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Did God Turn His Back On Jesus?
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus spoke these words as he gasped for each breath of air; suspended between Heaven and earth. Dying on the cross.
Did the Father actually forsake Jesus, or was the pain so great Jesus felt like he was all alone? What do you think?
Does the Father God forsake you and I? Ever?
No.
Even if we’ve done wrong?
No.
Even though we may have cursed him?
No. We’re the reason he sent his son.
But isn’t it true that God can’t look upon sin?
Why can’t he? He’s the strong one. He’s the pure one. He can change the sinner; he’s even been known to eat meals with sinners.
Sin has a problem remaining in HIS presence. When Isaiah stood before the Lord, it was Isaiah who had a hard time looking at the Lord, not the other way around. Isaiah said, “I am a man of unclean lips. Where can I hide?”
Would the Father leave his son, when he was needed the most?
No.
It pleased the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief. All part of the plan. God’s plan. To allow his son to become the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world. The sin in you, in me.
We were part of God’s plan, established before the beginning of the world? Yes.
For the purpose of destroying the works of the devil, Jesus came.
Did the Father ever turn his back on the priests as they sacrificed cattle and sheep on the altar?
No. The fragrance was pleasing to him. Not the fragrance of burnt hide, or the metallic smell of blood. The fragrance the Father liked was the fragrance of forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation.
Restoration.
The Psalmist declared, “God is my refuge and my strength; a very present help in trouble.”
Father God declared, “I will be with you in trouble, to deliver you and honor you.”
The cross would definitely qualify as a time of trouble, and a troublesome place.
Jesus bore our grief and carried our sorrows. Yet we esteemed him stricken; smitten by God and afflicted. But he wasn’t. It looked like it to us, and to everyone who was on the hill that notable, unforgettable day. It looked like the Father turned his back on Jesus when Jesus needed him most. But he didn’t.
No, he didn’t.
Just as he was with Jonah in the belly of the great fish, Father was with Jesus, and he is with you. And he’s with me.
Whether we are in the fish because of our sin, or we’re standing in seaweed up to our thighs because we’re taking someone else’s place; he is with us. God is with us. We may not see him, hear him, or touch him. But he is with us.
For Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, and was bruised for our iniquity. Our punishment, our annihilation, he carried to the cross for us. Carried it to the One who could say, “Paid in full.” God made him, who knew no sin, to be made sin; so we, who never knew righteousness would be made the righteousness of God in Christ.
Did God turn his back on Jesus?
No.
In fact, God gave Jesus the grace to taste death for every man, woman, and child. The cry from Jesus, while praying in the garden, sweating great drops of blood, was a cry for help. Had Adam cried for help in that first garden, God wouldn’t have asked later, “Adam, where are you?” But Jesus cried for help; help so he could taste death for everyone.
And God was immediately there.
Everyone has a standing invitation from Father God: “come boldly to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The time of need is also a time of trouble.
Why is this important?
Have you ever failed God? I have. Have you ever sinned? Yep, got me again. Have you ever said things you regretted saying, just a few minutes after saying them? Haven’t we all?
Has the accuser of the brethren ever launched into one of his tirades, accusing you of the sin which leads to death, and “promising” you God has left you, never to return? Has he ever shown you his charts and photos, with “Greek and Hebrew” interpretations and explanations, trying to convince you that God’s mercy DOES have an end?
Have you ever believed him?
That’s why this is important.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 22:1
The psalmist kept crying out to God, praying and wailing, and praising. All the way down to verse twenty one. Note the change:
“Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!”
While Jesus hung on the cross, he didn’t just quote the first verse of Psalm 22. I believe he quoted the whole thing. He would have said something like this:
“Oh God, it looks like I am all alone! I feel like you’ve abandoned me! But I know you inhabit the praises of your people.
“Oh God, this pain is so great! It is more than I can bear. I cry out to you, but you seem so far away. Everyone around me is mocking me; claiming you, Father, are the one punishing me. Oh, I wish they all could see why this is really happening. Please, be not far from me, for trouble is very near.
