The TERRIBLE GOD with whom we have to do

Main Scripture: Genesis 7 

To read or better yet, listen to this chapter, please click this link:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%207&version=NIV

Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. (verse 23)

It is a DREADFUL thing to fall into the hands of the LIVING GOD   (Hebrews 10:31 NIV) 

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

(Revelations 19:15-16 NIV)

If these Scriptures don't cause us to sit up and pay close attention, it is because the perception of God that we have is not the one described in the Bible. It is a FALSE image. No! God Almighty is NOT a God of love only. He is also a God of WRATH, very much so. Especially after He has shown incredible, undeserving love, patience and mercy to mankind over an extended period of time.

Noah was building this ark for 200 years!!! The people of his day had ample opportunity to hear about AND get ready for the impending flood. What's more, they should have sensed that something supernatural was happening when they saw pair after pair of animals come to the ark, as if summoned. And summoned they were indeed, by none other than their Creator Himself. The "unintelligent species" outwitting the "intelligent species", if you please!

Fantastic? Allegoric? Proof may or may not be found on Mount Ararat, located in Eastern Turkey on the borders of Iran, Armenia (former U.S.S.R.), and Nakchivan. The ark could have been ground to bits by the moving ice of a glacier or is buried so deep within the ice that it will take all the modern tracking devices to give an indication of its presence DEEP within the ice. We are talking about elevations of some 16,000 feet, covering an ice-cap of ± 17,000 square miles and 350 feet deep, folks!

I, for one, am not holding my 

breath for that discovery. I 

don't need it as proof. The 

Biblical account is more than 

enough for me. God said it and 

I believe it. I am not sure that 

tangible proof has ever caused 

a skeptic to believe. Why, I do 

believe that even if such a one 

had been present when Noah 

parked his diluvial vehicle on 

Ararat, he/she would still not 

believe.  Have the sun, the 

moon, the stars, all created 

things caused them to believe? 

No. Why not? Because they 

have become vain in their 

imaginations:

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.²² Professing to be wise, they became fools,²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:18-23)

Another impending doom is on the horizon, i.e. judgment day. God has been waiting long and hard, not willing that any should perish, even to the point of sacrificing His own Son to take the hell WE deserve because of our sinful condition.There is coming a day when His TERRIBLE wrath will be revealed instead of His love. He will be completely justified in doing so.

Check out this fun song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCii16cyZfg

RE*J*oicita

Prayer for Deliverance from ENEMIES

Main Scripture: Psalm 7 

O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me, Lest they tear me like a lion, Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver. (verses 1-2)

O Lord my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands, If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause, Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; Yes, let him trample my life to The earth, And lay my honor in the dust. (verses 3-5)

(enemy n. , pl. , -mies . One who feels hatred toward, intends injury to, or opposes the interests of another; a foe.)

Though most of us may not consider ourselves to be enemies of anyone or consider others to be our enemies, others, unbeknownst to us at times, may consider US to be their enemies. Hm ...

There is a saying in Spanish that goes like this "No soy monedita de oro para caerle bien a todos" (I am not a gold coin to be liked by everyone) There will always be people who we rub the wrong way and vice versa. Different personality types and temperaments often clash for obvious reasons. A case can also be made for friction due to the opposing value systems people embrace. Maturity, a healthy self-image, respect, tolerance for differences, etc. are all needed for a peaceful co-habitation among people. 

But what about when it is open or ill-disguised  hostility, as was David's experience in this Psalm? Sometimes personal insecurities, lack of fulfillment,  or just plain envy will manifest itself in feelings of animosity among family-members, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, etc.  Left unrepented of and unconfessed, this animosity will grow into a root of bitterness. 

Often the person being envied, maligned, etc., is oblivious to the animosity in the other person, while the latter is (willingly?) oblivious to his/her unrepentant sin of envy/covetousness, slander, etc.

