Category Archives: Repenting from Sin

Compassionate, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God

The Message of the Cross – Salvation

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God’s instruction to us is so complete and relevant that a scholar could spend a lifetime studying it, yet so simple that a child can understand it and come to a personal relationship with Christ.

The message of the cross, of Yeshua, is perhaps best summarized in the words of Yeshua and Paul, and Passover is a wonderful time to reflect on the sacrifice of Yeshua for our sins and our invitation to receive salvation through Him. (To study more on Passover or Feast of Unleavened Bread and how it relates to salvation through Yeshua, visit our teaching on Celebrating God’s Holy Days (Moedim) and the other resources linked there.)

John 3:16-21

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His [e]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the [f]only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

Let us take care to understand properly in context the word “believe”. I believe that Greenland exists, but it has no impact on my life. Many believe that Yeshua was a true historical figure, but they do not live according to His instructions. Many even believe Yeshua was Messiah, in an academic sense, but they do not submit to Him and live His way. If we truly believe that Yeshua Messiah, God, then we should submit to Him and the evidence should be demonstrated in our changed life through actions and attitudes that are increasingly more like Him and less like our old selves.

James 2:14-20

     14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

      18But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Some ask…”What is sin?” or “How can I know if I have sinned?” People are inherently sinful, not good. Sin separates us from God. The Bible tells us that “… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23]

Have you ever broken one of God’s commandments [Exodus 20:1-17]? Yeshua makes clear that God’s standard goes beyond committing the physical acts but even includes the heart and mind. To hold anger against someone is to commit murder. To have lustful thoughts is to commit adultery. [Matthew 5:21-48]

God is love, but He is also holy and just. A price must be paid for our sins. It can not be ignored. We are not able to pay the price ourselves because we are not worthy. Our sins are so ugly before God that the penalty of sin is death.

God so loved the world that He became man in the person of Yeshua, living a sinless life, and suffered and died for our sins. He was buried and rose again.  He has overcome death and gives us a path to eternal life through accepting Jesus as Lord.

The work of the cross has already been completed. The price has been paid for your sins and mine. We must each individually repent of our sins before God. This means we must turn away from them, not just feel bad about them and keep sinning. We accept Him as Lord, submitting our lives fully to Him. We cannot call Him Lord and then only submit to Him part way. If He is Lord we must submit to Him all the way. This is evidenced by a change in our thoughts and behaviors. We become different from the world. We do not rationalize and accept even some of our sin but rather reject it and seek to follow God.  It is not enough to call ourselves Christians and go to church. We must fully submit to God.

Romans 10

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the [a]end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is [b]based on law shall live [c]by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness [d]based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 [e]that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [f]resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [g]resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be [h]disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who [i]bring good news of good things!”

16 However, they did not all heed the [j]good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word [k]of Christ.

18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have;

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the [l]world.”

19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,

“I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation,
By a nation without understanding will I anger you.”

20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,

“I was found by those who did not seek Me,
I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”

21 But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Many will reject the message, but we are called to preach it to all the world. We as believers must not be silent or no one will hear the true word of God. If they do not hear it, they can not accept it and be saved.

If you have never submitted to Yeshua as Lord, please pray with me the following, but pray genuinely with your heart because it is not about the specific words but the condition of the heart and submission to God.

Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Yeshua. I admit that I have done wrong and ask your forgiveness. I believe in my heart that Yeshua died for my sin and that you raised Him from the dead. I ask Yeshua into my heart as Lord over my life. Help me to change my attitude and behavior to turn away from my own ways and the world’s ways and instead turn toward You and live the way You teach as revealed in Your word, the Bible. Help me to gladly and boldly proclaim Jesus publicly in my life. Thank you, God, for saving me.

This is not all there is! This is but the beginning… the doorway. Once you pass through this doorway you submit your whole life to Yeshua. It requires a combination of Intellect (knowing God), Emotion (loving God and fearing God), and Will (choosing to do His will instead of our own). It is an ongoing decision in our lives that starts us on a journey to know God more intimately and to obey Him more completely. It requires study and prayer and action. It is a journey we never finish in this life, but it transforms us along the way to be more and more like Yeshua.

If you made this decision today, we encourage you to reach out to us or others in the body of Christ so that we can welcome you as well as pray for you and provide more information and encouragement for your life changing decision. You can reach us through our Contact Us page.

Tell others you know have already accepted Yeshua as their Lord and Savior. Tell them of your decision to follow Him. Look to connect with a mentor who has a mature relationship with Yeshua and/or a local group of followers of Yeshua. Discern based on actions and attitudes of the people rather than what they call themselves. Don’t just assume someone who calls themselves “Christian” is the right connection. Compare to the written word in the Bible and pray for wisdom.

Why is it important to declare Yeshua as Lord publicly? He said so.

Matthew 10:32-33 32 “Therefore everyone who [z]confesses Me before men, I will also confess [aa]him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever [ab]denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

Also, connecting with other disciples (or learners) of Yeshua and publicly declaring your decision to follow Him can help provide important support from others to help you on your journey. Remember, many who reject Yeshua will try to talk you out of submitting to Him and following Him. Some even do this while claiming to follow Him. Pray God will guide you to and connect you with the fellowship of true brothers and sisters in Yeshua that will help you to continue your lifelong journey to know, love, and serve our savior and messiah!

