A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is developing the fruit of Patience and Longsuffering in every area of their lives. They are diligent to let Patience have it’s perfect work so that they can be perfect and entire wanting nothing.
Patience – Vines NT
Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope.”
Longsuffering – Vines NT
Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy, and is used of God, Exo_34:6 ; Rom_2:4; 1Pe_3:20.
James 1: 2 – 8Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. (3) Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. (4) But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. (5) If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. (6) Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. (7) For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, (8) [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. (AMP C)
Have you ever heard the statement “Jesus is the reason for the season”.
We have all heard that phrase at one time or another.
Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season for all of Mankind or He should be.
But what about God’s angle of view?
From God’s angle of view Mankind, You and I are the reason for the season. You and I and all of Mankind past present and future are the entire reason that Jesus was born.
It took over 4,000 years for everything to be in perfect order for Jesus to be born. No wonder that all the angels and I believe all of Heaven itself were celebrating that night.
The one and only reason that Jesus came into this world was because Man was separated from God.
The greatest Giver of all Time and Eternity Is God Himself. The greatest gift ever given was Jesus. The ultimate gift of Love.
John 3: 16 – 17For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (17) For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. (Amp. C)
John 1: 16 For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift. (Amp. C)
Ephesians 2: 4 – 5 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, (5) Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
Psalm 23: 5 – 6You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. (6)Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. (Amp. C)
The previous verse 4 relates to walking through the valley of the shadow of death. There are enemies in the valley of the shadow of death. But as we discussed in our last message, right in the presence of our enemies we are being protected and comforted by our shepherd who is right there with us.
Right in the presence of our enemies, the Lord, Who is with us, has prepared a table for us.
He has also anointed our heads with oil. Our cup is running over. He has made abundant overflowing provision for us right in the presence of our enemies.
This table is a right now table. This is not the same table that is being prepared for us in Heaven. There are no enemies in Heaven.
Our Loving Heavenly Father, in all His Goodness, right in the very presence of our enemies, has prepared a table for us in the secret place of His Presence.
GOD IS GOOD!!! No matter who we are or what we have done God has laid up His Goodness for all who will come to Him and receive it. His Goodness is laid up for all of man past present and future.
Psalm 100: 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.(Amp. C)
Psalm 106: 1 PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! (Amp. C)
Psalm 107: 1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! (Amp. C)
Psalm 31: 19 – 21 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! (20)You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. (21)Blessed be the LORD, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! (NKJV)
The Goodness of God toward man is not based on our being afraid of God. The Goodness of God is based on who He Is. Love Himself.
We cannot receive anything from God by being afraid of Him. That was one of the mistakes that Israel made. They did not understand the Goodness or Love of God. They did not know that God Is Love.
We do not come to the table that God has set for man by being afraid of Him. That kind of fear will keep us out of the Secret Place and away from the Table of the Lord.
Dictionary
Fear n.
1. a. A very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger:
b. A state or condition marked by this feeling:
2. A feeling of disquiet or apprehension:
3. A reason for dread or apprehension:
4. Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a deity.
v. feared, fear·ing, fears
1. To be afraid or frightened of:
2. To be uneasy or apprehensive about:
3. To consider probable; expect:
4. To revere or be in awe of (a deity, for example).
Reverence (rĕv′ər-əns)
1. A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love.
2. An act showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy.
Fear or being afraid of God will keep us out of the Secret Place and away from the Table of the Lord.
Reverence or reverential fear of God causes us to enter the Secret Place and partake of the Table that He has prepared for us.
Psalm 91: 1 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].(Amp. C)
Psalm 103: 17 But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children (Amp. C)
Psalm 25: 9 – 10He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way. (10)All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
Psalm 23: 3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. (Amp. C)
Psalm 25: 4 – 5 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. (5)Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long. (Amp. C)
Psalm 25: 9 – 10He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way. (10)All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Amp. C)
Psalm 32: 7 – 8You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah(8) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. (NKJV)
Proverbs 3: 5 – 6Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (6)In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.(Amp. C)
Psalm 19: 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer. (Amp. C
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heartor being Spiritually Minded is a person who has been Saved, Justified, and made Righteous by the Grace of God.
Justified = Just as if I never Sinned.
Righteous = Right Standing with God.
Grace = Unmerited Favor.
When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior by God’s free gift of Grace, He Justifies us making us Righteous or putting us back into right standing with God Himself by His Grace.
