunity to be curious about who this man was, and he had every opportunity to be interested in what this "man" was saying and doing. You can know of Jesus without knowing Jesus as your Savior and believing in Him.
• Judas followed—but he did not believe. He witnessed it ALL. The miracles, the many healings, the teachings about needing to change your hearts and lives. He was there. He heard the truth. He knew the way. He was shoulder to shoulder with believers. He was physically next to the living, breathing Christ. And yet even with all of that, he didn't somehow see the need to do what he was hearing Christ say. He fooled all those around him. All but Jesus. Jesus KNEW the truth. Judas was religious, but he was an unbeliever. (John 6:70–71)
• Judas was a thief—and not just of money. His life was an act of thievery. Judas acted appalled at expensive perfume being "wasted" on Jesus when that money could have been given to the poor, when in truth "Judas did not really care about the poor." He was only thinking about himself. He kept the money box, "and he often stole from it." He was there when Jesus taught about taking care of the poor. He was there when Jesus talked about stealing. He was there when Jesus taught about people who searched the scripture thinking knowledge would save them. He was there when Jesus talked about what would happen to those who refuse to come to Him for eternal life. (John 5:39–40) He was there when Jesus said the only way you are a true follower is if you obey His teachings. (John 8:31) He was there when Jesus taught about being the light of the world. He was there when Jesus taught that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. He was there. He knew what Truth was and he knew there really was only two choices; you are either following light—or— you are following the father of lies. He was there!! He was there for it ALL.
• Judas chose his own way. Step by step he chose himself over Christ. Each step of disobedience led to more disobedience. He was listening to the father of lies instead of the Spirit of light and truth. "The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot... to turn against Jesus." (John 13:2) This was not a hostile take-over by Satan. This was step by step disobedience by Judas who refused to accept the God → man relationship and surrender his will to God's will, opening a crack in the door and allowing the father of lies to influence him.
• Judas hid "the truth" well. When Jesus said at the last supper that one of the twelve was going to betray him they all looked around and said, "Lord, who is it?" No one said "It's Judas! I always knew something was off with him! I could tell he wasn't who he said he was." No. No one knew except Jesus. He "acted" the part well. He knew what to say and how to say it. Judas was arrogant. Even after Jesus exposed his life as a lie he kept right on going. When Jesus dipped the bread and reached out his arm to hand it to Judas, he didn't shrink back and scream out—NO! Father forgive me! No. Instead, Judas took the bread, and as soon as he did (the final defiance) "Satan entered him." Judas himself, by his own selfish choices and actions, opened the door—and Satan entered. Now it was too late. There comes a point in time when enough is enough. There comes a time of accountability and God allows us to be turned over to the father of lies. Judas thought he was in control. But he was deceived. Self deception says, "I can do this... I am in control... I.. I... I...," and the door is opened, Satan enters, and it is too late.
• Judas took the bread and immediately went out. "It was night." Judas went out into darkness. The other disciples still didn't understand what was happening. Judas hid his true intentions well.

But! That is not the end of the story. When Judas was gone, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man receives his glory, and God receives glory through him." (John 13:31) Now! All of what transpired with Judas happened so that—Now! HIS glory could be shown! And Jesus gave a new command: "Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other." (John 13:34–35)

It all comes down to our choices. There are two ways to live. Light—or—Darkness. The choice is ours.

Psalm 1

Happy are those who don't listen to the wicked,
     who don't go where sinners go,
     who don't do what evil people do.
They love the Lord's teachings,
     and they think about those teachings day and night.
They are strong, like a tree planted by a river.
     The tree produces fruit in season,
     and its leaves don't die.
Everything they do will succeed.
But wicked people are not like that.
     They are like the chaff that the wind blows away.
So the wicked will not escape God's punishment.
     Sinners will not worship with God's people.
This is because the LORD takes care of his people,
     but the wicked will be destroyed.

After Judas was gone Jesus began to teach.


Next Entry: John 14:1–31

Luke 16:1–31

September 13, 2012

Jesus tells the story of a rich man who had a manager take care of his business. The rich man accused the manager of cheating him. "Give me a report of what you have done with my money, because you can't be my manager anymore." So the manager has to decide what he is going to do. He has spent this life "acting" like he himself was wealthy when he was actually using another person's money as his own.

So now what? He wasn't strong enough (or so he thought) to actually work, and he was too ashamed to beg. It was all about him. What am "I" going to do? So he comes up with a plan. He calls in the people who owe the rich man money and he substantially reduces the amount they owe thereby causing them to feel grateful to him for his help and more likely to help him when he becomes jobless. The rich man/owner finds out about it and he "praised the dishonest manager." Obviously the rich man had gained his wealth in less than honest ways himself and he was impressed with the crafty, ingenious plan his manager came up with. Luke 16:8 - "Yes, worldly people are smarter (NIV - shrewd) with their own kind than spiritual people are." He probably would have been invited to be part of the "inner sanctum" of gurus planning get-rich-quick schemes.   

"God did not give us wealth to raise our standard of living but to raise our standard of giving." (A quote from one of our Pastors.)

Jesus said, "What you do for the least of these you do for me." (Matthew 25:40) 


Next Entry: Luke 16:1–31 (Continued)

Luke 12:1–59

September 06, 2012

Be wary. Don't be afraid. Don't worry. Be careful of "I" and greed. Don't worry. Keep calm. Don't trust in money. Be ready. Be patient. Be trustworthy. Be faithful. Know there will be divisions. Have discernment. Understand the times. Do what is right.

Be wary—watch out for religious unbelievers. They know the words to say but their hearts are not changed.

Know this—what is hidden will be shown. What has been done in secret will be exposed.

Don't be afraid—of men that can only harm the body. Fear and respect the LORD who controls both life and death. God knows. God cares.

Don't worry—you don't need to defend yourself. God will give you the words to say through His Holy Spirit.

