Does God Tempt People?? – TEMPTATION [11]

February 3, 2016February 19, 2016buildafoundation Leave a comment

When considering the question, Who or What Tempts Me?, it would seem that most of us could quickly list off a few offenders –

Situations around me
TV
What I read
Music I listen to
People – friends, family, etc.

However, you may be surprised when you hear the unlikely suspects the Bible gives in answer to this question.

Most importantly, we need to understand that God DOES NOT tempt us – Remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is NEVER tempted to do wrong, and He NEVER tempts anyone else. – James 1:13

HOWEVER, and this is where it gets a little sticky, God may allow us to be tempted.

This is when we run into our first unlikely suspect – SATAN. Unlikely, because people don’t see Satan, therefore, they often don’t believe that he actually exists. We can equate Satan’s existence to the wind. We don’t actually see wind, but we certainly feel it’s effects.
Satan, in the same way, is actively at work, day in and day out, looking for ways to mess us up.

1. Satan watches people

“Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” – Job 1:7

This video clip of a drone hovering unnoticed over the unsuspecting people in the City of Chicago is how I imagine Satan patrolling the earth.

2. Satan pursues people

Not only does Satan watch what’s going on, he is also persistence in his pursuit of turning people from God.

(Keep in mind that Satan pursues God-followers, not non-God-followers. Why?? Jesus answers this question when he is challenged by the Pharisees after healing a demon possessed man in Matthew 12:22-30. Jesus says in verse 30, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” So Satan doesn’t bother with non-God-followers because they are already on his “team”.)

In the story of Job, we have a Biblical example of Satan’s persistence – see Job 1:1-11

Satan says to God, “You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” – Job 1:10-11

gods protection

And then we have God’s shocking response to Satan’s request, “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. – Job 1:12. Then in the remaining chapters in the Book of Job we read how Satan stripped Job of his family and worldly comforts.

SAY WHAT????

Here’s the upside —

God does not give Satan free rein to do as he pleases. We see one example of this in the story of Job, “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses (his stuff), but don’t harm him physically.” – Job 1:12, nor in our lives. God puts restrictions on Satan.

3. Satan offers craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions – 1 John 2:15-17

Unfortunately, Satan is not easily deterred. In fact, he is so bold that he even tempts Jesus!! – Matthew 4:1-11. In Matthew 4:3 Tempter is used as a synonym for Satan.

temptation-of-jesus

For more on this, see my post — What Is Driving Our Temptations?? – TEMPTATION – [7], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-yx

In this post we’ve talked about unlikely tempting suspect #1 – Satan. However, there is another unlikely suspect you may not have considered – See post – My Own Worst Enemy?? – TEMPTATION [12] – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-AR

** FOR MORE ON TEMPTATION SEE MY OTHER POSTS BELOW **

The Battle Is On… – TEMPTATION [10] – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-A3

My Own Worst Enemy?? – TEMPTATION [12] – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-AR

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Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God?? Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
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A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

A Sneak Preview – How Can I Resist Temptation?? – TEMPTATION [4]

September 29, 2015October 7, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

I don’t know about you, but as I start to read books, magazines, etc. questions start to pop-up in my mind. Questions such as, yeah but what about…? Or, good to know, but now what do I do with this info…? And for me a big question knocking at the door of my psyche right now is whether or not it’s possible to resist temptation.

If you’ve had the chance to read What Gives You the Willies?? – TEMPTATION [1] http://wp.me/p5nZpi-vx, you would have seen near the end of the post, I wrote a number of points I am planning to blog about over the next few weeks. You may have also noticed, that the point – Is it possible to resist temptation? is near the end of the topics covered.

So I’ve decided to give you a sneak peek into the question, Is it possible to resist temptation? so that you can begin resisting temptation today!! 🙂

WHAT CAN I DO IF I’M TEMPTED TO DO SOMETHING I KNOW IS WRONG:

I CAN CONSCIOUSLY MAKE A CHOICE:

– I can choose to follow God’s ways vs. the temptation.

– I can ask God to strengthen me, and give me courage to conquer my temptation.

