God's Thoughts

 Isaiah 55:8,9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God’s love and mercy are beyond human understanding. We are quick to judge and quick to serve justice. Many times our first reaction is, “They deserve what is coming to them.” Israel turned their backs on God. Why should God pursue them? God told Isaiah, tell my people to turn back to me, tell them I have water and food to satisfy their hunger. Tell them I will listen to their cries of confession of sin and unbelief. Let them know that I will not turn them away if they only seek me. Time after time, Israel rejected and left the covenant that God made with them, yet God continues to call out to them. 
We may have friends and loved ones that have turned away from God and their faith for whatever reason. They cannot see their way back to God and don’t feel that they deserve God’s mercy. They have lost their way and in their thinking God is far away, and nowhere to be found. They have failed God over and over again and have given up trying to serve Him, and like the prodigal son, they seek to find happiness in the pleasures of this world. But in their lostness, God's thoughts are toward them and desires that they should turn from their ways of sin and turn and run to Him. With jealous love, God pursues them and shows His love and mercy. His thoughts are of love and forgiveness, thoughts of reconciliation, thoughts of redemption. This type of thinking is beyond comprehension. We must not give up on those that God has not given up on. Let our thoughts be like Jesus, and love others unconditionally and extend hope to all who have lost their way.

Let Us Draw Near to God

 

Heb. 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

It is not possible to draw near to God when sin is in the heart. There is a gap that separates us from having fellowship with God. As sinners, we live in darkness and God is light. There is no fellowship for those who live in darkness with the light. To have fellowship is to have communion, and a person who dwells in darkness is living a life of sin, and sin is enmity against God. It is not subject to God and is not able to draw near to Him. But Jesus bridged the gap, taking our sins and nailing them to the cross with His blood provided a way for us to draw near. Before we can draw near to God, we must confess our sins. If we humble ourselves before God, He is faithful to take our sins and cast them in the sea of forgiveness, not to be remembered against us anymore. God will hear the prayers of a sinner that repents of their sins and has a heart that is broken, and is sorry for their sinful ways. It is only with a clean heart and pure motives that we can begin to draw near to God. It is God’s will that we live in the light. As we walk in His light, we start to draw near to His desires for our lives. Let us put aside the sin that easily besets us and pray with a pure heart to live in the light of God’s presence.

Return to the Father

 Jer.4:1
If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.

Israel, God chose these people to show the nations of the world that there was a God in heaven who ruled the affairs of men. Truth was revealed through Abraham and his descendants, and the many prophets that God sent to reveal God’s plan for all that will follow Him. But the hearts of the people turned away from the commandments that God had given them to live by. They wanted to be like other nations of the world who served idols and gods of nature, or images of earthen clay. This was an abomination to the God that called Abraham out of his country to serve a God that cannot be seen by men, but one that is seen by faith. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God called out to Israel to put away their sin and return to the truth they once knew. Israel left the ways of Jehovah God, they backslid from the teaching of their fathers. God still loves the backslider. He still chases and desires those that have left the faith to return to Him. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The conditions for those who once knew the Lord are required by all who want to reconnect and have fellowship with Jesus Christ. Confession and repentance, a turning away from sin are not negotiable. He loves us, and wants us, but we must be willing to leave our sinful way to follow wholly after God.  He waits with open arms and is faithful to call us back. Drop the sin that so easily besets us and let us run back to the one who loves us and desires to forgive us.

Penitent Prayer

 Psalm 51:7
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

The sin of David in our day would be considered scandalous. A man in a prominent position, a person that many hailed as a wonderful leader, succumbed to his selfish desires to take another man’s wife and commit adultery, and hired a “hitman” to have the wife’s husband killed. If such an act were done in today’s society, his popularity would have dipped to an all time low. Such a man is held to a higher standard and should be an example to those who look up to him. Yes, we all know that we are just humans that are not perfect, and make mistakes, but David not only messed up, but he willfully disobeyed the commandments of God and sinned against God. He tried to cover it up for a while, but God sent the Holy Spirit in the form of a prophet to uncover his sin. Such is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and guilt to our hearts when we fall short of the mark and are found wanting. David was found guilty and his sin was revealed to everyone who heard the prophet Nathan. David was a man after God’s own heart, and his guilt brought him to his knees. Unlike Saul, the former king,  he made no excuses for his actions and took full responsibility. Forgiveness comes from God and God alone. Man can forgive, but it does not bring complete healing of the heart. The penitent prayer of David and God’s forgiveness reminds us that God is merciful. He desires that we don’t continue in sin, but He is faithful and just to forgive us of our failures. He will wash us, and make us clean, whiter than snow. Restore us back to Him.

