What do I want for Christmas?
I want the lotteries in our States and Nation to cease. They are, in the end a tax on the poverty stricken people of the nation, through the deceit and lust for more.
“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”” Luke 12:15 (NKJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
That all evil and wickedness be done away with; all wicked politicians, presidents, despots, dictators, all evil rulers; and all the evil among all people, including myself.
Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree.
Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.” Psalm 37:34-36 (NKJV)
Also look at Psalm 37:28, 38.
I thank GOD for His daily mercy, and His grace displayed through His Son Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.
There is nothing new about evil. It has been in the world from the beginning of Creation. Since Adam and Eve fell in the garden of Eden there has been evil in the hearts of humankind.
We are a fallen race. We are born into the world separated from God; and our hearts are evil. The words of the prophet Jeremiah; “The heart is deceitful abouve all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The words of the apostle Paul, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But God has intervened, and sent us His Son.
The apostle Paul speaking to Jews in a synagogue said,
“For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” Acts 13:47-49 (KJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ was meant to be a light to the Gentiles; all the rest of the world; as well as to the Jewish people. The Gentiles of Paul’s day rejoiced in that.
O, people, the world needs Him today. We do not need our own conception of Him; we need the Biblical Jesus. The One who came to die for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose and came out of the grave alive.
We Jesus the Christ the Son of the Living God, God the Living Son. You need Him today if you have not fallen on your knees and face before Him. Believe Him today.
“Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie: therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for My people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.” Jeremiah 29:30-32 (KJV)
Through the prophet Jeremiah God had spoken to the false prophet Hananiah (chapter 28), and he had died just as Jeremiah had said. Now there is another; one named Shemaiah who was one of the captives in Babylon writing from Babylon telling the people not to listen to Jeremiah. In telling them that, he was telling them “Do not listen to the word of the LORD”.
Now, I can somewhat understand why some of these people did not want to believe Jeremiah as prophet of God. They were bound to the temple, they were patriotic toward their nation. They had a hard time believing that the temple was going to fall, and that the nation was going into captivity. I can get that. Yet, who are they to love, and adore? Who is the One to whom they owe allegiance, and obedience? There is only one answer to those questions; and that is the LORD God.
Shemaiah was probably one of those who were adulterers, and dreamers of lies. He was for sure one that would not accept the prophecy of the 70 years in Babylon. Probably like Hananiah said, it would only be two years.
How was an individual supposed to discern the truth between the two, the true and the false? Which ever prophecy came to pass just as it had been spoken; that was the word of God, and was the truth. Jeremiah’s words were proven true. Hananiah died that same year; as foretold. Shemaiah missed out on the blessings of God for His people.
O my friend do not deny the power of the word of God. Believe Him through His Living Word; the Lord Jesus Christ who fulfilled all the word of God; and was obedient to the Father all the way to the cross, dying for our sins, being buried, and bodily arose from the grave. One day He is returning for His people, and will make things right in this world. Believe Him today, and live eternally with Him. Otherwise you are perishing.
“At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; if it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.” Jeremiah 18:7-10 (KJV)
The LORD is showing Jeremiah the potter and his work – concerning nations, kings and the people. I want to share with you what thoughts came to my heart and mind and which I wrote in my journal for the morning of August 14, 2015.
One thing I know, and that I am certain of; and that is that God, the Most High reigns in the hearts of kings, and nations and all people. It seems as though things and events in our nation (USA), and the world are on a fast track to the judgment of God of the last days. A judgment on the earth unlike any ever before.
The final judgment on earth that will bring millions to faith in God through Jesus Christ, and/or millions will be driven away from Him. The U. S. of A. has turned her face against the Almighty, and has said, “We are going our own way.” There are in all probability millions of Christians in our nation who, like me, are praying for God’s glory to come down in power to show Himself strong in behalf to those whose hearts are perfect through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And I can say, Even so, Lord Jesus, Come.
“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” Psalm 144:15 (KJV)
Just recently I seen a news item, I believe, was on NBC news doing a study on Happiness, and where to find it. I never watched the series, or the study, but what I heard showed me that there was one item missing. That item was the Person who gives us happiness.
That person is not a wife, or a husband. It is not having the favorite job. It is not a new car, or a new house. It is not even volunteerism where you spend some or much of your time volunteering for a charitable cause. Are you one who is still searching for Happiness?
