Tag: judgment

Old Vs. New

Hebrews 10:1-18

OLD
——-
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

NEW
——–
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, there’s no need for any other substitute to atone for man’s sins. Jesus’ offering was effective for all past, present, and future sins, but salvation is conditional, and determined on an individual’s proper confession of sin, and a dedicated life of submission to the will of the Lord.

Hallowed Be Thy Name…

Psalm 33:4-8

The Lord our God, the creator of heaven and earth, is worthy of all praise and glory of men and angels! The text tells us, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (vs. 6). God literally spoke, and the world came into existence! What a mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him, Heaven and earth adore Him, but do you give reverence and show respect for the Lord, as you should? How often during the day, do you simply acknowledge the very presence of God? When you take time to pray, are your words centered more on your problems, or the grace and mercy God gives us daily? What are you living for? What motivates you to get out of bed everyday? God made everyone special, and loaded them with benefits, but oftentimes, we take for granted, how good the Lord has been to us. God is good, and His mercy endures forever, yet millions are walking the streets this very evening, dressed in costumes, honoring a day that was set aside for evil purposes (many unknowingly). Rather than focus on loading baskets with candy and treats, we should make the name of the Lord great today! I understand that man has set specific days and times to celebrate, but everyday should be centered on giving reverence and honor to the name of the Lord.

Lord, Have Mercy!

2 Samuel 9

When was the last time you found yourself in need of the Lord’s mercy. As I progress in my walk with Christ, I gain more understanding of God’s mercy. Mercy can be defined as not getting something you deserve. For example, if a man was caught robbing a store, he would be certain to face time behind bars. But, the judge could show mercy to the robber, and wave all charges set against him. If you think long enough, you’ll remember countless times when God could have easily punished you for deliberately disobeying His commands, but His mercy is everlasting, and He, out of love, waved all charges against you.

The mercy of God is unfathomable, and seemingly unfair, yet He extends it to whomever He desires. Knowing this, how do you treat those who have wronged you, and deserve to be taught a lesson? Are you one who imitates the love of God, by showing mercy to even your worst enemies, or do you need a few more life lessons to hone your humility skills? Be certain to always consider the times God had mercy on you, and allow those memories to open your heart, to show mercy to others, despite whether or not they deserve to be made an example of.

Looking From Heaven

Psalm 33:13-22

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Looking From Heaven” starring, The Father and The Son! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(The Father and The Son look down from Heaven, upon the earth, considering man and his ways.)

The Son: Father, is there something on your mind? Is it time for me to return, to gather the Saints?

The Father: No, not yet… but very soon.

The Son: Understood. But, the look on your face tells me, you are pondering something.

The Father: My Son, I am well pleased of the works you did in the earth. You were obedient to my words, and wavered not to the left, nor the right.

The Son: It was an honor to be the right representation of you before mankind. But, there is more on your mind. Please, share your thoughts with me Father.

The Father: As I sit here, looking from Heaven, upon the earth, I marvel at what man has become. He was created in our image and after our likeness, and has done many great works by his hand, but it saddens me, even after I turned my face from you when you took on all man’s sins, they desire more to cling to the world, than to my word.

The Son: Indeed. It is a hard thing to witness man indulging themselves in the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life. May I have permission to express myself freely?

The Father: You may.

The Son: When you sent me to the earth, to live among men, to become a man, I saw life through their eyes. Yes, they are frail and function on impulse and emotions, but can you give them a little more time, because I’m certain that with the continual teaching and preaching of your faithful few, many will turn their hearts away from the world, and toward you.

The Father: You are right, my son, but time is of the essence, and you left the ideal example of what I consider holy, yet they willingly ignore the teachings from the men who bring forth my word regularly. I am a God of patience and forgiveness, but I have set in place a standard man must abide by, in order to live in perpetual peace with you and I.

The Son: Yes Father, I understand. Father, how long until you release me to gather those who have remained true to your word, from time past, and present?

The Father: In time, I will give you word to return to the earth, but until then, I’ll continue to honor your intercession on their behalf, as the prayers of the righteous fill this atmosphere with a sweet aroma.

The Son: Yes, I love to hear their sincere petitions, especially when they realize that we are all they really need. Their adversary tries hard to distract them from your will, but it excites me to see them overcome the one who first turned against you!

The Father: Man is our most prized creation, and they are capable of accomplishing great things. Unfortunately, they have fallen away from the faith, and a purging must take place. I see their suffering. I feel their pain. I see the works of the enemy. I watch those who desire only to bring harm. But, I will soon deliver them from their oppressors, as I did in time past, then they will know that I am the God who saves, sets free, and delivers.

The Son: I can’t wait for you to reveal your glory to those who’ve remained faithful to you Father. The place I have prepared for them is beyond glorious, but it will be a great thing to see your mighty hand work wonders for your people, even in this present world.

The Father: Indeed, my Son. Indeed…

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Looking From Heaven”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

God’s Got You!

