Reconciliation

We hear and read allot about reconciliation, what does that mean and how is it applied to our life, both spiritually and naturally in biblical terms ?

Lets examine what the word ' reconciliation ' means . The definition in the dictionary states this ; To make ( oneself or another ) no longer opposed. To become friendly with ( someone ) after estrangement or to re-establish friendly relations between ( two or more ) people . To settle a difference or quarrel . To make ( two apparently conflicting things ) compatible or consistent with each other. To bring together again. To reconsecrate .

The definition is pretty clear and simple it appears. So lets base that on biblical teaching and what the Bible says about it. First we have to understand to reconcile there had to be a confrontation, a separation and a disagreement and or an estrangement . That happened in the garden of Eden in the beginning way back in Genesis, when man disobeyed God and sin entered in. By a simple act of disobedience mankind was separated from the presence of God . ( Genesis 3 )

God is righteous and Holy. And His word tells us, we are to obey and reverence Him in all things. For He is our creator and God. Many people deny Him and refuse to acknowledge His authority in all things. However that does not stop the fact He is God and ultimately He is the one they will give an account to. Many claim, why are they punished for what Adam and Eve did in the garden of Eden. Sin entered this world and into the lives of man through the acts of Adam and Eve. Their offspring also has that nature of sin within them. We were created to Serve God. For His pleasure are we made ( Philippians 2:13 ) And when we disobey and sin and separate ourselves by that sin we become estranged to God and opposed to Him. And because He is Holy and righteous , we can not be in His presence with sin in our life . The Bible tells us this;” But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” ( Isaiah 59:2 ) And the only way to purge ones sin is by the Blood.

The Bible tells us,”Without shedding of Blood, there is no remission of sin” ( Hebrews 9:22) That is why Jesus was born into this world. He came to sacrifice Himself so that mankind could be “ Reconciled “ back to God . This was the set plan of God from the very beginning of Time. For the Bible tells us that Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. ( Rev.13:8 ) It also says it this way ,”For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world ; but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” ( Hebrews 9:26 ) In Leviticus 17:11 it says this , “For the life of the flesh is in the Blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Way back in Old Testament times when by the law they sacrificed animals and sprinkled blood to cover the sins of the people, it was the blood that covered them for a season. It was impossible as the Bible proclaims for the blood of animals to take away sin . “ For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin. ( Hebrews 10:4) But the Blood of Jesus Christ who was spotless and sinless bore our iniquities and sins for us on the cross, His Blood did indeed take away sin. “ Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body thou hast prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure .Then said I, Lo , I Come ( in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will O God. Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein;which are offered by the law; Then said He, Lo, I Come to do thy will ,O God, He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. By the which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all. “ ( Hebrews 10: 5-10 )

So now you see why Jesus sacrificed Himself for mankind and why we are separate from God and How by and through Jesus Christ we can be “Reconciled” back to God . 2 Corinthians 5:18 states it this way , “ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” . So you see it is only By Jesus Christ can we get to God and once again be able to be in His presence. Do not let anyone tell you there are many ways. there is Only One way and that is through Jesus Christ alone. For as it is written , “ Jesus saith unto him,I Am the way, the truth and the life ; no man cometh to the Father but by me” ( John 14:6) .

We are given the ministry of reconciliation as the prior scripture tells us. What exactly does that mean ? Well, we are reconciled back to God from our separated state through the offering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. We are commanded to speak truth to our neighbor (Eph.4:25) And the only truth there is , is the Word of God. We witness and speak the Good News which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that Gospel message is the message of “reconciliation” . It is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that we are reconciled back to God and it is that reconciliation message we speak of and is truth and is no lie. Jesus commands us all to witness and preach and teach salvation through repentance , in other words , ' Reconciliation.' How can there be any reconciliation without repentance and making things right ? Simply stated, there can't be. It takes setting the record straight .

The Old Testament Law was given to show us we were sinners and in need of redemption and a sacrifice to cover our sins. We ourselves could not do it nor any man. We read also how the blood of bulls and goats was used for that purpose , but we also read it covered the sin, it did not take it away. The Blood of Jesus Christ who took our place willingly , and redeemed us through that sacrifice, and the shedding of His blood does take the sins away . John 1:29 tells us ; “John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God,which taketh away the sin of the world .” That was the entire purpose for the coming of Jesus. He was born of a virgin, He knew no sin, was not born in an act of sin, was not spotted by the worldly things ,and he was without blemish. He was the perfect sacrifice whom God accepted for the Atonement of mankind. He was sacrificed once and for all and is now setting making intercessions for us to God. He is reconciling us everyday . Sometimes it takes time to get through all the problems and hurt and pain and bitterness, and anger and frustration and the harm sin has done in our life.

Yes, the minute we repent and accept Christ into our life , we are saved. However in having to walk in this world, the past issues do not simply go away. We battle this flesh and the worldly desires daily. It is a 24/7 , 365 day battle. People mislead others by teaching that when they attend some church or kneel at an altar, all their problems simply vanish. What happens is we become enlightened to the truth of God and who He is. We receive of His spirit within our hearts and we see and come to realize a difference. Our mind is changed, our heart is changed , and every aspect of us changes, however, we still live in this body and in this world and we are tempted and tried. The Bible tells us,” Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ( Romans 12:2) It takes a daily sacrifice of ourselves and a constant study and reading of His word to learn what is right and perfect and what the will of God is.

Through that word , we come to understand and come to the knowledge of our place in Christ Jesus. We then learn by Him and His Word and the Spirit He indwells us in, the reconciliation He has made . And it is by that Gospel or Good News, we share and give to others. The Bible tells us, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” ( 2 Cor.5:19 ) So it is with us towards others. We have to give the same consideration to others as Christ did for us. We are to establish the word of reconciliation to others.

Many people have wronged us or hurt us or we had problems and misunderstandings that drove us apart or away from certain people and even we have harmed others with words and actions that may have separated us from them. In many situations, as God leads we also have to go and attempt to reconcile with another. Whether it be a friend, co-worker, a family member, or a past relationship, and or fellow church members. The Bible tells us we all are of one body ( Romans 12:5). So we have to reconcile and set things in order in truth, and love and by the Word of God. Not everyone will receive that message and not everyone will be willing to reconcile, but one has to for their own sake attempt to clear the air and make the truth known. We are to Forgive, to be forgiven, ( Matthew 6:15 )

We are to speak that word of reconciliation God has imputed to us . And we are to speak that word to everyone. Sometimes it's difficult to speak reconciliation to someone who has hurt us, but it takes the Love and spirit of God and His leading to be able to do what is right and just, by His word. Again not everyone will receive that message, and many will reject it and you, but you have to speak and do it, whether or not they accept or reject it, is totally up to them. Jesus spoke the word of truth and the message of reconciliation to all men, and not everyone accepted His truth. And because it angered them they sought to kill Him, over and over. Many will reject and despise you for it, but you have to obey the word of God.

One needs to understand, to be lead of God in doing so. You can not out of self-righteousness or pride force your ideas on another hoping somehow it will change the situation . No , we have to be lead of God and God will set in order those things that need to be spoken and the heart of the other person will be open to it. Even if they reject it and you, their heart was still open to hear and know it was a truth. So it is with every man. They know there is a God, they just simply refuse to retain that knowledge of Him and obey His word and you can read that in Romans chapter 1 .