Your search can end when you have the LORD as your God. He offers you peace through His Son Jesus Christ; and being at peace with God is tremendous happiness just by itself (Romans 5:1-2). When the LORD is your God you have no more condemnation from Him, His Word; and the condemnation of others just will not matter any more (Romans 8:1).
The verses previous to verse 15 tell us of family; sons and daughters who live for and glorify the LORD; that when you are happy in and through the LORD your cattle (livestock) prosper; you prosper. John the apostle wrote, “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospereth” (3 John 2).
Just a word of caution. You can have happiness now, and that happiness is your prosperity. A note from the Believer’s Bible Commentary says,
“Actually these conditions will not be fully realized until the Lord returns, crushes all rebellion, and establishes His Millennial Reign.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Until then, trust in the LORD, believe Him. Live for Him trusting His work in you, and He will bring it to pass. Be happy in the LORD.
“So they did eat, and were well filled: for He gave them their own desire; they were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. For all this they sinned still, and believed not for His wondrous works.” Psalm 78:29-32 (KJV)
Asaph is again the Psalmist of this song. This Psalm is a reminder of the wilderness journeys of Israel, and how God delivered them out of Egypt; then, to drive Egypt out of them.
God had provided the people with “manna” meaning “What is it?” and they were complaining and calling on Moses to lead them back to Egypt. How fickle and foolish we people can be sometimes; yes even saved, even delivered people.
You can read the story that is being sung by Asaph in Numbers 11.
A couple questions: Would you prefer that God gave you all the desires of your own heart? or: Would you prefer that God gave you His desires and placed them in your heart and mind?
The Psalmist points out to us that God “gave them their own desire”; and that was not a good option for them. We see later that they gorged themselves, many became sick and perished. They named the place “Kibrothhattaavah” which means “Graves of Craving” (Numbers 11:34). The Psalmist of Psalm 106 states,
“And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15
Go ahead and complain about your life situation. Go ahead, and ask God for a big fancy home, big nice car, lots of money in the bank, great land holdings; and He may give it to you.
Myself I have chosen to pray for what He desires for my life. I pray that is what you have determined as well. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Note that he does not say “things you desire”, but rather, “desires”.
When God, through Jesus Christ, is your desire there will be peace, rest and safety.
“I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto Thee among the nations. For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth unto the clouds. Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let Thy glory be above all the earth.” Psalm 57:9-11 (KJV)
The Psalmist David was hiding from King Saul in a cave when he wrote this Psalm; or possibly shortly there after. You can see by this Psalm that he was still trusting in the LORD his God.
He was praising the Lord, and he would praise Him among the people of his nation. He would sing unto Him among the Nations of the world around him.
He recognized the greatness of the mercy of God, and proclaimed it. He bragged about God. We can, and we get to brag about His greatness as well; when we know Him.
The LORD God is exalted above all the earth. He is the most glorious of all. Even the stars in their astrological signs cannot hold candle, or light to the glory of their creator. Above the heavens [stars, planets, etc]; above the earth; that is the Lord our God.
He came as a Man. His name is Jesus. He bled and died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and He rose again. He is returning some day soon. Believe Him. Trust Him with your whole being. There is no life apart from Him. He is the One who holds all things together (John 1:3; Colossians 1:17).
Spend time today in contemplation of the greatness of the One who is above all things; and exalt Him.
“And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.” Ezra 3:11-13
The people of the captivity in Babylon had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
Now the foundation was laid, and there was praising and shouting for joy; however, the ones who had seen the original temple (the “ancient men”); saw the new foundation and wept because they remembered the beauty of the old one.
There can be rejoicing, singing, and praising when there is a return to the land of Promise. It should be that way.
There should also be weeping because of the peril of sin. It was the people’s sins and their forsaking of God and the Sabbaths (2 Chronicles 36:19-21; Jeremiah 25:1-11) that brought them to this point in their lives. It could be that that was part of the reason for the “ancient men” weeping.
It does us good to remember our past; lest we be doomed to repeat it. It does us good as well to rejoice in today, and God’s good blessings, and to love Him every moment; to rejoice with singing, praising and giving of thanks for His wonder mercy and grace.
