people of God

The Lions of Nineveh

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, the old lion, walked, and the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid?” Nahum 2:11 (KJB)

Nineveh was the city to which God called Jonah to go about 100 years previous to Nahum’s prophecy. God sending Jonah, though a reluctant prophet, was God in His grace and mercy reaching out to a lost and condemned people.

Nineveh was a fierce people. At the time of Jonah God numbers the city with 120 thousand souls too young to know their left from their right hand (Jonah 4:11). That would be young children, babies. Yet, the whole city from the least to the greatest of the people repented and turned to the LORD due to Jonah’s preaching (Jonah 3:5).

Now a hundred years later they have returned to their old ways, against the LORD, and against the people of GOD.

Who are these “Lions of Nineveh?”  The lion is a feared creature of the field, and the jungle. The roar of the old male is a fearful thing to hear to its prey, yet we have these “lions” in fear. Why? Because the LORD is about to show up in His wrath against the whole city. The lions are the king, the other rulers, and the young ones coming up in leadership.

The most fearful thing that people of all places, countries, cities, and provinces is that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God (Hebrews 10:31). It is by God’s grace we can fall into the hands of the loving Creator, God, Savior, and King Jesus Christ. He took the curse that was ours, dying on the cross, was buried, and He rose again; and He forever lives and reigns.

Call on His name, and He will deliver you from the bondage of sin and shame.

You, O LORD, Are My Rock and My Fortress

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“In Thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in Thy righteousness. Bow down Thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be Thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For Thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for Thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.”  Psalm 31:1-3 (KJB)

Are you feeling down, dirty, discouraged, and in despair today? There is One in whom you can place your trust.  David found that trust in the LORD our God.

The Psalmist calls on the LORD to listen to him.  He request that the LORD be “My strong rock, for a house of defence…”  I am pretty certain that David faced those times like we have too.  Lonely, afraid, desperate, and in despair; and in those times he cried out to God;  and God hear him and answered his prayer.

Though David was looking for a hasty reprieve from his dilemma, he quickly realized that the LORD was his Rock and his fortress, and simply requested that God would lead and guide him.

In the not too distant past our Vice President was mocked and criticized by a lessor known individual who called him a mental case because he claims that Jesus speaks with him.  I was thrilled to hear our VP say that.  David spoke with our Lord, and the Lord spoke back, and because of this we have the Psalms which we can read and through them the Lord speaks with us too.  That is if we have a heart for Him.

He hears the cries of His people.  The question really is today; Do His people hear Him?

Hear the Lord GOD today through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus God Son, the God Man, in whom you can give your life – heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Day Two Hundred Seventy and Eight

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the people who call themselves “People of God” to return to God’s Word, trusting His Word, His Spirit and His way in our own hearts, our lives, families, Churches, and our Nation.

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” Isaiah 31:1 (KJV)
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Nailed Down

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 22:25 (KJV)

From chapter 13 of Isaiah through chapter 23 there are a series of warnings, and judgments against nations because of their unbelief, their rebellion, their sins against the LORD. The one we see in chapter 22 is against Jerusalem, which means against the nation of Israel.

They have been living in comfort; growing in rebellion against the LORD; and cold toward righteous life, and failing to glorify God.

For instance “Shebna” (vv. 15) was a chief administrator in the house of the king. He was gaining for himself great wealth, chariots, horses, and such and even planning himself a great sepulchre (tomb) for his death; proclaiming his own greatness and power.

The people of God are to glorify the LORD, not themselves. The people of God should use their means, and wealth for the glory of the LORD in benefiting others not amassing for themselves massive homes, fancy cars, and long, costly vacations. That is what was going on in Jerusalem at the time of Isaiah’s prophecy. Does it sound familiar for any other place? Does it sound familiar for the land of the free, and home of the brave?

Let me encourage you to read this chapter (22), and note what is going on. Jerusalem was the city of David, dedicated to the purpose of the glory of the LORD; yet it had departed.

Shebna (v. 15) would be replaced by Eliakim, yet he too would be removed: (“And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.” v. 23); because the LORD has spoken it.

Israel was judged. Shebna lost his seat of authority. Eliakim gained that seat. He lost it just as the LORD had spoken through the prophet Isaiah. What God says comes to pass.  It was NAILED DOWN.