In this Psalm David entrusts himself to God in the face of open hostility and danger. He prays no ill for his declared enemies. Unlike in the precatory Psalms (Praying evil upon our enemies), here David asks God to search HIS (David's) heart.  His sincerity, uprightness and desire to please the LORD are very evident. That should be the starting point for each of us as well, as we interact with people in whom we sense animosity or a destructive critical spirit. 

Besides the self-examination exemplified by David, we should pray blessings for them and their families. We should pray for good health for them, protection, financial success, etc. That is what Jesus commanded us to do. We surely will be exhibiting a "family trait"  then, as we imitate our heavenly Father.

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45)

Difficult to do? Noooo .... Impossible is a better word! Impossible, were it not for God's help. He only asks us to do what He will enable us to do.

HE will deal with our perceived or declared "enemies". What's more they will deal with themselves. Take a look in verses 14 to 16 of this Psalm:

Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. He made a pit and dug it out, And has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown. (verses 14-16)

Dear God, we obey You, because it is You who is producing in us both the desire and the ability to do what pleases You 

(Philippians 2:13)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1TXRwNko8c&feature=related

RE*J*oicita

The NEED for INCESSANT prayer

Main Scripture: Luke 3

John Baptizes Jesus

²¹ When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. ²² And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."

You know how sometimes a portion of the Scriptures will seem to just jump out at you, even after having read it many times before? Well, it never registered in my understanding before today that Jesus was praying as he was being baptized by John! (See highlighted section above) 

As I continued meditating on this passage, the following four things struck me about Jesus as well:

1. He humbled Himself and allowed the weaker (John) to baptize Him (the mightier). In verse 16 John says: 

"I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.

2. He was obedient to the will of God and taught John to do the same. Matthew 3:15:

But Jesus answered and said to him,"Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.

3. He knew the importance of praying in and for  every situation. While being baptized, He knew He was fulfilling all righteousness and could have foregone praying, since he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. However, instead, He set an example for us of what is written in Luke 18:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17:

- Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart;

- pray without ceasing,

4. He was commended by God for the aforementioned. The latter part of verse 22 of Luke 3 says:

"You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."

Can you think of anything more satisfying than to hear God pronounce those words about us? I sure can't. If Jesus, the God/Man felt the need to pray in every situation, certainly, we as weak human beings, MUST follow suit, if we are to please God.

Dear God, let this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in Your very form, God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with You, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore You also have highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to Your glory, God, our Father. (Prayer using Philippians 2:5-11)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m97pqhmfBc4&feature=related

RE*J*oicita

ROLL Call

Main Scripture: 1 Chronicles 6

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

That certainly doesn't include the "begats" of this chapter, now does it? Why not? "All" does mean ALL. 

Isn't one of the tasks of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every true Christian, to guide us into ALL Truth?

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 

(John 16:13)

So help us, Holy Spirit, to come to terms with the "begats" throughout 1 and 2 Chronicles.

Because the Jews had just returned from years of being in captivity, Ezra, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit set out to remind them of their special heritage as the people of God, calling each person by his name. Not once, but several times! How reassuring this must have been to them at that time of insecurity, of doubt, of apprehension .....

If to God, numbering (Not counting, and there IS a difference) each strand of our hair, is important, then certainly our names and our identities are too. It is amazing how much data can and is stored in computers and other modern, high-tech devices. It is just mind-boggling. Yet God's record-keeping ability is infinitely superior to those. In Revelation it talks about books and books being opened, from which the dead will be judged:

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (Revelation 20:11-12)

So undoubtedly lists, names and deeds matter to God. They should definitely matter to us too, but not only as a warning, but certainly as an encouragement as well. Contrary to the books mentioned above, which will deal only with condemnation, at the "Judgment Seat of Christ", true believers will be rewarded for their bona fide good deeds. You see, God keeps a record of those too, not so we can deserve entrance into heaven. That was conclusively taken care of by Jesus Christ on the cross. This record-keeping will be simply to reward good deeds done after our conversion.  Deeds done to impress others or for any other ulterior motive, will be burnt. No rewards will be received for those! (2 Corinthians 5:10)

So help us Lord not to shun away from these lists, but to read them carefully, with the eyes of the Holy Spirit, realizing that because of the intimate naming and numbering, we can have  quiet confidence, hope and joy for our future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSoA_8JDzso&feature=related

RE*J*oicita

When every intent of the thoughts of the heart of man is ONLY EVIL CONTINUALLY....

