Deliverance For Those Who Remain
Micah 2:12a I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob
There is a common teaching in religions called universalism, which basically teaches that since God is a loving God, in the end all people will be saved. The is also a common teaching in Christianity called eternal security, which teaches that in the end all those who have once been saved will spend eternity with God. Both of these are false!
Biblical truths abound against these teachings, but it is easy to see how people who desire to live their own way get deluded into thinking all will be fine in the end. Take a look at Paul's writing to Timothy; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, and today's verse; he will gather all of you. Yet we must not forget to check out the context of these verses. Timothy was told that Christ is faithful to those who endure. In Micah, God said that he would gather the remnant - those who remain.
But, I do not want you to lose track of the promise of these verses here in Micah: God will not abandon Israel, nor will God abandon his church. Even if we must suffer - and Judah certainly did, even if we must go through trials and hardships, we can count on God to carry his people through into eternity. But some will say, well I know a wonderful Christian who suffered cancer and died, or what about all the martyrs? Listen to what was written about these people in Hebrews... the world was not worthy of them. Some people go through harrowing times, yet God takes them safely into heaven.
K and A, remember that eternity is forever. Your life today is temporary. Those people spoken of in Hebrew, some of them we sawed in two... gruesome. Today, more than ever, people are dying for their faith. Yet, God is faithful and will deliver them into his arms and carry them into eternity. Daughters, remain faithful to the end, and he will deliver you as well.
~Dad
Monday, October 7, 2019
Friday, October 4, 2019
Itchy ears, Micah 2:6-11
Itchy Ears
Micah 2:11 If a liar and deceiver comes and says, 'I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,' he would be just the prophet for this people.
God's word's are sweet to the taste, sweeter than honey from the honeycomb! They are life itself for those whose trust is in him. But to the wicked, they bring heartache and pain. The people of Judah pleaded with the prophets not to prophesy bad news. They said, God is not like that. He will not bring about the demise of his people. He is a loving and kind God. He will not bring us disgrace. They wanted the prophets to prophesy only what their itching ears wanted to hear. They could not handle the truth, and when the prophet would proclaim the true word of God, they would kill them.
When people want to find an excuse for a sin, a habit or a questionable way of living, they just look it up in the Bible, they find it. When Messiah College wanted to permit dancing, Grantham church did a search, a study in the Word, and eureka, they found it! What they couldn't locate for centuries just popped out of the Scriptures all noble and good. So today, they dance and party and feel good about themselves.
K and A, never search the Scriptures for permission to do something you already know is wrong or questionable. As we see in today's passage, this has been a problem for thousands of years. Certainly God would want to deprive us of something so good? This is a lie Satan has been pushing since the Garden of Eden. You will find preachers proclaiming the benefits of becoming like the world to win the world, but I have seen the destruction of the church from this practice in my lifetime. So sad.
The church has followed the path of Judah. As Paul warned Timothy, people will put away sound doctrine and go listen to teacher that will preach what they want to hear. choosing a church to attend can be daunting task. Pray for and desire one that preaches sound doctrine, not just want you want to hear no matter how loving the people are or what programs they may have for you. The truth does not center around how good it makes you feel! Desire the true word of God, they will do you good even when hard to swallow.
~Dad
Problems in or coming to the church today as I see it: (not all inclusive)
Micah 2:11 If a liar and deceiver comes and says, 'I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,' he would be just the prophet for this people.
God's word's are sweet to the taste, sweeter than honey from the honeycomb! They are life itself for those whose trust is in him. But to the wicked, they bring heartache and pain. The people of Judah pleaded with the prophets not to prophesy bad news. They said, God is not like that. He will not bring about the demise of his people. He is a loving and kind God. He will not bring us disgrace. They wanted the prophets to prophesy only what their itching ears wanted to hear. They could not handle the truth, and when the prophet would proclaim the true word of God, they would kill them.