Ephesians 2: 4 – 9 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJV)
Romans 5: 6 – 11For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. (8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (11) And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (NKJV)
2nd Corinthians 5: 21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV)
Romans 3: 22 – 26even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (24) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (25) whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, (26) to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (NKJV)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heart, or who is Spiritually minded, will be a person who is walking in God’s Mercy and Loving-Kindness.
Psalm 103: 17 But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children (Amp. C)
God has extended His Mercy and Loving-Kindness towards us so that we can have a relationship with Him. God desires a love relationship with us.
Psalm 103: 11 – 12 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.(Amp. C)
Verse 12– Pre-Cross – He removed our transgressions from us; Post Cross– He completely canceled and blotted them out.
Colossians 2: 13 – 15 And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions, (14) Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. (15) [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]. (Amp. C)
God wants our fellowship so much that He paid a tremendous price in order to have a relationship with us. The price God paid was the death of His only begotten Son Jesus.
It was because of His mercy and compassion that He sent Jesus.
The entire mission of Jesus was to reveal God’s Love and Mercy and to make a way for man back into a relationship with God. Where there was no way Jesus became the Way. We can trust in the Mercy of God.
John 3: 16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heart or who is Spiritually minded will be a person who is walking in God’s Mercy and Loving-Kindness.
As believers, it is essential that we know and understand God’s Love and Mercy. That we develop trust in His Love and Mercy.
This is the message that He so deeply desires for the world to know. It is our message to a dark and hurting world.
If we are to have faith and confidence in God, we must trust in His mercy.
We must Develop Faith in the Mercy of God. God is faithful to His mercy.
Deuteronomy 7: 9Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (NKJV)
The entire Word of God emphasizes God’s Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Goodness. We can trust in His Mercy. His Mercy endures forever.
Psalm 145: 8 – 9The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness. (9) The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created]. (Amp. C)
Psalm 86: 15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. (NKJV)
Psalm 25: 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Amp. C)
Psalm 32: 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness. (Amp. C)
Even pre-cross God shows us His deep desire to pour out the abundance of His Mercy.
When God was instructing Moses on how to build the Sanctuary, God did not put a seat of Judgment on top of the ark, but He put a seat of Mercy.
Exodus 25: 21 – 22You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you.(22)And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel. (NKJV)
Colossians 1:16-17“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”(KJV)
“By Him all things consist.” If we ever imagine that we don’t know where God is, this is the perfect scripture. He is completely aware of the smallest detail of all creation, and that includes us. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (KJV)
These scriptures are from the King James version. Other translations say that the WORD is “living and active,” “alive and full of power,” ”alive and active,” “full of life and power.” However we say it, God’s WORD is definitely a living substance, and powerful in its activity. How could it be otherwise, when it is His WORD that brought everything into existence?
One night years ago, after I had put the children to bed and was ready to sleep myself, the power went off. The whole town was dark. I stood looking out the window in my bedroom and I was able to see the stars so bright and clear. The Presence of God was very real at that moment.
As I meditated about the situation, I thought of our own sun which has all the power our earth needs. Looking at the stars, I thought of all the power they had. And some of those pinpoints of light were actually galaxies containing billions of stars themselves. And our God created all of them!
The power came on soon after, but I always think of that starry night. It reminds me of how powerful our holy God is, that it all exists because of His original WORD, and remains just as unalterable and consistent in Him to this day and forever! Like Psalm 119:16 says,“I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. “(KJV)
In order to know God and His Ways we must be born-again. If we are not born-again we have no connection to Him.
Ephesians 2: 12 – 13 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.(13)But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (NKJV)
John 3: 3Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (NKJV)
John 3: 5 – 7 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6)That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7)Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (8)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (NKJV)
In order to know God and His Ways we must be born-again, and we must draw near to Him.
James 4: 8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (NKJV)
As born-again believers the Holy Spirit Himself dwells in us. He reveals the Living Word of God to us as we study the Word, Pray, and walk the Love Walk. The Living Word of God reveals Who God Is and God’s Ways.
We cannot know God or His Ways with the human intellect. We can know about God, but we cannot know Him with our intellect.
We can only know God by the Spirit. Knowing God is heart or spirit knowledge, not head knowledge.
God IS Spirit.
John 4: 24God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”(NKJV)(1st John 4: 7 & 16God Is Love1st John 4: 17… As He Is So Are We In This World.)
We are Spirit Beings.