Be careful of "I" and greed—Life isn't about what you own. Jesus told about a rich man who grew a good crop. He had more than he could store. So he said, What am "I" going to do? I have no place for "my" crops. This is what "I" will do. "I" will tear down my barns and build bigger ones where "I" will store "my" grain. Then "I" will say: "I" have enough for many years. "I" will rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life. I... I... I... mine... mine... mine. And Jesus said, "You foolish man." When you lose your life what good will your things do? Luke 12:31 - "This is how it will be for those who store up things for themselves and are not rich toward God."

Don't worry. Remain calm—Luke 12:25 - "You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it." However, the exact opposite is also true. You take time off your life and what years you do have are miserable ones because of worry. Jesus says to remain calm. Seek my kingdom FIRST, and "all the other things you need will be given to you." (Luke 12:31) God knows what you need. God will provide.

Don't trust in money—Trust in the LORD. When you trust in money you are trusting in yourself. You either have a heart after God or a heart after self. Luke 12:34 - "Your heart will be where you treasure is." The reverse is true as well. Where your treasure is will reveal where your heart is.

Be ready and be patient—Luke 12:35 - "Be dressed, ready for service" at all times. We can discern the seasons even though we don't know the actual "when." Be ready. Be patient. Serve well. The Son of Man is returning.

Be trustworthy. Be faithful—Do the work God has given you to do. No matter how long it takes. You know the truth. Do the work until your last breath or until He comes again. If you know the truth but don't follow it and don't do the work for Him, then "The master will cut him in pieces and send him away to be with the others who don't obey." (Luke 12:46) Strong words. Jesus' words. Believe. Obey. Serve.

Know there will be divisions—When truth is proclaimed there will be strife. Family member will turn against family member. There is a price to pay for obedience. The only person we should want to please is God. If we are committed to following and serving Christ we will encounter strife. So be it. Our purpose is not to please man, it is to please God.

Understand the times—Pay attention to what is happening. Discern the seasons. Prepare. Live like you are going to die.

Do what is right—If you have wronged someone make it right. Don't wait and have a court make you do what is right. Step up. Make amends for your wrongs. God wants a willing heart. Watch out! If you're not willing you may be forced.


Next Entry: The New Beginning: We Are Crossing the Jordan

Matthew 21:1–46

June 20 - 21, 2012

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling what the prophets said in Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9. The people were excited. Here was their long awaited earthly king—or so they thought.

They still did not understand. They thought He was a great prophet and king, an answer to their immediate problems, when actually He came to be the answer for all eternity. When He arrived in Jerusalem He went to the temple. God had given specific instructions on how to build and use the temple. It was to be a place of prayer and personal gifts, commitments, and sacrifices to God. The rules had purpose and meaning. But now, it was no longer about a personal relationship and a sacrificial heart. It was about ritual only. You didn't bring your own gifts and sacrifices. No, you just went and bought a dove or two and gave that. It no longer had meaning. It required no personal commitment. Just a "been there—done that" ritual.

Jesus made it clear how much He despised that kind of thinking, attitude, and actions. He threw over the tables and removed those trying to profit off of what was supposed to be gifts to God. Once the temple was cleared of the evil, then Jesus began to heal the blind and crippled. The Pharisees and leaders saw the wonderful things Jesus was doing and witnessed the children praising Him. All they saw and heard made them very angry. They were the experts in the law, so Jesus asks them, "Haven't you read the Scriptures?" and then he quotes Psalm 8:2 - "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." (Emphasis mine)  Praise—the most important thing Jane (Her Name Was Jane) taught us. Not only does it bring you into a closer understanding and communion with God, it also silences the foe and the avenger.

The next day, as Jesus was walking back to the city, He passed a fig tree that was without fruit. Jesus said to it, "You will never again have fruit"... and the tree dried up. The disciples were amazed. Matthew 21:21–22 - Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will be able to do what I did to this tree and even more. You will be able to say to this mountain, 'Go, fall into the sea.' And if you have faith it will happen. If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer."   

Our lives are to produce fruit. That is what God designed and called us to do. If we are not producing fruit then our lives are worthless in furthering God's kingdom, and we are in danger of being removed from His presence. IF—we believe, THEN—He will answer and He will give us the desires of our hearts. This isn't saying you can do whatever you want and demand what you want. No, when our desire is to serve, obey, and please God, then our desires line up with the heart of God, and our prayers will be in keeping with HIS word. IF—we do that, THEN—He will hear and will answer our prayers because we will want what HE wants. Our will is aligned with His.

The leaders and priests just could not accept that Jesus was God/man. They tested Him. They tried to trick Him. They did everything they could to oppose Him. Even when they knew He was talking about them and to them, they still refused to accept His teachings and acknowledge Him as LORD. Refused. They were so focused on trying to "get" Him that they totally refused to listen to Him. Jesus told them two parables. The first was a story about two sons. The first son refused to obey but later changed his mind and followed his father's orders. The second son "said" he would obey but never followed through with his commitment and did not follow his father's commands. Jesus asked them, "Which son obeyed his father?" They replied, "The first son." Jesus compared their actions to that of the second son. "Even after seeing this, you still refused to change your ways and believe him." 

Then Jesus tells the story about a man who owned a vineyard. He protected it; he watched over it; he did everything to make it the best possible. When he left for a trip he leased the land to some farmers. When it was time for the harvest he sent his servants for his share of the grapes. But the farmers didn't want to lose any of the profit. They wanted it all for themselves, so they beat one of the servants the owner sent and killed two of the others. So the owner sent even more servants the second time. He gave them a second chance, but they responded in the same way. So, the owner decided to send his own son thinking, "They will respect my son." But when the farmers saw the son they not only didn't want to lose a portions of the profits, they realized they could lose the whole vineyard because the son would inherit the land. They said, "If we kill him it will be ours." So they grabbed the son, threw him out, and killed him. Then Jesus asked the priests and leaders, "So what will the owner of the vineyard do to these farmers when he comes?" The priests and leaders answered, "He will surely kill those evil men. Then he will lease the vineyard to some other farmers who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time." Then Jesus said, "Surely you have read this in the scriptures."