When people want to find an excuse for a sin, a habit or a questionable way of living, they just look it up in the Bible, they find it. When Messiah College wanted to permit dancing, Grantham church did a search, a study in the Word, and eureka, they found it! What they couldn't locate for centuries just popped out of the Scriptures all noble and good. So today, they dance and party and feel good about themselves.
K and A, never search the Scriptures for permission to do something you already know is wrong or questionable. As we see in today's passage, this has been a problem for thousands of years. Certainly God would want to deprive us of something so good? This is a lie Satan has been pushing since the Garden of Eden. You will find preachers proclaiming the benefits of becoming like the world to win the world, but I have seen the destruction of the church from this practice in my lifetime. So sad.
The church has followed the path of Judah. As Paul warned Timothy, people will put away sound doctrine and go listen to teacher that will preach what they want to hear. choosing a church to attend can be daunting task. Pray for and desire one that preaches sound doctrine, not just want you want to hear no matter how loving the people are or what programs they may have for you. The truth does not center around how good it makes you feel! Desire the true word of God, they will do you good even when hard to swallow.
~Dad
Problems in or coming to the church today as I see it: (not all inclusive)
- Secular Music
- Secular christian Music
- Dancing
- Alcohol
- Fornication
- Divorce/ Divorce & Remarriage
- Homosexuality
- Gender Idenity
- Marijuana
- Swearing/Course Talk
- Lying/ Fudging Truth
- Lack of Forgiveness/Grudges
- Discipline
- Sacrilege - Not Treating Holy Things Holy
- Lack of Holiness
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
A Blessing To Others, Micah 2:1-5
A Blessing To Others
Micah 2:1 Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds. At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do so.
I see a couple things here... There are people who go around plotting evil. They steal, terrorize and kill for fun or power. We see this happening in gangs throughout America's cities and around the world. Those of us who do not live in those areas cannot imagine the horror of it. There is also a class of people who plot evil who are in positions of power. Their concern is themselves, and they care not about the people they represent. These could be bosses, church leaders, and local and national political leaders. In both of these situations, we often are powerless to do anything about it. Many times, though, we look the other way and have no concern, because the problem doesn't effect us. Yet, when it is in our power to stop them, we must stand up against them, or we become part of the problem.
Just as important, we need to be careful in our own lives, for we too need to avoid the trap of self-empowerment through the demise of others. We cannot lie down and think of how to better ourselves by stepping on others along the way. Children do this among siblings, bullies in school, and we see it happen in the work place. These attitudes and evils can be found in all aspects of life in small yet powerful ways.
K and A, if you see those who are plotting the demise of others, do not go along with them. God will certainly destroy you along with them. Instead, lift those whom you meet. A boss, a co-worker, a stranger along the way, you are to be Christ to everyone. Live as a blessing to others!
~Dad
Micah 2:1 Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds. At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do so.
I see a couple things here... There are people who go around plotting evil. They steal, terrorize and kill for fun or power. We see this happening in gangs throughout America's cities and around the world. Those of us who do not live in those areas cannot imagine the horror of it. There is also a class of people who plot evil who are in positions of power. Their concern is themselves, and they care not about the people they represent. These could be bosses, church leaders, and local and national political leaders. In both of these situations, we often are powerless to do anything about it. Many times, though, we look the other way and have no concern, because the problem doesn't effect us. Yet, when it is in our power to stop them, we must stand up against them, or we become part of the problem.
Just as important, we need to be careful in our own lives, for we too need to avoid the trap of self-empowerment through the demise of others. We cannot lie down and think of how to better ourselves by stepping on others along the way. Children do this among siblings, bullies in school, and we see it happen in the work place. These attitudes and evils can be found in all aspects of life in small yet powerful ways.
K and A, if you see those who are plotting the demise of others, do not go along with them. God will certainly destroy you along with them. Instead, lift those whom you meet. A boss, a co-worker, a stranger along the way, you are to be Christ to everyone. Live as a blessing to others!
