Revelation 16: They Never Repented

They Never Repented

Seven angels had  seven bowls and each of these bowls contains a wrath of God. People can say "God id this to us" but they overlook their actions that led to God's actions. people want to live in heaven now but do not want to do what is required of them by God to get there. God wants your obedience. God wants you to repent for sinful ways. Revelation 16:9 and Revelation 16:11 give specific incidences in these visions where no matter what wrath was being poured out by God's angels, people still could not and did not repent for their ways. 

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Revelation 9: The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets

The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets

The fifth trumpet (Revelation 9:1-11) released locust type creatures from a black smoke. The locusts were to harm only people who did not have the seal of God upon their forehead. This does not mean an actual locusts or an actual stamp or seal, but could also mean the will of God at the forefront of their mind (my opinion) and the way to avoid these locusts (demons) is to be truly follow after what God wants from you, His will and your obedience to it. Dave Guzik writes, "These are obviously not natural locusts. They avoid plants and attack men like scorpions attack. They are "A visual representation of the hordes of demons loosed upon the earth." (Walvoord). Furthermore, regarding the seal, Guzik says "Those who have the seal of God on their foreheads (the 144,000 and perhaps more) are protected, but none other are. This is an inescapable judgment of God." The sixth trumpet released four angels (possibly different angels from chapter 8) which killed a third of mankind with mounted troops numbering over 200 million. Guzik says it may not be exactly 200 million, but that number could have been used to signify the insane amount of mounted of troops like there were too many to count. They had fire, smoke and brimstone coming out of their mouths and that is how 1/3 of human kind was killed.  Chapter 9 closes out by stating that the rest of mankind that did not die from the plagues did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold" and other materials that cannot "see, hear or walk" like Jesus could. Nor did they "repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts."

And in case anyone tells you we are "near" the end of times and the end of the world, they are probably wrong based on the fact that numerous others have "predicted" the same thing- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dates_predicted_for_apocalyptic_events

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Revelation 5:The Scroll and the Lamb

The Scroll and the Lamb

Through reading an interpretation of the scroll and the lamb (Revelation 5:1-10) serve as God's will (the scroll) and Jesus (the lamb). The scroll is written on the front and back, which was not typical, could also represent the old and new testaments of the Bible. The scroll being handed to the lamb could signify that Jesus is the only one who has it within him (and his death) to unlock what is God's will. Therefore, if you really want to know what God wants from you, go to Jesus. Read about him and understand how he lived and why he lived and then you will know, what God wants from you.

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1 John 3: Lawlessness and Righteousness

Lawlessness and Righteousness

When you stay entrenched in your sin and do not cease to remove from your lifestyle (intentionally) then that is what we be known as lawlessness. For instance, if the will of God is in you and you continue to get drunk and sleep with different people, then that would be an example of lawlessness. In 1 John 3:4-10, John is telling the reader specific ways of how to look at lawlessness. It can be harder for us to understand as it appears that the text is saying you can never sin. While we should do what we can and also rely on God's strength to not sin, the text is specifically speaking about intentional and continual sin that is seen as a regular part of your life. No apologies for it. I have sins such as that. The text further explains that when you have sins like that you do not know the Father (God). What sin is still in your life?

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1 John 2: Loving the World

Loving the World

When you see scripture telling us to not "love the world" I hope people don't take it out of context. This is not anti green peace or go ahead and litter because what does it matter. This is the "world" in terms following what seems right to people that is actually not in line with God's will. The world can mean culture as it changes depending on the decade, century, era or millennium. Not loving the world is the best way to say "keep God at the center of your life." In 1 John 2:15 we are told " Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." That means if you have put culture over that which is of God in accordance with His will, then God is not in you directing your path because He would not lead you astray.

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1 John 1: Fellowship and Confession

Fellowship and Confession

1 John 1:6 and 1 John 1:9 show us what it is to be honest about our fellowship with God. We can say we unite with God and walk with Him, but yet we live in darkness. Well, what does that mean? Living in darkness would be along the lines of 1) understanding what it means to be in unity with God and 2) actually doing it. If I meet someone and I say to them I am a manager of a job I have, knowing that manager is not in my job title or description, yet I give off the impression to others possibly to impress them that I am something that I am now, then I am lying. I might have similar responsibilities to a manager, but I am not the manager. So, when I say I walk with God and seek to be in unison with His will, someone would be able to see it by my actions and my words and compare them up against God's will. In addition, verse 9 isn't as deep with a diagnosis, yet it is just as important. Confession of sins is important as it shows us that our way of handling things, saying things, thinking and behaving isn't always in unison with God's will. Being in God's will is the focus. When we act outside of His will, we express selfishness and we sin. When we confess that we have sinned, we are admitting to God, "hey, I didn't get it right. I messed up, but I wanna be back in your good graces." When you can humble yourself and tell God that you want to try it again and get back on the right track, that shows God that we are willing to be humble and seek His ways over our own. 