Now about past relationships, where people have divorced and families have parted . Reconciliation does not mean they or you will ever get back together as a couple. Yes, that can and has happened in peoples lives, however most of the time those feelings and issues have gone so long, even if both forgive , that sort of relationship can never be rekindled and in most circumstances should never be anyway. The Bible tells us, to not put away your spouse, only for fornication, and if you do , you are to remain unmarried.( 1 Cor.7:11 ) The doctrine of today rejects that fact. But God , and His Word has never changed. Many have married and remarried so often and so many problems have stemmed from the very first marriage that it causes problems and issues in all the others, and yet they continue to go on ,marrying another and another trying to be happy, but will not admit and or acknowledge their problem remains within themselves, and it causes the problems they desire to get free of by remarrying another.

A woman is to remain unmarried and or be ' reconciled ' back to her husband, that is the word of God. And one can make excuse after excuse, but the Truth of the Bible remains, the Truth. How many problems could be avoided by all of us , if we simply obeyed the word of God. No, I do not believe God expects anyone to stay in a abusive relationship, however, we are to remain in a relationship with God, in-spite of anyone or anything else. Just because your spouse decides to do the wrong thing, you are to remain faithful to God in all things. Your faithfulness, may be the very thing that will bring your spouse to the truth and wisdom and enlightenment of the Word of reconciliation, and bring them to Christ. Here is what the Bible tells us, “ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let them depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife ,whether thou shalt save thy husband ? Or how knowest thou, O man , whether thou shalt save thy wife ? But as God hath distributed to every man, and the Lord hath called everyone, so let them walk. ( 1 Cor.7:14-17 )

We are to reconcile , by the word of God. Yes, we are to forgive no matter what and we are to speak the word of reconciliation to all men. For as man was reconciled back to God through Jesus Christ, we also are to be reconciled to others through Jesus Christ .It is His love and compassion and by His word of truth we are to make things right. Not for self gain, nor pride or to make others think we are something that we are not. We simply are to speak the word of reconciliation by the Biblical means to all mankind . Just as Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, we are to give ourselves to Him and to others for His sake . Speak the words of reconciliation to those in whom the Lord sends you to. And get closer on past problems that maybe hindering your present walk with God. But, it has to be done out of Godly love and compassion and to hopefully, bring the word of reconciliation to those who are in need of salvation through Jesus Christ, and to bring about them to a clear understanding of the need they have and the answer, God provides for every situation, by His word. And if it's simply to close a door in your life that has made you bitter or angry at others because of an action or words that did you harm. And more so for the harm you caused others at some point. Get rid of any spot or blemish in your life, and anything that would cause your walk with God to be hindered . Pray and ask God today, to show you what those things are and what you need to do about it. Allow the Spirit of God to lead you and give you the words of reconciliation to share with them . That you all may come to forgive in all things and be forgiven in all things, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

We all are sinners saved by grace. God sent Jesus His only begotten son to redeem us back to Himself. No one else could, only God could. And through that compassion and love towards us, He spoke reconciliation, even when we did not deserve it . He still came, He still gave, He still Loved. We are to do the same in our everyday life . We are to be an example of the Love God shared with us, we are to share with others. It does not matter, when or how long or whatever the case maybe. God knows the heart of man, and He knows who will receive and who will not. But we as children of God, have to obey the things of God and do what is right, no matter what anyone else does . I speak reconciliation to all who read this. May your eyes be enlightened to see what God did for you and how He gave His all, to reconcile with you. No, you did not deserve it, and you can not earn it, but God gives it anyway to us all. We just have to accept and believe . Put yourself in the others persons spot for a moment . Put yourself in Gods . What is better to forgive and reconcile and or stay separate and lost ? Be reconciled to God ,today. But also be reconciled back to your family, friends, your spouse, your kids, your parents, your co-workers, and just whomever it maybe, make reconciliation by the word of God that speaks reconciliation to all. Forgive, that ye maybe forgiven.

May God Bless you today , by His word.

The Bible Man.

Homosexuality,is it a sin ?

Homosexuality , is it a sin ?

We hear a lot today about homosexuality . I do not see that word in the bible . Is it in the Bible, and is it a sin , as so many say ? And are there any homosexual Christians ?

The Bible does not use the word homosexual or gay or lesbian , in defining people who are attracted to the same gender as themselves. The Bible tells us ,” If a man also lie with mankind , as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination ( Lev.20:13) What the bible states is if they do such a thing its an abomination, and under the Law of the Old Testament times they both would have been put to death, as the rest of that scripture states.

In the New Testament, it tells us,” Because that ,when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart were darkened . Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and to birds ,and fourfooted beasts , and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts , to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever , Amen . For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections : for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature; And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly , and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind , to do those things which are not convenient ; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication , wickedness , covetousness ,maliciousness ; full of envy , murder , debate , deceit ,malignity ; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God ,despiteful , proud , boasters, inventors of evil things , disobedient to parents , Without understanding , covenant- breakers, with out natural affection , implacable ,unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God,that they which commit such things are worthy of death,not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. “ ( Romans 1:21-32)

There both in the Old Testament and also in the New Testament it's pretty clear that any man or woman that lays with the same sex, as they do the opposite sex , it is unnatural and unseemly, and it's vile affection, wickedness , and simply put , it is a sin. And those that engage in it, are worthy of death.

But lets examine this a little deeper. There is a word used in scripture that pretty much describes and explains all these vile and wicked acts of sexual sin. The word ,' lasciviousness ' defines all these actions perfectly. From this word we can from it's definition also define other words that fit and make the whole of the actions. Lasciviousness, defined means; inclined to lustfulness, wanton , lewdness, arousing sexual desire, lecherous,salacious . Now your might say that does not fit homosexuality any different then any act of sex, whether homosexual or heterosexually . And your right, but lets continue. From the word ,lascivious or lasciviousness, we get these words and definitions as well. Lecherous , which means ,excessive sexual activity,erotically suggestive,indulgence in sexual activity,arousing sexual desire or interest,lust. Salacious defined ; appealing to or stimulating sexual desire. Lustful,Bawdy ,lewd ,libidinous ,wanton, obscene ,sexual imagination. Lewd defined ; Preoccupied with sex and sexual desire, lustful,obscene, indecent, obsolete wicked , immoral , offensive sexual behavior . Libidinous defined ; exhibiting lustful desires, lascivious, full of sexual lust . Bawdy defined ; Vulgar, lewd , indecent, obscene , lustful , immoral, wicked . Vile defined; Disgusting ,morally depraved, degrading,wicked, loathsome , evil ,Abominable . And everyone knows Affection means, act of affection or acting upon, state of being affected . Put those two together , Vile Affections and you have ; acting upon disgusting and degrading, morally depraved , wicked, evil , Abominable acts.

Now does that describe homosexuality ? Of course it does . But homosexuality is not the only sexual sin mentioned here. Masturbation, oral sex,sodomy , fornication, adultery, sexual imaginations, incest , bestiality , and so on and so forth. Yes, homosexuality is a sin, but so are all these other things .

God does not separate sin from sin. All sin according to the bible results in separation from God. The bible tells us , “ For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ( Romans 6:23) All sin equals death . It is that simple. And it takes repentance and forsaking sin and receiving Jesus Christ into ones heart and life to be free from sin. We can not battle these problems on our own. Our flesh desires to be satisfied. But that does not give us the freedom to sin, just to satisfy the flesh and it's desires. The bible tells us, “ I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God , that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice , holy , acceptable unto God , which is your reasonable service.” ( Romans 12:1) We have to forsake sin and strive to put it away from us . And by those Mercies of God, we can.

