Tag: God’s Son Jesus Christ

Returning to the LORD

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While reading the books of Ezra and Nehemiah over the last month, I have given much thought to the bravery and steadfastness of these two leaders who took it upon themselves to be used by God to lead His people Israel back to the Promised Land, and to fully return to God.

It was heartening to read about their courageousness to face all the odds against them as well as the willingness of the Israelites to hear God’s word and obey it—at substantial cost.

If you would like to know more about the return of Israel to the Promised Land after their exile to Babylon, I encourage you to read both Ezra and Nehemiah.

God had chosen Israel to be His people many centuries before when He called Abraham out of Ur to follow Him to a new land that He would eventually give to Abraham’s descendants.

God also chose Jerusalem as the place on earth that He would place His name and live with His people, the Israelites.

Today’s post is about the response of obedience of the Israelites after their return from exile to foreign nations which was caused by their ancestors’ (and their own) disobedience to God.

God’s Expectations from His People

First and foremost, God expects loyalty to Him.

Why would He not? After all, He is the creator of Heaven and Earth and all living creatures of which man is made in His very own image and placed as steward over all His blessings.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

God is a jealous God. He wants us to worship Him alone.

Nothing should come before Him—not ourselves, family, desires, money, jobs, material possessions—absolutely nothing.

He loves us so much that He gave us His laws to follow and to teach to our children and to generations to come.

When we put God first and follow His decrees, we will be blessed in family, finances, and needs.  

God promised the Israelites that He would shower them with abundant blessings if they put Him first and worship only Him. (Leviticus 26:1-13)

If not, they would endure hardship and horrific circumstances. (Leviticus 26:14-39)

These promises and warnings are meant for us today as well.

I believe that we are removed from God’s cover of protection when we do not follow Him.

Satan loves this opportunity to sift us when we choose to be on our own and do things our way instead of God’s way.

But, when we repent and turn to God, He forgives us.

God’s Willingness to Forgive

It’s a good thing that God is willing to forgive our sins, because if not we would be eternally lost.

Often in the Bible, we read about God hearing the cries of His children and having mercy on them.

It is when we confess our sin to God and we are truly repentant that God forgives us and takes us back under His protection.

The Israelites’ return from captivity under the rule of Persia at that time (Persia conquered Babylon after the exile), is a prime example of God forgiving the sins committed against Him and blessing His people.

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.

Nehemiah 9:1-3

Remember when I wrote earlier that the Israelites were willing to obey God at a great cost?

Well, here it is in verse 2 above. “Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners.”

Many of the Israelite men had married foreign women that worshiped other gods and led them away from God.

Their ancestors did the same including King Solomon. There is most definitely something to be said for leaders appointed by God to set the example for the people they govern.

Yes, these are harsh circumstances, but also fact during that time.  

Perhaps many were unaware of this sin as they were exiled for many years and not allowed to hear God’s word in a foreign country and did not realize they were sinning against God.

It was when they returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple and the walls surrounding the city that Ezra, the priest, stood before them to read God’s word and His commands.

When they heard the words of God’s law, they cried in shame and were repentant and willing to do whatever was just in the eyes of God.

They had endured captivity for so many years and were longing for a fresh start in their beloved Jerusalem.

They were grateful that God heard their cries and granted their desire to return to their own country.

It seems that Israel understood that God is sovereign and appreciated His goodness in making a way for them to return to the Promised Land. 

God’s Desire to Restore His People

Because of the Israelites’ woeful disobedience prior to the exile, they lost everything they had—family, homes, material possessions, income, as well as their country and freedom.

They were once again living in foreign lands and ruled by kings of other nations, devastated and hopeless.

BUT GOD was working in the background and was making a way to restore His chosen people.

God had never planned to desert Israel then nor will He do so today. (Psalm 137:6)

And God will never abandon us, because He has made a way for the whole world, every nation and every tribe, to be forgiven through His son Jesus Christ. 

