Category Archives: Character of God

Blessed, Consequences of Sin, Curse, Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Justice / Judgment, Obeying God, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

A Message from the LORD Regarding the Rebellion of His People

This message from the LORD through Isaiah may as well be delivered again today. It fits just about completely with where our society is going in our nation and around the world. Even those who claim the LORD, have turned away. Do not think that this does not anger Him. He may be patient, but He also experiences righteous anger. As you read through chapter 1 of Isaiah, consider its application not just in Isaiah’s time, but also in ours.

The message can be viewed in three pieces:

  • God’s people rebel.
  • God has had enough.
  • Sins can be forgiven for those who choose obedience. Those who forsake the LORD will come to an end.

Isaiah 1

Rebellion of God’s People

      1The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

      2Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;
For the LORD speaks,
“Sons I have reared and brought up,
But they have revolted against Me.

      3“An ox knows its owner,
And a donkey its master’s manger,
But Israel does not know,
My people do not understand.”

      4Alas, sinful nation,
People weighed down with iniquity,
Offspring of evildoers,
Sons who act corruptly!
They have abandoned the LORD,
They have despised the Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away from Him.

      5Where will you be stricken again,
As you continue in your rebellion?
The whole head is sick
And the whole heart is faint.

      6From the sole of the foot even to the head
There is nothing sound in it,
Only bruises, welts and raw wounds,
Not pressed out or bandaged,
Nor softened with oil.

      7Your land is desolate,
Your cities are burned with fire,
Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence;
It is desolation, as overthrown by strangers.

      8The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,
Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

      9Unless the LORD of hosts
Had left us a few survivors,
We would be like Sodom,
We would be like Gomorrah.

God Has Had Enough

10Hear the word of the LORD,
You rulers of Sodom;
Give ear to the instruction of our God,
You people of Gomorrah.

      11“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?”
Says the LORD.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle;
And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.

      12“When you come to appear before Me,
Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

      13“Bring your worthless offerings no longer,
Incense is an abomination to Me.
New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

      14“I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts,
They have become a burden to Me;
I am weary of bearing them.

      15“So when you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Yes, even though you multiply prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are covered with blood.

      16“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
Cease to do evil,

      17Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow.

“Let Us Reason”

18“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.

      19“If you consent and obey,
You will eat the best of the land;

      20“But if you refuse and rebel,
You will be devoured by the sword.”
Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Zion Corrupted, to Be Redeemed

21How the faithful city has become a harlot,
She who was full of justice!
Righteousness once lodged in her,
But now murderers.

      22Your silver has become dross,
Your drink diluted with water.

      23Your rulers are rebels
And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves a bribe
And chases after rewards.
They do not defend the orphan,
Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

      24Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts,
The Mighty One of Israel, declares,
“Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries
And avenge Myself on My foes.

      25“I will also turn My hand against you,
And will smelt away your dross as with lye
And will remove all your alloy.

      26“Then I will restore your judges as at the first,
And your counselors as at the beginning;
After that you will be called the city of righteousness,
A faithful city.”

      27Zion will be redeemed with justice
And her repentant ones with righteousness.

      28But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together,
And those who forsake the LORD will come to an end.

      29Surely you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired,
And you will be embarrassed at the gardens which you have chosen.

      30For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away
Or as a garden that has no water.

      31The strong man will become tinder,
His work also a spark.
Thus they shall both burn together
And there will be none to quench them.

Do not miss the core message, which again is summarized in three pieces. Take note that the people did not consciously say, “Let’s rebel against God.” Rather how they lived their lives was in rebellion whether or not they realized it.

  • God’s people rebel.
  • God has had enough.
  • Sins can be forgiven for those who choose obedience. Those who forsake the LORD will come to an end.

However, there is more treasure to be found here in this passage. Re read it and this time focus on the specific behaviors that God speaks out against, like taking bribes, not defending orphans and widows, failure to seek justice or reprove the ruthless. Note that God is not satisfied with us just avoiding doing bad things. There are good things that he expects us to do as well.  In fact, He calls out widows and orphans twice in the scripture.

Do not think of God as a marshmallow God who is happy just to have your attention now and then. He is the Creator of the universe. He is all powerful and all knowing. He has given us instructions for how to live and He wants His people to live by them and not to simply blend in with or be slightly better than the evil nations or people around them.