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2 Peter 1: Take the Steps

Take the Steps

When you follow Christ, 2 Peter 1:5-8 shows you how to reflect that decision. If you have faith in Jesus yet have no virtue (high moral standards), isn't that a contradiction? What about the steps of knowledge, self control and steadfastness (fixed focus)? Didn't Jesus have knowledge of the Scriptures? Didn't he exhibit self control and have a fixed focus on doing God's will? Round everything out with godliness, brotherly affection and love and you are in the realm of what it is to be Christlike among those who also striving to do so and those who are on the outside watching. Your journey is your journey and not for comparison, but for you to honor God. 

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1 Peter 3: Make a Defense

Make a Defense

1 Peter 3:14-15 tells us that when someone attacks you for your righteousness (in being with the Lord's will) then be ready to have a defense for your faith when asked why you have hope. This does not say "make sure to argue with people" when they disagree with you. This is defend your faith with your story. Understand who Jesus is to you and who he was historically. Tell people about the work God has done in your life and tell your story. Be a witness. Show and tell them why you have hope in God and in Jesus. Share when asked.

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1 Timothy 1: Thank Him for Strength

Thank Him for Strength

Paul's strength to do his ministries were not of his own accord. He knew that. We should know that our strength to do God's work does not come from our own reserve either. In 1 Timothy 1:12 Paul says " I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service..." We can do the same. While we are not Paul, we do know that God has, does and will continue to appoint those He chooses to do His work. What has he called you to do?

Another note, if we look at Paul's life in whole and not in part we will see that verse 15 that speaks of Paul being the worst sinner is not a verse that many can apply to themselves. I personally, due to my guilt of my own sin, used to wear a t shirt that displayed my guilt as if referenced that verse and being the worst sinner. But, in fact that verse that Paul wrote was in literal reference to himself in regard to him being personally responsible for the death of Christians because they were Christian. So, before you go quoting scripture and applying it to you, make sure it is not one that is specific to just one person and can only or primarily apply to them. 

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Friday Focus #32

A Miracle for the Empty (Inspired by Kerry Shook)

There are relationships out there (my favorite topic) that are suffering. They are hurting. They are empty. They need healing and hope. There has been damage done and the damage needs to be repaired. How does that repair get started? Focus on being loving like Jesus. This is not conditional love that says I will love you if you will love me. It is not "I will be loving only if you reciprocate." This is the same love Christ has for us as he died for our sins. It was not I will die for you if you all follow me. It is "I am dying for you to be reunited with God."
 

In Luke 5:1-11 we have Jesus calling (claiming) his first disciples. He sits in Simon's boat and teaches the word of God to people and then tells Simon to cast his nets into the deep. Simon says that they had worked all night and were tired from catching nothing but he listened to Jesus anyway. That sounds like those times in relationships where you have been doing your part and are exhausted and have been getting ready to "hang it up." You have stopped being loving, caring and nurturing. But Jesus says "give it another shot." When Simon gave it another shot he caught so many fish he needed help bringing them all in. This sounds like when the lull in the relationship is over and you and/or your friend, spouse, significant other both are seeking to be loving again despite being exhausted.

This is what our Christian walk is. It is still seeking to honor God and loving people selflessly even when we are not "feeling up to it." When we still do what God wants from us He will bless us. It may not come as immediately as in this retelling of Jesus and the disciples. But the interesting thing is there is no timetable in the story as to how long it took Simon Peter to catch all of those fish. It could have been 5 seconds or 5 hours. Will you endure and be patient awaiting the blessing while still doing what honors God? Or will you do what you want to get the results you wants faster? It's all up to you. But if you want stronger relationships, follow God's will. 

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Wednesday Wake Up #32

The Accusers

There will be people in your life, when you are doing God's will, that will tell you that you are doing the wrong thing. They will tell you what they think and hold you accountable to their views that you do not subscribe to. Many of us will take these situations and get angry and want to defend ourselves. You don't have to do that. Doing so turns the focus from you doing God's will to protecting your image. If you are doing God's will then their attacks are irrelevant. 

