justice

May 14, 2022

“God Will Use This Persecution”

5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.— 2 Thess. 1:5 NLT

2 Thess. 1:3-10 NLT

Most Christians in the Western World have not experienced the kind of persecution to which Paul is referring. Probably the worst persecution that we receive is losing (temporarily, hopefully) the friendship of someone close to us because of our belief in the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here, Paul is talking about those early Christians who gave their lives for the Gospel. I would guess that most of us have wondered, at some time or other, how far we would go for the Gospel. Would I really lay down my life for Jesus?  Paul tells us that we should consider our physical bodies as dead already. 

3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.– Col. 3:3 NKJV

Since this is true, we should consider our physical bodies already dead. But our Spirit will always be alive because of what Jesus did for us at Calvary. So, if we are attempting to live the lifestyle that Jesus wants us to, isn’t the decision already made? We agreed to die with Christ and mortify (put to death) our fleshly desires so that we will be raised with Christ in our new immortal bodies. It is all about faith and trust. Will God do what He said or not? The answer is “Yes, of course, He will.” In His mercy, He will protect and perfect us and in His justice, He will repay the persecutors.

Romans 12:19-21 NLT

“The Gospel has come to you because it’s on its way to someone else.” -Anonymous

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December 14, 2021

“–You Cannot Mock the Justice of God”

7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. — Gal. 6:7 NLT 

Gal. 6:4-10 NLT

The Bible says that Jesus went about doing good. He was our example of how to live our lives. We have many, many opportunities to do good everyday. It is up to us to take advantage of the opportunities that Jesus puts in our paths. If we sow goodness and the other fruits of the Holy Spirit then that is what we will reap in our lives.  We all have the same excuses, “I can’t talk to people. I don’t have time” and the list goes on. God has given each of us a talent to use for His glory. Ask Him to show you how to develop that gift that He has given you. And when you ask, don’t forget to wait for His answer.  He really and truly loves each of us and wants to bless us. He loves the fellowship and the communication with His children.  God has given each of us twenty-four hours a day and it is up to us to take the time to talk with (not to) Him. He is waiting to hear from each of us. Speak to Him now and listen for His voice. He will direct our steps so that what we sow will honor Him and we will be blessed and be a blessing to others and He will receive the glory.

“The Gospel has come to you because it’s on its way to someone else.” – Anonymous

July 1, 2020

“Then Take Him Away”

31 “Then take him away and judge him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied. – John 18:31

John 18:28-32 NLT

We humans are a mess! Look at these religious leaders! Here they are participating in a mockery of justice and falsely accusing Jesus of being a criminal of some sort. Yet, they would not go inside the Roman governor’s palace lest they become defiled and unclean. Then they would not be able to eat the Passover meal. The Jews had the authority to hold court and try their own people, so that is what Pilate tells them to do. But they wanted Jesus to be put to death and they did not have the authority to administer that kind of punishment. We, too, can be as hypocritical as these religious leaders. We judge unfairly and gossip about others, even our own Christian brothers and sisters. We can go to church every day of the week, but if we don’t love our neighbor, we are just as guilty as these people. Remember, every word of gossip grieves the Holy Spirit who is living inside us. As I write this, I am convinced that the Holy Spirit is guiding me because I need to be the first to hear this admonition. Thank you, Holy Spirit, my friend and my guide, for loving me enough to take the time to teach me again and again and again. Thank you for forgiving me even though you know I will fail and grieve you again. Amazing love!! Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me!!!

“The Gospel has come to you because it’s on its way to someone else.” -Anonymous

August 27, 2017

His Judgment Is Just

even-smaller-bug-light1

30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will. 
– John 5:30 NLT
 
John 5:28-32 NLT

When Jesus returns to earth, the dead in Christ shall rise first, then those of us who are still alive will join with them to meet Jesus in the air. Others will arise from the graves to experience judgment and the second death, which is eternal damnation in hell.
Jesus sets a great example for us to follow. We should never attempt to do anything on our own. Even though He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth, He still says what His Father says and does what His Father does. if we do the same thing, then we can know that our actions are just and our words are true. The Holy Spirit living in us testifies of the Father and of Jesus. He knows our minds as well as the minds of the Father and the Son so the Holy Spirit can guide us in our actions and our speech.
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[l] in harmony with God’s own will—Romans 8:26,27 (NLT)

“The Gospel has come to you because it’s on its way to someone else.” -Anonymous

Post 08-27-2017

September 19, 2016

What are We Planting?