I invite you to take some time to prayerfully reflect on this message before the LORD. Ask the Spirit to show you areas in your life and in your heart where you should make some changes. Are there things you are doing that you should not? Are there things you are not doing, like helping widows and orphans, that you should? Ask the LORD to help you live in a way that is more and more focused on Him and is pleasing to Him.  Try to take at least 5-10 minutes.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Hope, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Peace / Rest, Prophecy, Through Prophets

Joy, Peace and Hope Are Available

Yeshua came not only for the Jews but for the Gentiles also. No matter our lineage and ancestors, Yeshua came and died for us. All who seek Him wholeheartedly can be joined together as the family of Yahweh, accepting one another to His glory. It matters not from which city or country we come. All are welcome.  All may seek to be filled with joy and peace in believing, so that they will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:7-21

  7Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

9and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written,
“THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES,
AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.”

10Again he says,
“REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.”

11And again,
“PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES,
AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM.”

12Again Isaiah says,
“THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE,
AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES,
IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE.”

13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

     14And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 18For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation;

21but as it is written,
“THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE,
AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND.”

Reflecting on the scripture we also see how Paul, consistent with Jesus, points back the Old Testament scripture and demonstrates the consistency of God’s plans that were laid out in the Old Testament and are completely consistent with the continuation of His relationship with His people revealed through the New Testament. We see Paul teach about Christ by pointing back to Isaiah. Jesus’ life and death were not a surprise change of plans where God stopped one plan and created another. God wants to reach out to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. He makes no mistakes and knows everything even in advance. We should find great comfort in knowing God is in control and is never surprised. He never needs to change His plan based on new information. He had one perfect plan and we continue to have the chance to be part of it by discipling ourselves after Jesus Christ.

As we study, let us also not overlook the message within. Let us seek to be filled with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank you for Your word and those who help teach it with righteousness and passion, like Paul. Thank You for reaching out to the Gentiles and please continue to reach out to the Jews as well to draw them to You through Messiah. I pray Your people would be filled with joy and peace that would lead to hope abounding in us… hope not of our own making but of the power of the Holy Spirit! I pray this in the name of Yeshua, our Messiah. Amen. 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Glorify The Father with One Voice

Developing a personal relationship with God (Yahweh or Jehovah in Hebrew) through Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) is much like other relationships we develop with friends and family. To truly grow in understanding of one another we must spend time getting to know someone well. To grow in relationship, we must give thought to what that person values rather than just focusing on what we value personally. Even in a spousal relationship, we grow closer together even over 10 or 20 or 30 years if we continue to seek one another in love.

So, it seems fairly clear then to observe that even amongst those that have truly given their hearts to Jesus with a genuine desire to submit to Him and disciple after Him… we will be in different places on the journey of growing closer to Him and better understanding Him. Those who just met Him will not have as deep an understanding and confidence in what they should or should not do and how. In fact, sometimes even folks that have known Yeshua a long time still disagree on some things.

Let us seek not only to please one another, but to work together to be in one accord to edify Christ and help encourage one another in devoting our lives to Him.  Let us with one voice glorify Yahweh, the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua.

Romans 15:1-8

     1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.” 4For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      7Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

I am going to continue with the rest of Romans 15 in a future article, but I wanted to highlight one line from the remaining section of the chapter not covered above. It seems important. As we work to be in one accord and work to accept and encourage one another… that does not mean we do not respectfully and gently rebuke or admonish one another to help stay on God’s path.

Romans 15:14

    14And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. Despite any differences in personality or understanding, please help us to be of the same mind with one another through Yeshua.

We must appropriately admonish one another to help each other. We do not just quietly accept all false doctrine that believers are taught as that leads them away from our Father. We shine a light through our own example and admonish in a way that encourages and remains in one accord for those who truly have a heart to understand and follow Yahweh rather than the ways of man.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help us to love and encourage and admonish one another in a way that builds us up as a family of believers. Help us to be of the same mind with one another according to Yeshua, so that with one accord we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Yeshua. Amen. 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Am I on the path?, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility, Submitted / Servant

Seek His Will in All We Do

God calls us in Proverbs 3:5-7 to acknowledge Him in all we do and to trust Him, but there is much more than that to be studied here.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

 

Often Christians memorize the first part of this scripture… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding.”  But this is only part of what He calls us to do. We must also seek His will in all we do, not just on Sundays, or when it involves things we don’t mind changing, but even when it is tough to change and may create some tension in our lives.  All means all.