"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes." Psalm 118:22–23

"So I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to people who do the things God wants in his kingdom. The person who falls on this stone will be broken, and on whom ever that stone falls, that person will be crushed." (Matthew 21:43–44)

The leaders and priests knew Hwas talking about them, but they didn't change their hearts and lives. They instead wanted to have Him arrested, but held back because they were afraid of the people's reaction since the people believed Jesus was a prophet. They were faced with truth, but just would not surrender.

Jesus, as a "stone" is described in three different ways.

1. A cornerstone—someone to build your life upon.
2. A stumbling stone—someone who doesn't fit what you think He should be, or do what you think He should do. He doesn't fit your mold, so you decide to find your own way, and you end up tripping over what God puts in your path.  
3. A crushing stone—someone who avenges and administers justice to those who refuse to believe and surrender themselves to Him.

Jesus Christ. Built upon; stumbled over; or broken by. I choose to build my life on the Cornerstone.

Addendum:  1/1/16 ~ Our God pays attention to details. There are no maybes, ifs, or happenstance situations with God. As I went back and was reading Matthew 21 this morning I was struck again by God's attention to detail.

Jesus told his disciples to, "Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will quickly find a donkey tied there with its colt. Untie them and bring them to me...." He didn't say to go and try to find a donkey, to search the alley ways and streets and to find someone who will let you do what I am telling you to do. No, He gave clear directions. This is where you should go; this is what you will find; this is what will happen.

We often don't know the "details" in the trials we face in life, but God does. HE HAS IT UNDER CONTROL! That "trial" you are facing really can become a "trail"—an opportunity to follow the ONE who has it all under control.

Our faith remains in HIM!


Next Entry: Matthew 22:1–46

Matthew 18:15 – 19:30 (Continued)

June 12 - 14, 2012

We often hear the story of how Jesus welcomed children. "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children." 

When we read and hear these stories we often think of "children" in the sense of the age of the child. When Jesus refers to the kingdom of heaven belonging "to people who are like these children" I don't believe He is just talking about age. He is talking about child-like attributes.

• Innocent
• Trusting
• Wanting to learn
• Dependent upon
• Childlike humility
• Faith
• Eagerness  

It is understanding the gap between

God

↓

  Man/Child.

Jesus wants us—all of us. Not our abilities; not our strength; not our plans. Just us. Simply all of us. When He has that THEN He can work in us, through us, and with us, to bring about HIS will for our lives.

A rich young man goes to Jesus and asks what He must do to have eternal life. Jesus responds that He must obey the commands. The rich man asks "Which ones"? How is that for a non-committal answer/question? Which ones? How about all of them? There are ten of them!! Jesus' answer is quite interesting. He lists six of them, Commandments 5–10. He left out the first four for a reason. The rich man replied, "I have obeyed all these things. What else do I need to do?"

The rich man was a good man. He was upright, moral, and honest man—all good things. But there was one thing he was not. He was not a man who was surrendered to God. So when he asked what else he needed to do, Jesus responded by showing him what his problem was, Commandments 1–4 of the Ten Commandments. It is not enough to be a "good" person. We must be a Godly person.  

Jesus told him if he wanted to be perfect he must go and sell his possessions and give the money to the poor. This really wasn't about money. It was about the root of the problem, which was the disobedience of the commandments that deal entirely with a heart surrendered to God. Jesus was in effect asking him, "Are you willing to give up your self reliance, your self effort, your need for self control, and your self made riches?" I know you are a good man. But, are you willing to surrender everything you think you are in control of to me?

There was a reason why the rich man asked which commandments he needed to obey. There is a reason why Jesus separated the commandments when He answered him. You can be a good person and obey Commandments 5–10 with self effort and still not obey Commandments 1–4. But, being a "good" person is not enough.

The Kingdom of Heaven (Salvation) is only obtained by obedience to Commandments 1 through 4.  When 1–4 (the "vertical" commandments that deal with our relationship to God) are obeyed then 5–10 (the "horizontal" commandments that deal with our relationship with fellow man) are automatically followed and obeyed. Jesus was pointing out to the rich man what the root of the problem was—the letter "I." What must "I" do to be saved. God doesn't want our self-effort. What He wants is our surrendered self. Sadly, the rich man was not willing to give up his self-reliance and become God-reliant. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:23) Not because of the money itself. No, it's because of what having wealth tends to do, which is make you feel self-reliant.

When you don't need any thing you don't need any One, and it is easy to become or remain self-reliant instead of learning to trust God and become God-reliant. It becomes all about "me" and what "I" want instead of about God and what HE wants. It's p.r.I.d.e, with a capital "I." It's breaking the first commandment of no other gods before God or in addition to God. (Exodus 20:3, 23) You have to be willing to give all and leave all.   

"And all those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or farms to follow me will get much more than they left, and they will have life forever. Many who have the highest place now will have the lowest place in the future. And many who have the lowest place now will have the highest place in the future." (Matthew 19:29-30)

I surrender ALL.


Next Entry: STOP! Turn Around!  GO BACK!

Matthew 7:1–29 (Continued)

April 12, 2012

Matthew 7:12 - The Golden Rule. The most important rule. "Do to others what you want them to do to you." Sounds simple enough doesn't it? But it is very profound statement. The law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets in the Old Testament are summed up with those simple words, "Do to others what you want them to do to you."

It is impossible to have "self" on the throne and obey this command at the same time. "Self" is the biggest obstacle that keeps us from obeying the very first commandment of "you shall have no other other gods beside me,"(Exodus 20:3) and what causes us to want gods in addition to God (Exodus 20:23). When "self" is on the throne everything is about you and revolves around you. What you want, you go out and get, and it doesn't matter who or what is in your way. It never occurs to that kind of person to look at the situation through the other person's eyes. The only thing that matters is self. That's it. No-one or any-thing else. That type of person also rationalizes why it is okay to be doing what they are doing.