***DO NOT CHOOSE THE OPTION BELOW***

– I can choose to follow ungodly ways, giving Satan permission to enslave me.

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REMEMBER:

Be on guard, and above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. –
Proverbs 4:23

Protect yourself, hide the Word in your heart, so that you will not sin against God. – Psalm 119:11

** FOR MORE ON TEMPTATION SEE MY OTHER POSTS BELOW **

Where Does My Desire to “Push the Envelope” Come From?? – TEMPTATION [3], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ws

Are ALL People Tempted to “Do” Wrong?? – TEMPTATION [5], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xt

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“I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 3 of 4)

April 13, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation 1 Comment

Let’s take just one moment to recap from the previous post, “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 2), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY.

God’s way to joy =>> Other-centered – them, them, them (How can I be a blessing to others? What might I have to “give up”, sacrifice, to restore a relationship, to start a relationship, to set healthy boundaries in a relationship, etc.)

The world’s way to happiness =>> Self-centered – me, me, me (What’s in it for me? What will make me happy?)

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The life God calls us to live may seem, at first glance, counter-intuitive and challenging. It seems to fight against every fiber of our being. I often feel the way Paul describes himself in Romans 7:19 – I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

Referencing the slide from my previous post, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY, The Way to…, we can see that there is a battle being fought for our hearts.

Satan, the god of this world, John 12:31, the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2, seeks to influence our ideas, opinions, goals, hopes, education, finances, and worldview (philosophies) towards his ways. Forget about others. You’re the only one who matters. Look out for #1.

God, on-the-other-hand, wants to give us wisdom, James 1:5, He’s allowed us to experience love, because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19. God, who so deeply desires a relationship with us, that He willingly gave His Son, Jesus, to be a sacrifice in our place, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16, and live forever with God. He desires for us to look outside of ourselves, towards others. Not for His benefit, but for ours.

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Have you ever heard of making a New Year’s Resolution? A promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good, or to stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.

Have you ever heard of the concept – exercising mindfulness? Meaning to pay attention “on purpose” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Have you ever heard this verse from the Bible? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8

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WHAT DO THESE SEEMINGLY, RANDOM, QUESTIONS HAVE TO DO WITH GOD’S WAY TO JOY?

< “I Just Wanna Be Happy!! – (Part 4), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-lH >

SEE ALSO: (PART 1) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK, (PART 2) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY

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Female Angels?? Giants?? – Replying to a Reader’s Comment – ANGELS [6]

March 9, 2015March 25, 2015buildafoundation 2 Comments

…When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Mark 19:25-26

In this post I will be replying to a comment made on my post Names and Roles of Angels (Part 2). Original post link – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-gA

I’m replying as a post rather that replying directly to the comment on the initial post, for 2 reasons:

The question/comment posted was very challenging and thought-provoking. It was something I hadn’t thought of, and I would like to learn more about.
I wanted my readers to know that there is a section below every post where you can leave comments, suggestions, questions, etc. All are welcome!! 🙂

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Here is the reader’s comment/question:

There is no mention of female angels anywhere in Scripture. Jesus said, “…in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Mt. 22:30). Do you think the absence of females in heaven was one reason the sons of God married the daughters of men, giving birth to the ancient giants called the ‘Nephilim’?

Gen 6:4 “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days … when the sons of God were having sexual relations with the daughters of humankind, who gave birth to their children. They were the mighty heroes of old, the famous men.”

If this is true, then it is possible for angels to sin. But most theologians say that the angels who did not fall with Satan are sealed by God and cannot sin. What do you think?

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The word angel appears over 175 times in the New Testament and over 200 times in the Old Testament. And you are correct, that there is no mention of female angels anywhere in Scripture.

The Greek word for “angel” in the New Testament, angelos, (messenger) is in the masculine noun form. In the Old Testament, the word used for angel (messenger) is malak. It is also used in the masculine noun form. In fact, a feminine form of angelos or malak does not exist in the Bible.