In the next verse He reminds us not to be too impressed with how smart we think we are… but to fear the Lord and turn away from evil. So, let’s challenge ourselves not to rationalize our current behavior as ok if it really does not meet God’s holy standard. Being less bad than the world is a low bar.

At Hearing From Jesus, we passionately believe that the everyday choices we make matter to God! This includes what we watch, what we read, what games we play, what apps we use, how we eat, etc. It is a call for purity and holiness. It should be a focus for all we do.

We want to help! Please look around our site. We provide helpful, practical links to help in everyday life with things like marriage, kids, movies, books, etc. Have additional ideas you think we should cover? Please email us with details from the Contact Us page.

Take some time to pray for God’s guidance and to listen for any direction He may have for you.

May the grace and peace of our Lord be with you!

Shalom

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Compassionate, Fear / Reverence for God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Return to Me with All Your Heart

Joel 2 focuses on the coming judgment of YHWH on His people for their disobedience. Even as the mighty judgment comes, there is but one wise choice for those who have denied or rebelled against the LORD… repent.

Joel 2:12-13

12“Yet even now,” declares the LORD,
“Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping and mourning;

13And rend your heart and not your garments.”
Now return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness
And relenting of evil.

The same is true for us today. No matter how bad your situation may be, do not give up. You cannot stand against or run from the judgment of YHWH. The only wise choice, the only hopeful choice, is to come before Him humbly and repent, asking forgiveness. Do not be fooled, however. Even if we feel like our situation is not dire or dramatic. We should still take care to return to Him with all our heart. Let us not just submit to Him in part, but completely. Let us not submit to Him resentfully, but joyfully.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to submit to You and repent from my wicked ways. Please forgive me and help me to embrace You with all my  heart. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Love, Loving / Kind, Obeying God

Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

Many Christians understand the foundational principle that we are to love one another. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves. But what does that mean? Does that mean that we think cheerful and nice thoughts about one another and then just do whatever we please? May it never be!

God tells us how to love one another. It is not that loving one another replaces the law and commands of God. The opposite is true. He showed us how to love one another through obedience to His law and commands.

Romans 13:8-14

  8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

      11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

We do not show love to people by simply ignoring them and letting everyone do their own thing. If someone wants to play in the street or stay inside a burning building, are we showing them love by telling them those are good choices? Not at all! We show love by telling them those are dangerous choices. Speak in love and gentleness, but firmly in truth to tell others about how God tells us to live.

The law shows us how to love one another and how to love God. We are to take heed to God’s commands and apply them. It is fairly obvious that we are not showing love to others by committing adultery, murdering, stealing, or coveting. However, it is equally true that we are not showing love to others if we tell them “We choose not to do those things, but it is ok if they choose to do them”. It is not showing love to others if we ignore or reject God’s commands and God’s law.

Let us lay aside deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light… and encourage others to do so as well. Avoid carousing and drunkenness. Avoid sexual promiscuity (sex outside marriage). Avoid strife and jealousy. Let us not make any acceptance for the flesh in its desire to pursue its lusts. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus and live according to His word and example.

One parting thought… to follow Jesus’ example is to follow the law, rejecting wrong behavior in ourselves, and also to rebuke wrong behavior in others… because we love them. We can also be deliberate and compassionate in how we address others who may be struggling or lost. We can avoid being arrogant, mean, or too harsh lest they be put off and not receive the message.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank you for showing us how to love one another and how to love You through obedience to Your word in the Bible. Please help us as Your people to show love Your way and not accept the way the world tells us to love one another. The world wants us to accept everyone’s sin and reject Your ways. Open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Help us to have opportunity to share Your love with others and prepare them to receive the truth of Your word. Help us also to love one another as fellow disciples of Yeshua, even where we experience some friction or differences in understanding Your word. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Am I on the path?, Church / Body of Christ, Faith / Trusting God, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility, Hypocrisy, Justice / Judgment, Love, Peace / Rest, Wise

Do Not Be Conformed to This World

How shall we treat one another as brothers and sisters in the faith? How shall we treat those who consider us their enemies? Let us not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, so that we may prove that the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. We are to be different from the world even though we live within it.