We invite you to study the Bible with us daily through our devotions via email, Facebook, or on our website Latest Devotions page.

We encourage you also to explore the following teaching.  Understanding The Law – What Does It Mean For Us Today?

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

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.

Love, Persecution / Glorifying God, Repenting from Sin, Sin Nature

Keep Fervent in Your Love (1 Peter 4:1-11)

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Are you living for the will of God or the desires of the world?

1 Peter 4:1-11 calls believers to live differently from the world, to suffer for righteousness if necessary, and to love one another deeply. Peter reminds us that our time for following sinful ways is over—now, we are to pursue God’s will, live in wisdom, and use our gifts to serve others for His glory.

Key Verse:
“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8 (NASB)

Background Context:
Peter was writing to believers who faced suffering and persecution for their faith. In this passage, he encourages them to embrace suffering as Christ did, to separate themselves from sinful living, and to live purposefully in light of eternity. He emphasizes prayer, love, hospitality, and using spiritual gifts to glorify God. These instructions are just as relevant today, as we are called to stand firm in a world that opposes godly living.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

1 Peter 4:1-11

Keep Fervent in Your Love

      1Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

      7The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Peter 4:1-11:

Living for God, Not the Flesh (1 Peter 4:1-6)

  • Arm Yourself with Christ’s Mindset
    Peter urges believers to have the same mindset as Christ, who suffered in the flesh (1 Peter 4:1). Suffering for righteousness is part of the Christian life, and it refines our faith. Are you prepared to endure hardship for your faith?

  • Leave Your Old Life Behind
    “The time already past is sufficient” for living in sin (1 Peter 4:3). The sinful ways of the world—lust, drunkenness, idolatry—should no longer define us. Have you fully turned away from past sinful habits?

  • Expect Opposition
    The world is surprised when we don’t join in sinful behavior, and they may mock or reject us (1 Peter 4:4). But Peter reminds us that everyone will give an account before God (1 Peter 4:5). Are you willing to stand apart from the crowd to honor God?

Live with Eternal Perspective (1 Peter 4:7-9)

  • Be Sober and Prayerful
    “The end of all things is near” (1 Peter 4:7). We must live with urgency, staying spiritually alert and devoted to prayer. Are you making prayer a priority in your daily life?

  • Love Fervently
    “Above all, keep fervent in your love” (1 Peter 4:8). Love is not passive; it is intentional, persistent, and sacrificial. It “covers a multitude of sins,” meaning it fosters forgiveness and unity. Are you loving others deeply, even when it’s difficult?

  • Show Hospitality Without Complaining
    Biblical hospitality is welcoming others with kindness and generosity (1 Peter 4:9). It’s easy to serve when convenient, but true hospitality is done joyfully, even when it requires sacrifice. Do you serve others without grumbling?

Use Your Gifts for God’s Glory (1 Peter 4:10-11)

  • Be Faithful Stewards of God’s Gifts
    Every believer has been given spiritual gifts “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). Our gifts are not for personal gain but for serving others. Are you using your talents for God’s purposes?

  • Speak and Serve with God’s Strength
    If we speak, we must do so with words that reflect God’s truth. If we serve, we must rely on “the strength which God supplies” (1 Peter 4:11). Our goal in all things should be to glorify God. Are you serving in a way that points others to Him?

Summary Key Points:

  • We are called to suffer for righteousness, just as Christ did.
  • Our old sinful ways are behind us—we now live for God’s will.
  • Prayer and spiritual alertness are essential in the last days.
  • Love should be fervent, covering offenses and fostering unity.
  • Hospitality and service should be done joyfully, not grudgingly.
  • Use your gifts to glorify God, relying on His strength.

Application:

  • Examine your life—are there any past sinful habits that you still need to fully leave behind?
  • Commit to daily prayer, seeking God’s will and staying spiritually alert.
  • Choose to love fervently, forgiving others and building unity.
  • Use your gifts to serve others, knowing that everything you do should bring glory to God.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to live for Your will and not for the desires of the world. Help me to stand firm in faith, even when facing opposition. Teach me to pray with urgency, love with sincerity, and serve with joy. May everything I do glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

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.

Drunkenness, Holy / Set Apart, Idols / False Gods, Repenting from Sin, Self Control, Traditions / Holidays, Worldliness

What is Mardi Gras and Should Christians Celebrate It?

What is Mardi Gras and why do so many Christians celebrate it? I grew up in a Catholic church and never could quite figure out how people could say that Mardi Gras was a “Christian holiday”. People broadly seemed to have accepted the concept that Christ wants us to embrace wild parties, drunkenness, public nudity, gluttony and other sinful behavior as a precursor to a period of repentance which follows.

Some may say that they only celebrate the parades, or they don’t participate or support the more offensive parts of Mardi Gras. However, it is all linked together as different levels of engagement in a clearly pagan festival. Does God like it if we only participate a little in some fun activities focused around a false god? What if we don’t do the “child sacrifice” but only dance before the idol or have a party on the day others sacrifice to the false god?

If it is not obvious enough that celebrating Mardi Gras is not a way to edify, honor, or lift up Christ then try a more academic exercise. Where in scripture did Jesus demonstrate or teach that we should sin greatly before a period of repentance? It’s not there. In fact, the opposite.

The call to repentance is real, but not the call to sin before it.