“Yes, I feel so all alone. I cry to you, but you seem to have turned a deaf ear to me.
“Oh, THERE you are! Honoring and delivering me, just as you promised! The bulls of Bashan and the horns of the wild oxen will not destroy me after all. Hallelujah!” And from that point on, Jesus was ready to finish his mission.
When the Lord declares, “I will never leave you or forsake you”, please try and remember one thing…
He means it.
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Another Day Closer
While many slept, the world moved a step closer to the coming of the Lord.
Even if you don’t believe in the Bible, and can’t stand the people who do; something is happening. Even tonight, something happened.
People who believe the Bible could not make it happen, anymore than people who don’t could stop it from happening. Even unbelief couldn’t stop what happened tonight.
Blood moons? Oh, is that what you think I’m referring to? No. Not entirely, anyway.
I’m talking about the next appearing of my Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Oh, sure. I’m moon watching tonight. After all, it’s not every day, or night, when one can see a moon disappear and turn red at the same time.
Even now, 2:00 a.m., with just barely a sliver of the moon showing, I’m reminded of Jesus’ words: “look up, for your redemption is drawing close.”
Yep. Close.
The moon is beginning to turn now. Cool.
Just another day closer. One of these days it will all be behind us. No more signs in the heavens. No more prophetic words to unravel and decode. No more books to write, or warnings to heed.
One of these days we’ll look at each other and say, “I never in my wildest dreams thought it could be like this!”
And, now, we’re another day closer. Another step closer.
And, yes, another moon turned to blood.
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Great Physician Prescriptions
If I was a doctor, or maybe a physician’s assistant, guess what I would do every chance I got…I’d write a prescription that would relieve the world of all its sickness, disease, fear and torment.
Yep, that’s what I’d do. At least, that’s what I would attempt to do. One person at a time.
But, as you may have guessed, I’m not a doctor, PA or even an RN. Shucks, folks, I’m just a guy who has big ideas, hopes and dreams.
And, who knows a BIG God…Who just happens to be the Great Physician.
Now I won’t presume to speak for him, but I would like to share with each of you some of the prescriptions he’s written for others. You see, there’s something very powerful about his prescriptions. Just reading them tend to make a person feel better. The more the prescription is read, the more it is believed. And the more it’s believed…well, all things are possible to those who believe! Do you know who said that?
The Great Physician.
Each and every prescription is nothing more than a piece of paper with writing and scribbling on it. The kind of medicine, the dosage, the length or duration in which to take the medication, number of refills, and, of course, the doctor’s signature. The doctor may be the finest in the land, but unless the script is followed, the medicine, and the doctor, will not benefit anyone.
Same is true with the Great Physician, and his prescriptions.
But faith comes by hearing and reading, so allow me to share with you some wonderful prescriptions which have helped countless others. And his word will help you, as well.
Oh, by the way; it’s okay to use his prescriptions. He wrote them with you in mind.
Script One
“If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” (Exodus 15:26 ESV)Diligently listen to his voice and do what he says. He is your healer.
Script Two
“You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you.” (Exodus 23:25 ESV)Serve the Lord, and your bread and water will be blessed. And sickness will be removed.
Script Three
“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.” (Proverbs 4:20-22 ESV)Pay attention to his word, above all else. It is life and health.
Script Four
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1-5 ESV)Bless the Lord, getting your mouth and whole body involved. Remember what he has done!
Script Five
“He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” (Psalm 107:20 ESV)His word came and brought healing and deliverance.
Script Six
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14 ESV)The Lord does exactly what he promises to do.
Script Seven
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV)Everything may scream, God has failed, but he will fulfill his word. And I will praise him.
Script Eight
“And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ’Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”” (Matthew 21:21-22 ESV)If you have faith. You can have faith. You can have your prayers answered. Yes, you can.