2 Chronicles 32:1-22

“And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chr. 31:20-21). Simply writing those passages of scripture inspire me to want to give my all, and be my best for God, as king Hezekiah did. Hezekiah was known as one of the most prominent kings of Judah, and his success and great victories were only made possible through his obedience to God.

According to the author of Hebrews, God rewards those who diligently seek Him, and king Hezekiah proved this verse to be true. However, prospering in the works of the Lord can also attract negative attention. In our text, we read how the king of Assyria entered Judah, with his mind set on overtaking the land, and overthrowing the king from his throne. Isn’t it troubling, how the enemy loves to bring down good men, while promoting their selfish and narcissistic beliefs? Well, Hezekiah was a wise king, and prepared himself and the people to stand against their enemy.

While it’s one thing to oppress those who claim to be followers of idol gods, it’s a whole different ballgame when oppression is aimed toward the children of the true and living God. King Sennacherib of Assyria, claimed many victories over people who placed their hope and trust in the false gods they served. Unfortunately, the wood and stone gods offered the people no assistance, as the Assyrians ransacked and pillaged their lands. After hearing the wicked king brag on himself, and mock the power of God almighty, king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed and cried to heaven. God truly answers the prayers of the righteous, and verse 21 helps us realize this fact as it reads, “And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth out of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.” That’s intense! After talking all his smack about how he overtook many lands, and no gods could stop him, the God of king Hezekiah proved to king Sennacherib, that He was, and still is the only true and eternal God. This carnal king openly and boldly insulted Hezekiah and his God, so it was time for God to show Himself mighty to those who trusted in Him.

Maybe you’re in a season where it seems that your troubles are getting the best of you, and others are convinced you’ll never be delivered, but if you hold fast to your faith in God, He will show Himself mighty, and prove to you and your enemies, that He was with you the whole time.

Righteous Judgment

Deuteronomy 1:15-18

One of the hardest things to do as a leader is, consistently judge the causes of individuals effectively. Despite the outcomes of particular judgments, not everyone will be pleased with the leader’s decision. Fortunately, the children of God have been given a proven and effective method to always please God in their decisive matters.

Our lesson’s text identifies in verse 16, that leaders are to first hear the cause between those who have issues. It’s easy to pass wrong judgment on a case, when you’ve hardly listened to the entirety of the matter, from both parties. However, when a judge hears the whole matter, he’ll gain greater understanding of how to handle each case.

After hearing and gaining a better understanding of a matter, Moses commanded the leaders to judge every man righteously (including strangers), and show no partiality. Verse 17 reads, “Ye shall not  respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it to me, and I will hear it.” The children of God had swelled in number, and Moses assigned men to assist in handling certain matters, but in times when affairs were too hard to handle, Moses decided to deal with those personally.

In any situation that demands judgment, we must always approach them in the Spirit of love. As the body of Christ, we serve a God of peace, not confusion, so all matters involving professing believers should always be handled with care, consideration, and work toward a beneficial resolution.

Say What?!

Proverbs 25:18

Use your words to encourage. Use your words to edify. Use your words to lift men up, until their faith and confidence reach the sky. Speak to men politely. Speak to men with love. Speak to men in gentle tones, to satisfy the God above. Let the words from your lips bring healing. Let the words from your lips turn away wrath. Let the words from your lips refrain from talebearing, as you walk along the righteous path. Use not your words for boasting. Use not your words to shame. Use not your words to puff yourself up, or mislead others for shameful gain. Shout to God in victory! Shout to God in praise! Shout to God for all His goodness, because we who serve Him bear His name!

-Elliott D. Banks

Conditional Blessings

2 Chronicles 7:14

“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.” If the people who claim they are the children of God, would stop acting all high and mighty, sit their butts down somewhere, turn their bragging, boasting, and complaining into actual prayer to God, diligently strive to live holy, disconnect from all things contrary to holiness, then will God turn His attention to their situations, and forgive their sins, and release the blessings He had stored for them from the beginning (Ell’s translation).

Why Me Lord?

Lamentations 5

“A high calling, associated with low living, results in deep suffering.” God has called His people to live holy, and walk according to His way. Unfortunately, many who professed holiness have been living beneath the way of righteousness. As a result of consistent disobedience and unholy living, many who make up the church, have found themselves in unfavorable situations. Men suffer for many reasons, but when they deliberately disobey the words of the Lord, they’ll undoubtedly welcome suffering in their lives. The prophet Jeremiah lived during a time when the people of God reaped the punishment from the sins of their fathers, and they had reached a point of intense grief and guilt. The sins of those who came before them had finally caught up with the children of Zion, but God was always paying close attention to their situation. Jeremiah realized the severity of sin, and how the mere act of disobedience kindles the wrath of the Father, but we learn in Micah 7:18, “He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” Although God hates sin, and oftentimes brings chastisement for it, He still has love for His people, and will restore them, after they have repented and turned back to following after righteousness.