This does not even begin to touch on the focus that Mardi Gras puts on pagan gods associated with parades and other events.

Matthew 4:17

      17From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Romans 6

      1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7for he who has died is freed from sin.

      8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

      12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

      15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

      20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are called to righteousness and not to sin. How then can those in the church widely accept and embrace sin as a “Christian holiday”? The answer is that we have not followed the Lord’s instructions. He commands us not to learn the ways of the pagans and not to celebrate as they do. But all too often our common cultural holidays have been greatly influenced by pagan celebrations. The church has chosen to accept and blend pagan practices alongside or in place of how the Lord wants us to worship Him.

What Is Mardi Gras?

When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate these popular local traditions into the new faith, an easier task than abolishing them altogether. As a result, the excess and debauchery of the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to Lent, the 40 days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

Along with Christianity, Mardi Gras spread from Rome to other European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and England.

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mardi-gras

Deuteronomy 12:1-5

   1“These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall carefully observe in the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess as long as you live on the earth. 2“You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. 3“You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place. 4“You shall not act like this toward the LORD your God. 5“But you shall seek the LORD at the place which the LORD your God will choose from all your tribes, to establish His name there for His dwelling, and there you shall come.

In order to choose to follow the Lord His way, which is the only true way to follow Him, then we must turn away from and reject pagan celebrations which have been blended with or replaced God’s instructions for how we are to worship Him and how we are to live. Let us not make excuses, accepting the lifestyle of the pagans as our own, no matter how long the family traditions have been established. When we start making exceptions, we often end up with things like Mardi Gras… many who claim to be Christian accept it and would defend it… but none can justify it based on scripture or God’s word. It has become part of the culture based on a historical choices and family traditions. Let us seek the Lord and the Lord’s way alone to live submitted to Him. Let us not blend with the ways of the pagans but rather turn back to our Lord wholeheartedly and without hesitation.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Humility, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin

Seek the Lord Before It’s Too Late (Zephaniah 2)

If you knew judgment was coming, how would you prepare?

Zephaniah 2 calls God’s people to repentance before His judgment comes upon them. While destruction is declared against the nations that oppose God, a way of escape is given to those who seek Him in humility and righteousness. This chapter reminds us that while God is just in His judgment, He is also merciful to those who turn to Him.

Key Verse:
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth who have practiced His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the Lord’s anger.” – Zephaniah 2:3 (NASB)

Background Context:
Following the warnings of judgment in Zephaniah 1, this chapter shifts to a call for repentance and a pronouncement of judgment against the surrounding nations. Judah is urged to turn back to God before it’s too late, while the enemies of Israel—Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush, and Assyria—are warned that they will be destroyed for their pride and wickedness. This passage shows both the severity of God’s justice and the hope of redemption for those who seek Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Zephaniah 2

Judgments on Judah’s Enemies

1Gather yourselves together, yes, gather,
O nation without shame,

      2Before the decree takes effect—
The day passes like the chaff—
Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you,
Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you.

      3Seek the LORD,
All you humble of the earth
Who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of the LORD’S anger.

      4For Gaza will be abandoned
And Ashkelon a desolation;
Ashdod will be driven out at noon
And Ekron will be uprooted.

      5Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast,
The nation of the Cherethites!
The word of the LORD is against you,
O Canaan, land of the Philistines;
And I will destroy you
So that there will be no inhabitant.

      6So the seacoast will be pastures,
With caves for shepherds and folds for flocks.

      7And the coast will be
For the remnant of the house of Judah,
They will pasture on it.
In the houses of Ashkelon they will lie down at evening;
For the LORD their God will care for them
And restore their fortune.

      8“I have heard the taunting of Moab
And the revilings of the sons of Ammon,
With which they have taunted My people
And become arrogant against their territory.

      9“Therefore, as I live,” declares the LORD of hosts,
The God of Israel,
“Surely Moab will be like Sodom
And the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah—
A place possessed by nettles and salt pits,
And a perpetual desolation.
The remnant of My people will plunder them
And the remainder of My nation will inherit them.”

10This they will have in return for their pride, because they have taunted and become arrogant against the people of the LORD of hosts. 11The LORD will be terrifying to them, for He will starve all the gods of the earth; and all the coastlands of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place.

      12“You also, O Ethiopians, will be slain by My sword.”

      13And He will stretch out His hand against the north
And destroy Assyria,
And He will make Nineveh a desolation,
Parched like the wilderness.

      14Flocks will lie down in her midst,
All beasts which range in herds;
Both the pelican and the hedgehog
Will lodge in the tops of her pillars;
Birds will sing in the window,
Desolation will be on the threshold;
For He has laid bare the cedar work.

      15This is the exultant city
Which dwells securely,
Who says in her heart,
“I am, and there is no one besides me.”
How she has become a desolation,
A resting place for beasts!
Everyone who passes by her will hiss
And wave his hand in contempt.

Reflection on Zephaniah 2:

  • A Call to Repentance:
    The chapter opens with a plea for Judah to gather together in repentance before the Lord’s judgment arrives (Zephaniah 2:1-2). God always gives an opportunity to turn back to Him, but that opportunity will not last forever. Are you actively seeking repentance in your life?

  • Seeking the Lord in Humility:
    Zephaniah 2:3 urges the humble to seek righteousness and humility, promising that they may be hidden in the day of judgment. While judgment is certain for the wicked, God shows mercy to those who turn to Him. Do you approach God with humility, seeking His righteousness?