Weep for your sins. Rejoice in God’s forgiveness, and praise Him.
“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (KJV)
Hezekiah was a faithful king doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD (29:2). Yet, he was not perfect, because he got full of himself (v. 25); as sometimes great leaders do.
The above words were spoken by the king when the city of Jerusalem was being threatened by the Assyrian king.
They are words not just for the army, the people of Judah, but for all God’s people down through the ages.
For Christians today we need to be strong and courageous. It is not the time to be silent. It is time to let the light of Jesus Christ shine. When people tell us, “Go away Christian” because we take a stand on the Biblical definition of marriage; and/or any moral issue; such as abortion, adultery, etc., we stand anyway. We speak what God speaks. We do not make decisions based on culture, society, or what might be popular. We make decisions based on Christ Jesus and His Word; the word of God.
The gods of the world are already defeated. They are mere stone, wood, stubble; but GOD is God of all that is. He has made all things, and loved us enough to send us His Son as our Saviour that we might be delivered from our sin and its condemnation; putting to death our sin on His cross.
Christian; BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Begin now. Begin today.
“Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.” 2 Kings 22:13 (KJV)
The words of God’s book is the word of God. The most important book ever penned down by the hands of men; and sadly it is the most rejected book. Though it was written down by the hands of men the word of God is the verbally inspired, inerrant, and infallible word.
Josiah, the youngest king of Judah to begin ruling, saw the importance of the word of God. It is said of Josiah that “he did right in the sight of the LORD”; and that was due to his reverence, trust, and faith in God and His word.
Upon hearing the word of God Josiah took action. It would have first been upon his own heart and life. The first place of action for us today is to hear the word of God; then to act upon it.
We are sinners according to the word of God (Romans 3:23), and we need a Saviour if we are to be in fellowship with God, and that is Jesus Christ Son of God, and God the Son.
Turn to God, to His word, and to His Son.
“And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king’s sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning. And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these? Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which He spake by His servant Elijah.” 2 Kings 10:8-10 (KJV)
The purpose of Scripture is to glorify the LORD God. Through Scripture we see God’s working through the people He chooses, and loves, and through those who hate Him too.
Through Jehu the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah the prophet was fulfilled just as the prophet had spoken (1 Kings 21:17-29). God will never leave undone any word that He has ever spoken. He shall bring it to pass.
The self-righteous among us will declare that this judgment is horrible. How can a god like this be a god of love? If God does not judge evil, how could He be a God of love? Would be a more viable question in my thinking.
Some of the self-righteous thinking people may even think, “The god of the Old Testament is different from the god of the New Testament.” Not so. Look how God dealt with sin in the New Testament. He gave His own and only Son to die for our sins; and He is the One who slew Him. “God has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” “Smitten of God and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:5-6). And Jesus Himself as He was dying for our sins cried out, “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me.” (Matthew 27:46)
Who are we; finite beings; that we should or could question, or accuse the Infinite GOD?
GOD will fulfill every word. Not one word will fall to the earth, or return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).
“And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.” 2 Kings 4:42-44 (KJV)
Time after time God authenticates the work and ministry of Elisha. It is authenticated by his speaking the word of the LORD, and it comes to pass, just as God has said.
The above verses show a similar work to that of the Messiah in Matthew 14:15-21 where Jesus feeds 5,000 men with 5 loaves and two fish; and Matthew 15:32-38 where He feeds 4,000 men with 7 loaves and a few fish.
I also think of the apostle Paul’s words,
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Your greatest need is to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour and to be known by Him.
The power, the mercy, grace and love of God is amazing and powerful.
“And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in My statutes, and execute My judgments, and keep all My commandments to walk in them; then will I perform My word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel. So Solomon built the house, and finished it.” 1 Kings 6:11-14 (KJV)
The LORD will perform His Word. Not one jot or tittle shall pass away (Matthew 5:18) till all shall be fulfilled.
Just as Solomon needed the assurance of the LORD, and to be reminded of his calling, and responsibility; so too does the child of God, who has been cleansed by the blood of the crucified, buried and risen Jesus Christ; today.
“And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.” 2 Samuel 3:17-18 (KJV)
Abner was king Saul’s general; and he wanted Saul’s dynasty to continue despite what God had said of David. He set up Saul’s son Ishbosheth as king of Israel (2:8-11), and evidently Ishbosheth was a weakling in Abner’s eyes (3:6-11), and not a leader.