Take Jesus for example. Have you read the story about the man with the withered hand in Luke 6:6-11? Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on a Sabbath and the Pharisees were waiting to see if he would heal the man in the synagogue that had a withered hand. They wanted to accuse him of not doing what was right according to the law as it is written, not in the spirit of the law. The Spirit is what leads you do what is right in God's name. The "rule" or "law" says one thing and the Spirit of the law is do things with love for God and then for others. The accusers will try to tell you to follow the law (don't work on the Sabbath) and ignore the Spirit of the law (do things that honor God at all times).

We read in Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." That means it serves you well in God's eyes to do what is right in God's eyes as you withstand the accusers that tell you that you are not doing. When they tell you that you are wrong for something, look to God's will to validate what you do as the words of men will try to cut you down. 

 
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Romans 8: Condemnation, Heirs, Problems, Attacks

Condemnation, Heirs, Problems, Attacks

One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:1 which tells us that if we are in Jesus Christ (following Christ and being submissive to God's will) we are not going to be condemned. People can try to condemn, but it cannot stick. The law will try to condemn you for missteps or mess ups, but God is not condemning you. Yes, there are earthly consequences for our actions, we are not getting off scot- free on earth, but God is not holding everything against us as people do.That is so freeing. We can beat ourselves up for the bad decisions we make, but when we go to God and seek to do better with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and truly repent, He isn't holding it against us. Isn't that great news?!?!

Romans 8:14 tells us that if we are led by the Spirit of God then we are sons (children) of God. The English Standard Version uses "sons" but as we say mankind, we do not only mean men, but women as well. So, whether you are male or female, if you are led by the Holy Spirit, then consider yourself a member of God's family.We are not associates, or friends or buddies with God, but children of God. There are many out there who do not have strong family units and with the understanding that if you submit to God's will and are led by God you are apart of His family.

And when things seem down right horrible and never ending, we must remember that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). I have been dealing with this thinking recently as things I am experiencing are not turning out favorably at the time in which they occur. I am learning to trust in God and remember that His will is working in my life as I am led to follow Him and seek His will. It is hard to remember because there are painful things that happen or are said, but in His will those things can work for His purposes. The results may not be now and I may never see them, but that is not my focus. I do what the BOSS says.

And finally, if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? No matter what people say or do to me or whatever circumstances come my way, I am empowered to know that being led by the Holy Spirit will not do me wrong as I am in Christ. 

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Wednesday Wake Up #19

'Tis the Season

'Tis the season to be jolly. It's a nice lyric. I don't know anyone who wants to be around a Scrooge type of person during what many call the "most wonderful time of the year" where we are "walkin' in a winter wonderland." But there has to be more about this season than just being jolly. This is the season (in conjunction with Thanksgiving) where many people want to donate their time to the homeless and the less fortunate. Now is a great time to start. I am 100% in favor of that. My hope and aim is that we can do more than just be jolly and joyful and loving during this season. I mean think about it, what if God only answered our prayers during holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas? He loves us all the time (1 John 4:19). We need to be loving all the time to Him and then to others as well because that is how people know we are disciples (followers) of Christ (John 13:34-35).

Psalm 41:1 teaches us that we are blessed for being considerate to the poor. This does not just mean the poor in finances. But, it can also mean the poor in spirit, the poor in health, in relationships. Another word used to replace poor was weak. That does not only cover finances. It covers those who need a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear and a loving heart. It covers those who are sick in hospitals. It covers those going through a rough relationship time as well. It covers the emotionally and spiritually weak. The following verses tell us that there are promises of being sustained by the Lord in our sickbed (we get weak too). The Lord keeps us alive and restores us to full health. We don't do these loving acts because of what we get out of it from God, but we do loving things because we love.

And we can't forget about being joyous during these times. But what are we joyful about? Is it because we love the season and the cold and the fireplace being lit with hot cocoa in our hands? Those are nice things and are very comforting, but are we forgetting to give thanks to God for those nice times that we can have that are very relaxing? We can take for granted the lifestyles we have grown accustomed to, while completely overlooking the provider for us. It's like we only want to thank God when things are going well, but we are to thank God in all circumstances and always be joyous and pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We can't focus on the season without looking at the creator of the season. Can we?

Overall, God wants us to do these wonderful things at all times not just during certain days or months or holidays. He wants us to see Him first (Matthew 6:33). Let us remember to give to others and love others as God loved us first.