So just by what was given here we see that the word homosexual is not in the bible , however the acts of homosexuality is, and Yes, it is a sin. But are there homosexual Christians ? The answer to that is , No . The bible tells us , “ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy ; for the temple of God is holy , which temple ye are.” ( 1 Cor.3:16-17) No person who commits the acts of homosexuality, can be filled with the Spirit of God . Yes, the homosexual can be saved , but he or she would be cleansed from all sin and then they would have to forsake that sin . The Blood of Christ washes away every impurity of sin, and it also cleanses all desire to continue to partake of that sin. Yes, you will be tempted and yes , you will have to battle to over come thoughts and feelings an emotions related to the sin you came out of. Whether that sin is homosexuality, fornication, adultery, lying, stealing, covetousness ,pride ,lusts , envies ,whatever it maybe that is a weakness in you. We as the bible tells us, after we are saved, we are as little children .( Eph. 5:1) We have to learn to grow and learn the things of God. We have to be lead of the Spirit of God to learn how to overcome the weaknesses we have. We have to put on the whole armor of God , to be able to withstand the wiles of the devil , our enemy.(Eph.6:11)

What many do not understand is that the outward or fleshly acts or sin, come from the heart. Many homosexuals claim they were born that way or they have a gene that makes them that way or they can not help who they are, or the worse excuse, God made me this way. No, God made males and females, he did not make homosexuals . He did not make a woman a man, nor a man a woman , and sets laughing cause you are stuck in the wrong body. That is just an excuse to continue in the sin of lust . The Bible tells us this; “ For all that is in the world,the lust of the flesh,and the lust of the eyes , and the pride of life , is not of the Father , but is of the world .” ( 1 John 2:16) And it also states this ; “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God ? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scriptures saith in vain ,The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But He giveth more grace ,Wherefore He saith,God resisteth the proud , but giveth grace unto the humble . Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you . Cleanse your hands,ye sinners ; and purify your hearts , ye double- minded . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” ( James 4:4-10) We have to obey God and resist the temptations of committing sin. It's our soul, and its our life . If we fail and or forsake the gift of Salvation, we forsake God and the eternal life He promised . It's up to you. When we purpose in our hearts to repent and do the right thing God hears us, again as the scripture stated, “ He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.”

What did I mean that sin comes from the heart ? The bible tells us, “ For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit ; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit . For every tree , is known by his own fruit . A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good ; an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil : for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks . And why call ye me, Lord , and do not the things which I say ?” ( Luke 6:43-46) So a homosexual who talks the sin of homosexuality and commits that act as you see by scripture how can they call Him Lord and not do what He says ? They are corrupt trees and have evil in their hearts . People have the idea that what you wear or eat or things of that nature defiles you. But it is not true. The bible explains it this way; “ there is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him ; but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man . Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man , it cannot defile him : Because it entereth Not into his heart , but into the belly , and goeth out into the draught , purging all meats ? That which cometh out of the man , that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,adulteries, fornications , murders,thefts,covetousness , wickedness ,deceit , lasciviousness, and evil eye , blasphemy , pride , foolishness : all these things come from within , and defile the man. “ ( Mark7: 15-23) Simply stated, homosexuality as all lusts and sin does, comes from the heart of man and out of his or hers heart defiles them. And that sin separates them from God . So again, No homosexuals are born again Children of God . Yes they can be saved, yes , God loves them and died for them and Yes , they can be changed . But it has to come from their heart to repent and forsake sin .

We do not battle this body. The bible states; “ For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,against spiritual wickedness in high places .” ( Eph. 6:12) Then it goes on to say put on the whole armor of God so you can stand against it. If we would just simply remember it starts from within us .We look, we think, we imagine and then we act . It starts from within us, not from the outside. We can look at many things and not react at all, but certain things cause a thought and a desire and then instead of resisting, we hesitate and allow the thoughts and our minds and heart to wonder, and that friends is where we stumble and fall. Makes no difference what weakness or issue you have, when you set and ponder on it day after day, at some point you will act upon it. Whether it be homosexuality, fornication, adultery, covetousness, lying, stealing , envy, lusts of all sorts. It all goes back to the worldly things, The lust of the flesh , the lust of the eye, and the pride of life . People desire it from within and then it proceeds out from them. From a simple thought to an action.

Jesus made the statement ; “ But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Now , here again we see sin from the heart . You do not have to perform the act to sin, here Jesus tells us to “look and desire or Lust”, after them from your heart is the same as actually doing it . Many homosexuals make the statement I am homosexual but I never act upon it, well quite frankly that's a lie. If it's in your heart to do, you have already done it. Same goes for heterosexuals, just cause you did not act upon your desire, that desire is in your heart to do it, it's the same as doing it. The Bible tells us to flee fornication, that's people that are not married, joining in sex with other people who are not married . That has become a big thing now days. Young people are now degraded if they remain virgins until marriage. The are bullied and mistreated. The world has called evil good , and the good evil , and the bible tells us that would happen as well.( Isaiah 5:20) Many refuse to hear truth and continue to engage in acts in sexual nature but not intercourse and they say it's not real sex, or a bad thing. But as you can see by the definition of lasciviousness, it covers it all . Sin is sin and there is no excuse , nor justification for it . People who commit adultery with some one else wife or husband , is just as much wicked as a homosexual. Many married couples engage in disgusting sexual acts and say it's fine because they are married, that's not true . The bible explains to you it should not be . We are to love our wives as God loves us, and likewise the wife to honor her husband , love and honor is not performing acts that degrade or treat your spouse as an object of wickedness . The term lasciviousness shows you that simply and correctly. Sodomy is vile and evil , no matter who is performing it. Being married , both a man with a woman is no more right then homosexuals engaging in the same act . Sin is sin and wrong is wrong and there is no justification for it.

Yes, people fail and make mistakes. But a mistake is when someone does something unintentional and or gets caught up in the moment . But for most , that is not that case. Many plan it out, and with premeditation, go through with the plan and then make sure they are at a certain place , around certain ones or whatever the situation maybe, but they insure they are in the middle of it and then if and when it's done, then want forgiveness or the excuses to be accepted. An alcoholic , can not be in a bar and then later say I am sorry I drank. The adulterer can not go to his mistresses house and then ,say I did not mean for it to happen . Or fornicators make arrangements to meet other fornicators and them claim it was a mistake. No we have to resist sin and every temptation. But we also have to separate ourselves from the things that will tempt us and cause us to fall. The Bible tells us; “ Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us .” ( Hebrews 12:1) We have to lay them down. Set them aside , and not partake of them. That is up to us to do . God will help us and He Promises us He will ; “ There is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful , who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape , that ye may be able to bear it.” ( 1 Cor. 10:13)

Also salvation is from the heart .Many attend a church or a group and go about their daily lives , living anyway they wish and because they attend a religious facility that some how equates salvation. Well it does not. Many have been hurt and battered cause they went to these places and among these who claim to be Christ like and have been a partaker of the rituals and services and have been told many things, and they believed they were doing right, only to battle the failures in their life and because they had man made religion and not real salvation from God, they stumbled and fell. And the so called Christians they were among hurt them with words and deceits and blame , and separation. Even those struggling with homosexuality, are told now days it's all fine and God loves you and just come to our church , no one will speak against you and we will tolerate your lifestyle . But what happens when that lifestyle leaves them battered and torn and hurt and diseased and or afflicted and depressed ? They continue getting patted on the back , being told it's O.K. God loves you anyway ? Just come to our church ? The Truth is , it is Not O.K., not at all. Your life is a mess, and God is the Only way to get out of that mess . Jesus Christ died for you. When He hung on the cross and took the sins of mankind upon Himself, He took , fornication, homosexuality, lasciviousness , lechery, salacious , lewdness , lustfulness , adultery , stealing, lying , treachery ,depression, your hurts, your fears, your pain, your place.....He took it all !! He was punished for your sins and my sins . He took our place in Judgment and took our place in hell . Just cause He loved us , and wanted us to be free, and have that ability to come to Him, as we are, and be set free from the bondage, of sin . Yes, even the sin of homosexuality . You can be free of it's hold , all it takes is repentance and belief that what He said He would do, He will indeed do.

