repent

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

11 THE COUNSEL OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER, THE PLANS OF HIS HEART TO ALL GENERATIONS. 12 BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD, THE PEOPLE HE HAS CHOSEN AS HIS OWN INHERITANCE.

13 THE LORD LOOKS FROM HEAVEN; HE SEES ALL THE SONS OF MEN. ~ Psalm 33:11-13 NKJV

“BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD!” ~ How do we know if a nation belongs to the LORD? What exactly does a “nation” look like whose “GOD IS THE LORD?” Does it only matter if the president claims to be a GOD -fearing CHRIST-follower? What about congress, the senate, supreme court judges, governors, and mayors? After all, our money still says, “In GOD we trust,” right? Maybe… it’s the journalists who report the news? Or, could it be the entertainment industry that sets our moral standard? I doubt it…

We might say, “It’s ‘the nation’ which is ‘the people.’” I agree, but how many people must believe in GOD and live for HIM? Is it a vote that needs 51% to win the election? Let’s consider the exclusive statements of our LORD JESUS CHRIST: HE said, “I am the only way…” (John 14:6a)

9 that if you confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS and believe in your heart that GOD has raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ~ Romans 10:9-10

I am confident that the GOD who wants “all to come to repentance…” (II Peter 3:9b) has a different standard. HE searches one heart at a time! That’s why each of us must choose to make OUR “HEARTS CHRIST’S HOME.” Thus, we begin the study today leading one heart at a time to surrender, confess, and follow JESUS by giving HIM every area of our lives: one room at a time. HE’S at the door… will you respond? 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

~ Judges 21:25

THE BOOK OF JUDGES! ~ FAILURE! Have you ever used a COMPASS CORRECTLY? In the northern hemisphere the needle of a working compass will always point north. If you are lost or confused on your journey, then a COMPASS will lead you in the right direction to get you where you need to go. You simply need to know where you are and where you need to go.

It may seem too easy. Of course, it should be. Before the nation of Israel had a king, GOD sent JUDGES or DELIVERERS to Israel to RESCUE the nation from the oppression and suffering they continually found themselves in because they failed to listen to GOD. It was a vicious cycle of disobedience, bondage, misery, liberation, and compromises. It is painful to watch as we read about them.

Do you remember, Deborah, Gideon, and Samson? Each of these BIBLE characters were renown throughout our Sunday school classes in years past. Each tale is filled with GOD’S rescue plan for the nation during the JUDGE’S reign. However, each shows a horrible weakness in the lives of those GOD called to be JUDGE. Barak’s failure leads to Deborah’s Song. Gideon’s Fear leads to GOD’S great victory. Samson’s pride leads to Israel’s fall. ☹

Despair naturally follows disobedience. It’s so much easier to follow the LORD. It makes us think, “Why didn’t they just do better?” “Why didn’t they just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” Every day, I find myself asking as I watch people struggling to hold it together and look up: “Why don’t they just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” “What’s wrong with them?”

Then, in my quiet time with GOD after days of busyness it hits me: “Why don’t I just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” “Why don’t I meet with GOD more often and pray and read HIS WORD?” Henry Blackaby tells us that when GOD speaks to us, HE is inviting us to join HIM. Then, we must adjust our lives to follow HIS PLAN. Remember, your BIBLE is your COMPASS! 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

readyforafreshstart

Bold thoughts from a bruised theologian with a touch of balderdash

BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD!

True North!