Abner’s motive is not revealed; though it was most likely from God for what ever the motive may have been.
He does remember the word of the LORD concerning David, and then calls Israel to follow David as their king.
We must remember as Christians today, that God’s word is true. It is verbally inspired, it is infallible, and it is inerrant; and there is nothing which can ever stop God from fulfilling every word of this book.
One day, Jesus; the Son of God, the Son of David, will sit on David’s throne, and reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. That same Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and He rose from the grave that all who would believe in Him might live and reign eternally with Him. Will you believe?
“And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart. Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. For who will hearken unto you in this matter? But as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.” 1 Samuel 30:21-25 (KJV)
In our reading today we read of David being directed to leave the Philistines due to their attacking king Saul and Israel. It was really a God thing.
When David and his men return to Ziklig, they find the city burned, their property, wives, and children missing. David’s men are set to stone him; he encourages himself in the LORD, and prays for God’s direction.
There is a lesson here for us all. Some of the men are weak from war, and being without much to eat, and cannot go on to bring back their stuff. They stay behind and guard the stuff they have; and David and six hundred of his men continue on to retrieve their stuff.
God rewards them with victory over the Amalekites who had destroyed Ziklag, taken their stuff, and their families with more stuff. Some of the evil hearted, underhanded ones of David’s men wanted to keep it all to themselves and not share with those who kept the other stuff they left behind. David would not hear of it.
David says, “Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us” acknowledging that the LORD had given them the victory. He was awarding victory to all of his men; not just those who had gone to the fight.
In the battle Jesus Christ fought alone on the cross, and won, showing the victory in His bodily resurrection He shares the spoils of that battle with all who will believe in Him. Now that is a great reward.
Today we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians we do every Sunday. Let us never forget He lives; even each day that we live, and move and have our being.
“Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:6-9 (KJV)
Moses was dead, and buried by God. No one knew the burial spot, nor does anyone know to this very day. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because in anger he struck the rock rather than speaking to it as God had spoken (Numbers 20:8-13).
Now Joshua by God’s decree and anointing is the leader to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
We all need encouragement from others at times. It is always great to get encouragement from the Lord’s commands; from the Lord’s word.
We see in the death of Moses what the Law could not do. It could not get them into the place of God’s promise. The name “Joshua” means “Jehovah is salvation”, and the name “Jesus” is the Greek name for Joshua. “Jesus” means “Jehovah is salvation”.
“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17
When Joshua led the children of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land he was fulfilling the Law. When Jesus came he came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17-18).
We have God’s promise through the death, burial and resurrection that we have nothing to fear, and that with Christ living in us He is with us wherever we go.
“Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother’s, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.” Deuteronomy 22:1-4 (KJV)
Jesus has combined the Ten Commandments into two. He said,
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Loving our neighbor means that we will take care of his/her livestock and belongings in the same fashion we would want them to watch out for our own things.
It all begins with how we love God.
“And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” Leviticus 9:24 (KJV)
In the worship of God fire is an important element. It must, however, be the LORD’S fire, not our own. That is clearly seen in the first three verses of Leviticus 10 when the sons of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu bring “Strange fire” before the LORD.
With the fire of God sin is dealt with, God is worshipped, and He is glorified. With “Strange fire” the flesh is magnified, and God is seen as a man of entertainment to make us feel good. May we worship Him with the fire of GOD into His presence. We must remember worshipping God is about Him; not about me, not about us; but about holy GOD.
“Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise Him, O ye servants of the LORD.” Psalm 135:1 (KJV)
The servant of GOD. The child of GOD. The people of GOD. These are the ones who are to “Praise the LORD”.
Those who are of the Lord Jesus Christ are to Praise Him. Brag of Him. Lift up His name. Glorify Him in His power, His honor, His glory. There is nothing which we know of God which we should remain silent about.
He loves you. He loves me. Let us not be ashamed of that grace, that mercy, that love that comes solely from the GOD who created all things.
Hallelujah simply means “Praise the LORD.” So, let us Praise the LORD.
Praise Him in Song. Praise Him in prayer. Praise Him in word; with tongue, lips and mouth. Praise Him with your life.