There is coming a day when full judgment of this world will take place . And make no mistake, sin will not enter heaven, nor those in whom it dwells. No church, or temple, or synagogue , no man made religious group, no professional doctors, or psychiatrist, no scientist , and no known remedy, will save your soul . Only through and by the blood of Jesus Christ can you be set free and inherit eternal life . Salvation is from the heart, a heart of belief, in what God has said, He will provide. The bible tells us ; “ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead , thou shalt be saved . For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation . For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed .” ( Romans 10:9-11) Remember it's what comes OUT of man , from His heart, whether it be good treasure or evil ., sin or repentance, life or death, it's the choice we all have to make and it's from within us , to make it, one way or the other, there is no in-between . Your words and your actions speak for themselves and it's those things God judges .

But one other thing. It's through marriage , of a man and a woman that sex is allowed. The joining of that relationship and only that relationship can two become one . The Bible tells us , “ The wife hath not power of her own body , but the husband ; and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body , but the wife .” Also right before that it says, “ To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife ,and let every woman have her own husband . Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence , and likewise also the wife unto the husband .” ( 1 Cor. 7:2-4) It goes on to tell us , “Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female ; For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife ; and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh . What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” ( Matthew 19:4-6)   I believe that sums it up, very well.

The Bible Man

Faith as a Child

Faith as a child

What does faith as a child mean ?

When my daughter was younger she always wanted to see a turtle . I made the statement for her to pray and ask God to allow her to see one. And that is what she did. Without hesitation she prayed and said, I just know I will see one soon . That is a child with faith. She did not doubt, or argue or complain, she simply prayed, asked God and stated, “ I know I will see one soon.” Now it was not very long after that , one day we were playing ball in our yard. Our yard is completely fenced in, but yet under our hedges along the fence she yelled ,”daddy a turtle”. Of course being the great believer in God I was, I told her, no honey it can't be its just a rock laying there, and to me that's what it appeared to be. But not her, she yelled again,” that's no rock, it's moving, its a turtle, God gave me a turtle. And yes as I reached down to pick it up, sure enough a beautiful turtle. I carried it over into the grass so she could watch it closer, and she was smiling and said, “ See the turtle, God did it.”

How many times have we taught our kids God can do anything.? All we need to do is believe and trust Him in everything we do. And always pray and ask God, and He will supply and help us in all things . But here like so many, I struggled to simply accept what God did,even when I was the one instructing them to have faith . Faith as a child, is simple Trust and Belief. The Bible tells us, “All things,whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer , believing, ye shall receive.” ( Matthew 21:22) That is exactly what she did. But as we get older we tend for some reason to question and doubt and even simply refuse to accept that simple thing. The Bible also tells us,” But let him ask in faith , nothing wavering. For he that wavereth, is like the wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed . For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”( James 1:6-7)

In the next verse in James 1:8 it says,” A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

I knew God could do it, but I never expected Him to, well not in that manner anyway. But again here I was suppose to be the teacher and yet here I was the one being taught. The Bible tells us ,” Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.” (Luke 18:17,Mark10:15) How can we approach God or enter into His presence and further expect to enter heaven one day with Him, when we speak words contrary to Him . God is about Faith and belief. When we tell our kids or anyone God will do this or that, and yet then in almost the same breath say, but don't get upset if He doesn't or whatever. No God does when we are lined up with His word and obeying His will.

We as born again believers in Christ, have to abide in Him and His word totally and without doubts or wavering in any manner. The Power of God is not among the people of God anymore because we have let down that standard of belief and faith that was once among us . Yes, God still delivers, He still heals, He still sets men free. He does answer prayer, and supplies every need. The fault is not with God, the problem and fault lies within us. He has not changed at all. The Bible tells us,” If you abide in me , and my word abides in you, ye shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.” It says IT WILL be Done. That's not a maybe or might or somewhere sometime, IT WILL. Children trust and know when a parent tells them it will, it simply will, they do not question or doubt or waver, they accept, and that is faith of a child.

Now by God's command, we also are to be that child. We are to accept, have trust and belief and not question, not complain and or murmur. Just Believe . We can not enter into the kingdom of God unless we do enter as children. Children simply Believe and trust and accept. That is exactly what we are to do in all things. We are to take God at His word. And that is every word He speaks. The children of Israel complained, murmured and doubted and even after God showed them so many things they still refused to accept Him by faith. What do you mean , they were God's chosen people? Yes, they were. But look at what took place among them time and again. God kept showing them, blessing them and doing everything for them, and yet every time He instructed them to do something or accept something, they complained, murmured and then refused and rejected what He said. How many of us do that everyday, and many never realizing when we do. ?

I taught my child to believe and trust God, and yet when they did, I with my mouth gave seeds of doubt. “ But , No honey it can't be,” remember ? How often we do these things without realizing the damage and words and seeds of doubt being planted to those we speak to daily. We as children of God are to live and speak the things of God . In Ephesians 5:8 it says, “ For ye were sometimes,darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord ! Walk as children of light.” What is Light you ask ? God is the Light. 1 John 1:5 states,” God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” The Bible also tells us that ,”Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” How are we the light of the world ? By God and His word abiding in us.

But it also tells us, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only ,deceiving your own selves.

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass : for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” ( James 1:22-24) Only by doing His word does that light of God shine through us into the darkness of the world.

But it goes so much deeper then that. We as children of God daily have to renew our mind to be like Christ our Lord. If and when we do not read and study and abide in His word and allow His spirit to abide in us, we get weak and fail. We let down, we stumble and we by our own negative words bring doubt and unbelief . And also to many people rely on man to tell them what the Bible says. They attend meetings every week in churches and temples and synagogues and yet rarely if ever read or study or even pray. But when something occurs in their life some need or tragedy they rush to ask God and then get mad when it does not go their way, or there is no answer.

We can not rely on man or some group or some organization or attending church service or temples or synagogues , No we must put all out Trust and confidence in God and Him alone . It is the Spirit of God alone that instructs and teaches us His word. “ But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you : but as the same anointing teacheth you all things, and is truth, and is no lie ,and even as it hath taught you , ye shall abide in Him.” ( 1 John 2:27) Man makes mistakes and misunderstands and gets high minded and gets tangled up in pleasing people and flattering them, as the scripture above stated they waver and look in a glass and soon forget what manner of man they were, so why would you put any confidence in a man. Put all your confidence in God and His word, and if the man is speaking the word it is still the word of God you hear, not the men or women who speak it. They are mortal men, who like you are subject to failure or mistakes or sin, but God and His word, are pure and they sin not , nor fail or make mistakes. Cling to God and His word alone and be as that child who without doubt or waver accepts, trusts and knows that if God said it, it will be just as He said it would be. That friends is child like faith. “ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.” ( Ephesians 5:1)

Have faith as children by allowing the Holy Ghost ( Spirit of God) to lead and direct you through His word, in all things. Before you make any decisions, pray and ask God and believe He will answer and will instruct you on what way you are to go . And be patient and allow Him to speak to you and He will. Sometimes it's through dreams or someone will simply speak His word, or a vision, and by scripture your answer is seen. God reveals Himself to many people through many ways. He knows in what manner is best for you to accept Him. But be patient and wait , like a little child just know He will respond, but in His time . Just as my child waited and knew without doubt or question she would see the turtle, so we must have that same child like believe and faith, that we Will receive when we pray and ask according to His Word and His will.