Script Nine
“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38 ESV)He still goes about doing good. And healing is good. Good for you. Good for the world.
Script Ten
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:14-16 ESV)Are you sick? Call for people to pray in faith. Sins present? Take care of those, too!
There are MANY more “scripts” I could have shown you, but I think you’ve gotten the idea. I hope so.
One thing for sure; you will NEVER find the Great Physician turning anyone away without healing them, when they came to him in faith. Not once!
I’ll leave you with two final Scripts – very easy to understand and believe.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)
“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ’Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”” (Mark 11:22-24 ESV)
No, I’m not a doctor. But I know who is…
Jesus!
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Secret Place
Come closer, dear ones. I would like to tell you a secret. It’s really about a secret place; a place of covering and camouflage, protection and provision.
It’s a place few people find, though it’s been talked about for centuries.
Many believe the place doesn’t exist; but those who find it never want to leave.
It’s a wide, broad place, but the entrance is smaller than the eye of a needle.
To enter requires no secret handshake or even a certain percentage of one’s income. Even the tithe won’t open the door to this special, secret place.
There’s no one so bad they can’t live in this secret place I’m referring to; but no one can enter because they’re good enough.
Many an adversary have attempted to invade and demolish this wonderful place, but all have failed. It’s a forever kind of place, a place no one wants to leave; though many have allowed themselves to be coerced into leaving.
What a shame.
Surely you know what place I’m talking about, don’t you? It’s the secret place of the Most High; the secret place of God Almighty.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2 AMP)
The secret place of the Most High is the greatest, safest, and most loving place in all the universe! The Garden of Eden cannot compare with the secret place! Mansions in glory cannot measure up! In fact, without the secret place, Heaven just couldn’t be, Heaven.
Even winning a $300 million Lottery wouldn’t hold a candle to the secret place!
The secret place, the place of refuge, of fellowship, of complete salvation; like no other place.
How can you find this secret place?
Well, can you put your whole trust in Jesus Christ? Can you cast all your care on him, because he cares for you? Can you, WILL you, call upon him as the Lord of your life? Will you LET HIM tell you what to do, what to say, how to think, and what to believe?
Will you “say of the Lord, he is your refuge and your fortress, your God, in whom you trust?”
If so, you’re not far from the secret place.
Jesus is the secret place of God. And he’s as close as the faith in your heart.
“HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.
For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91:1 – 91:16 AMP)
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End Time Shaking – End Time Harvest
We can miss a huge piece of God’s puzzle when we don’t ask him questions. For instance, there are some verses in the book of Acts that, in my opinion, have a vital connection to the day and age we’re living in.
The time of shaking.
Look at the following passage. James and the other “pillars of the church” quoted from Amos 9:11 when they said…
And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.” (Acts 15:15-18 ESV)
Did you notice the part that says, “after this”? Why would it read that way? I asked the Lord that question, and he directed me back to Amos.
The Lord speaks of a rebuilding, a revival, of the Presence of the Lord, which will draw the nations into the kingdom of God. But something MUST come first. Before the tent can be completely and entirely finished, Amos prophesied a shaking, a sifting, must occur.
For behold, I will command, and shake the house of Israel among all the nations as one shakes with a sieve, but no pebble shall fall to the earth. All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, who say, ’Disaster shall not overtake or meet us.’ “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,“ declares the Lord who does this.” (Amos 9:9-12 ESV)
“I will shake the house of Israel…as one shakes with a sieve…”. In other words, shaking precedes building.
Yes, God has shaken Israel, but I believe he’s ready to shake his church. Why? So he can finish building on an unshakeable foundation. He knows we’ve tried to build into it our ideas, our beliefs and doctrines which he never sanctioned. They’ve got to be shaken loose. And, they will be.
“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken – that is, things that have been made – in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:26-29 ESV)
Here’s another passage that prompted me to ask my Heavenly Father a question.
“How does this apply to my world?”