  • Judgment Against the Nations:
    God’s judgment extends beyond Judah to the nations surrounding them—Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush, and Assyria (Zephaniah 2:4-15). These nations were known for their pride, idolatry, and oppression of God’s people. Their downfall serves as a warning that no one is beyond God’s reach. Are you placing your trust in worldly power, or are you relying on God?

  • God Restores the Faithful:
    Though judgment is declared, a remnant will be saved. Those who remain faithful to God will inherit the land and experience His restoration (Zephaniah 2:7, 9). Even in the midst of judgment, God preserves those who belong to Him. Are you living as part of His faithful remnant?

Summary Key Points:

  • Repent before it’s too late: God calls us to turn back to Him while there is still time.
  • Seek righteousness and humility: Those who trust in God and walk in obedience will find refuge.
  • God’s judgment is universal: No nation or person is beyond His justice.
  • Pride leads to destruction: The downfall of the surrounding nations warns us against arrogance and rebellion.
  • God preserves a faithful remnant: Those who remain true to Him will experience His restoration.

Application:
Take time to examine your heart and seek God in humility. Do not wait for trouble to come before turning to Him—seek righteousness now. Live with the assurance that God sees the faithful and will preserve them even in times of judgment.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You in humility, seeking Your righteousness. Help me to turn from anything that separates me from You. Keep me from pride and rebellion, and teach me to trust in You fully. Thank You for Your mercy and faithfulness to those who seek You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

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.

Idols / False Gods, Justice / Judgment, Merciful, Repenting from Sin

The Day of the Lord’s Judgment (Zephaniah 1)

Are you prepared for the day of the Lord?

Zephaniah 1 warns of God’s coming judgment against Judah for their idolatry and rebellion. It serves as a reminder that God is both merciful and just. He calls His people to repentance, but those who continue in sin will face His righteous judgment.

Key Verse:
“The great day of the Lord is near, near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of the Lord! In it the warrior cries out bitterly.” – Zephaniah 1:14 (NASB)

Background Context:
Zephaniah was a prophet during the reign of King Josiah, a time of religious reform in Judah. However, despite the outward reforms, many still practiced idolatry and turned away from God. Zephaniah warns of an imminent day of judgment, not only for Judah but for all nations that reject the Lord. This prophecy serves as a wake-up call, urging people to return to God before it is too late.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Zephaniah 1

Day of Judgment on Judah

      1The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah:

      2“I will completely remove all things
From the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

      3“I will remove man and beast;
I will remove the birds of the sky
And the fish of the sea,
And the ruins along with the wicked;
And I will cut off man from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

      4“So I will stretch out My hand against Judah
And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place,
And the names of the idolatrous priests along with the priests.

      5“And those who bow down on the housetops to the host of heaven,
And those who bow down and swear to the LORD and yet swear by Milcom,

      6And those who have turned back from following the LORD,
And those who have not sought the LORD or inquired of Him.”

      7Be silent before the Lord GOD!
For the day of the LORD is near,
For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice,
He has consecrated His guests.

      8“Then it will come about on the day of the LORD’S sacrifice
That I will punish the princes, the king’s sons
And all who clothe themselves with foreign garments.

      9“And I will punish on that day all who leap on the temple threshold,
Who fill the house of their lord with violence and deceit.

      10“On that day,” declares the LORD,
“There will be the sound of a cry from the Fish Gate,
A wail from the Second Quarter,
And a loud crash from the hills.

      11“Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar,
For all the people of Canaan will be silenced;
All who weigh out silver will be cut off.

      12“It will come about at that time
That I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
And I will punish the men
Who are stagnant in spirit,
Who say in their hearts,
‘The LORD will not do good or evil!’

      13“Moreover, their wealth will become plunder
And their houses desolate;
Yes, they will build houses but not inhabit them,
And plant vineyards but not drink their wine.”

      14Near is the great day of the LORD,
Near and coming very quickly;
Listen, the day of the LORD!
In it the warrior cries out bitterly.

      15A day of wrath is that day,
A day of trouble and distress,
A day of destruction and desolation,
A day of darkness and gloom,
A day of clouds and thick darkness,

      16A day of trumpet and battle cry
Against the fortified cities
And the high corner towers.

      17I will bring distress on men
So that they will walk like the blind,
Because they have sinned against the LORD;
And their blood will be poured out like dust
And their flesh like dung.

      18Neither their silver nor their gold
Will be able to deliver them
On the day of the LORD’S wrath;
And all the earth will be devoured
In the fire of His jealousy,
For He will make a complete end,
Indeed a terrifying one,
Of all the inhabitants of the earth.

Reflection on Zephaniah 1:

  • The Lord Will Remove Idolatry:
    God declares that He will sweep away everything from the land, removing false worship and those who turn their backs on Him (Zephaniah 1:2-6). Are there things in your life that take the place of God?

  • God’s Judgment Will Be Swift and Certain:
    Zephaniah describes the coming of the Lord’s judgment as near and unavoidable (Zephaniah 1:7-9). The people of Judah assumed they were safe, but their complacency led them to destruction. Are you actively seeking God, or are you spiritually complacent?