Later on in another time she asked to see a snake, because she had never seen one of them either and I tell you I do not like snakes, but she prayed and asked to see a just a little one. And again as before, one day playing with a friend , she screamed, “ a snake there is a snake .” I ran out to find a little snake in the yard once again God answered her prayer . Simple thing, but even in simplicity or complexity, God answers prayer, if we will just believe and come to Him as a little child, by faith and trust in His word . God honors faith, be warned parents and instruct your kids on what they pray for , she wanted to see a bear, No , do not ask to see a bear , I told her , somethings , you just do not ask for , that's where my lesson was learned !!

The Bible Man

Why So much Sin on Earth

If God hates sin, why is there so much sin
on earth ? Why doesn't He stop it ?



Yes God does indeed hate sin. So much so He destroyed the earth once
with a great flood. But because also He loved man, he spared Noah and his
family. Just 8 people and animals by a Great Ark. God afterward made a
Covenant with man that He would never flood the earth again, and signified
that Covenant with a rainbow in the sky. Now we all see that symbol of God's
promise in the sky when it rains so many times.( Genesis 9:13)

But why is there so much sin in this world? Even after Noah and his
family survived and now even more so it seems now these many thousands
of years . The Bible tells us that man loves darkness, rather then light . Man
wants to satisfy his flesh and do as he pleases . The Bible tells us that man
refuses to retain God in his knowledge and by doing so, falls deeper and
deeper into sin and more and more wicked actions to be satisfied. (Rom.1)

If you read the last blog ( Does God favor certain ones) you would read
where God punishes those who abide in sin, even His own people. Israel in
the Old Testament, believed because they were God's people, they could do
anything they wished without consequences, but that simply was shown to be
untrue. Also the New Testament religious folks of the day as well, lived pretty
much as they wished, also believing they would have no consequences because
they were heirs of Abraham. But again God showed them that was simply
not the case at all. ( Matthew 3:9 )

As you read the last blog post, you will read that God was patient and
He continued to warn Israel of their wickedness and how He was always
reminding them to repent and turn back to Him. Over Two Hundred Years,
God warned, asked, pleaded, and patiently and lovingly and mercifully,
waited for His people to turn around and forsake their sins and repent so He
could cleanse them and wash them clean and once again be in their midst.
But they simply refused and they were taken into captivity and scattered
throughout the entire world and many perished, and were destroyed and
even their king was killed as it was prophesied ( Read the Book of Amos )

So it is still today. God shows this world and all of mankind in so many
awesome ways, He is still God and is still warning, asking, pleading and
patiently, lovingly and mercifully waiting, giving everyone a space of time to
repent and forsake their sins and turn back to Him. And yet as we all can
clearly see, mankind still loves darkness, rather then light ( John 3:19)

Today we have groups of people, who are doing everything they can to
take away religious freedoms. They want every symbol or monument and even
cemetery headstones removed, stating they are offensive . They do not mind
statues of saints or symbols of moon and star, or monuments that say or
reflect anything, but Christ. The Symbol of the Cross is being attacked on
every hand. Prayers denied, in schools and every public venue they desire
to remove the name of Jesus and any and all depiction that harbors any
mention of Him. Today , like back then they will worship and follow any
idol of gold or silver, or anything that does not offend their desires, just as Israel
was doing, so are people today in every nation, bowing to their idols and
forsaking the One and True God of Heaven . They do not like the Name
of Jesus, for at that Name all things are.

Yes, sin is rampant in our lands. But God calls for His people to turn around
and call out to Him for deliverance . " If my people, which are called by my
Name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and
will heal their land." ( 2 Ch. 7:14) That my friends is the only Hope any of us
have .Our land will continue to go down and faulter and slip further and further
into darkness unless the people repent and turn back to God. Notice He said,
"Called by My name" , that's why they wish to remove His name and anything
concerning the Cross which represents the Atonement He made on Calvary
for us all . Not worried about anything else, just crosses or anything that
will continue to remind them Jesus is Lord and His light shines in their
darkness and reveals their wickedness.

God tells us this,"If a nation shall not obey,I will utterly pluck up and destroy
that Nation, saith the Lord. ( Jer.12:17 paraphrased) but also the same God
sates this as well, " If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from
their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them." ( Jer.18:8)

The Bible tells us that, " If ye forsake the Lord,and serve strange gods,then
He will turn and do you hurt,and consume you,after that He hath done you good”
( Jos.24:20) So you see God is merciful and righteous, and loving, so much so
He will patiently wait and in hopes you will repent and turn around, but if you
refuse even after He has blessed you so much, you decide to forsake Him and
go back to serve things other then Him, He will because of your sins, turn and
do you hurt . Just as He did His own people Israel . After bringing them out of
bondage, putting them in their own land, and blessing them beyond measure,
because of their sins, they separated themselves from God and He no longer
was joined to them , but became as an enemy. He even waited and pleaded,
and showed them through many things, even in the natural realm, rains,drought,
pestilence, and a vast array of things, hoping they would simply turn around
and repent and come back to Him. But we know the story, they did not .BUT
even with all that, He still loved them and spared a remnant of Israel, that was
scattered all over the world. And today that remnant as God Promised, even
after the warning and their hurt, He brings them back into their own land, just as
He said He would.

As long as man continues to turn from God, and as long as man goes his
own way. Sin will remain on the earth, until the time of the end,in which God
warns us about daily,"For my spirit will not always strive with man." ( Genesis 6)
There comes a time when God shall declare an end," And swear by Him that
liveth for ever and ever,who created heaven, and the things that therein are,
and the earth, and the things that therein are,and the sea, and the things
which are therein, there should be time no longer ; But in the days of the voice
of the seventh angel,when he shall begin to sound,the mystery of God should
be finished,as He hath declared to His servants the prophets.." ( Rev.10)

God will cleanse those of sin who repent and forsake sin and abide in Him.
and through Jesus Christ, who by His own Blood Atonement washes them away.
also sets now making intercessions for us daily, our advocate (1 John 2:1) .
But as you see those people who refuse to repent and turn to God shall indeed
suffer the wrath of God, and there will come an end of sin. And God's Blood
bought people will inherit the earth, as He Promised they would.

Yes God hates sin, but He also is long-suffering with us, because He loves
us. So much so He died for us, shed His blood and took not only our sins
upon Himself , but also our punishment, we all deserved. Let His love and
Mercy, encamp you today and humble yourself and pray and seek His face.
repent and make Jesus Lord of Your life, that you will not have to be
subject to His wrath. And He will, hide you in the shadow of His wings and
through and by Him alone, you will find rest for your soul and no harm will
befall you, and you will miss His day of Judgment on all the ungodly and all
those who choose darkness, rather then His marvelous light.