The Promise to Return

 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

The Lord promised that someday He would return. Scoffers and unbelievers throughout time have doubted that Jesus will return to earth again. It has been a long time since this promise was made, and one can be tempted to doubt if His return will happen. But time is not relevant with God. God does not count time that way we do. A hundred years may seem like a long time, but to God it is but a vapor in light of eternity. It is God’s desire that everyone come to the knowledge of His love and grace. He patiently waits for His creation to turn their heart toward Him. God waits even for the scoffers to see their sinful ways and repent from their unbelief. Our present culture, especially in the US, has turned their hearts away from God. The concept of Jesus returning back to earth to rapture His church is viewed as religious fanatic idealism. But His promises are true, and someday He will split the eastern skies, and we who believe will be caught up in the air, and so shall we ever be with Him. He will not fail to keep His promise.

His Lovingkindness

 Isaiah 63:7a
 I will mention the lovingkindness of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel…

Before Christ came to earth to show His lovingkindness and grace, it was manifested in God the Father throughout the Old Testament. God is often portrayed as a God of judgment before He sent His Son to the world. There is no denying that God hates sin and those who refuse to follow the commandments of God, reaping what they sow. But His goodness and lovingkindness is demonstrated throughout the Old Testament by showing mercy to all who would repent from their wicked way and turn back to Him. Over and over again, Israel would return to their idols and forget what God had done for them, and endlessly, God would entreat His people to return back to the old paths of living according to His righteousness. He still shows His lovingkindness in this present age. His goodness is seen through the work of the Holy Spirit who continues to work and convict the hearts of men. May we keep our hearts and minds open to what God wants and let others know of His lovingkindness

Plenteous in Mercy

 Psalm 103:8,9
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Because God is a holy God, His anger toward sin and rebellion is evident throughout scripture. Humanity was born in sin and with a nature that is in enmity against God. Every child born into this world has inherited this nature. At some point in a person’s life, God holds us accountable for our sinfulness. The simple Gospel message is that Jesus came to earth, died, and rose again to provide a remedy for this sinful nature. It is God’s love and mercy for us that it is now possible to turn away the anger of the Lord. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us or our sins.” It is not our fault that Adam and Eve yielded to temptation and cursed the human race, but we are given the choice to believe in Jesus for the remission of sin and be made reconciled back to God. This free gift from God shows that He will not reprove us or scold us. His mercy is plenteous to those who call out to Him for forgiveness. He will not turn away a repented heart who cries out for mercy. He is loving and gracious.

Two Edge Sword

 2 Kings 22:11

 Now when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

God’s word is like a mirror, (James 1:23) it reveals our sinful condition. People are quick to hold on to the comforting truths that God’s word provide when going through tough times. His word is an inspiration and brings hope and purpose in life. But, His word is like a two edged sword, (Hebrews 4:12) it also reveals the darkness of our heart, how all have sinned and come short of God’s will. When King Josiah heard the word of God read, he was struck with conviction, the word had revealed the sin in Judah, and he was responsible to do something about it. Like Josiah, we can open our hearts to God’s truth, walk in the light He reveals to us. Repent and cast away every sin that so easily beset us, and serve Him with a humble heart. For humility brings us the grace of God, that give us hope to live today and all our tomorrows. 

Repent

Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

There comes a time in everyone’s life to come face to face with Truth. The time has come and Jesus is at hand. Make your choice, turn from your sin, cast away your unbelief and believe in Jesus. In order to have eternal life we must believe, but confession and repentance must proceed acknowledgment of forgiveness of sin. There is power in the blood of Jesus for remission of sin and for those who confess and turn away. Repenting and turning away does not mean that we are not tempted to return. But as Jesus was led into the wilderness, and faced temptation, we also can face our moments of weakness and resist turning back. The power of the Holy Spirit can led us into all truth and give us the power to say “No” to Satan when he tangles the pleasures of sin before us. Repent, and turn to Jesus for our days will soon be gone.