~Dad
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Mourn Over Sin 1, Micah 1:8-18
Posted: 30 Sep 2019 09:13 AM PDT This was originally posted but lost in Blogger. Only a draft was saved so I rewrote it and finished it differently. Later I found this version in my emails...
Mourn Over Sin 1
Micah 1:8 Because of this I will weep and wail; I will go about barefoot
and naked, I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl.
The people of Judah had committed the sins of Israel. They gave
themselves over to other gods, to idols who have no power. God would certainly
destroy them, for their sin was too great! God, despite his slowness to anger,
despite his great love, the people of Judah would be destroyed and taken into
captivity!
In these verses, God himself is crying, and he wails for his
people. They seem oblivious to the fact that their sin is destroying them, so
they continue on their merry way. Sin has blinded them! So, God delivers the
bad news; you will be destroyed just like Israel. Your sins are many and death,
destruction, and captivity are at hand!
K and A, make sure you understand that God hates sin. His love for you will bring will not stop the penalty of sin. Certainly, he has prepared a way for redemption, but you must be willing to take the way of Christ; submission and obedience. Take a look at your life... if there is sin, you moan and wail, understanding that God is not happy with you. Repent and do right to keep him from crying about you and the destruction he must bring in your life. Live in such a way that pleases the Lord!
~Dad
K and A, make sure you understand that God hates sin. His love for you will bring will not stop the penalty of sin. Certainly, he has prepared a way for redemption, but you must be willing to take the way of Christ; submission and obedience. Take a look at your life... if there is sin, you moan and wail, understanding that God is not happy with you. Repent and do right to keep him from crying about you and the destruction he must bring in your life. Live in such a way that pleases the Lord!
~Dad
Mourn Over Sin 2, Micah 1:8-18
Mourn Over Sin 2 See note on previous post Mourn Over Sin 1)
Micah 1:8 Because of this I will weep and wail; I will go about barefoot and naked, I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl.
The people of Judah had committed the sins of Israel, they had given themselves over to other gods, to idols who have no power. God would certainly destroy them, for their sin was too great! God, despite his slowness to anger, despite his love, many of the people of Judah would be destroyed and some taken into captivity!
In these verses, God himself is crying, and he wails for his people, the ones he loves. He cries for they do not see their sin and repent. He cries for he knows their end. He cries for he knows what he must do. O, how much better it would be if they saw their sin and cried and wailed for what they had done. how much better it would be for they would find forgiveness and restoration, but soon they will be awakened to fear and terror and it will be too late.
K and A, do not take sinning lightly. The ultimate destination for sinners is everlasting torment in the Lake of Fire. Do not be foolish like so many in the church today and believe that since you once took Jesus as your savior you can go on sinning. Mourn over any sin you may be caught in, seek to be holy and pure by living in the power of the Spirit of God, so you may live above sin and find everlasting life!
~Dad
K and A, do not take sinning lightly. The ultimate destination for sinners is everlasting torment in the Lake of Fire. Do not be foolish like so many in the church today and believe that since you once took Jesus as your savior you can go on sinning. Mourn over any sin you may be caught in, seek to be holy and pure by living in the power of the Spirit of God, so you may live above sin and find everlasting life!
~Dad
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Replacing God, Micah 1:1-7
Replacing God
Micah 1:5 All this is because of Jacob's transgression, because of the sons of the house of Israel. What is Jacob's transgression? Is it not Samaria? What is Judah's hig place? Is it not Jerusalem?
Verse 5 show the main sin that the two kingdoms of Israel had perpetrated. They replaced the one true God with a god made out of the figment of their imagination. The created idols to bow down and devote their lives to. They created a sacrificial system to help "cleanse" their consciences. They worship false gods to plead for protection and to provide the necessities of life. They traded the hope and contentment for sadness and despair. Their lives were empty and they didn't realize why. The Israelites and Jews had broken the first 2 commandments of the Lord: Do not have any other god's before me and Do not make for yourselves idols and bow down to them... They had broken the covenant they had made with the Lord!