Sin will end on day. God has declared it. But for you, sin can end today
through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who cleanses us from it and also
makes a way of escape from every trial and trouble, that comes our way,as
long as we cling to Him, every moment of every day.


The Bible Man

Does God Favor Just Certian Ones

Does God have favorites ? Why does it seem some have much and others

so little ? It seems in the bible God favors some over others ? Does God favor

the rich, over the poor ? Why are some born into wealth, while others are not?

So does God favor others and is He a respecter of persons after all ?

This topic seems to be a popular one . Does God have favorites ? It appears often in the

bible that it seems that way .But , we need to examine scripture to actually see the truth behind

such matters . For as I have said in prior posts, the Bible is an autobiography of God and a

manual, for our daily living . God and His word are the same, they can not be separated .So by

reading and study of His Word ( The Bible) we can find out the answer to these questions .

We will start at the beginning in the Book of Genesis .We can examine the difference there

with the story of Cain and Abel . Two Brothers, the sons of Adam and Eve . In Time as they grew

Cain was a worker of the field ( farmer) while Abel attended animals ( Shepard) . As the story goes

they were to make sacrifice to God as the custom was. (Genesis 4) . It came to pass that Cain

brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel,he also brought of the

firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof . And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering .

But unto Cain and to his offering He had no respect. And Cain was very wroth and his countenance

fell. And the Lord said unto Cain,”Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen?

Here it would appear God favored Abel over Cain,but read what the Lord said to him about why

it came about that way in verse 7 . “ If thou doest well,shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou

doest not well,sin lieth at the door. “

So by this many still conclude God favored Abel and not Cain. But in reality Cain gave of his

fruit, what he wanted God to have, Abel gave his firstlings the best he had . And the Lord told Cain

“if you do well will you not be accepted?”, and everyone knows Cain slew Abel and he was cast out

from there. The same choice is ours. If we do well, will we not be accepted? But if we do not well

sin lies at the door . We have to obey and abide in God and His word, then are we accepted of Him.

But even in Christ we still live in a fleshly, sinful body that we struggle with to overcome . We all

face temptations and trials and issues and problems, and that is how we grow in the faith and mercy

and grace of God. IF everything was smooth sailing we would turn away from God, or like Cain

do our own thing and be cast out.

Job ,was a man of God who abode in the things of God in every way. But even, while Job

was doing his best and the will of God turmoil and trouble came upon him . He lost family, his

possessions , his health and all at the same time. But what did Job do, he simply said, “the Lord

giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” His friends keep telling him

he must have done something awful bad for all that to befall him, but Job kept his integrity and     

   

    

never sinned against God with his mouth by blaming God foolishly. And even tho all that

took place to Job, did God favor others over Job , causing this to take place? Job was ignorant

of Gods actions, like we are most of the time. God questioned Job and asked how everything was

formed and how was it done and God layed it out to Job simply by stating He was God. “Shall he

that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him? He that reproveth God,let him answer it.”

And Job answered the Lord and said,” I am vile;what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand

upon my mouth. God declared to Job, He was God and He was righteous and did things

according to His righteousness .Job later answered God by saying,” I know thou canst do everything

and that no thought can be withheld from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?

Therefore have I uttered that I understood not, and things too wonderful for me,which I knew not.

I have heard thee by the hearing of the ear,but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself

and repent in dust and ashes . God chastised Job and showed His truths unto Him, and also his

friends who came to Job, God made them sacrifice only because of Jobs uprightness not theirs

because they spoke things contrary to God and God restored Job and Job also prayed for his

friends, and God gave Job twice as much as he had before .

So we see God did not respect Abel over Cain nor Job over his friends, God abides in

righteousness and He is God and God alone . Mans contention with God is a learning process

and God is the instructor. God allows things in peoples lives for many reasons. God knows the

heart of man, and knows exactly what it takes for them to learn and come to the knowledge of

who He is. Like Job stated,I hear with my ear, but now I see you .He finally realized and

came to a revelation of who God really was . Understand that God hates sin .He does not want

mankind to be destroyed because of it .God is long suffering and patient with everyone .

We as human beings expect God to just jump and fix our mess and stop others from having

or doing cause we do not like it or we want something different .God is the Holy one, He is the

Righteous and Merciful God . He knows what you can handle and what you can't . He also

knows what you have need of and what you do not. Many want riches, but what if those riches

caused you to go against God and lose your soul? Would it still be worth it to have?

We only have today, we can not see tomorrow. God does . And because He does, we have to

put our confidence and trust totally in Him . Does He respect Jews over Gentiles ? Men over

Women? Rich over Poor? So far we see that answer is No. But lets go further shall we?

WE could read many books of the bible to illustrate this issues over and over. The Book of

Amos is a good book to see this answer in clear terms. This book basically declares the impartiality

of God. God does not play no favorites, what He will do for one ,He will do for all . God makes

Promises throughout the entire bible . I believe that number is over three thousand or more .

But in all those Promises, He never states ,He only gives to certain people while leaving

everyone else out, However there are conditions to obtain those Promises, but they are equal

to all people . There is no appearance, or skin color, or personality,or any ingredient man has or

can give or do, to change Gods standards for all people.

Anyone who meets the conditions given to all mankind, can receive the Promises of God,

simply by meeting those conditions, and having the blessings of God poured out to them, regardless

of who they are,and any who presume upon these conditions,will find Him setting in judgment

upon them and His Word condemning them no matter who they are . This is the message of Amos.

It's hard for us to believe that isn't it? We are so conditioned to believe that God reacts the way

man does ,and if you can get in his favor you can presume upon his goodness. Or we think we

can get by and not face the same kind of judgment that someone else will,or we can win certain

positions,special privileges from God that no one else can have. Both extremes of this attitude

are reflected in various groups and individuals at times. I heard ministers, say they were going

to get a higher place in heaven because of what they do and some greater possessions and

higher ranking then others. I heard one Minister tell a story about his Dad who passed away and

because his Dad did not do some particular thing where he was concerned that he did not

receive a crown in heaven but because he did something he would have one,and assuming his

meaning,he set himself above his Dad because of it. But many preach and teach various things

concerning heaven, when as the Bible tells us ,No Man knows nor has entered into their hearts

the things God has in store for us .( 1 Cr.2:9)

The Book of Amos clearly shows God is not like that at all. If you really think you are in

a privileged position,especially with God, this book comes with a shocking wake-up call. The

tendency with human hearts is either to regard ourselves as favored or the exact opposite. We are

either so great God can't do without us, or so vile, God won't have us at all. I believe the later is

the most popular. “why should this happen to me?” or we say, “ Why shouldn't it happen to me?”

The prophet Amos went to the northern kingdom of Israel, and that's the reaction he got from

them,Why us? Why not go someplace else? The Book opens up like this ,” The words of Amos,

who was among the herdsman of Tekoa which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah

king of Judah,and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the

earthquake.”(Amos 1) That dates the book and the prophet Amos as a contemporary of the prophet

Hosea and also Isaiah in the southern kingdom. He was one of the earliest prophet writers.

What is unique is,Amos was not a trained prophet, he was a layman. He called himself a herdsman,

or cattleman, translated Shepard . He was the first in a long line of “cowboy preachers” . That may

have bought about why the people disfavored him, and at any rate his message was not

accepted.