  • The Day of the Lord Is a Day of Distress:
    The prophecy vividly describes the terror of God’s judgment (Zephaniah 1:14-18). It is a day of wrath, darkness, and ruin for those who refuse to repent. This serves as a warning for us today—rejecting God leads to destruction, but turning to Him brings salvation.

  • God’s Mercy Is Still Available:
    While this chapter focuses on judgment, God always offers a way of escape for those who seek Him. The warning is an invitation to repent and return to God before it is too late. Are you ready to turn away from sin and walk in obedience to Him?

Summary Key Points:

  • Idolatry leads to destruction: Anything that replaces God in our hearts will ultimately fail us.
  • God’s judgment is sure: He is just and will not overlook sin.
  • Spiritual complacency is dangerous: We must actively seek God and not assume we are safe without true repentance.
  • The day of the Lord is near: We must be prepared by living in obedience to Him.
  • God’s mercy is available: Now is the time to repent and return to Him.

Application:
Examine your heart and remove anything that competes with God for your devotion. Do not become spiritually complacent, thinking that judgment is far off. Instead, seek the Lord earnestly, walk in His ways, and live in preparation for His return.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to take Your warnings seriously. Search my heart and remove anything that stands in the way of my relationship with You. Keep me from complacency and lead me to walk in obedience. Thank You for Your mercy and the opportunity to turn to You. May I be ready for the day of Your coming. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

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.

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Repenting from Sin, Traditions / Holidays

Beyond New Year’s Resolutions: Finding True Renewal in Christ

Have you ever set a New Year’s resolution, only to find yourself straying from it just a few weeks later? You’re not alone.

The start of a new year often brings with it the desire for a fresh start—promises to break bad habits, adopt healthier ones, and somehow erase past mistakes.

But how are these resolutions holding up? Are they drawing you nearer to God, or are they focused on more superficial gains?

The Power of True Change

While many of these resolutions falter by February, returning to old ways, there exists a path to genuine transformation, available any time of the year. This path is through Yeshua, Jesus Christ. Through Him, we receive forgiveness for our sins. By repenting, asking for forgiveness, believing in His sacrifice for us, and submitting ourselves to God, we are promised a new beginning—a true clean start that comes with divine power to sustain us.

The Prodigal Son: A Story of Return and Renewal

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) beautifully illustrates God’s readiness to forgive and embrace us upon our return to Him. It serves as a vivid reminder that no sin is too great to be forgiven and that God eagerly awaits our humble return, much like the father awaited his lost son. This story encourages us to come home to God without delay, emphasizing His willingness to receive us back into His arms at any moment, not just in January.

The Holy Spirit: Our Guide and Helper

Upon our return to God and acceptance into His family, He gifts us the Holy Spirit to guide us (John 16:5-15). The Holy Spirit empowers our repentance and supports us in our journey, ensuring we are never alone. This divine assistance is crucial for our spiritual renewal and growth.

Forgiveness and Obedience: Keys to Renewal

Scriptures such as Isaiah 1:18-20, Daniel 9:7-14, and Acts 3:19-21 emphasize the importance of repentance and obedience to God’s word for forgiveness. These passages reassure us of God’s promise to cleanse us from our sins, offering us a fresh start. However, they also remind us of the consequences of continued rebellion against Him.

Reflecting on God’s Promises

Ephesians 1:3-14, Colossians 1:13-14, 1 John 1:9-10, and Psalm 103:1-13 are just a few examples of the many scriptures that speak of God’s forgiveness and the renewal He offers us. They invite us to meditate on the depth of God’s love and the breadth of His mercy, encouraging us to embrace the clean start available to us in Christ at any time.

Invitation to Transformation

As we reflect on these truths, let us consider the areas of our lives in need of God’s transformative power. How can the promise of forgiveness and the guidance of the Holy Spirit lead us toward a genuine fresh start? Let us approach God in prayer, seeking His strength and wisdom to make changes that draw us closer to Him.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Remember, a true clean start is not confined to the turning of a calendar year but is found in the grace and love of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This opportunity for renewal is available to us at any moment, offering not just a temporary change but a lasting transformation. Let us embrace this divine gift, stepping into the new life God has prepared for us.

Engage and Share

Share your thoughts, experiences, or prayer requests in the comments below. Let’s encourage one another as we pursue genuine change and renewal in Christ. Tag someone who needs to hear about the promise of a fresh start today. Together, let’s walk in the power and promise of God’s unwavering love and forgiveness.

Closing Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we stand at the crossroads of old habits and new beginnings, we turn our hearts to You, seeking the true renewal that only comes through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the promise of forgiveness, the gift of Your Spirit, and the endless grace You pour out on us each day.

Lord, guide us away from the fleeting resolutions of this world and lead us into the everlasting transformation You offer. Help us to lay down our burdens, sins, and failures at Your feet, embracing the clean start You provide at any moment, not just as the calendar turns.

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in Your ways, embodying Your love, righteousness, and truth. Strengthen us to resist the temptations that pull us away from You, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

As we move forward, let Your will be done in our lives. May we serve as vessels of Your love and light to others, sharing the hope and renewal we’ve found in You.

In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

To learn more about following Yeshua, continue reading The Message of the Cross.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Faith / Trusting God, Humility, Justice / Judgment, Pride, Protector / Deliverer, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God

The Fall of the Proud (Nahum 2)

What happens when a nation or individual exalts themselves above God’s will?