And he directed to Haggai, chapter two.
“For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.” (Haggai 2:6-9 ESV)
Now a lot people, well meaning people, like to look at Haggai’s prophecy and talk about the end time transfer of wealth. Yes, they do. And maybe, I emphasize MAYBE it has something to do with it. But I doubt it.
Why do I doubt it? Because there’s nothing in the New Testament (that I know of) that corroborates that teaching.
So WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Take a look at these next passages.
“And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” (Malachi 3:17 AMP)
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10 AMP)
The first verse of Isaiah 61 is what Jesus quoted in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”. Well, he kept on talking, clear down to verse 10! “Adorns herself with jewels…”
What’s he saying? Basically, and prophetically, this: “the silver and gold, the precious jewels, will come into my house from every nation. My special treasure, my peculiar people, shall make my house much better than the former one. The glory of God shall fill my house as never before! AFTER the shaking!”
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1
“Whose house are you…” Hebrews 3
The shaking precedes the final completion of the “latter house.”
Want more proof? How about Malachi chapter 3?
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1-5 ESV)
Briefly, this tells me the Lord is coming TO his house before he comes FOR his house. What’s the purpose of the house, anyway? To be the place where God and man commune, AND to be the place that welcomes all the nations into the kingdom of God. His house, a house of prayer for all nations, right? It’s a praying house so it can be a FILLED house!
Forget about the transfer of wealth, will you? Yes, God will supply what we need to bring in the nations.
But we need to see the nations as the wealth God is adamant about finding, rescuing, and showing off.
I can just see him, saying to the devil, “Lucifer, take a look at these precious jewels! See how they shine? Take a good, long look; I want you to remember their beauty for all eternity!”
People, there’s coming a shaking. If we’ll yield to the work of God, we will see the greatest harvest in the history of the world. Yes, many will be shaken, and some will barely make it. An apostasy spirit is growing and becoming more influential as each day goes by.
But he who endures to the end shall witness the Desire of the Nations welcoming nation after nation into his house. The house that is his welcoming, glorious house.
People like you and I.
Wow!
Hey, let’s discuss this some more! Write your comments, and see where the dialogue takes us.
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Up The Creek
“Up the creek, without a paddle in the rainy season.”A well known phrase; one that depicts frustration and dire circumstances rendering very little hope.
But did you know that up the creek is the place where miracles happen?
Believe it!
“So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.” (Joshua 3:14-17 ESV)
God told Joshua to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan river, during flood season. He let them know the river wouldn’t stop flowing until the priests set their feet into the water. But as soon as they did, the miracle up the creek happened.
12 miles up the creek.
Too far up the creek for them to see the water become a huge wall, as though it was held back by the hand of God.
Up the creek.
Up the creek is where God was, performing the miracle his children needed. They obeyed his word, following his command to step into the water. God had obligated himself to do the miraculous, for he said, “when your feet get wet, I’ll make the waters stand in a heap.”
Just how wet are your feet? Are you obeying the word of the Lord?
He provides the miracle when we obey his word.
He’s up the creek, when we need to cross a river. He’s on top of the walls, when we need them to crumble. He makes the sun stand still, when we’re prepared to enter into his warfare. He multiplies the oil, and the fish and bread, when we give him all we have.
When we fix our heart on him, he’s able to make all grace abound toward us, never leaving us or forsaking us. Though he’s not always easy to see, he’s always faithful.
And even when we feel like we’re up the creek, we’re never alone.
Remember, up the creek, with or without a paddle, is where miracles take place.
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God’s Move (a prophetic plea)
A move of God is the only thing that can save America. And it will have to be a move of God, not unlike the demonstration and visitation seen on the day of Pentecost many, many years ago.
Back in “the day”, the first thing the believers did was join and pray, expectantly. What were they expecting? They didn’t know. Jesus said something about being filled with power, clothed with power, and also something about being a martyr.