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Wednesday Wake Up #18

With God All Things Are Possible

Last week we went through Matthew 19:16-22 and discussed the Young Rich Man and his walking away from following Jesus due to not wanting to sell his possessions and give to the poor and needy. We too can depend on earthly riches and affluence to enable a sense of security in life. We all need to make money to survive and not be homeless, but at some point we have survived, but lack faith in God to take care of our needs (Matthew 6:26).

After the young rich man walks away Jesus tells the disciples that it is hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Case in point was this man. We can look at our world today and see how many people who are rich or wealthy not giving their lives to Christ. Think of the celebrities and business owners of billion dollars companies that live in huge homes and own many properties, but would not stop to feed a homeless person. 

Jesus then says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. The rich focus on money often. It can control life. It is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). You cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24). But you can serve God and be rich. The young rich man was not able to even see this. He only saw what he possessed. Jesus knew that the man loved his possessions which is why he told him to sell them. He didn't say leave them, he said sell them. That still could have left the man with enough money to be fine the rest of his life. We don't know that, but it is possible. He would rather hang on to everything (like a lot of us do but could do without).

Where is your heart? Is it focused on knowing Jesus and seeing what he did for you? Do you know what Jesus did for you? If you don't, then seek him and his will for your life. Are you going to continue to spend more energy on earthly riches and not storing up your treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20)? It is time to see what abundant life God has for us by following Christ and letting go of our stuff.

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Acts 21: Paul's Courage and Dedication in the Holy Spirit

Paul's Courage and Dedication in the Holy Spirit

Once again we have an example of Paul being courageous and standing strong in the Holy Spirit. This man has had quite the journey from being one who arrested and killed Christians to now being arrested for being a Christian.

Now Paul is in a position to where he was told by others through the Holy Spirit to not go into Jerusalem. Through the Spirit he was warned but persisted to go on to Jerusalem anyway by saying in Acts 21:13 "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Some might say those words were foolish, but I think it takes a brave man to be ready to die for Jesus. Some may say that Paul felt guilty for having Stephen killed, but we don't know that at this time so it sounds like he is dedicated to doing God's will and being ready to endure whatever comes his way. I like the response that was given by those that were with him when they said in verse 14, "Let the will of the Lord be done." They could have yelled at him and called him names, but they did not. They realized they cannot control or persuade him to do something different than what he was dedicated to do. Paul took several men with him and participated in purification practices. After those seven days were up he was captured in the temple by Jews from Asia. The crowd was so angry and loud an physically vicious, Paul had to be carried into a separate barracks. He asked to speak to the people and in Acts 22, we will see what Paul said.

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Acts 14: Unbelievers, Healing and Humility

Unbelievers, Healing and Humility

Unbelievers can really cause some trouble. Their unbelief and hard hearts can stir up those who are seeking. Unbelievers can be cynical and overlook truth and proof due to their personal issues, not because what they do not believe in is not true. The unbelievers here in verse 2-6 were Jewish poisoned the minds of the Gentiles and turned them against the brothers Barnabas and Paul. But, Barnabas and Paul found out about and fled and continued preaching the gospel. I love the dedication here. I think many would find it easy to say "if I keep hitting these roadblocks, then it isn't meant to be." When you are doing God's will, it isn't about what the naysayers and haters say.

Being in God's will can also allow you to heal those that are sick and disabled. In verses 8-10 we see that man who had never been able to walk was commanded to stand by Paul's voice and the man was healed. Once again, the Holy Spirit has healing power. It isn't just physical. If you have ever had the Holy Spirit work through your life in restoring a relationship or helping you through a personal problem, then you too know of the Holy Spirit's power and have a testimony to tell.

But, sometimes people get things twisted and confused. We see good things people do and we begin to worship them or make false idols (see Exodus 32). In verses 11-18, when the crowds saw what Paul had done with healing the man, they began to refer to them as gods and wanted to offer a sacrifice to them. When Barnabas and Paul heard about this they stopped them and showed them that they were also men and need not be worshiped. Barnabas and Paul could have used that time and gotten the glory like Herod wanted, but they chose the humble route.