This explains so much to me. I've always wondered how people can believe it is okay to lie, cheat, steal, take advantage of others, etc. How? Rationalization. They come up with enough reasons to justify their actions that it doesn't matter what they have to do, or who they do it to as long as they get what they want.

Rationalizations as to why it is okay to have "self" on the throne (and how devious actions are acceptable), comes about because God's very simple and yet profound command, "Do to others what you want them to do to you" is not followed. To think about others means you cannot be only focused on yourself. To think about others means rationalizations has to go. It means getting honest with yourself about your motives and actions. It means you build into your life guidelines and practices to help you remember to think about others if you are the kind of person where empathy doesn't come easily or naturally.

So many memories are running through my mind right now. We found out so many things about my sister and brother-in-law through the discovery process of the lawsuit; instances where rationalizations were used to excuse their behaviors. But there are other memories too. Why did I make excuses for my sister's sometimes inexcusable behavior? Why was my attitude, "Oh, that's just ____ and that's the way she has always been?" Why did I tolerate that kind of behavior? There were warning signs. Why did I ignore them? Why didn't I call sinful behavior what it is—sin?

With some people you can't win, lose, or draw. It is either their way or you are wrong and there is no way to have a civilized disagreement. Why then didn't I just walk away and accept the fact that some people are just plain toxic? Sure she was family (I wouldn't have put myself through the dysfunction with anyone else), but it was more than that. I felt sorry for her. Without me who would she have? She didn't have a close nucleus of friends. She didn't have close family ties with anyone else in our family. I would have felt as if I was abandoning her. I felt responsible for her, which is really strange since she is four years older than me and she is college educated and I am not.

I think part of the reason I didn't just walk away was because of the Golden Rule: "Do to other what you want them to do to you." I'm learning you have to be careful though. Some people will abuse your kindness. Following the Golden Rule doesn't change the actions of others (hence them filing a lawsuit against us) but it does bring peace, contentment and happiness to your own soul. Even though I choose to follow God's principle of treating others as yourself, I should have set healthy boundaries. I still should have called sin what it is—SIN.

Addendum:  11/25/15 ~ I can now clearly see what I was blinded to in the past. My relationship with my sister was much more complex than I could have ever imagined, and very unhealthy. I now realize I was manipulated for much of my life. Learning more about narcissistic behaviors explained so much.

My sister knew I had a tender heart and had empathy for others, so she would create situations to make sure I would stay loyal to her and under her control. The "joke" of calling herself the queen and me the servant, wasn't a "joke." It was the way she viewed our relationship. One simple (albeit ridiculous) but classic example of how she created situations to make sure I stayed loyal to her was family birthdays. My sister would claim that she could never remember Mom and Dad's birthdays, anniversary, etc.  So, every time there was a birthday or anniversary, I would call her and remind her so she could call them. Her response was always the same. "Thank goodness you called me... I would have never remembered." Even though I haven't called to remind her during the eight and one half years (and counting) of the lawsuit, she hasn't "forgotten" any of their birthdays or anniversaries. Not even one single time. Her "forgetfulness" wasn't real, it was a way for her to manipulate me into feeling responsible for "taking care" of her and faking a dependence on me in order to maintain control..

I mentioned that I never went to college and that she graduated from college. Yet, just shortly before their lawsuit was filed, my sister said something that shocked me. She randomly mentioned that in grade school my IQ testing was higher than hers. How would someone remember that 40 plus years after the fact? Why on earth did it matter? Why did she carry that information with her into adulthood? I had no idea my IQ score was higher than hers, and it didn't matter to me. I went all those years never realizing there was a "competition" between us. There wasn't from my end, but she had never gotten over the fact that I tested higher then her in grade school. Even though she graduated from college with honors and I never attended college.

Looking back, I can now see the competition. Not only with myself but with her obsession with my brother and her interactions with others. This lawsuit (from her point of view whether admitted or not) is a competition on several levels. Nothing about it makes logical sense. They have spent far more money then they could ever hope to recoup even if they are successful in pursuing their trickery and false accusations. Yet, if she can take from me the material possessions God has given to us, she will feel as if she has "won." She doesn't realize that even if she was successful in "winning" our material possessions, she can't take from me what she wants the most—my inner peace, joy, happiness, and contentment.

While this lawsuit was filed for all the wrong reasons, God has used it to free me from the power she held over me. I'm not sure I would have ever been strong enough to break the toxic relationship on my own. What was meant for my harm God has used for my good, and I am grateful.   

I've come to realize only the Great Physician can heal someone who is broken psychologically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. I (and you) can't fix it. I tried for years—and it doesn't work. All we can do is release them to God's hands, and that is what I have done. HE is the Great Physician; only HE can fix brokenness.


Next Entry: Matthew 8:1–34

Matthew 6:1–34 (Continued)

April 03, 2012

God is more important than money or anything else. (Matthew 6:19–24) Jesus says, "Don't store up treasures for yourselves here on earth..." It is totally useless and a waste of time and energy. It consumes you. It absorbs your full attention. Do I have enough? Can I keep it safe? Will people try to take my things? I want more. Does someone else have more than me? You can see the problem with all the underlined pronouns. I... I... I... me... me... me. Our focus cannot be on God if our focus is on I... me... mine.  

"Your heart is where your treasure is" or say it in reverse, "Your treasure is where your heart is." The problem is people convince themselves that they don't have a problem. They label it as being wise and good stewards. Stewards are what we should be of what God has given us. But most the time we (people) view ourselves as being self-made. It's all about what we have done, accomplished, or attained. The lies of Satan are subtle, and we convince ourselves that darkness is light. Jesus says it this way, "The eye is a light for the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. And if the only light you have is really darkness, then you have the worst darkness." (Matthew 6:22–23) It is the worst kind of darkness because you think it is light. And when you believe that, you can no longer see and know truth.