Repent and be Converted

Act. 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Repenting is to be sorrowful for wrong doing and to turn away from doing it again. Many people will often be sorry for their behavior, but find themselves repeating the offense. They have not truly repented, but seek only to be relieved from the guilt of doing wrong. The process of true repentance requires a conversion. All things passed away and all things become new. A born again experience in Christ. Being converted is more than just changing religions or a mind set, it is a change of heart. The heart is the centrality of man’s passions and desires. From the heart rise the issues of life. A true repentance, will convert the heart from doing what is wrong to doing what is right. This is the center of the teaching of Bible Holiness. The heart is made new through the blood of Christ that blots out our sins, and Holy Spirit indwelling the believer to live a life that is truly repented. 

The Eyes of God

Ezk 8:12 …for they say, the Lord seeth us not; the Lord hath forsaken the earth.

The heart is desperately wicked that it is blinded to fact that those that sin against God cannot hide from Him The things done in secret are open to God. He sees us even when we think we are all alone. There is nothing done in secret. The eyes of the Lord pierce beyond the walls and mask we hide behind. He sees beyond the outer shell of what others see, He knows the thoughts and indents of our heart. He is a jealous God and will not accept partial obediences. We cannot serve Satan and do the works of evil doers and still claim to serve the One true God and call ourselves Christians. He is a God of love and mercy, but He will not tolerate sin in our lives. If we sin, we must repent and return unto Him. He will not turn away a heart who seeks Him with all their heart. Like the Father of the prodigal son, He welcomes us with open arm and delights in our return. But we must leave behind the life's sinful pleasure and selfish gratification if we hope to see the grace and mercy of God extended.  

The Religion of Christianity

Mark. 6:12 12 And they went out and preached that men should repent.

The commission of Christ to believers is to spread the news that men need to repent of their sins and turn to Christ to have their sins forgiven. Those that heed, and repent will find a personal relationship with Jesus that will bring everlasting life. Such relationship goes beyond a mere religion of following a set of rules and rituals. The religion of Christianity is without sin. To be in harmony with Christ, and to abide in the Vine, a person must repent of a life style that violates His commandments. Repent is to turn away from the way you were living and turn to Christ for a new life. To abstain and repent of sin without Christ is to follow a man made religion. Christianity is not a man made religion, it is a religion that God created in order to have fellowship with man. This fellowship in Christ results in man loving God with all their hearts and their neighbor as themselves. Therefore, pure religion is undefiled before God and the Father, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (Jame 1:27)

Turning to God

Ezekiel 18: 28 “Because he considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live: he shall not die.”-

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life- Turning to God is the way out of sin and despair. Sin is a willful transgression against the known will of God. This is the sin that man is accountable for. We live in vessel made of clay and any transgression from perfect that resulted without choice is covered by the blood of Christ. Sin that is committed by our will and choice is also covered by the blood, but it must be confessed. if any man sin (willfully) we have a advocate, a mediator, who is Christ Jesus. With the mouth confession is made to to God and He in His love and mercy will forgive so that we can continue to live. Repenting of making wrong choices is the way we stay alive. Turning to God for forgiveness is the right choice. It is His will that we sin not, but if we do, He provides a way back.

Rendering our Hearts

Joel 2:13 “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth of the evil.”

Rendering our hearts is more than just a lay me down to sleep prayer. To render the heart is to demonstrate a contrite and broken heart. A heart that is in mourning and grief stricken for the way it has treated God. A render heart will cry out to God for mercy and forgiveness. It realized that it has grieved it’s Maker and has brought displeasure to the One who loves them. A sincere heart will come to God with a minds eye to only please the Father. We may try and come to God and bargain with Him, but God is not interested in burnt sacrifices, He wants a heart that has been rendered and surrendered to the His will. May we turn from our sinful ways of doing things our way, and turn to God, who is merciful and mighty to heal a heart that has been rendered.