Romans 12

Dedicated Service

      1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

      3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

      9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

      14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20“BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

What a fantastic summary of how we are to be in this world if we are to be disciples of Christ! When we live like this we are certainly not conformed to the world. Through the Holy Spirit we can continue striving to live according to these instructions.

This scripture is worth reading over a few times and prayerfully reflecting on each element as it applies in our lives. Are there areas we can be encouraged that we feel we are living up to these instructions? What are they for you? Are there areas that you find the Holy Spirit reminding you that you need to do better? What are they? Pray that God would help you on your journey to be more like Christ. This is a great summary of some key attitude and behavior elements to focus on.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead and guide me. Grant me deeper understanding of Your word. Help me to live according to Your instructions laid out by Paul in Romans 12. Help all of Your people to do so. Let us be a light to draw others to You.

In Yeshua’s name I pray. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Grace / Forgiveness, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Salvation

It Is Not You Who Supports the Root, But the Root Supports You

It is too easy to lose perspective and come to think that somehow, we are “helping” Yahweh or doing Him a favor by following Him. Perhaps we don’t think this way directly about God, but only a ministry or church in which we are active. Perhaps we take pride in the money we donate or give to others. Some take pride in being a follower of Christ, looking down at others who have not.

We do well to remember that He delights when we follow Him, but it is not us who support Yahweh, but rather He who supports us. We must be careful not to get conceited and think too much of ourselves as believers. We must remember that we are saved not by our own works or merit, but by the grace of Yahweh alone through our faith.  We too can fall away should we turn away from our faith.

Romans 11

Israel Is Not Cast Away

      1I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3“Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.” 4But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” 5In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. 6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

      7What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

8just as it is written,
“GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR,
EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT,
DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”

9And David says,
“LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP,
AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.

      10“LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT,
AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER.”

      11I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! 13But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

      17But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

      25For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

26and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION,
HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”

      27“THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM,
WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.”

28From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

      33Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Behold the kindness and severity of Yahweh. Severity toward those who fell, failing to have faith in Him, but kindness toward those of us who have been grafted into His family through our faith. Let us not be conceited about our relationship with the Father, but rather humbly remember to trust in Him, lest we be grafted out as well for unbelief. We are to depend on Him and trust Him, come what may. We should show mercy to those who have fallen away from faith and seek to call them back to Him. We will never understand fully the ways of our Father, but we are to trust and praise Him all the same. We can praise Yahweh for the depth of His wisdom and knowledge… for His unsearchable judgments and unfathomable ways. Who can be counselor to our Creator?

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your mercy and grace toward us. Help us to be thankful and humble in our relationship with You. Help us to see through Your eyes the others around us. Help us to speak with Your wisdom and Your words as we tell others about You. Thank You that You continue to have mercy on others who do not yet know You, so that they may come to know You. Please set up the divine appointments and prepare each of us for them so we may represent You well and share the good news with others in Your name.

We pray this in the name of Yeshua. Amen. 

  Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Grace / Forgiveness, Heaven and Hell, Holy, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Merciful, Obeying God, Salvation, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Doors of the Bible

Today I want to share an interesting perspective I gained from the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. I am sharing their material, which can be found at arkencounter.com/about/good-news/. I am grateful for the ministry and outreach efforts of that organization. I would encourage you to consider it for future family vacation plans. My family greatly enjoyed it and it supports a ministry that shares the truth of God’s word in a powerful way.

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Why Did God Send the Flood?

The pre-Flood world was exceedingly wicked and filled with violence. The Bible states that all flesh had corrupted its way on the earth. God sent the global Flood to judge the evil world while preserving Noah’s family and representatives of land animals.

The Ark’s Door

One of God’s specific instructions for Noah was to build a door in the side of the Ark. Noah and his family entered this door to be saved from the Flood. Everyone outside of the Ark perished.

What’s Wrong with This World?