Nahum 2 proclaims the fall of Nineveh, a once-mighty city whose pride and cruelty led to its destruction. This chapter reminds us that no power or wealth can stand against the Lord. It is both a sobering warning and an encouragement to trust in God’s justice.

Key Verse:
“Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of hosts. – Nahum 2:13a (NASB)

Background Context:
Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was a city of immense power and wealth, known for its brutality and arrogance. Despite its earlier repentance during Jonah’s time, the city returned to its sinful ways. Nahum 2 vividly describes the siege and fall of Nineveh as a demonstration of God’s judgment. This chapter highlights the consequences of pride and cruelty while affirming God’s sovereignty over even the mightiest kingdoms.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Nahum 2

The Overthrow of Nineveh

1The one who scatters has come up against you.
Man the fortress, watch the road;
Strengthen your back, summon all your strength.

      2For the LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob
Like the splendor of Israel,
Even though devastators have devastated them
And destroyed their vine branches.

      3The shields of his mighty men are colored red,
The warriors are dressed in scarlet,
The chariots are enveloped in flashing steel
When he is prepared to march,
And the cypress spears are brandished.

      4The chariots race madly in the streets,
They rush wildly in the squares,
Their appearance is like torches,
They dash to and fro like lightning flashes.

      5He remembers his nobles;
They stumble in their march,
They hurry to her wall,
And the mantelet is set up.

      6The gates of the rivers are opened
And the palace is dissolved.

      7It is fixed:
She is stripped, she is carried away,
And her handmaids are moaning like the sound of doves,
Beating on their breasts.

      8Though Nineveh was like a pool of water throughout her days,
Now they are fleeing;
“Stop, stop,”
But no one turns back.

      9Plunder the silver!
Plunder the gold!
For there is no limit to the treasure—
Wealth from every kind of desirable object.

      10She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste!
Hearts are melting and knees knocking!
Also anguish is in the whole body
And all their faces are grown pale!

      11Where is the den of the lions
And the feeding place of the young lions,
Where the lion, lioness and lion’s cub prowled,
With nothing to disturb them?

      12The lion tore enough for his cubs,
Killed enough for his lionesses,
And filled his lairs with prey
And his dens with torn flesh.

      13“Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of hosts. “I will burn up her chariots in smoke, a sword will devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the land, and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard.”

Reflection on Nahum 2:

  • The Overthrow of the Proud:
    The chapter vividly depicts the chaos of Nineveh’s downfall, showing how its wealth and defenses could not protect it from God’s judgment (Nahum 2:1-7). This serves as a warning against placing trust in worldly power or possessions. Are you relying on God rather than worldly resources for your security?
  • God’s Justice Is Perfect:
    Nahum 2:13 declares God’s stance against Nineveh, emphasizing that He sees and judges wickedness. This should encourage us to trust that God sees all injustice and will act in His timing. Are you trusting in God’s justice rather than becoming disheartened by the world’s evils?
  • A Warning Against Complacency:
    Nineveh’s fall is a reminder that earlier repentance must be followed by continued faithfulness. The city had repented during Jonah’s time but turned back to sin. Are you staying vigilant in your walk with God, continually seeking His guidance and correction?
  • Hope for the Oppressed:
    For those who suffered under Nineveh’s cruelty, its fall was a sign of God’s deliverance and faithfulness. God’s justice brings hope to those who trust in Him. Are you placing your hope in God’s ability to bring restoration and peace?

Summary Key Points:

  • Pride Leads to Destruction: Trusting in worldly power or wealth is futile.
  • God Sees and Judges Sin: His justice is perfect and will prevail in His timing.
  • Repentance Requires Faithfulness: Stay vigilant in following God’s ways.
  • God Is Faithful to Deliver: He brings hope and restoration to the oppressed.
  • Rely on God, Not the World: Place your trust in His sovereignty and care.

Application:
Reflect on areas where you may be tempted to trust in worldly resources or pride rather than God’s provision. Surrender those areas to Him, trusting in His justice and sovereignty. Pray for the strength to remain faithful in your walk with Him and for His guidance in all areas of your life.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us of the dangers of pride and the futility of trusting in worldly power. Help us to rely fully on You and to stay faithful in our walk with You. Teach us to trust in Your justice and to place our hope in Your deliverance. May our lives reflect humility and dependence on Your sovereignty. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

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.

Hope, Kindness / Gentleness, Purposeful / Intentional, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Traditions / Holidays

We Are All One in Messiah (Reflecting on MLK Jr)

As we as a nation reflect on the life and contribution of Martin Luther King Jr, let us also put our focus on God’s word in the Bible and let it guide our path.

Many people have been misled to believe that we are significantly different based on the color of our skin. Our culture over emphasizes this and creates a point of division among us. When we look at God’s word, we see that there is one race of humans, not many based on color, and that we are all equal and all made in the image of God. There is not one that is better than the rest or should receive preferential treatment over the others.

Man is made in the image of God. We are made man and woman. There is no mention of skin color as a key differentiator. Differences in skin color are just part of the wonderful variety of God’s creative nature… like hair color or height or eye color.

Genesis 1:26-27

      26Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Paul makes the point in Galatians that we are all one in Christ Jesus. If we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham’s descendants. We have been grafted into Israel (Romans 11:11-36). We can see in this context that the real division within man is not the color of our skin or our gender or social status, but rather whether or not we have accepted Christ as our Lord.