Jesus is the only way to forgiveness, abundant life now, and eternal life. (John 14:6)

We need only to submit our lives to Him and abide in Him.

By abiding in Jesus, we too are expected to live righteously according to the same rules that God gave Israel.

One may argue that we need not live by the law because of Jesus’s atoning work on the cross.

However, Jesus said that we need to obey God’s commands, because He Himself came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law. (Matthew 5:17)

My one prayer for my beloved country is that we would ourselves repent of our sin individually and corporately and turn back to God.

I am certain that God would heal our country if we did.

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

This is the blessing that God promised King Solomon after he built and dedicated the first temple in Jerusalem.

Because we are grafted into God’s chosen through His Son Jesus Christ, we are also afforded the blessings given to Israel.

Thanks be to God for His grace, mercy, and forgiveness!

I hope this message stirs in your heart a desire to submit to and seek after God, and to abide in Him.

You will be blessed now and forever.

I hope you enjoy the song below.

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my previous posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.

Why Read the Bible?

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With our busy schedules and fast-paced world, it’s vital that we prioritize God and make time to read His message to us through the Bible.

Why?

Because the Bible is God’s inerrant word, His testimony of love for us, His book of promises that hold true, and our guide to living life victoriously.

The Bible unfolds God’s great love for us despite our sin by providing us with redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The following Scripture verses tell us this.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned— Romans 5:8-12

This one man from whom we inherited sin is Adam, God’s first creation of mankind. As descendants of Adam, we all have his sin nature because we live in a fallen world.

Just like Adam, we all are deceived by Satan.

We have the same nature that steers us to do our own thing which we think benefits us opposed to following God and His ways.

Think about this:  Holy God sees and knows our sin against Him; but He because He is love, He provides us a way to be forgiven.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17

This truly is amazing grace!

I wonder how many of us freely and quickly forgive and restore those who have committed sins against us.

I will admit that this is probably the hardest thing for me to do. My sin nature wants to hold a grudge and reminisce the hurt others have caused me. But God does not want me to do this; so, I must surrender to His will and change my way of thinking and acting for my own good.  

Why?

Because God has forgiven me—over and over again.

We should all thank God for His love and grace toward us.

The Bible is factual history and inerrant prophecy.

It is His story—God’s story of His creation which includes Earth and mankind.

God is the author of history since the very beginning and He tells us not only about the past, but also the future.

‘Remember the former things, those of long ago;
    I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me.
I make known the end from the beginning,
    from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
    and I will do all that I please.’ Isaiah 46:9-10

Through His word, God gives us a foundation and principles on which to base our lives.

We read about real-life stories of those who lived before us who followed Him and those who did not. We read about their actions and consequences, both good and bad.

None are without sin, but when we repent, God guides His children to overcome any adversity, wrong attitude, and poor decision.

And there is no fooling God for He knows the hearts minds of us all!

God is so good that He shares what the future holds for mankind on Earth, as well as during Christ’s Millennial Kingdom, and into eternity.

Even though life will change on Earth as we know it (becoming gruesome for a period of time), those of us who are God’s children will make it into eternity to live forever with our Creator and Savior. We will finally live as God originally intended in Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden of Eden—in perfect peace and complete joy, without sorrow and physical pain or physical restrictions.  

We can only gain knowledge and truth if we read God’s word and we are told that we will be blessed if we read it.

God wants only the best for us and wants us to be overcomers.

As stated previously, our heavenly Father knows that we live in a world tainted by Satan’s wiles and temptations.

This is why He gives us a glance into the lives of the many whose names are in the Bible. We learn from them as we read about their trials, their failures, and their victories. And these victories were given to His followers by God Himself!

Our heavenly Father does not change, and He does not show partiality. What He did for His children in the past, He will do for His children today.

God is our provider, protector, and best friend.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:1-4

I believe that God’s word is His book of love written to us. It has stood the test of time over thousands of years and has been proven to be true over and over again.