even-smaller-bug-light1

7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. — Gal. 6:7 NLT
 

The Bible says that Jesus went about doing good. He was our example of how to live our lives. We have many, many opportunities to do good everyday. It is up to us to take advantage of the opportunities that Jesus puts in our paths. If we sow goodness and the other fruits of the Holy Spirit then that is what we will reap in our lives.  We all have the same excuses, “I can’t talk to people. I don’t have time” and the list goes on. God has given each of us a talent to use for His glory. Ask Him to show you how to develop that gift that He has given you. And when you ask, don’t forget to wait for His answer.  He really and truly loves each of us and wants to bless us. He loves the fellowship and the communication with His children.  God has given each of us twenty-four hours a day and it is up to us to take the time to talk with (not to) Him. He is waiting to hear from each of us. Speak to Him now and listen for His voice. He will direct our steps so that what we sow will honor Him and we will be blessed and be a blessing to others and He will receive the glory.

Post 09-19-2016
June 1, 2016

99 and 44/100% Pure is Not Enough

even-smaller-bug-light1

7 Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”  — 2 Chronicles 19:7 NLT
2 Chronicles 19:1-11 NLT
 
Jehoshaphat had always been a king who served the Lord.  He obeyed God and tore down all the places of idol worship.  Then he arranged for his son to marry Ahab’s daughter.  In those days and sitll today in some countries, when members of the royal families married, it was seen as a type of political contract between the countries.  The kings could depend on each other to help in times of troubles and wars.  So, Jehoshaphat had gotten himself and Judah entangled with evil Ahab and Israel.  God sent  a prophet to warn Jehsoshaphat not to go to war with Ahab, but Jehsoshaphat joined with Ahab anyway.  Because of this, God became very angry with Jehoshaphat.  God sent Jehu, the seer, to deliver the message about His anger and to tell Jehoshaphat that God still saw some good in him.  When he heard this message, Jehoshaphat obviously repented and started, once again, to teach the people of Judah the correct ways of obeying and worshipping the true God of Judah.  He had learned the lesson that God does not tolerate impurities in any form or fashion. God expects and deserves 100% commitment in our worship and in our lifestyles.  We should not become entangled with the world or we will make bad decisions based on our commitments to the world instead of being free to worhsip God with holy hands lifted high.
 
1 Timothy 2:1-8 NLT
Pozt 06-01-2016
July 6, 2014

Jesus Christ is the King of Kings

God is waiting to show you the way.

God is waiting to show you the way.

6 When God was about to send his firstborn Son into the world, he said,
“All of God’s angels must worship him.”
7 God said about the angels,
“He makes his messengers winds.
He makes his servants flames of fire.”
8 But God said about his Son,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The scepter in your kingdom is a scepter for justice.
9 You have loved what is right and hated what is wrong.
That is why God, your God,
anointed you, rather than your companions, with the oil of joy.”​-​–Hebrews 1:6-9 (GW)
​All​ the angels and every other creature must worship Jesus Christ as Lord of Lords. We are all made for one purpose and that is to glorify God. Some will say, “Not me!”. But
Scripture says, “As certainly as I live, says the Lord, everyone will worship me, and everyone will praise God.”​–​-Romans 14:11 (GW)
10 so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth,
and in the world below will kneel
11 and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God
the Father–Philippians 2:10, 11 (GW​)
His Kingdom will be forever. We cannot choose whether or not, we will bow, but we can choose when we bow. We need to humble ourselves and do it now. so that we can spend an eternity with Jesus in heaven. God doesn’t send people to hell, if we end up there it is because we worked hard to get there. Salvation is free but the “wages” of sin are death. Wages implies that we earned it, it is what the devil pays those that serve him.​
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December 14, 2013

What God Requires

God is waiting to show you the way.

God is waiting to show you the way.


6 “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:6-8 (NRSV)
These three requirements seem fairly simple. When we read them, we probably think that we already do these. And perhaps, to some extent, we do. Justice and kindness are things that we do naturally, right? What about the thoughts and the words that we speak when others are not around, are they just and kind? When someone wrongs you, are your thoughts of mercy or revenge? When you see others being mistreated, are you willing to get involved, regardless of the personal cost (Think of the Good Samaritan)? Walk humbly is the really tough one. Are we humble enough to give of our resources, of ourselves, of our abundance and of our time to help others? Even to the point of dying for them? And, if we do these things, are they to show others how righteous we are? Every good gift comes down from the Father above. When we share those gifts with others, we are laying up rewards in heaven.
Walk humbly with our God? Help me, Jesus!
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