God created a perfect world, but our first parents, Adam and Eve, chose to rebel against their holy Creator. Their sin brought suffering and death into creation, and since all people are descendants of Adam, all have inherited a sin nature set against God. Furthermore, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We live in a fallen, sin-cursed world where men love darkness rather than light.

Will God Judge the World Again?

The Bible states that God will judge this wicked world once again, but this time it will be by fire. In fact, Jesus compared the days of His return to the days of Noah. People were caught unaware by the judgment because they were so focused on the things of this world, such as eating, drinking, and marriage. Similarly, Peter prophesied that skeptics would come in the last days and would mock the biblical teachings of creation, the Flood, and the coming judgment. We see these things happening in our day, and God always keeps His promises—judgment will come.

Another Door

Noah’s family entered the Ark’s door to escape the physical destruction of the Flood. God has provided another “door” to save people from the coming eternal judgment. Jesus Christ said, “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7). In that culture the shepherd really was the door to the pen—they would rest in the entryway, ensuring that the sheep would be kept safe. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the door through which we must enter to be saved from our sin.

The Substitute

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became a man, lived a sinless life, and then willingly died on the Cross as a substitute. As man’s sin brought death, the Son of God died to redeem man from his sins. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, showing that He held power over death and demonstrating God’s acceptance of Christ’s payment for sin.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Who Needs to Be Saved?

The short answer is “everyone.” Since God is holy and perfect in every way, He must judge sin. As such, each of us deserves to face God’s justice because we have broken His laws. If you stop and examine your own heart, you will recognize times where you have lied, stolen, coveted, and failed to honor God as He deserves. On our own each of us stands condemned to suffer eternally because of our rebellion, and we need someone to save us from God’s wrath.

How Can I Go Through This Door?

We cannot earn God’s forgiveness as manmade religions teach—it is offered freely through the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We receive God’s forgiveness only through faith in what Christ has done. This means that we repent of our sins, trusting in Jesus and believing that He died for our sins and rose from the dead. In faith, we acknowledge our guilt before God and plead with our Creator to forgive us and save us from our sins.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Have You Entered the Door?

Have you placed your faith in Christ alone to save you from your sins? If not, we urge you to turn from your sins (repent) and call out to God for His merciful forgiveness. Enter the door of salvation today.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Addiction, Consequences of Sin, Healer, Peace / Rest, Repenting from Sin, Strong in Our Weakness

Yeshua Can Set You Free From Addiction

Many struggle to deal with drug or alcohol addiction and to break the addictions and recover to enjoy the life that God intends for them. All too often recovery centers or organizations completely ignore the power of God and faith in recovery. I have identified a few online that indicate a strong focus on Christian faith as part of recovery. They each have a contact phone number to reach people who can talk to you and help you start on your path to recover. While I have not fully vetted these centers, I would encourage people to check them out and consider them. If you know of good Christian rehab centers or organizations, please let us know so we may add them to the site. You can reach us at the Contact Us page.

No matter what program you consider, come humbly before God and ask for forgiveness and help. Submit to Yeshua and seek the fellowship and support of others who are submitted to Yahweh through Yeshua to help you along your way. God has the power to truly set you free and restore your joy.

  • Christian Drug Rehab, at ChristianDrugRehab.com: Faith centered treatment solutions. Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction and need guidance to finding a treatment center that provides Christian-focused treatment? You’re not alone. We help many individuals find the right Christian drug rehab center that will relieve their addiction struggles both physically and spiritually. We can locate a treatment center that works with your specific spiritual beliefs.
  • Valiant Recovery, at ValiantRecovery.com: Programs are based around each Client and their individual needs, with programs ranging from 8 to 32 hours of 1on1 counselling. We treat the Roots behind Addiction not just the Surface Problems.
  • Three Strands Christian Drug Therapy, at RecoveryPlace.com: Three Strands is a truly differentiated treatment option for Christians in recovery. Whereas many Christian alcohol and drug rehab programs are essentially a “track” within a standard treatment program that offers an occasional Celebrate Recovery® group or transportation to a local church, Three Strands is a fully integrated faith-centered program for men ages 18 and older who would like to enrich their recovery with spiritual guidance and support.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help those struggling with addiction to find the help they need in You and in the body of Christ. Help them not feel trapped and alone or helpless. Let their struggle bring them deeper in relationship with and submission to You. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.