It is a wealth of knowledge made just for us so that we can

  • believe and understand His love for us
  • receive the gift of eternal life and be restored to Him through His Son Jesus Christ
  • draw near to our Creator and commune with Him
  • believe in and witness His supernatural power
  • know what pleases God and follow His ways
  • hold onto His promises despite the trials we face
  • be encouraged in our daily walk with our Savior Jesus Christ
  • learn from the mistakes of others’ past
  • be thankful for the good in our lives and praise Him
  • know that our struggles never last
  • help others in their time of need

I want to share with you a few tips that have helped me read and better understand the Bible over the years.

Choose a translation (there are many) that you can understand and are comfortable reading. The New American Standard Bible (NASB) and English Standard Version (ESV) are good ones to start with. You may also want to invest in a study Bible which expounds on the text.

Pray and ask God to help you understand what He wants you to learn each day as you read His word.

Set aside a specific time each day or evening just to study God’s word. We are told to meditate on His word day and night. (Joshua 1:8) This means to think about what you read each day for retention.

Keep reading even though you may not understand everything, it’s okay. This is why it’s good to have a study Bible.

Make it a lifelong habit to read the Bible. When you finish one translation, pick up a different one and continue seeking. I’ve read many translations of the Bible over the years, and I learn something new every day.

Apply what you read daily to your thoughts and actions. We should be “doers” of His word for which we are promised to be blessed. (James 1:22-25)

Attend a Bible study with others at church or in a group setting. When we share our understanding and compare notes, we gain even more understanding.   

Use godly resources online to help you and don’t forget to ask God to help you discern which resources to use.

May you be blessed as you dive into the truth of God’s word and may it transform us all to be just like Jesus!

I would like to share one of my all-time favorite songs that praises God. I hope it will warm your heart and move you to praise God also. 

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my previous posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.

Tragedy: When We Just Don’t Understand Why

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The news of the flood in Kerrville, Texas, has been very difficult to watch and very emotional for many of us. I kept thinking why, LORD, why did this have to happen to so many unsuspecting people enjoying time in a scenic place of relaxation and recreation?

It is especially heart-breaking to know that so many young girls were lost at a summer camp that was supposed to bring them joy and lasting memories of their childhood.

I can’t imagine the pain the family members of the victims are feeling, but I am certain that they have the same question—WHY?

My goal is not to place blame on any agency or the government. Hopefully in time, these much-needed answers will come, and regulations will be put in place so that an effective notification system will be employed to warn those in the path of any future similar disaster.   

Today, I want to be able to share hope with the victim’s families so they have something to hold on to that will give them a sense of peace about their loved ones who they sadly lost.

I am writing this also for anyone who has tragically lost a loved one and needs to know that they can live again despite the tragedy; they can let go and trust God; they can smile and laugh again; they can be reunited with their loved ones.

First, I do not know why such tragedies happen. What I do know for certain is that we live in an imperfect world with sin, evil, and death.

I also know that God is good and is very much in control. He is not the author of destruction and pain, but of love and life.

When I start to question why in certain circumstances, my mind goes to Job in the Bible. The Book of Job is 42 chapters in length and deals with tragedy, despair, a search for answers, temptation to curse God, unwavering devotion to God, and hope.

I will give you the short version of the Book of Job, but I highly recommend you read it for yourself.  

Job was a wealthy man, good and honest. He was loved by God who spoke very highly of him to Satan. Satan wanted to prove God’s assessment of Job wrong and asked for permission to exasperate Job so that he would curse God. God’s only restriction was that he could not kill Job.

Job lost his children, his wealth, and his health. As if this weren’t enough, he was insulted by his friends who came to see him. They suggested that he (and his children) had unconfessed sin which led to these tragedies.

Job maintained his innocence and throughout his suffering questioned God as to why all this hardship when he had been a good man and served God.

His wife even told him to just get it over with, curse God, and die!