I believe it would be impossible for angels to reproduce with people because it goes against the physical laws God established in “the beginning”, at creation. God said that species would reproduce after their own kind, Genesis:1:11-12, 21-25). Angels are one “kind”, and people are another kind.

I DON’T THINK THAT THE ABSENCE OF FEMALES IN HEAVEN HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SONS OF GOD MARRYING THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN, AND HERE’S WHY:

It would seem more likely to me that the “sons of God” referenced in Genesis 6:1 were the descendents of Seth, who worshiped God – Genesis 4:26, and intermarried with Cain’s descendents, those who did not worship God. It is assumed that Cain had no post-Flood descendants. All his descendents were destroyed in the Flood, and that Noah and his sons were descendants of Adam’s son Seth.

Because of these “unequally yoked” marriages – 2 Corinthians 6:14, godly influence was weakened, while depravity increased. A result was similar to Solomon’s intermarrying, 1 Kings 11:2 – The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway.

AS FOR THE NEPHILIM:

The Nephilim were not a result of the intermarrying, but were present prior to the intermarrying.

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days–AND also afterward–when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. – Genesis 6:4

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ANGELS TO SIN?

I believe that when God created the angels He gave them free will. I believe this because when I read the story of creation, Genesis 1:1-31, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1, I read that everything God created was good – Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! – Genesis 1:31. I believe that He also created the angels “good”. As angels were created before the creation of earth based on Job 38:4-7, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+38%3A4-7&version=NLT

Therefore, if the angels did not have free will they would not have been able, as Satan and his followers did, to choose to rebel against God. Without free will they would have essentially been robots created by God to “fan” and “worship” Him.

ARE THE ANGELS, THAT DID NOT FALL WITH SATAN, SEALED BY GOD?

I believe the answer to this question in yes. I think we can compare the angels to people in this respect. While we are still on planet earth it is possible for us to repent of our sins and “choose” to follow God. – (For more on choosing to follow God, see my tab in the menu – The Cornerstone) However, once we have “passed” from our earthly lives we will move on to one of two destinations – eternal separation from God – Hell = each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment – Hebrews 9:27,or eternally present with God – Heaven.

In the book of Genesis the Garden of Eden is synonymous to heaven. Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God, God drove out the man and the woman, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. – Genesis 3:24 If they would have stayed in the garden and eaten from the Tree of Life, they would have lived forever. Forever, though, in a sinful/separated from God state.

The angels that rebelled against God were forever banished from Heaven -…the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. – Revelation 12:9 Whereas, the angels who “choose” to stay and obey God were sealed by God, and will eternally remain in His presence.

Hope this answered your questions 🙂 Thanks again for reading my blog 🙂 Keep those questions coming!! 🙂

Some of the above material was adapted from : gotquestions.org, and Strong’s Concordance, and wordwise-bible-studies.com

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Messengers and Archangels – Names and Roles of Angels (Part 2) – ANGELS [5]

March 6, 2015March 11, 2015buildafoundation 2 Comments

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 54:17

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MESSENGER:

Another familiar reference to angels is the visitation of Mary, by the angel Gabriel, who told her she would be the mother of God’s son – …God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. – Luke 1:26-27

Gabriel was a “MESSENGER angel”. His role was to bring important messages from God to people, and to reveal truth about the Messiah. He appeared in a visible form and spoke words that could be heard. He was not a vision or dream.

He also appeared to Zechariah, ¹¹While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. ¹²Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. ¹³But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! – Luke 1:11-13, 19

Gabriel also appeared to Daniel, 500 years before he appeared to Zechariah. As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. – Daniel 9:21

ARCHANGEL:

Then there’s Michael, the ARCHANGEL, a “protector angel”. Michael was called the archangel in Jude 1:9 – But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!

Archangel means “chief of the angels”. He’s the defender of the nation of Israel.

In Revelation 12:7 we see Michael in his protector role. Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels.

A bit of trivia – There are only 3 angels mentioned by name in the Bible. Michael, Gabriel, and Satan.