In chapter 7 , Amos adds a personal note,here is a reaction to his message in the northern

kingdom. “ Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos

hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all

his words. For thus Amos saith,Jeroboam shall die by the sword,and Israel shall surely be led away

captive out of their own land.” (Amos 7:10-11) That was the burden of the prophet. God was

going to exile Israel and Judge the Nation and the king. ( Remember Israel was Gods “chosen”

people as everyone knows ) But here we see God not favoring people He said was His own.

After all these were the ones He bought out of captivity when they were in Egypt and gave them

the land of Israel and Promised them with a Covenant, so what happened to change it? Were they

not blessed by God for years and years? That land flowed with milk and honey and everything

they could ever want or need , God gave it to them,now here someone claims God is going to

take them away from it? How dare he? Are they not Gods favorite? Lets read on shall we?

And Amaziah said unto Amos, “O seer , go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there

eat bread, and prophesy there.” (Amos 7:12) Amaziah says,”Don't come to us,go back to your own

home town .Go back to country you came from and prophesy down there. “ But prophesy not again

any more at Bethel; for it is the kings chapel, and it is the kings court.” (Amos 7:13) But O rugged

Amos with his bluntness said, ” I was no prophet, neither was I a prophets son; but I was a

herdsman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit. And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and

the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.”

Now you can see the opposition to the message of this man as he came declaring the

burden of the Lord in the land of Israel in the northern kingdom. They found his message hard

to accept. Amos went about delivering Gods message in an interesting way. If you had a map

Israel an could locate the countries mentioned here, and you put Israel in the center, you would

find Amos going around the boundaries of Israel in various directions delivering a message

concerning all the neighboring Nations . He began chapter 1 with Damascus, he shows Israel

how God has judged Damascus, especially for their cruelty. Then he moves down the west coast

to the ancient land of Philippiansistia, or what is called here the land of Gaza. And reminds

Israel once again that God has judged this land. Why? Because the people have participated in

an active slave trade . He then moves back up the coast to the land of Tyre, on the north west side

of Israel. Here he points out how God had judged this country because the people had broken

their agreements.

Then he moves down to the far south of Israel to the land of Edom, the ancient country

of Esau, and here he points out how Gods judgment has fallen upon this nation because of the

peoples unforgiving spirit. And their implacable hatred of Israel. Then he moves back up the east

side of Israel to the land of Ammon .( note: Ammon is now the Nation of Jordan and it's capital

is the capital of ancient Ammon ) here he points out that God had judged this section of the country

because of it's cupidity ( definition;excessive desire,greed,lust,covetousness ) it's hunger for the

land of others. Then he went south to Moab, still on the side of Israel, God had judged Moab,

he says, because of its hatred against Israel . Then he comes to the Southern Kingdom ,

Judah itself, and in brief reference points, that because Judah has despised Gods law, the Judgment

of God had fallen on it. At last he arrives at the ten-kingdom northern nation of Israel, and

here he announces that God is going to judge them for corruption and for injustice in their hearts.

As you read this account, you can see that the people of Israel were not troubled as long

as Amos was talking about the other nations. They took it very complacently, more or less with

the attitude, “ They got what was coming to them.” But when the prophet moved home to zero

in on Israel, the people got angry and said, “ Why don't you go away and preach someplace else?”

This is almost inevitably the result when preachers are faithful to the message of God. But the

rest of the Book focuses on this Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Beginning in chapter 3 you have the prophets words that God addressed to His Nation.

He begins by pointing out to them that they were a people who had a special privileged

position before God. “ Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of

Israel,against the whole family which I bought up from the land of Egypt, saying , You only

have I known of all the families of the earth : therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

They wanted to hear they were privileged and special, and full of pride and arrogance, O but

then came that shocking wake-up call, see their faces fall (Remember Cains countenance),

that which was the mark of their pride was the very reason God says they were peculiarly

subject to judgment. Light creates responsibility. Privilege exposes to the keenest of judgment

And as these people had been called into such a relationship, they were also, therefore, subject

to the severest and sternest forms of judgment.

Now that's what peter means in the New Testament when he says, “ For the time is come

that judgment must begin at the house of God;and if it first begins at us,what shall the end

be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” ( 1 Peter 4:17 ) God always starts out with His

people and then moves out to those round about them. The prophets word is that because we are

people of God, this does not mean that God's word does not set in judgment on the wrong in

our lives. On the contrary, it is all the more apt to be borne home to us. Then Amos points out

how close this special relationship with God is, “ Can two walk together,except they be

agreed?” ( Amos 3:3 ) Here is God's walk with His people and the His talk with them, “ Surely

the Lord God will do nothing,but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.”

These were the things that marked their peculiar relationship and privilege before God . They

walked with God,they talked with God, but for this reason,the prophet says, God is going to

send judgment.

Then he announces what it is. Do you remember the story of the two golden calves

that were erected by King Jeroboamd in the cities of Bethel and Dan? ( 1 Kings 12:28)

Israel was sent to worship there and the people called those calves Jehovah . And they worshiped

and bowed down before those golden images. Now those two calves represented two basic

ideas in Israel, for which God was perennially in judgment against the people. And they are

ideas which are prevalent among people today. Those golden calves, in that they were made of

gold, represented the hunger of these people for material gain,the love of wealth, materialism,

the god of gold.( cupidity). And because they were calves, or young bullocks, they were

representative of the pagan god of sex, the fertility gods of the nations round about them who

worshiped the bull as a sign of fertility or sexual potency. So the worship of these twin calves

made of gold was symbolic of the people's worship of materialism and sex. That sounds

exactly like today doesn't it ? And the prophets word to this people was that because of that

kind of worship, the nation of Assyria was being raised up by God to come sweeping down

from the north to carry Israel away into captivity.

In the patience of God it was almost two hundred years before that took place. Yet God

announced it this early so that the people might have a space to repent. And He declared

that this was certain to come unless they turned to Him. Even in this account the prophet

shows how God had patiently tried to awaken them. In chapter 4 we read of five different

times when God had sent something to wake them up, to make them think, to jar them,

to arrest them, and stop them in their downward course. He says, “ I also have gave you

cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places; yet have ye not

returned unto me,” saith the Lord .”And also I withheld the rain from you, when there were

yet three months to the harvest; and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain,

upon another city; one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not, withered.”

( God spaced the rain so they would know it was by His divine hand)

“ So two or three cities wandered unto one city,to drink water,but they were not satisfied, yet

have ye not returned unto me,” saith the Lord. “ I have smitten you with blasting and mildew,

when your gardens and vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the

palmerworm devoured them, yet have ye not returned unto me, “ saith the Lord. “ I have sent

among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt; your young men have I slain with the

sword, and have taken away your horses, and I have made the stink of your camps to come up

unto your nostrils; yet have ye not returned unto me,” saith the Lord. “ I have overthrown

some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye was as a firebrand plucked

out of the burning; yet have ye not returned unto me,” saith the Lord. ( Amos 4: 6-11 )

Again and again God says this. Here is an indication that God often sends things into

our lives to shake us up, to awaken us. I have seen this happen many times. Accidents, sickness

loss , financial,physical,emotional, spiritual stirrings that rattle us and gets our attention

in one manner or another, as if God were saying,” Stop and think,where you are going, and

what is happening to you.” For God in great patience, is constantly trying to make us

see things they way they really are. And then as the prophet moves on, he puts his finger

on the very thing that is wrong. “ Therefore as your treading is upon the poor,and ye take

from him burdens of wheat, ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in

them, ye have planted pleasant vineyards,but ye shall not drink wine of them. For I know

your manifold transgressions, and your mighty sins,they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and

they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. Therefore the prudent shall keep silence

in that time, for kit is an evil time.” ( Amos 5:11-13 )

People here think if they just stop doing what they were doing and do something

different and go to a different place and or different congregation or crowd and change

the routine this somehow will cause the issue to be resolved. I am a good person, I do

not hurt anyone, I believe in social justice, and stopping social evils. It doesn't just say

“ stop doing those things, “, it does but that is not all it says. It is How to stop doing them

that is the message. Changing the situation is not stopping it, going elsewhere a different

group or job or associations, nope that simply will not change anything nor stop it.