“The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: He sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.” Psalm 99:1 (KJV)
There is one thing for which I am certain, and that is that God is GOD, and that He rules in the hearts and minds of mankind. He rules in the hearts and minds of kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, senators, and congressmen.
To the feeble, finite mind of mankind, and even the mind of the Christian man or woman it is often hard to see; but God still reigns on the earth. The evil, finite mind of humankind cannot begin to fathom the mind of God. Yet, the LORD reigns.
The sovereign hand, and mind of God works in the feeble minds of men to do His own will and purposes. For that reason the people ought to tremble. One day, and I believe it to be soon the whole earth will tremble, will be shaken, and evil will be destroyed; and Christ Jesus the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords will reign supremely from His throne; and there will be peace.
Read Isaiah 2; 10; 66; Ezekiel 38-39; Revelation 20-22. Yet, it is not only a future thing: He is reigning now to accomplish His purposes in my life, in your life, in the world, for His name’s sake.
God has made a way for us to come to Him in worship, praise, honor and glory; and that is through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ His only begotten son (John 3:16-17, 36).
“Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: both low and high, rich and poor, together.” Psalm 49:1-2 (KJV)
There are voices all around the world crying out for a hearing. Weeping, wailing, mourning, crying, shouting, rioting, killing; and all for someone to hear them. Some for a show of power and authority. Some because they hurt in their innermost being. Sometimes, most times in fact that hurt is worse than any hurt.
The Most Holy One wants our attention. Does He have it? With some; with very few does He have our attention. We cry out for His attention, but does He have ours?
This Psalm is for the “sons of Korah” once again. It is for all who have lost. It is for the low and high , the rich and the poor. God calls out for our attention. He calls out for us to hear.
Are you one of those people who say, “Well, I cry out for God. I want to hear Him, but He never speaks to me.” type people? He will not hear you, until you hear Him. It begins by hearing His Word, and His Son. If you feel God is not listening to you; listen to what God says of His Son Jesus. “This is My beloved Son… hear Him” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5).
The message of Jesus Christ breaks all barriers. The high in society and culture; or the low in society and culture need Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Hear this, all ye people…
“O LORD my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:” Psalm 7:1 (KJV)
We people put our trust in things and people everyday. Every time we sit in a chair we are trusting that the chair will not fall or break in pieces. We get in our cars, and trust that it will start (of course sometimes they do not). We do those things without so much as a second thought most of the time.
Is it not amazing that we can put so much trust in things made and built by human kind, but when it comes to God we cannot trust Him to the same extent.
The Psalmist did. God is more trust worthy than any object made by man. He may not always deliver us from our situation, tragedy, or circumstance in life; as we ask Him to, but trust goes much further than deliverance from situations. With God it goes to His character, and who He is.
There is a question which has been asked: “If God never answered another one of your prayers would you still trust Him?”
My answer to that question is Yes. He is still God. He still loves me. I can still trust Him for my future, and for today. He knows what is best for you and me.
Be as the Psalmist. Put your trust in the LORD God through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Whereas Edom saith, ‘We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places;’ thus saith the LORD of hosts, ‘They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, ‘The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.'” Malachi 1:1-5
Peace… But No Peace
Jeremiah 6:10-19
purpose: To reveal what is happening when there is proposed peace, but evil is good, and good is evil; when the people of God despise the word of God, and there is no shame; and to show what will happen if there is no repentance.
1. THE WORD OF GOD BECOMES OFFENSIVE (v. 10).
2. TROUBLE IN THE HOMELAND, ABROAD, AT HOME AND AMONG SPIRITUAL LEADERS (vv. 11-13).
3. A FALSE MESSAGE IS PROCLAIMED FOR PEACE (v. 14).
4. THERE IS NO SHAME TOWARD WHAT GOD CALLS ABOMINATION (v. 15a).
5. THERE WILL BE A VISITATION FROM THE LORD (v. 15b).
6. WHAT GOD EXPECTS OF HIS PEOPLE DURING THIS TIME (v. 16a).
7. THE PEOPLE TAKE A CHOICE (vv. 16b-19).
1. Today, if you can think it (without any thought of consequences); do it.
2. Fruits of thoughts can be tragic indeed; not only for the “thinker”, but the victims of the thoughts.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 