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Spirit World – Proceed with Caution – ANGELS [2]

February 27, 2015March 6, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. – Psalm 34:7

The information we will be talking about in the discussion of angels will be adapted from the book, Angels, Elect and Evil by C. Fred Dickason

People have long since been intrigued by the possibility that an unseen spirit world exists. And interestingly enough, people often seek out these things because something inside them seems to be calling them to fill a “hole”.

It is when we feel this pull, that we need to proceed with caution. Take the time to engage your reasoning skills, while putting your emotions on the back burner for a bit.

Remember the Garden of Eden? It was described as a place of safety and beauty. A place where animals and people lived together as friends. You may also remember that Satan, in the form of a serpent, enticed and led astray Adam and Eve with lies. Although subtle lies, they were still a distortion of God’s Truth.

These are the same subtle lies Satan used on people in the past, us today, and will he will continue to use in the future. Why? Because they work. These lies successfully pull people away from the love, security, and guidance of God, towards chaos, insecurity, fear, and confusion.

Satan doesn’t entice people over to his “team” so that he can love and provide for them. On the contrary, he just doesn’t want you to be on God’s “team”. So when you choose not to follow God, who are you following? The culture? Your friends? TV personalities? Who or what? When you don’t follow God, you end up lost, flaying around, bouncing from one popular idea to the next. Seeking and searching. All the while knowing something is missing, but not knowing what.

Let’s use the internet as an example. It is a fantastic resource. It allows us to network with people, to stay connected, to get information, to make purchases, it provides a platform to get our ideas heard, like my blog :), to get recipes, to learn to play guitar, to learn what’s going on in other parts of the world, etc.

But, with all the good, there’s comes all the bad. Seems like there is always two sides to every story. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. – Proverbs 18:17

In the example of the internet there’s pornography, reconnecting with “old” lovers or “new” lovers when your spouse is no longer “exciting” to you, or anonymity when you post pictures and/or comments you never would in “real life”.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.

So keep this in mind: have cautious awareness when discussing angels.

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The Allure of “Sex” – PROVERBS 5 – Introduction (c) [3]

February 11, 2015February 11, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

“Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.” – Mark 7:18-22

On the surface “sex”, as depicted in our culture, media, books, magazines, etc. may seem alluring, and without consequences. In reality, it’s just an illusion. See previous post – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-d8

A goblet? Or two people looking at each other?

Illusion is defined by Merriam/Webster and Dictionary.com as –

something that is false or not real but that seems to be true or real
an incorrect idea : an idea that is based on something that is not true
something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality.

This is why I chose the word illusion, in regards to the culture’s, media’s, books’, magazine’s, etc. depiction of “sex”. Their focus is on pleasure, happiness, excitement, freedom, etc., while neglecting to point out the emotional and physical repercussions of sexual relationships, outside the confines of marriage.

God created physical attraction between men and women, but He never intended for it to be used solely to fulfill our own selfish desires, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-cJ.

But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. – 1 Corinthians 7:1-4

Sexual intercourse is a beautiful gift God has given people for procreation (having children), and physical pleasure within a marriage covenant/commitment. A beautiful gift, that Satan has distorted, causing people pain, humiliation, and regrets.

Because the sexual relationship, within the context of marriage, is so important, Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 7:5 – Do not deprive each other (your husband or wife) of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

As we watch TV, movies, or read books we’re often shown explicit/graphic,”romance”, while leaving out the emotional and/or physical consequences of engaging in “casual sex”.

The Truth Is — Sexual immorality…

Tears families apart
Fractures a person’s ability to experience “true” love
Degrades human beings, turning them into objects
May lead to diseases
May result in unwanted children
Is against God’s law

Next post, we’ll begin to look at Proverbs 5. Until then, ponder Solomon’s urgings in the first two verses of Proverbs Chapter 5, – My children, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. THEN you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned.

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Is “Sex” Glamorized in Our Culture? – PROVERBS 5 – Introduction (b) [2]

February 9, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. – Hebrews 13:4

Many people may think that the Bible is just a book of rules, or a storybook for kids.

Unfortunately, because of these, and other, misconceptions, people don’t think that the Bible pertains to them and the struggles that they face everyday, in the “real” world.