K and A, you cannot not replace the Lord with a god of your choosing and expect God not to be hurt. At some point, like Israel and Judah, he will judge your for it, and you will know that he truly is the only God. The Israelites were God's people, his children. He loved and protected them, yet they forsook him and his ways, his commandments. Be careful. You too, are God's children. He loves you and desires to care for you, but if you forsake his ways and choose your own way, he will surely judge you. Remember, what you read in the OT is a lesson to guide you in following the Lord. Jesus is your Savior today, but in the future, he will be your judge! Live in such a way that pleases the Father and you will be confident on that Day.
~Dad
Micah 1:5 All this is because of Jacob's transgression, because of the sons of the house of Israel. What is Jacob's transgression? Is it not Samaria? What is Judah's hig place? Is it not Jerusalem?
Verse 5 show the main sin that the two kingdoms of Israel had perpetrated. They replaced the one true God with a god made out of the figment of their imagination. The created idols to bow down and devote their lives to. They created a sacrificial system to help "cleanse" their consciences. They worship false gods to plead for protection and to provide the necessities of life. They traded the hope and contentment for sadness and despair. Their lives were empty and they didn't realize why. The Israelites and Jews had broken the first 2 commandments of the Lord: Do not have any other god's before me and Do not make for yourselves idols and bow down to them... They had broken the covenant they had made with the Lord!
K and A, you cannot not replace the Lord with a god of your choosing and expect God not to be hurt. At some point, like Israel and Judah, he will judge your for it, and you will know that he truly is the only God. The Israelites were God's people, his children. He loved and protected them, yet they forsook him and his ways, his commandments. Be careful. You too, are God's children. He loves you and desires to care for you, but if you forsake his ways and choose your own way, he will surely judge you. Remember, what you read in the OT is a lesson to guide you in following the Lord. Jesus is your Savior today, but in the future, he will be your judge! Live in such a way that pleases the Father and you will be confident on that Day.
~Dad
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
The Lord Knows, Micah 1:2b
The Lord Knows
Micah 1:2b that the Sovereign Lord may witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.
We are going to go through the book of Micah next. It is not a pleasant book full of cheery accolades, yet in the midst of doom and promised destruction, we find hope. God is not blind to our sin. He will not sit idly by and pretend that he does not see or does not care. He is acutely aware, works to bring correction and commences judgement at the right times.
Daughters, I do not know this book. I am sure as we go through it, a passage here and there will jog my memory, and I'll remember some of the verses. Keep in mind that my writings are not exposes on the passages that we cover. They are thoughts and promptings that I believe are from the Lord for your encouragement toward living holy. I expect the book of Micah to more difficult to cover than most I have done, but with the grace of God you will find in my writings the same hope the people of Judah and Israel realized in the midst of their tough times. Sin does not bring about God's love and affection, yet in the middle of our struggles, God, in his infinite love, reaches to us to bring us out of the mire we have gotten ourselves into. If you ever find yourself stuck, reach up to him, and let him pull you out.
~Dad
Song:
He Brought Me Out
Micah 1:2b that the Sovereign Lord may witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.
We are going to go through the book of Micah next. It is not a pleasant book full of cheery accolades, yet in the midst of doom and promised destruction, we find hope. God is not blind to our sin. He will not sit idly by and pretend that he does not see or does not care. He is acutely aware, works to bring correction and commences judgement at the right times.
Daughters, I do not know this book. I am sure as we go through it, a passage here and there will jog my memory, and I'll remember some of the verses. Keep in mind that my writings are not exposes on the passages that we cover. They are thoughts and promptings that I believe are from the Lord for your encouragement toward living holy. I expect the book of Micah to more difficult to cover than most I have done, but with the grace of God you will find in my writings the same hope the people of Judah and Israel realized in the midst of their tough times. Sin does not bring about God's love and affection, yet in the middle of our struggles, God, in his infinite love, reaches to us to bring us out of the mire we have gotten ourselves into. If you ever find yourself stuck, reach up to him, and let him pull you out.
~Dad
Song:
He Brought Me Out
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