This has been shown to us over and over throughout these last five years. How clearly I remember driving home from my sister and brother-in-laws depositions in Indy (2009) and my husband and I understanding for the first time that there was no truth in them. They no longer knew truth. What they thought was light was actually darkness, and it's the worst kind of darkness. Up until that day we thought they "knew" truth and were just choosing to further their own gain by using lies, trickery, manipulations, false accusations, etc. to get what they wanted. When someone knows truth they can return to it. But during their depositions we realized they no longer knew truth. It was gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, and difficult to watch. We spent the time driving home crying out to the Lord on their behalf. "And if the only light you have is really darkness, then you have the worst darkness." 

Chuck Swindoll in "Simple Faith" says it this way:

"In the light of truth, you and I are able to see both truth and lie, both light and darkness – that which is simple, pure, and clear and that which is deceptive. But enslaved to darkness, and plunged into the pit of the lie, we no longer see truth. We have no other option but to believe the lie."

Believing the lie and no longer knowing the truth—truly the worst kind of darkness. You cannot straddle the fence. Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. The person will hate the one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches." Cannot. It doesn't say it will be hard or you might fall off the fence. No. Pure and simple—CANNOT.

We cannot serve "things" in addition to God. (Exodus 20:23) Either God is God of ALL or He is God of nothing. If we try to serve anything in addition to God (self, money, family, things, etc.) it will take over and become the most important to us. You cannot remain on a fence. Eventually what we think is light is actually darkness, and it is the worst kind of darkness because we are fooled into thinking it is light and we do not realize we are living in darkness. 


Next Entry: Matthew 6:1–34 (Continued)

Matthew 5:1–48 (Continued)

March 23, 2012

Matthew 5:25 - "If your enemy is taking you to court, become friends quickly, before you go to court." Just like the passage before this one where it talks about leaving your offering at the altar if your brother and sister has something against you, I believe Jesus is talking about the aggressor here and not the innocent party. I have heard this taught, and I have believed the exact opposite of what I now believe Jesus to be saying. Have I only read these verses before through my eyes? Knowing I have not or would not purposely wrong others so I assumed Jesus was talking about a "victim" of someone having something against you or being a "victim" of an enemy who wanted to harm you for whatever reason?

We have an "enemy" who has taken us to court. Even in hindsight, there is not one single thing we could have done to "become friends quickly" or dissuade them from a course of action they were determined to take. Not one single thing. You cannot deter someone else's greed. You cannot put salve on someone who is seeking revenge. You cannot talk rationally with someone who is irrational. You cannot change a persons heart, actions, or evil intents. You cannot—and I do not believe that is what Jesus is saying in this passage or the verses before. Instead, I believe Jesus is talking once again about personal accountability.  You cannot control another person but you can control yourself.  

I don't believe Jesus is saying you should quickly go to the person who is falsely accusing you and is threatening (or actually taking you) to court and try to "fix" things yourself by becoming friends and that you should try to appease them in order to get them to stop their actions when you (and most likely they) know you are innocent of their charges. I believe Jesus is talking about the person initiating the legal action. This is about your actions of trying to take things in your hands. And you better be careful. Your actions may backfire. What you are trying to do to others may happen to you. If you have wronged others, there may be legitimate cause or reason for the law to be enforced upon you. I believe these verses are saying—Own up! Take responsibility for what you have done. Go! Make things right. Be willingly accountable for your actions. Confess. Repent. Turn. (I Chronicles 7:14)

Jesus' teachings follows the teachings of the Old Testament. This isn't something new. This is Christ calling for personal holiness and personal accountability. 


Next Entry: Matthew 5:1–48 (Continued) 

Zephaniah 1:1 – 3:20

February 16, 2012

It's hard to believe. When I finish writing about Zephaniah I will have finished the entire Old Testament. Because I followed the sequence timeline Jane (Her Name Was Jane) had written beside Ezra in her KJV, I read and wrote about Haggai 1:1 – 2:23 on November 29, 2010; Zechariah 1:1 – 6:8 on November 30, 2010; Zechariah 6:9 – 8:23 on December 01, 2010; Zechariah 9:1 – 14:21 on December 02, 2010; and Malachi 1:1 – 4:6 on December 29, 2010.

What a journey this has been. On November 16, 2009, when I started this journey I had no agenda planned. I just knew I was supposed to start.I had no preconceived ideas about what I would write about or how much I would write. Now, two years and three months, and seven and a half full sized notebook journals later, the Old Testament is coming to an end. On one hand, I hate to see it be over. On the other hand, it is exciting to be entering the New Testament.

I have learned so much. God is faithful! His mercies are new every morning. It was amazing to watch what God would show me in His Word. I stand amazed and am in awe of the great I AM. The prevailing message of the Old Testament is precisely that: I am the I AM. I AM the LORD. There is NO other God. Come to ME! Have no other Gods before ME. Come to me FIRST and ONLY! Have no other gods in addition to me. I AM. Trust me! Trust only me! Come to me!  I AM the LORD!

The other thing that stood out to me in the Old Testament is this: There really are no "new" sins. The sins of today are exactly the same as in the Old Testament times. Pride. Greed. Revenge. Self-reliance. Refusal to trust and surrender to God's authority. It all goes back to the first two commandments: No other gods and no idols. The root of all sin comes from Pride and Self. Change your hearts and lives! Get a new way of thinking. I AM—the I AM.

God demands our respect. He wants us to give it to Him willingly, however, He will have it one way or another. In the margins of my Bible I have written: As for me and my house, we choose to serve God.

Throughout the Old Testament there are two choices: Respect me—and receive blessings; Refuse me and serve yourself—receive judgment. God was not happy with the path of sin many people had chosen and he clearly warned them of the consequences.

• I will sweep away
• I will ruin
• I will punish
• I will remove
• I will destroy

That was His promise for those who worshiped things other than Himself; those who worship other gods in addition to Him (Exodus 20:23); "and those who turned away from the LORD, and those who quit following the LORD and praying to him for direction." Zephaniah 1:7 - "Be silent before the LORD God, because the LORD's day for judging people is coming soon."

