Saturday, February 26, 2011

Part two of In Unoin There is Strength

Let us look at what God hates. Proverbs 6:16-19 give us a very clear picture of what God does not like. “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea seven are an abomination to him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren.”
Romans 12:1 “Present your bodies a living sacrifice Holy acceptable unto God.” God has already done this but let’s assume He was looking all over the earth for someone who would suitable to be a sacrifice for all mankind. If your name came up would you be a worthy vessel to God to use for this awesome task? That is a silly question I know but just food for thought. I wonder how many are like the ones Jesus was referring to in Luke 11:39 when he said, “Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of raving and wickedness.”
We need to look to Jesus and acknowledge our sins. In other words clean up our act. Our country is being filled with every vile thing the devil can think up. We don’t want to offend so we just stand by and let it happen. 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” We must come to genuine repentance or we are no better than the Pharisee. There was something else Jesus had to say to the religious crowd. Look at Luke 18:9-14. Basically He is saying if we can’t or don’t repent and confess our sins then our prayers may be in vain. The Pharisee and the publican, both sinners in God’s eyes, but one was self-righteous the other repentant and ashamed. Look at the book as see which one was justified. Which one are you? Remember this no man cometh to the Father but through Jesus. Your education won’t get you there, your career won’t, your church membership won’t, all your religious activity for the sake of glorifying self won’t either. What will? Jesus and the blood shed on the cross.
Isaiah 45:22 makes a solid statement, “Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth; for I am God and there is none else.” Then in Psalms 34:5 “they looked unto him and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed.”
Not only do we need to stop and look we need to listen. If you have looked and stopped doing what you were doing with seeming no results then maybe you need to listen. It is not enough to stop sinning and look to Jesus you must listen to what He has to say. The plan is His, the salvation is ours but we must follow the plan or we miss the salvation. The blessings are ours as well but if we refuse to follow His plan we can miss out on the blessings as well. In the book of Numbers there is a really great verse should someone ask what you are listening for. Numbers 22:19, “…that I may know what the Lord will say unto me.”
There is a storm rising in our country. We cannot afford to ignore the warnings. Yet we seem to think noting will happen. Look what the prophet Isaiah had to say about the approaching storm. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. Isaiah 26:20-21
“Hear ye and give ear; be not proud for the Lord hath spoken.” Jeremiah 13:15
If we will listen, God made us a promise. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Hear and your soul shall live. Isaiah 55:3
They that hear shall live. John 5:25
Will you stop and change directions of your life and your country?
Will you look to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith?
Will you listen and repent or will you perish?

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