One of the greatest struggles people face today is sexual sin. I believe people do realize that some of their sexual “choices” are wrong. And do sense that their choices are not healthy emotionally or physically. Yet, because our culture, media, etc. tends to glamorize “sex”, the “envelope” is continually being pushed, “My people have become lost sheep. Their “shepherds” have led them astray and turned them loose in the mountains. They have lost their way and cannot remember how to get back to the fold.” – Jeremiah 50:6

As a mom, I feel the pain and heartache God expresses for people, through the prophet Jeremiah. Unfortunately, people take what they believe is an “innocent taste”, while failing to realize the long-term implications of their choices.

For example, from “puppy love” in the 70’s, on shows like the Brady Bunch – Marcia Brady and Davy Jones

With these sexual “experiences/opportunities” becoming more and more common place, , it is easy for people, ourselves and our children, to be led further and further from God’s Ways. For those who guide these people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion. – Isaiah 9:16

God tells us, and I take this to heart –

You MUST WARN each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God (His ways, His guidance, His grace, His mercy, His protection, His love… – my addition) – Hebrews 3:13

On the surface our culture’s obsession with “sex” may seem alluring, in reality it’s all an illusion.

A goblet? Or two people looking at each other?

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No One is Good?? Not Even One Person??

February 3, 2015March 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

ALL people are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say, “NO ONE is good — not even one. NO ONE has real understanding; NO ONE is seeking God. All have turned away from God; ALL have gone wrong.“

For NO ONE can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God’s law, the clearer it becomes that we aren’t obeying it. But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight — NOT by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago.

We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we ALL can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For ALL have sinned; ALL fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us NOT guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for OUR sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.

God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal

IS NOT based on our good deeds. IT IS BASED ON OUR FAITH.

So we are made right with God through faith AND NOT by obeying the law.

There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself ONLY BY FAITH, whether they are Jews or Gentiles (any one other than a Jew)

Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. – Romans 3:9-31

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“What Do I Need to do to Get Through to My People?”, asks God – ZEPHANIAH – 3b – [10]

December 1, 2014December 14, 2014buildafoundation 1 Comment

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. – 2 Peter 3:9

Continuing with verses 5-8, God-followers are reassured of His presence, while God’s frustration remains for those who choose their own way. (My thoughts in bold.)

5)) But the LORD is still there in the city,

We’re reminded again, God doesn’t leave us. He is the rock, never moving. We move farther and farther away from Him with the choices we make.

Day by day he hands down justice,
and he does not fail.

God is reprimanding and redirecting people. He is available to the remnant that calls on His name.

But the wicked know no shame.

“It works for me”, “I’m happy” – Ohhh, really ???? How many times have we thought to ourselves, “Don’t they have any self-respect?” “How could they react so laze-faire about _____, a moral wrong?

6)) “I have wiped out many nations, devastating their fortress walls and towers. Their streets are now deserted; their cities lie in silent ruin.
There are no survivors— none at all.

It seems like God is wondering, “What does it take to get through to these people? Their lives are a mess, relationships, families, bodies, and culture.”

7)) I thought, ‘Surely they will have
reverence for me now!
Surely they will listen to my
warnings.
Then I won’t need to strike again,
destroying their homes.’

“I’m sure they can make the connection that the choices they’re making, following Satan’s ways vs. my ways, have devastating results.”

But no, they get up early
to continue their evil deeds.

“People just don’t seem to get “it”. They could experience abundant life through me (God), but instead they follow Satan who comes to steal and destroy.” – John 10:10

8)) Therefore, be patient,” says the LORD.
“Soon I will stand and accuse
these evil nations.
For I have decided to gather the
kingdoms of the earth and pour out
my fiercest anger and fury on them.

There will come a time when God says, “that’s enough chances. You’ve had plenty of time to choose Me. I’ve explained to you the consequences of your choices.” – http://nlt.to/Deuteronomy+30

All the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy.

“In the last days I will judge all according to what they have done.” – Revelation 20:12 Evil doers will be punished, and the obedient will be blessed.