• On that day...
• On that day...
• On that day..
• At that time...

God has the day planned. There are no accidents, coincidences, or lucky happenstances with God. THE day is planned. And on that day:

"I will punish those who are satisfied with themselves (NIV - complacent) who think, 'the LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.' Their wealth will be plundered and their houses destroyed. They may build houses, but they will not live in them. They may plant vineyards, but they will not drink any wine from them. The LORD's day of judging is coming soon; it is near and coming fast." Zephaniah 1:12-14

"That day will be a day of anger, a day of terror and trouble, a day of destruction and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of alarms and battle cries... on that day God will show his anger, neither silver nor gold will save them." (Zephaniah 1:15-18)  

A day of accountability and consequence is planned and will happen.  

Addendum: 10/3/15 ~ The people were just so sure that nothing would happen and they could get by with their actions and there would be no accountability. They truly thought they were invincible. Yet in Chapter 2, in very descriptive terms, Zephaniah paints a picture of the destruction that will happen. What was once thriving is now abandoned. I picture a ghost town with a tumbleweed blowing down a now empty dirt street; a shutter, hanging by one remaining screw, creaking as it sways in the wind; the piercing sound of a crow's call at twilight; and the haunting sound of a hoot owl in the still night air. 

Zephaniah 2:14–15 says, "The owls and crows will sit on the stone pillars. The owl will hoot through the windows, trash will be in the doorways, and the wooden boards of the buildings will be gone. This is the happy and safe city that thinks there is no one else as strong as it is. But what a ruin it will be..."

They were so sure. They were just so sure they were safe and nothing would happen. But a day is planned. And on THAT day accountability WILL happen.


Next Entry: Zephaniah 1:1 – 3:20 (Continued)

Amos 1:1 – 2:16

February 06, 2012

"This is what the LORD says: For the many crimes of __________, I will punish them." He says this eight different times in the first two chapters of Amos, and each time the LORD goes on to say why He is going to punish the different groups.

Amos was just a shepherd, but God spoke to him about what was going to happen. He was an improbable man, and his message was improbable. Yet, within 50 years, the improbable happened and God's words came true. It is heartening to KNOW that God keeps His word. It is also comforting to know that God will try to draw His people back to Him before He judges them. Accountability will happen. The wrath of God is real. Not an outburst that is uncontrolled but instead "holiness reacting to evil in a way that is morally right and glorious." ~ From Alone in Majesty by William McDonald.

Max Lucado in his book The Great House of God says this, "As drastic as it may appear, God will actually allow a person to experience hell on earth, in hopes of awakening his faith. A holy love makes the tough choice to release the child to the consequences of his rebellion."

God laid out the problems:

• Anger
• Greed
• Revenge
• Arrogance
• Pride
• Aggression towards family
• The hunt for wealth

God reminds them, "It was I" who made you what you are. I AM THE ONE who gave you the promised land. "Isn't this true?" I, the LORD, am the one who gave, and I will be the one to take away. You will be stuck, like a wagon in the mud. No one will escape, not even the fastest. You will not be strong enough to save yourself. Nothing. Not power. Not strength. Not strategies. Nothing will be able to thwart what God has promised to do.

Addendum:  9/22/15 ~  God's word is so encouraging. Over and over it seems that God has used the words I wrote years ago as an encouragement to me today. NOTHING will be able to thwart what God has promised to do. NOTHING!  No matter how long or difficult this path is, we will walk it with joy and praise on our lips for the surpassing greatness of our Father.  


Next Entry: Amos 3:1 – 6:14  

Hosea 6:1 – 10:15

January 30, 2012

"Come, let's go back to the LORD..." and God says, "I want faithful love" more than I want your sacrifices. "I want people to know me" (NIV - acknowledgment of God) more than your offerings. I want you to change your hearts and minds and get a new way of thinking. 

Instead, "It never enters their minds that I remember all their evil deeds." I know. I see. But they somehow don't think it matters. Your "hearts burn inside of (you). All night long their anger is low, but when morning comes, it becomes a roaring fire." Greed and revenge consumes them. Their strength is already eaten up but they don't know it. "(Their) pride will cause their defeat; they will not turn back to the LORD their God or look to him for help in all of this." I will bring them down. I will punish them, how terrible it will be. Hosea 7:13 - "I want to save them, but they have spoken lies against me." They have trusted in the wrong things. Their foolish plans are like planting the wind— they will reap a whirlwind.   

Truth and lies cannot be mixed. That is "like a pancake cooked only on one side." (Gotta love the way the Bible is written in such a visually descriptive manner.) You've tried everything but coming to me. You've chosen your own leaders. You've chosen your own path. You've created your own idols. You've come up with your own plans. You've went outside of me to seek help. You've hired others to protect you. You built altars to remove sin but they have become altars for sinning. You keep trying to do everything yourself.

You have forgotten that I am your Maker. 


Next Entry: Hosea 6:1 – 10:15 (Continued)

Ezekiel 20:45 – 24:27

January 05, 2012

Ezekiel continued to tell the Israelites that were already captive in Babylon what God was telling him. Their response was, "He is only telling stories." Ezekiel warned them that God was going to destroy Jerusalem and that God was going to use Babylon as His sword to do it. God laid out again why Jerusalem was to be destroyed—her disobedience and her sins against God. Ezekiel 21:24 - "Your sins are seen in all you do. Because of this proof against you, you will be taken captive by the enemy." Those who thought they were in control—the leaders—were going to be stripped of their power. Ezekiel 21:26 - "Things will change. Those who are important now will be made unimportant, and those who are unimportant now will be made important."