They weren’t sure how long to pray. They probably didn’t know what to pray. They did a little bit of church business, but other than that they prayed. And stayed in one accord. In unity.
Once God showed up, the people worked at keeping it a move of God. At least for a number of years. Oh, it wasn’t easy, as there were a number of people tossing in their two drachmas worth of nonsense.
There were a few cages rattled, and a few feelings hurt; but the world was changed by the move of God.
Today, there are a number of people praying and expecting a move of God. I see a difference, though, between today’s “upper room crowd” and our kinfolk back in Jerusalem.
The difference? Our kinfolk didn’t have the disadvantage of years and years of church history to mess them up. They just prayed expectantly, knowing God would do something great. Not like today. We have 2000 years of church history, with fussing and fighting and defending OUR beliefs by declaring everyone else’s wrong.
Today’s group, if not careful, will pray expectantly until something happens they don’t agree with. Until someone tries to move the hand of God in a way others haven’t witnessed before. Or until the wrong person gets the nod from God to preach to the gathering multitude.
There is needed a move of God. God. And we need to let him pick the orator. We need to allow him to set the stage, call the cues, and pick the players. It’s his show.
I fear, yes, fear is the correct word; I fear the church settles for a tiny move of God in a church over there somewhere. And a little move and excitement in a church on the other side of the tracks. Settling for a revival meeting here, a revival meeting there. Little smatterings of God. Little bits of God’s pocket change dumped in an area with trillion dollar needs.
Because that’s all God wants to do? No! Because that’s all we will allow him to do.
Already I sense there are people placing their name on what God’s trying to do. “Come to MY prayer meeting. It’s the one God’s using to give birth to his last great move.” Really?
GOD is up to something bigger, MUCH bigger, than what my little bitty mind can define. Yours also. As on the day of Pentecost when everything was new to them, that’s what’s coming our way. GOD, in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, WILL do something redemptive and restorative one more time. Many are sensing it. Many are believing for it, expecting it.
Great. Let’s not cause a miscarriage of God’s move with our selfishness, a desire for followers, and a lack of true love for God; as demonstrated by our love for the brethren.
Egos, be nailed to the cross, in Jesus’ Name!
May God move and may we allow him the freedom to move.
Because He WILL do good.
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Rest In Peace?
“Rest in peace”, the preacher said, as he closed his bible. What did he mean?
“R.I.P.” the plastic Halloween tombstone reads. What does it mean?
“Rest in peace”, says the atheist, agnostic, and the person who doesn’t know what they are.
What are they really saying?
Does the person who adamantly opposes even the very thought of a Heaven or Hell realize what they’re saying when they whisper, “Rest in peace”?
Is the high school principle praying in the teacher’s lounge when she says to a teacher, “may so and so rest in peace“?
What do you think?
Is the grave a place to rest? Is the grave the final resting place? Is there more to look forward to after the final shovel full of dirt is dropped on your cold, stiff body? Or, is there something to fear?
Is there really such a thing as “resting in peace”?
No. Unless “R.I.P.” refers only to a gravesite left undisturbed, forever and ever.
It is possible for a lifeless body to “rest in peace”. That, however, is not the case with the other parts of a person.
Since mankind is a three-part being, spirit, soul, and body, “rest in peace” can only refer to the lifeless body. Man is a spirit being, he has a soul (the deepest feelings, thoughts, desires, emotions, etc.), and he lives in a body. The body is temporal, the spirit, eternal. Once the body quits, the spirit and soul do not rest; they actually become more active than ever before. They are on the move. On the move to a specific destination, unseen by few this side of eternity.
The person who has placed their trust in Jesus is immediately ushered into the presence of the Lord upon leaving their body. “To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord”, Paul said. And when a person is in the presence of Jesus they find themselves busy with the activities of Heaven. Worship, praise, prayer, work, and preparation for the final invasion of earth by the King of kings and Lord of lords.