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Act 10: Cornelius, Peter and Partiality

Cornelius, Peter and Partiality

In Acts 10:1-8 we meet Cornelius who was a devout man who was a soldier in the Italian Army who gave alms to the poor, prayed to God continually and had a God fearing household. An angel of God appeared in a vision and told him that his prayers and alms have ascended and were seen as a memorial before God. The angel then instructed Cornelius to send men to Joppa and bring Simon Peter. After the angel departed, Cornelius followed through and sent three men to Joppa and even told them all what he had just encountered.

Cornelius was finally able to meet Peter,  who had a vision as well, but his vision was related to snakes, birds and reptiles and God saying "What God has made clean, do not call common" which was in relation to how Peter (a Jew) was interacting with Cornelius (a man from another nation) which was unlawful at the time. Cornelius knelt to worship Peter when he met him but Peter's humility reminded Cornelius that he too was a human and not God. Peter and
Cornelius being together was a part of God's plan and it tore down a human law that was not in God's will. It did not matter what their nationality was, it was only about God's will (Acts 10:34-35).

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Acts 6- Obedience and Changing Customs

Obedience and Changing Customs

As the church was growing and the disciples were growing in number and the priests were growing, they were not just becoming members and being stagnant in their faith. They did not just claim to have a faith, but there is a key word that describes their commitment to the faith. The word is obedient. We see this in Acts 6:7 that the priests became obedient to the faith. That means not succumbing to culture and the ways of tradition, unless they were done in accordance with God's will. 

In Acts 6:1-6, being obedient also meant praying for one another. There were 7 chosen men who had good reputations, and were full of the Spirit and wisdom. These men's roles were to help the disciples (the 12) and help spread the gospel of Christ. It wasn't just anyone, there were specifications needed for new men to be selected to assist the 12. These men were selected and prayed for. It really looks like a team working together in unity for a common goal.

One of the seven chosen (Stephen) served as a martyr for the gospel of Christ. He was arrested. False witnesses were brought against Stephen in order to stop him and God's work. His charges were stirring up the people (just like Jesus in Luke 23:1-5). They were afraid to change customs (Acts 6:14) and so they tried to stop someone seeking to do God's will. It takes a strong person to do God's will in the face of adversity. Would you be able to do what Stephen did?

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Luke 12:3- What Is Said in the Dark

What Is Said in the Dark...

Have you ever heard of the saying "what's done in the dark will come to light?" What does that mean? I have always understood it to mean that what you do in secret will eventually get out and will no longer be a secret.

It is actually a quote from Jesus regarding hypocrisy. Men who hide truth from other men may be successful in that context, but what about hiding something from God. Can you actually hide something from God? What would you even want to hide from God? Shame for our sins makes us try to hide from God. Remember Adam and Eve when they hid from God after eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil? They hid because they were ashamed.

Jesus is saying that whatever we do to try to hide from man will still be seen by God. God can see all. So, even if you commit a crime and try to cover it up, God knows. God knows everything. What we do in darkness (distance from God) shall be heard by God's all knowing ears. God wants us to not hide from Him but connect to Him and His will as we see in Romans 8:29. God wants us to be like His son, Jesus. The more we are like hima nd seek to be like Him by remaining in God's will, the less we will feel the desire to hide from our shame.

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Friday Focus #4

Staying in God's Will

Think about a time that you regret doing something. Seriously, take a second to think about it.

Whatever answer you came up with, ask yourself this question "Was I in God's will when I did that?"

I have made many bad decisions in my lifetime and many of those are made out of selfish decisions that were not endorsed by God. God's word and will need to be first in my life, not secondary.

When we look at the story of King David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) we see two people who engaged in lustful acts that led to a child out of wedlock. Bathsheba was married and slept with another man and ended up pregnant. David conspired to have her husband, Uriah, come home from war in hopes that he would sleep with his wife and David and Bathsheba could cover up their sin. But, when Uriah came home he got too drunk and didn't sleep with his wife. So David sent Uriah back into battle, but put him in part of the battle with the hardest fighting and then draw back from Uriah so that he may be struck down and die in battle. Do you see how being out of God's will and giving into their own lustful thoughts and ideas led to a man's death? Is that in God's will?

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are to take every thought captive and align it with how Christ thought. That means making God's will first in our lives.

We are to live our lives like Jesus. We are to think like Jesus. In Philipians 2:5 we are told to have the same attitude as Jesus. That means thoughts of selfishness, envy, self-righteousness, wrath, lust, etc, are not of Christ. We are to become Christ like.

I found a video from Pastor Rick Warren on Recognizing God's Voice which really goes into detail on how to know when what we think or feel is of God or of evil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-827QmRDjUA



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