In Ezekiel 22 the sins of Jerusalem are again listed. And again, God uses usury as a benchmark to define wickedness. Ezekiel 22:12 - "You take unfair interest and profits and make profits by mistreating your neighbor. And you have forgotten me, says the LORD God." The NIV says it this way, "You take usury and excessive interest and make unjust gain from your neighbors by extortion." The KJV says, "...greedily gained by extortion." Ezekiel 22:29 - "The people cheat others and steal." NIV - "...practice extortion and robbery... they oppress... mistreat... denying them justice." And God says, "I will shake my fist at you... Then you will know that I am the LORD."

God tells Ezekiel: Judgment will happen. The cup of fear and ruin will be drunk until it is empty, "Then you will know that I am the LORD God." Ezekiel 24:6,9,14 - "How terrible it will be... how terrible it will be... how terrible it will be... I, the LORD have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back punishment or feel pity or change my mind. I will judge you by your ways and actions, says the LORD God." God told Ezekiel to "write down today's date, this very date," because the king of Babylon has surrounded Jerusalem this very day. "This very date." God's plan of judgment is moving forward. God's will WILL be done.

God tells Ezekiel his wife whom he loves is going to die, "But you must not be sad or cry loudly for her or shed any tears. Groan silently: do not cry loudly for the dead." Do not go into deep mourning. Live your life. His wife dies the next day and Ezekiel does as God says. The people asked, "What do the things you are doing mean for us?" And God says, it is time for the destruction of Jerusalem to begin. The family you have remaining in Jerusalem will be destroyed as well. "When that happens," you are to go on living like Ezekiel has. He is to be an example to you. You must go on living. "You must not cry loudly" but you must look at your own lives and recognize and groan for your own sins. I will take away what has made them proud. You will hear the news, "then you will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 24:2 - "Write down this date, this very day..." It was five years ago today that I met Jane E. Wolfe (Her Name Was Jane) for the first time. 1/5/07 continues to be a pivotal day in our lives. What a God-moment. What a life changing experience.

As I sit here this morning looking out over the snow covered landscape with the morning light just beginning to dawn, I marvel at the grace of God. My heart is full of joy and thanksgiving. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!! As I reminisce over these past five years—what a journey we have been on! This day five years ago started out with  intense pain, shock, sorrow, and disbelief, BUT God turned it into a day where we saw His Hand at work.

The time spent with Jane is forever clearly etched into my mind. Her prayer of blessing on my life literally transformed me, forever making and marking a turning point in my life. I went from the pain, shock, sorrow, and disbelief, to all of that being GONE. Not only GONE, but replaced with a peace that passeth ALL understanding, a "holy numbness" which has protected me, and a quiet and gentle confidence in my LORD and Savior—Jesus Christ.

Mere words cannot explain. They just seem totally inadequate and disjointed. We had no way of knowing where "the storm" journey would take us or how long we would be on it. But God knew, and He has given us everything we've needed. Not just to survive—but to thrive. Our faith, hope, and trust is in HIM alone, and that is enough. MORE than enough. We will continue to trust Him—no matter what.

The Life Lesson for this section makes the following statement: God planned severe judgment for the Israelites because of their godless and immoral life styles. This was their last chance to repent.

"...This is serious beyond description because people are responsible beings who must stand before God and give an answer for their sins. No evasions, no postponement, no tricky defense lawyer. Just man and God and a multitude of sins. But one thing we need to remember: God can "put away sin"; "hide it in the depths of the sea"; "remove it as far as the east is from the west"; and "remember it no more." All because Christ's sacrifice for sin is applicable to all who come to Him in repentance and faith." ~ From Getting into God by Stuart Briscoe

Judgment references:

Deuteronomy 7:2 - "The LORD your God will hand these nations over to you, and when you defeat them, you must destroy them completely. Do not make a peace treaty with them or show them mercy.
I Samuel 2:25 - "If you sin against someone, God can help you. But if you sin against the LORD himself, no one can help you!"
Isaiah 1:2–4 - "Heaven and earth, listen, because the LORD is speaking: "I raised my children and helped them grow up, but they have turned against me."
Matthew 3:10 - "The ax is now ready to cut down the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
Romans 2:12–15 - "People who do not have the law and who are sinners will be lost, although they do not have the law. And, in the same way, those who have the law and are sinners will be judged by the law. Hearing the law does not make people right with God. It is those who obey the law who will be right with him. (Those who are not Jews do not have the law, but when they freely do what the law commands, they are the law for themselves. This is true even though they do not have the law. They show that in their hearts they know what is right and wrong, just as the law commands. And they show this by their consciences. Sometimes their thoughts tell them they did wrong, and sometimes their thoughts tell them they did right.)"

The key is repentance. There must be a new heart and a new way of thinking. Ezekiel 18:30–31 - "Change your heart and stop all your sinning so sin will not bring your ruin. Get rid of all the sins you have done, and get for yourselves a new heart and a new way of thinking."

Addendum: 11/11/19 ~ Ezekiel 24:26–27 -  "At that time a person who escapes will come to you with information for you to hear. At that very time your mouth will be opened. You will speak and be silent no more. So you will be a sign for them, and they will know that I am the LORD."

"At that very time your mouth will be opened. You will speak and be silent no more..." Reading those words this morning brought tears to my eyes. There will come a time. There will come a time when "the storm" is over. There will come a time that we receive word that "You are Free to Go," and

Walking By Faith: A True Story of God's Faithfulness 

and 

Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead) 

can be released to the public and the words God gave me to write will no longer be held silent. The story of Jane E. Wolfe can be told; and "they will know that I am the LORD."

Oh LORD, may it be so. May it soon be so.

Addendum: Two months later—Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!


Next Entry: Ezekiel 25:1 – 32:32

Ezekiel 15:1 – 20:44 (Continued)

January 4, 2012

And God says: I will hold you accountable.

• I will gather people against you.  
• I will strip... 
• I will punish... 
• I will destroy... 
• I will hand you over... 
• I will tear down... 
• I will tear off... 
• I will take away... 
• I will burn down... 
• I will put an end to your sins... 