The person who has NOT placed their trust in Jesus is immediately escorted into the bowels of the earth, to the place where the damned are incarcerated; awaiting their final judgment as they stand before the Great White Throne. The one seated on the throne is the one who will simply pass the eternal sentence upon the person who rejected his offer of eternal life through his son, Jesus.
It will be no picnic, waiting the final word from the Judge, before being hurled into the Lake of Fire prepared for the devil and his angels. A place of total, unimaginable darkness. A place where all the desires and cravings of the heart and mind are amplified, yet never fulfilled. Chaos, fear, torment; just a few of the things Hell is known for. The Lord has said, “there is no rest for the wicked.”
No one will be surprised when that time comes; when they either rise or sink. Oh, they may not want to think about it right now, but once the filter of their body is removed, they will “know as they are known”. No longer will they be looking through a dark, veiled glass. With eyes wide open they will witness firsthand the consequences of their earthly decision. To some it will be glorious. To others, it will simply be too late.
So as for “Resting in peace”, it would be a nice, I suppose. But not practical.
The believer, the one who’s been given new life in Jesus, would not want to be separated any longer from Jesus. The unbeliever? They will try and stay completely away from him. Also, an unregenerate spirit would threaten the peace of all Heaven if they were allowed to run loose. The devil was kicked out for rebellion, and those who still have his nature won’t fare any better. Count on it. The devil’s fate is the fate of all those “whose names were not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
The Lord is not willing that anyone perish, but that all come to repentance – which ultimately leads to life. He has no pleasure when the wicked die. He truly loves each and every one so much, that while each of us, every single one of us was in rebellion to God, Jesus died for us.
Do YOU want to rest? Jesus invites us all to come to him and find rest. Do you want peace? Jesus is our peace with God and our door to the peace of God.
But you’d better make your plans ahead of time. “Resting in peace” just won’t happen.
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Shake-Proof Your Life (Part One)
A shaking is coming. Ordained by God’s justice, necessitated by man’s selfishness. As God is faithful and just, so he is faithful to perform his work in us; and he is just in the way he performs his righteous shaking.
His shaking is nothing to fear, though he is a consuming fire. But either our sins will consume us, ultimately within the fires of hell, or God’s fire of righteousness and true holiness will consume us. Therefore, a shaking is coming. And, it’s a good thing!
Who can endure the shaking, the judgment, of the Lord? Well, who can dwell in his Presence? His Word is clear and certain. For it is impossible to endure his shaking, if we haven’t found our place in his Presence.
O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15 ESV)
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15 ESV)
America has become so high and mighty in their own eyes, they have left no room for God. America does NOT trust in God; at least, not the God of the Bible. God has given the nation’s political and spiritual leaders the mandate, the calling, to lead their country back to its biblical roots, but for the most part, they have failed. Even in the face of national disasters, lengthy wars in foreign lands, and domestic problems that will never be solved by man’s wisdom, all we hear from our leaders is “We shall prevail”. Really?
Where are the spiritual leaders, those who should have the mind of God? Where is the voice of one crying, “in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord?” Yes, the Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servants. But the two things which should be emphasized seem to take a back seat. Prosperity and happiness are the messages that sell.
The Lord is intimately involved with his servants. Those who desire to serve him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Regardless of where it leads, or what it demands; the servant of the Lord is focused on and committed to, God.
A shaking is coming; a shaking that will rattle the political, economic, and spiritual realm of the United States. Everyone who is living a “shakeable life” will be affected. Change is definitely coming. To be unshakeable, is to be ready.
How can you and I be ready for the coming shaking? By shaking off the “stuff” that doesn’t belong in our lives, now.
The apostle Paul wrote this to the Corinthians:
But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. (1Corinthians 11:31-32 ESV)
Peter had this to say about judgment, and specifically, judgment in the church:
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? (1 Peter 4:17-18 ESV)
The emphasis of this teaching, though, is not so much on the coming shaking and time of testing, but how you and I should prepare ourselves for anything that may come; whenever it may come.