Galatians 3:28-29

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Martin Luther King Jr is well known and perhaps one of his best known speeches was in Washington DC in August 1963.

As a nation, we have made much progress since that time and I am sure God is pleased at that progress. Many will focus today on a never-ending list of grievances without even pausing to recognize the significant progress made. To the extent there is further to go, we should take care on how we address it. We should not emphasize division and conflict between the citizens of our great nation, but rather focus on how we come together peacefully. We should not make enemies of certain people groups in the name of helping others. That is not what God or leaders like Martin Luther King Jr would want. We are all made in God’s image. Let us focus on drawing closer to Him and we will draw closer to each other as well, no matter what color skin we have.

To help us reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, I am going to highlight a few snippets of the speech here. The full content of the speech can be found at the following link, Martin Luther King I Have a Dream Speech – American Rhetoric.

He speaks highly of Abraham Lincoln, our Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. He was not trying to undermine our nation’s history or destroy it, but rather look to it as a righteous guide.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

—

When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.

He called for white and black to be considered equal, not to condemn those who are white in order to try to help those who are black.

This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

He did not want people to degrade to violence but rather to focus on peaceful protesting.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

He was positive on the potential for America based on its founding. He was positive on the American dream.  He did not see America through the eyes of despair as a place that needed to be burned down and remade. He led a hopeful message and not one of despair. He focused on the vision of what we want to achieve together and avoided a path of violence and anger and destruction. Once again he emphasized what God’s word tells us, what is reflected in the founding documents of our nation, that all men are created equal.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

He helped people visualize a world as it should be, where people are not judged based on skin color. He did not say treat black people better than white people to get even or make up for the past. He pointed towards the principle’s of God and our nation’s founding documents.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

He brought the focus to our Creator.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”2

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day — this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning:

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help our nation come together as one nation, under You. Open our eyes to the wonderful diversity you have made in how you have made man. Let us not create division based on physical differences. Let us not consider ourselves multiple races of man. Let us recognize that we are all one, all made in the image of God. None are to be considered better or worse than the rest based on the color of our skin… neither black, white, brown, or any other color. Help us come together by seeking You and help us to see one another as You do. 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.

Discipline / Guidance From God, Hope, Justice / Judgment, Merciful, Repenting from Sin

God’s Judgment and Our Response (Micah 1)

How do we respond when God calls out our sin?

Micah 1 introduces the prophet’s message of God’s coming judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem due to their rebellion and idolatry. It reminds us of God’s holiness and justice while urging us to examine our hearts and turn back to Him.

Key Verse:
“Look! The Lord is coming from His dwelling place; He comes down and treads on the heights of the earth.” – Micah 1:3 (NIV)

Background Context:
Micah was a prophet during a time of moral corruption and idolatry in Israel and Judah. The book begins with a powerful declaration of God’s judgment against sin, focusing on the spiritual decline of Samaria and Jerusalem, the centers of worship for both kingdoms. Micah’s message is a call to repentance, warning that God’s judgment is certain but that His mercy is available to those who turn to Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Micah 1

Destruction in Israel and Judah

      1The word of the LORD which came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

      2Hear, O peoples, all of you;
Listen, O earth and all it contains,
And let the Lord GOD be a witness against you,
The Lord from His holy temple.

      3For behold, the LORD is coming forth from His place.
He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.

      4The mountains will melt under Him
And the valleys will be split,
Like wax before the fire,
Like water poured down a steep place.

      5All this is for the rebellion of Jacob
And for the sins of the house of Israel.
What is the rebellion of Jacob?
Is it not Samaria?
What is the high place of Judah?
Is it not Jerusalem?

      6For I will make Samaria a heap of ruins in the open country,
Planting places for a vineyard.
I will pour her stones down into the valley
And will lay bare her foundations.

      7All of her idols will be smashed,
All of her earnings will be burned with fire
And all of her images I will make desolate,
For she collected them from a harlot’s earnings,
And to the earnings of a harlot they will return.

      8Because of this I must lament and wail,
I must go barefoot and naked;
I must make a lament like the jackals
And a mourning like the ostriches.

      9For her wound is incurable,
For it has come to Judah;
It has reached the gate of my people,
Even to Jerusalem.

      10Tell it not in Gath,
Weep not at all.
At Beth-le-aphrah roll yourself in the dust.

      11Go on your way, inhabitant of Shaphir, in shameful nakedness.
The inhabitant of Zaanan does not escape.
The lamentation of Beth-ezel: “He will take from you its support.”

      12For the inhabitant of Maroth
Becomes weak waiting for good,
Because a calamity has come down from the LORD
To the gate of Jerusalem.

      13Harness the chariot to the team of horses,
O inhabitant of Lachish—
She was the beginning of sin
To the daughter of Zion—
Because in you were found
The rebellious acts of Israel.

      14Therefore you will give parting gifts
On behalf of Moresheth-gath;
The houses of Achzib will become a deception
To the kings of Israel.

      15Moreover, I will bring on you
The one who takes possession,
O inhabitant of Mareshah.
The glory of Israel will enter Adullam.

      16Make yourself bald and cut off your hair,
Because of the children of your delight;
Extend your baldness like the eagle,
For they will go from you into exile.

