Unmerited Blessings

We who are guilty, sinful, and worthless creatures receive many unmerited blessings from a holy and just God when we really deserve judgement.
Job 2:7-10 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die." But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?"In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
You see here that Job knew the truth, that we are being blessed all the time with blessings we do not deserve. He knew that we were doomed to hell without a merciful God who would send His beloved son to die for the sin of man. Why? Because there was no other way to be reconciled to a holy and just God but through the blood of an acceptable sacrifice!
These following words are from this past Sunday's preaching.
God is good and God is great! Can He prevent evil? Yes! Why does He permit evil? We live in a fallen world, evil exists because of sin! That is why we should hate sin. Sin brings death! The existence of evil point us to the existence God. In our hearts we know that some things are bad and some are good.
Romans 2:15-16 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
God relates to sin in many ways, He prevents sin, He permits sin, He limits sin, and He uses sin.
Romans 1:21  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Gen.20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.
Gen. 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
In Scripture, God never sins, directly causes sin or is blamed for sin.
James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
God is sovereign over all things: evil nations and rulers, the devil and demonic spirits, trials and temptations, suffering and persecution, moral atrocities, natural disasters, disease and death.
Deut.32:39 "'See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
No one is good and righteous but God!
Romans 3:9-12 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
God allowed His only son, Jesus to be murdered by sinful man!
Acts 2:22-23 22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
O death, where is your victory?
1 Cor.15:55-57  "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev.21:22-26 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. Ps.2:8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
Lord, we ask for the nations. Amen

The Veil

2 Cor.3:14-17 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Lord, thank You for freedom in Jesus. Without him there is no reconciliation to You. He intercedes for us night and day and is our only hope of salvation. Our veil has been lifted and we see what you reveal to us. Teach us precious Master. Amen
2 Cor.4:3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
My prayer: Eph.6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

The Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

We all are walking through, the valley of the shadow of death, we simply choose not to think of it. The minute God gives us life, our death clock starts ticking. So even the smallest of newborn babies are starting their walk in the valley of death. And as we get old, if God wills us to be old, we are in the final valley of the shadow of death. 
Ps.23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
It is not by fate that you have many days or not so many days of life but by the divine hand of God!
Ps.139:16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
I had a cousin die a few days ago. I had lost touch with him and was sad to see he had died so young. My mind was flooded with many questions about him, well really about his eternity. As I began to sort out the questions, God's word began to resound in my head. If we deny the sovereignty of God, man is without excuse! It has been made plain to us by His creation. He will not be denied! His Word says or "the rocks will cry out!"
Romans 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Luke 19:40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Ask someone about Christ today! He is working on their hearts already.
Lord, grant us souls today. Amen

Every Good Work

If we think we are the author of every good work, we had better think again! God alone, our teacher and creator is the driving force behind every good work! We are not wise and sufficient unto ourselves but dependent on God for every good and wise thing. The power of sin is broken by a merciful God through Jesus. It is not through anything we do, but by the power and the mercy of God, on wicked sinners.
Prov.16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
Prov.15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Prov.16:9 9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Prov.16:20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Walk with the Lord in everything. Keep your heart on His word!
Prov.16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Awesome Lord, we need You every day. Your word is precious and gives us life. Teach us! Amen

Choices

Prov.9:10-12 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
Here is a stern warning for the choices we make and the consequences we will endure because of them.
Prov.10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
The wisdom of our hope in Christ: 1 Cor.15:21-22 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
What we fight against: 1 Cor.15:34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
Eph.2:1-3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
God's response: Eph.2:4-10 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.How can you turn your back on Christ and deny Him? All the evidence needed is all around you in His creation in plain sight so that you are without excuse!Lord, forgive sinners for their lack of wisdom. Your Word is full of life while they except an eternity lost and separated from You. Help us to reach the lost, to speak the right words from Your Word, to open their hard hearts. For apart from you we can do nothing but with You all things are possible! In Jesus name I ask for souls. Amen 

Simple Ones and Fools

Prov.8:1-5 Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
Prov.8:12-17 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
1 Kings 3:5-15 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days." And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
You can see from these verses that wisdom is a good thing to seek. There is a lot of wisdom in God's Word! God will reveal His wisdom to us! I have read the bible quite a few times and the Lord is faithful if you seek Him, He will be found!
Lord, there is no denying we are simple and most often foolish in regards to listening to the wisdom contained in Your Word! We should have judgement but You are steadfast in love and full of great mercy! I stand in awe at the forgiveness You show! But, there will come a time when mercy is over and those who deny You as Lord will be forever lost! Help us Lord, show Your mighty power to the world!  Humble the heart of man so that he will fall before You and give You praise. Amen

The Value of Wisdom

Prov.1:23-33 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words know to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."Prov.2:6-15 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,  who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. Lord, I pray that we know the value of Your wisdom. We are foolish and try to deny that all knowledge comes from You and You alone. Help us keep Your Word close to our hearts for guidance so that we may have peace in our souls. Amen