How to live a life that is UNSHAKEABLE. Or, how to “Shake-Proof Your Life.”
…whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.“ Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:26-29 NKJV)
There is something to hope for, even in the midst of shaking and judgment. What could that be? God’s hope, and plan, is for the act of discipline (shaking and judgment) to produce a holy people. Without holiness, no one sees the Lord; but with it…
I’ll begin by explaining different ways God shakes nations, churches, and individuals. It isn’t anything new, as nations and civilizations over the last 6,000 years have witnessed times of God’s intervention.
Please comment and let me know what your thoughts are pertaining to this timely subject. Most of all, be prepared.
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A Prophetic Word…
I believe this is a word from the Lord:A shaking is coming upon this land; the land of the free and the home of the brave. A land that is more brazen than brave, and more in bondage than free. This shaking, which will affect each and every person, rich and poor, young and old, will help right the wrongs done specifically in the Lord’s Name, yet against His Kingdom.
For He will display what His grace is really about. He will reveal His power to free the addict, but will call into judgment the things permitted and proclaimed as His will, but have only been the will of worldly-minded pastors and preachers. He will manifest to each person who hungers for freedom, the grace that frees them. But He will correct those who believe God’s grace is their license to pamper the flesh.
The coming shaking will identify and separate truth from error. It is part of the laundering process required to remove spot and blemish.
Anything and everything this nation is holding to, apart from the Lord, will be shaken from their grip, whether things or thoughts. It will be only for a short while, and when it stops many will grab hold of the same things as before. However…
Many, many prodigals shall be shaken off of their bunks, out from under their bridges, and released from the snares that have held them for years. They shall come to their senses, and shall see Jesus as the real and only Lover of their soul. They shall be shaken from the worldly trees they have joined themselves to. They shall fall like overripe fruit. They shall release their hold, and the world’s hold shall be released from them.
Shaking, shaking, shaking. Wind blowing, rain falling, hearts failing; but His Kingdom will remain and His prodigals shall return.
Spiritual doors will fall off their hinges, leaving wide open opportunities for God’s people to enter areas previously blocked. His Power and His Word shall be carried into these shaken places and new life will spring up. Yes, the prodigals are everywhere, hiding in their world of make-believe; but He has not forgotten them, and He knows exactly where they are. And they will come. Yes, they will come.
So release this word into their lives; by faith call them forth. Prepare your hearts for the shaking, and for the prodigal’s return.
Yearn for the prodigal. Believe for the prodigal. Embrace the prodigal – and you will embrace God’s restorative love. For understand this: He is calling the prodigals to come home. He is running after them. He is leaving the ninety nine to rescue the one. And He will find them.
And so will you.
As for the timing of the shaking, it’s already being staged. But within 14 months the shaking’s major effects shall be witnessed. There will be some news agencies that will refer to the shaken economy, the shaken weather patterns, and societal turmoil as an earthquake which cannot be seen or heard, but is being felt across the nation. Race issues will again be a hot issue; because it has not been resolved in His church. But He is forcing us to face it and resolve it.
For those whose hands are in His, you have nothing to fear. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. You can boldly say, the Lord is my helper; I will not fear. But if you feel things in your life shaking, release them to Jesus. Be free.
Smile, child. And warm your heart to His plans, His purposes, His gifts and callings… and His prodigals.
They’re coming home.
The more people struggle against it, the worse it will be. Defiance to His shaking will bring about certain ruin. Not right away. But as certain as the sun rises in the morning, ruin will come.
People of God, begin NOW to loosen your worldly grip, the lust for sensual entertainment, and your adulterous relationship with the world. Let it go, and discover how to love the world as He does.
Amen.
“His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden. Pestilence marches before him; plague follows close behind. When he stops, the earth shakes. When he looks, the nations tremble. He shatters the everlasting mountains and levels the eternal hills. He is the Eternal One.” (Habakkuk 3:4-6 NLT)
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