Reflection on Micah 1:

  • God’s Sovereign Judgment:
    Micah’s vision emphasizes God’s sovereignty over the earth, as He descends to bring judgment for rebellion (Micah 1:2-4). His holiness demands justice. Are you acknowledging God’s sovereignty in your life, and are you willing to let Him refine you?
  • The Consequences of Sin:
    Samaria and Jerusalem’s idolatry led to destruction and disgrace (Micah 1:6-7). Sin has consequences, both for individuals and communities. Are there areas in your life where sin may be causing spiritual or relational damage?
  • A Call to Grief and Repentance:
    Micah responds to God’s message with deep grief (Micah 1:8-9). His sorrow reflects an understanding of the seriousness of sin. Do you grieve over sin in your life and in the world, allowing it to lead you to repentance?
  • The Ripple Effect of Sin:
    Micah highlights how the sins of the capital cities impacted the surrounding regions (Micah 1:10-16). Our actions can influence others, for better or worse. Are you considering how your choices affect those around you?
  • Hope in God’s Mercy:
    While Micah 1 focuses on judgment, the book as a whole points to God’s ultimate plan for restoration. Even in judgment, God’s purpose is to call His people back to Him. Are you trusting in God’s mercy and seeking His forgiveness?

Summary Key Points:

  • God’s Sovereignty Demands Justice: He is holy and cannot ignore sin.
  • Sin Has Consequences: It affects individuals and communities.
  • Grieve Over Sin: Let its seriousness lead you to repentance.
  • Your Actions Influence Others: Be mindful of how your choices impact those around you.
  • God’s Mercy Is Available: Turn to Him for forgiveness and restoration.

Application:
Reflect on areas in your life where you may be resisting God’s call to address sin. Grieve over the seriousness of sin and turn to Him in repentance. Seek His forgiveness and guidance to walk in righteousness. Consider how your actions influence others and commit to living in a way that reflects God’s holiness and love.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your holiness and justice. Thank You for Your mercy that calls us to repentance and restoration. Help us to grieve over sin in our lives and in the world and to turn to You for forgiveness and guidance. Teach us to live in a way that honors You and influences others toward Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. John Golda

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.

Faith / Trusting God, Loving / Kind, Merciful, Obeying God, Repenting from Sin

Responding to God’s Second Chance (Jonah 3)

What will you do with the second chances God gives you?

Jonah 3 is a powerful chapter of obedience, repentance, and mercy. Jonah obeys God’s call to preach to Nineveh, and the people respond with genuine repentance, demonstrating that God’s mercy is available to all who turn to Him.

Key Verse:
“When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them.” – Jonah 3:10 (NASB)

Background Context:
After Jonah’s prayer of repentance in the belly of the fish, God gives him another chance to fulfill his mission. This time, Jonah obeys and delivers God’s message to Nineveh, warning them of impending judgment. The people of Nineveh, from the king to the common citizen, respond with fasting and repentance, and God shows them mercy.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Jonah 3

Nineveh Repents

      1Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2“Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.” 3So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days’ walk. 4Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

      5Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. 6When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. 7He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. 8“But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. 9“Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.”

      10When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.

Reflection on Jonah 3:

  • Obedience to God’s Call:
    When Jonah receives God’s call a second time, he obeys (Jonah 3:1-3). This obedience demonstrates the importance of aligning our actions with God’s will. Are you responding to God’s call in your life, even when it requires courage or sacrifice?
  • The Power of God’s Word:
    Jonah’s message to Nineveh is simple and direct: “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). Despite its brevity, the message has a profound impact because it carries God’s authority. Are you sharing God’s truth with others, trusting in its power to convict and transform hearts?
  • Genuine Repentance:
    The people of Nineveh believed God’s message and showed their repentance through fasting and wearing sackcloth, even declaring a fast for the animals (Jonah 3:5-9). True repentance involves turning away from sin and humbling ourselves before God. Are you demonstrating genuine repentance in your life, turning from sin and seeking His forgiveness?
  • God’s Mercy in Action:
    When God saw Nineveh’s repentance, He relented and did not bring the destruction He had planned (Jonah 3:10). This reveals God’s character as merciful and compassionate, desiring to save rather than destroy. Are you trusting in God’s mercy to forgive and restore you when you repent?
  • The Ripple Effect of Obedience:
    Jonah’s obedience led to the salvation of an entire city. Our willingness to follow God’s call can have a profound impact on others. Are you allowing God to use you as an instrument of His grace and truth?

Summary Key Points:

  • Obedience Opens Doors: Following God’s call allows His purpose to unfold.
  • God’s Word Is Powerful: Trust in the ability of His truth to convict and transform.
  • Repentance Leads to Mercy: Genuine repentance invites God’s forgiveness and restoration.
  • God Desires to Save: He is compassionate and merciful, eager to forgive.
  • Your Obedience Matters: God can use your faithfulness to impact the lives of others.

Application:
Reflect on areas where God may be giving you a second chance to obey His call. Step out in faith and trust His plan. Examine your heart for areas where you need to repent and turn back to God. Share His truth with others, trusting in the power of His Word to bring transformation and restoration.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and the second chances You give us. Help us to respond to Your call with obedience and faith, trusting in the power of Your Word. Teach us to demonstrate genuine repentance and to rely on Your grace and compassion. Use us as instruments of Your truth, bringing hope and restoration to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

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