Here is the ONLY way to stop it and change it, in chapter 5 the prophet spells it out.

For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel,” SEEK YE ME,AND YE SHALL LIVE.”

( Amos 5:4 )

Do not go to the calves, nor to Bethel, nor a new job, a new crowd, a new church, a new

set of friends, no new outfits, cars, homes,hobbies ,etc etc etc.......NO, Go to God .

“SEEK THE LORD,and YE SHALL LIVE; LEST HE BREAK OUT LIKE FIRE”

in the house of Joesph and devour it and there be none to quench it in Bethel ( Amos 5:6 )

What is an answer to a wondering heart? The answer isn't just to clean up your life,

it is to come back to God. It is to repent, and turn around and come back to the lord of your

salvation. Call upon Him ( all that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved ).

That is always Gods appeal. Come back into relationship with the Only one who loves us

as no other and is always seeking and trying to awaken us and stir us , and is patient and

long suffering, not willing that any shall perish . That is why it seems so many prosper

while living wicked lives, and it seems they have everything, but when in reality, without

the lord they have nothing .You may think they have the great home, great family, and

a spouse and the perfect scenerio, you had hoped and wished and prayed for, but in truth

they are blind and naked, and hungry and thirst and they are simply lost and undone and

in misery, even if they are smiling and laughing, inside they are lonely,empty and crying

and most not knowing why and what to do or where to turn. But God in His Wisdom and

Mercy, still calls out with loving Grace and patience trying to wake them up and get their

attention to turn to Him, the Only hope of mankind.

But as we read on we see Israel not turning and the prophet appealing to them.

This people who were Gods chosen people favorites you say? Now here are two distinct

views by this people and its that way today. Here were those we might call pious hypocrites

who first came under the judgment of God. “ Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord!

To what end is it for you? The day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.” See there are

people going about saying,” Oh, isn't this a terrible day, Oh God is so hard, things are so

terrible.” They wring their hands, appearing to be mourning, going through all kinds of

rituals and religious ceremonies and saying,” Oh there is no hope for anything. Oh if God

would come at last, Oh that the day of the Lord would come. We could go home to heaven.”

Have you ever heard that ? And the prophet thunders,” Woe to you that desire the day of

the Lord.” Amos says, “ Do you know what that day is going to be like?” “ Do you know

what your saying?” “ It is darkness and not light.”, it's as if a man fled from a lion and a

bear meet him, or he went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent

bit him. You talk about the day of the Lord, you do not know what your talking about,

Woe to you.”( Amos 5 :18-19 ) God says,” I hate; I despise your feast days, and I will not

smell in your solemn assemblies. (religious activities) Thou you offer me burnt offerings

and your meat offerings, I will not accept them, neither will I regard the peace offerings

of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs, for I will not hear

the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a

mighty stream.” ( Amos 5 :21-24 )

Do we ever get away from this? God desires truth from within, in the center of life,

not outward conformity. God sees through that sham, and pretense without the slightest

difficulty and it does not impress Him when we go through the religious activity.

“ Thou desireth in the inward being” ( Psalm 51:6)

The other group simply didn't and don't care.” Lets eat drink and be merry, for

tomorrow we die.” Lets have as much fun as we can and enjoy life. But the prophet

says,” Woe to those who are at ease in Zion.” Amos asks,” how can you be so restful

when the nation is restless?” “ How can you be content with wealth and the good things

of life when people are lying in distress outside in the streets and judgment is taken away

from the courts.?” So here comes the powerful message, “ Woe to those who are at ease

in Zion, that lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches,and eat

the lambs out of the flock,and the calves out of the midst of the stall. That chant to

the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music,like David.”

( Amos 6:4-5 )

In the midst of the threatening judgments of God, these are two extreme groups.

As Amos goes on, he shows in a series of visions that were given to him that the nation

is rapidly ripening for judgment. At last there comes a final scene , almost always

pictured by the prophets, a scene of beauty, peace, and glory. It reveals what God and

therefore , why God is angry at hypocrisy . Listen to these words , “ In that day I will

rise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close of the breaches thereof; and I

will raise up his ruins, and I will build is as in the days of old.” ( Amos 9:11)

Do you remember where that was quoted at in the New Testament? In the first

council at Jerusalem, in Acts 15, when they were wondering whether God would save

the Gentiles without the law of Moses. James stood up and quoted this verse from

the Book of Amos, “ The Prophets”, he said,” have declared that God is going to send His

grace out to the Gentiles,” and he quoted this verse.( Acts 15:15-18) Gods word was that

He would raise up the tabernacle of David which had fallen, and repair its breaches. That

is a picture of the coming of Christ, representing the house of David . And in the rising

up of the Lord Jesus, the word was to go out to all the peoples. God would bless the

world through Him.

“That they may posses the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen( Gentiles)

which are called by my name,” saith the Lord that doeth this.(Amos 9:12 ) And here

comes a beautiful scene.

“ Behold the days come,” saith the Lord, “ that the plowman shall overtake the

reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed;and the mountians shall

drop sweet wine,and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity

of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them.

And they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof, they shall also make

gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they

shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, “ saith the Lord

Friends that is happening TODAY. Jews have been going back to Israel from

every nation they were scattered to. In the Fields in Israel today, in the same Field

one side is being harvested, while on the other seed is being planted and in the middle

the crops are growing. Irrigation in Israel has turned the once dry and parched barren

ground to lush, green and rich soil, with fruits and gardens and trees as prophesied

in Isaiah are growing, where once they never grew before. Gods promises never fail.

Gods people are of EVERY nation and tongue and kindred. No, God is Not

a respecter of persons . Here His chosen people from the beginning was cast away

no different then the nations that God destroyed from before Israel. What God

Promises and Blesses for one, He does for all, and what Judgment He brings to one

He brings to all . Favoritism?, God ? No way . God hears and blesses and does for any

and all that will obey and do His will and abide in His word and be obedient. Makes No

difference, what nationality, ethnicity, upbringing, rich, poor, short, tall, large or small,

God gave His son for us all. And its through that very simple act of obedience, that

Christ took our place and our sins upon Himself and took our punishment, so that

ALL could come, anyone who wants to and who will believe and accept that

Atonement for ALL us. “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten

son that whosoever will, believe in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

( John 3:16 )

So to answer the questions, No there is No favorites in God. What He did or

does for one , He will for all . But, it must be His Will, His ways, by His word.

If anyone misses that, it's no ones fault but themselves. Line up with Gods truths

and All of His Promises, you will receive, deny His truths and all His Judgments

you will receive . Friends it is just that simple a fact . God is NOT a respecter

of persons.

        There are countless other scriptures and stories in the Bible that shows these same

truths, from Genesis to Revelations . Simply read and study and you will see the

Word of God is true.

The Bible Man.