Job would not curse God, because he knew God was good. He said that he would go to his grave believing such and that he would indeed bless God!

All Job could do was ask God why he had to endure this tragedy and curse. He said that it would’ve been better that he was never born to have to go through all of this.  

He just didn’t understand why.

Eventually God spoke to him and his friends. God rebuked his friends for assuming they had the answers. And God answered Job with a lengthy discourse of questions (Chapters 38–42).

Some of the questions (there were many) God asked Job that resonate with me are:

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,
Who set its measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the measuring line over it?
On what were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone?” Job 38:4-6

“Can you raise your voice to the clouds,
So that an abundance of water will cover you?
Can you send flashes of lightning, so that they may go
And say to you, ‘Here we are’?” Job 38:34-35

“Can you drag out Leviathan with a fishhook,
And press down his tongue with a rope?
Can you put a rope in his nose,
And pierce his jaw with a hook?
Will he make many pleas to you,
Or will he speak to you gentle words?
Will he make a covenant with you?” Job 41:1-4

Job could not answer any of these questions and neither can we.

We can only trust God and continue to believe that His plan is best—even when it hurts.

As time passes, we may look back and discern some good that came from the tragedies we experience or we may understand partly why, but we will know completely when we get to Heaven.

God understands your pain and distress and He sympathizes with you. He will show you how to live your next moments, days, months, and years.

He knows the pain you feel. He watched His only Son, Jesus Christ, die on the cross for all mankind. It was a painful experience for Him, but it was necessary for us to receive eternal life.

I believe that Jesus was present in the flood in Kerrville, Texas, and all the little girls who died in this flood were received instantly into His loving arms. Jesus loved children and He took these to a better place where there will be no more death, evil, pain, or sorrow. They are happy and they are waiting for the day they can be reunited with their beloved family and friends.

I also believe that all of the age of accountability who died in Christ were also received instantly into our Savior’s arms.

I will go a step further.

I believe God gave any that were unsaved another opportunity in the flood waters to surrender to His Son Jesus Christ. Perhaps there were some who turned to the LORD in their despair before they died.

Below is a scripture verse that I hold onto for all my family and friends who are not saved.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

For all of you who are struggling and hurting because of the loss of a relative or friend in this heartbreaking tragedy, please know that one day there will be a great reunion filled with joy and laughter with those you lost in the LORD.

He knows your pain, give it to Him. He understands your questions, your grief, your anger.

Let Jesus heal your heart. Trust Him with your unanswered questions until He either shares some insight with you through the Holy Spirit or He reunites you with them when He calls you home to be with Him.

As I have been following the many stories regarding this flood, I came across a mother who lost her beautiful 8-year-old daughter while at Camp Mystic.  

Her outlook is exactly what I wish to convey in this message.

Lindsey McCleod McCrory lost her daughter, Blakely McCrory, while at Camp Mystic and described her daughter as a “’live wire’ with a ‘fun, spirited attitude’ and ‘the type of child that doesn’t stay down for long.’”

She said, “I’m just so grateful to keep her spirit alive.”

McCleod McCrory continued, “And we strongly believe that it happened quickly. She didn’t have to suffer. I just have this feeling. She’s with all those campers and staff who died, and other children. I just imagined it as a happy place, a peaceful place.”

Wow! What faith this mother has!

McCleod McCrory has had her share of tragedy lately.

She lost her husband, Blake McCrory, at age 59 to a battle with cancer recently. She also lost her brother (also 59 years old) earlier this year.

What strength! I believe it comes from deep within due to her faith in Jesus Christ.

I am praying for those who have had to deal with such a tragedy in their lives who are hurting and searching for answers.

May God bless you and grant you the peace that surpasses all understanding. May you have joy again and continue to live your life with hope and meaning—just as the ones you lost would want you to.

Below is one of my all-time favorite Christian songs that I hope will bring you consolation as you listen.

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my previous posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.