Then will I rest from my anger against you.

You were called "my people," yet you did worse things than those who did not claim to be my people. Even the people who don't claim me as God are better than you are. Ezekiel 16:52 - "Your sins were even more terrible than theirs." Your actions even made sinful people look good. In your pride, you humiliated others. But this was "before your evil was uncovered." Now your are humiliated and you no longer enjoy your place of honor. Ezekiel 16:58 - "Those around you hate you. This is your punishment for your terrible sins and for actions I hate, says the LORD."

I will keep my promises and you will know that I am the LORD. You will see truth... and you will be ashamed. Ezekiel 16:63b - "You will not open your mouth again because of your shame, when I forgive you for all the things you have done."

Like Uzzaih and Jerusalem, we need to understand that the Blessing of God is revocable. Life is not about "who" we are, it is about "whose" we are. It is not about "us" and "our" successes. It is about God and what He has given to us.

Thoughts from our Pastor:

1) "Success has ruined more people than failure."
2)  It's not how well we start our walk—it's how well we finish.
3)  Never underestimate your capacity for self deception.
4)  Don't kill the "Nathans" in your life.
5)  We are not indispensable.  God will find someone who is faithful to do His work.

Ezekiel tells the story of the Eagle and the Vine. A story of disobedience and dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction (or discontent) is an uneasiness of the mind—never satisfied. Dissatisfaction is an insidious thing. "It could have become a fine vine." It could have been... but it wasn't. Obedience to God brings contentment. A refusal to obey brings an uneasiness of the mind—never satisfied.

Talking about Zedekiah's refusal to obey and submit to His plan, God says, "As surely as I live this is true: I will pay back... I will spread my net over him, and he will be caught... I will punish him for the unfaithful acts he did against me... then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken." (Ezekiel 17:19–21) I myself will build up and tear down. Ezekiel 17:24 - "Then all the trees in the countryside will know that I am the LORD. I bring down the high tree and make the dry tree grow. I am the LORD, I have spoken, and I will do it."

Ezekiel 18 talks about how God is a fair God. We reap what we sow. "The person who sins is the one who will die." Ezekiel 18:5-9 - "Suppose a person is good and does what is fair and right." He doesn't look to idols. He doesn't cheat. He does not mistreat others. He doesn't rob. He helps others. He doesn't use *usury, charging too much interest or trying to make too much of a profit in an effort to better himself while harming others. He keeps his hand from doing wrong. He treats others fairly. He lives by my rules. He obeys faithfully. Ezekiel 18:9 - "Whoever does these things is good and will surely live, says the LORD."

But, suppose this man's son does the opposite of what God just described. The son mistreats. He steals. He robs. He lends money for too much interest and profit. He refuses to return what was promised for a loan. Ezekiel 18:13 - "Will this son live? No, he will not live. He will be responsible for his own death."

But what about this son's son? If he does not do the evil and wrong things his father did, "He will not die for his father's sin, he will surely live. But his father took other people's money unfairly and robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. So he will die for his own sin."(Ezekiel 18:17-18)

19 "But you ask, 'Why is the son not punished for the father's sin?' The son has done what is fair and right. He obeys all my rules, so he will surely live. 20 The person who sins is the one who will die. A child will not be punished for a parent's sin, and a parent will not be punished for a child's sin. Those who do right will enjoy the results of their own goodness; evil people will suffer the results of their own evil."

If the wicked stop doing what they are doing, and turn from their ways, and start following God's way, then they are forgiven and their sins forgotten and they will live. The opposite is true as well. If those who were doing good things and obeyed God with their hearts and lives stop doing good and instead do the wrong and hateful things the wicked do, then their good acts will be forgotten and they will die because of their sins.

God says: "I am fair." Each one is held accountable for their current actions. When good people stop doing good and do wrong—they will be held accountable. When the wicked stop being wicked and do what is fair and right—they will save their lives. 30 "So I will judge you, people of Israel; I will judge each of you by what you do, says the LORD God. Change your hearts and stop sinning so sin will not bring you ruin. Get rid of all the sins you have done, and get yourself a new way of thinking. Why do you want to die, people of Israel? I do not want anyone to die, says the LORD God, so change your hearts and lives so you may live." Cross Reference Ezekiel 11:19 - "... a new way of thinking."

God gets no pleasure in the destruction of the people that were called His own. None. Three times in Ezekiel 20 God says he "acted for the sake of my name so it would not be dishonored... I will get rid of those who refuse to obey me and who turn against me. I will bring them out of the land where they are now living, but they will never enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD." Eight different times throughout Chapter 20, God says what has become a theme throughout the entire book of Ezekiel—"Then you will know that I am the LORD."

*Usury—God used the example of usury as a measuring stick for whether a person does hateful and wicked things throughout Ezekiel 18.

Ezekiel 18:30–32 - "I will judge you by what you do... change your hearts and stop all your sinning so sin will not bring your ruin. Get rid of all the sins you have done, and get for yourselves a new heart and a new way of thinking..."

Usury cross-references from Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) KJV:

Exodus 22:25 - "If you lend money to one of my people who is poor, do not treat him as a moneylender would. Charge him nothing for using your money."
Leviticus 25:3–37 - "Do not charge him any interest on money you loan to him, but respect your God; let the poor live among you. Don't lend him money for interest, and don't try to make a profit from the food he buys."
Deuteronomy 23:19 - "If you loan your fellow Israelite money or food or anything else, don't make them pay back more than you loaned them."
Nehemiah 5:7 - "After I thought about it, I accused the important people and the leaders, "You are charging your own brothers too much interest."
Psalm 15:5 - "They do not charge interest on money they lend and do not take money to hurt innocent people."

Addendum: 8/7/16 ~ God's word is VERY clear. The cross reference verses I listed all refer to the intent behind loaning money to someone who knows they are borrowing money. What is a big deal to God should be a big deal to us. 


Next Entry: Ezekiel 20:45 – 24:27