Main Scripture: Genesis 6

⁵ The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. ⁶ So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. ⁷ And the Lord said, "I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them."⁸ But Noah found favor with the Lord. (Genesis 6:5-8 NLT) 

So, what happens when every intent of the thoughts of the heart of man is only evil continually?

For starters, it breaks the heart of God. We cannot begin to fathom the depth of His pain. Our God is personal, our God has feelings. We were made in His image, remember? Not only does He have feelings like us, but he also has an intellect and a will. Who consoles God? What assuages His pain?

Secondly, He uses aforementioned will to take action when the time is ripe. As is His magnificent love, so intense is His righteous judgment in the face of defiant, unrepentant and relentless sin.

Lastly, He singles out those who lead a blameless life, despite the pervasive corruption all around them, to shower blessings on them. Noah was by no means sinless, but as we begin to see in this chapter and the ensuing ones, his blamelessness is manifested in his unswerving obedience to God. There can be no doubt that he was ridiculed by the people of his day. "Loco" was probably his nickname. 

Who would have thought that a generation of people living so close to the creation of the world could have reached such a level of wickedness? So, where does that leave us in the 21st century?! At what stage of "ripeness" is our sinful condition? Hm ...

"When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:26-27 NLT) 

I conclude today's meditation with these questions from Romans 2:4 (NLT):

Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dtkj0TsT20

RE*J*oicita

One sure way to get your prayers answered

Main passage: Psalm 6

Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;

For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my supplication;

The Lord will receive my prayer. (Psalm 6:8-9)

The LORD sees, the LORD knows, the LORD hears, the LORD cares, the LORD understands, the LORD is faithful, the LORD never sleeps, the LORD never takes a vacation, the LORD is able, the LORD has a plan, the LORD will fulfill His purposes, the LORD does not change. 

THE LORD ANSWERS PRAYERS!

Despite the troubles and woes the Psalmist was experiencing, troubles from without, woes from within, one thing comes across very clearly when reading this psalm, i.e. his confidence in God's hearing his prayers was unshakable. His rock-solid assurance was in who God was in essence. The formidability and the relentlessness of his enemies did not matter as his faith began to grow. Neither did his own weaknesses and failings.

Once he humbled himself and began voicing his fears and anxieties, he supernaturally received insight into who his God really and truly is. His spiritual eyes were opened, he saw the light, so to speak, and was reassured.

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened,

That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy,

That it cannot hear. But your iniquities 

have separated you from your God; 

And your sins have hidden His face from you,

So that He will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2)

The key to getting our prayers answered, according to God's Word, does not lie with God, but with us. He will definitely keep His promise as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Give it a try.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S9qZNUASnE

RE*J*oicita

No SHADOW of turning!

Main Scripture; Psalm 5

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.  (Psalm 5:11-12 NKJV)

Did you know that the shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117, the longest chapter is Psalm 119 and sandwiched between the two is Psalm 118 (Duh!), which some scholars say is the center chapter of the entire Bible?! 

One very important verse in this central chapter is verse 8:

It is better to trust in the LORD

Than to put confidence in man.

Trust in the finest of human beings will at some point result in disappointment. We are human, inherently prone to fall short of the expectations we place on each other, so it behooves us to leave some room for disappointment. But not so with God. Not at all! We can ALWAYS trust Him implicitly,even when we don't understand what He allows to happen in our lives at any given point. He does not make mistakes, He is always right on time, He knows everything, He is everywhere, He can do anything, He is love, He is righteous, HE DOES NOT CHANGE.

That knowledge, those truths give me peace. They indeed give me joy. They give me confidence in He whose thoughts and ways are exceedingly better than ours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT8BmxnNOzo&feature=related

RE*J*oicita