1st Thessalonians 5: 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
We cannot afford to allow strife to function in our lives and relationships.
Strife:angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict
James 3: 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (KJV)
James 3: 16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (NKJV)
James 3: 16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. (Amp. C)
Strife and anger create enemies. How we treat our enemies directly affects our prayer life.
Luke 6: 27 – 31“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28)bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (29)To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. (30)Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. (31)And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (NKJV)
Proverbs 21: 14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. (Amp. C)
2nd Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (18) Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, (19) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (NKJV)
Ephesians 4: 22 – 24 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; (23) And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (24) And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 4: 25 Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another. (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 4: 26 – 27 When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. (27) Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. (Amplified Classic)
James 1: 19 – 20 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. (20) For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires]. (Amplified Classic)
When you take offence allowing anger to operate, and you do not deal with it, it will lead to hatred, which will turn into bitterness.
Ephesians 4: 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Amplified Classic)
2nd Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (18) Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ
Now that we are Born-Again and made Righteous or put in Right Standing with God, we have a part to play in the renewing of our minds or the Putting on of the New Man.
Ephesians 4: 22 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; (Amplified Classic)
Put off and discard. It stands to reason that if we are to put on something new, we must first take off the old.
Ephesians 4: 23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (Amplified Classic)
Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)
Ephesians 4: 24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. (Amplified Classic)
Colossians 3: 10 And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.(Amplified Classic)
We are all on a journey in our lives even if we never go anywhere. We are moving from one experience to another continuously. Each of us has a path in life to walk out. Only we can decide where that pathway takes us. We are on God’s path or Satan’s, one or the other. Both have definite destinations. You and I are the deciding factor.
God has made a bridge by way of the Cross for each of us if we chose to take it while there is still time to choose. All roads and all paths lead to the Cross.
No matter whether we believe in God or not all of us will encounter the Cross and the One who hung on it and paid our debt. Everyone will face the cross!
Everyone will face the fact that Jesus died for them.
Hebrews 2: 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. (NKJV)
Everyone will face the fact that their freedom from Satan and damnation was purchased by the blood of Jesus.
2nd Corinthians 5: 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (NKJV)
1st John 2: 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (NKJV)
Everyone will face the great love of the Father and Jesus. Not everyone will enter in, but all will know. Every Knee will Bow.
Romans 14: 7 – 12 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. (8) For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. (9) For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (10) But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (11) For it is written: “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD.” (12) So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. (NKJV)
Some will bow their knees because of their great love for the Lord and as sons and daughter of God. Their hearts full of joy as they bow in reference to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
They choose Jesus as their Lord and Savior bowing their knee willingly of their own free will during their allotted time in the Earth. They and are now reaping the Glory and Joy of their New Life in Jesus.
Others will bow because they have to. They will have to bow as defeated subjected enemies of God. They will see their God Satan bow before the Lord. They will see him thrown into the pit and will have to follow him because they served him instead of making Jesus their Lord and Savior during their allotted time in the Earth. They choose darkness rather than light.
The real key questions to your eternity are, how committed are you and to whom? The jail door is unlocked and open, but you must walk thru the door to your Freedom.
Two things we must know. God loves you and me unconditionally. God hates sin not the sinner. He loves the sinner and paid the sinners debt on the cross so that the sinner could go free if they desired to do so.
If you are asking why the Cross? The answer is YOU and me.
We all, no matter who we are, have a path or road in life to walk out. We are all on the journey of life. Only we can decide where that pathway takes us. We are on God’s path or Satan path, one or the other. There are only two actual paths or roads in this life. Both have defiant destinations. They both meet at Cross.
All roads and all paths lead to the Cross but there are two separate destinations at the cross. One to eternal life with our Loving Heavenly Father. The other to an eternal hell separated forever from the Loving Heavenly Father. Our Choice and only our choice.
You and I, and only you and I, determine which path or road we are on and our destination.
You and I are the determining factor.
God has made a way for us if we choose to take it while there is still time. He has provided a bridge for us by way of the Cross to eternal life with God.
No matter whether you believe in God or not, all will encounter the Cross and the One who hung on it and paid our debt. He literally paid a debt He did not owe.
Everyone will face the Cross. All Roads Lead to the Cross.
Jesus IS Absolute Lord!!!
Whether you believe it or not He IS still Absolute Lord!!!
As believers, it is essential that we know and understand God’s Love and Mercy. That we develop trust in His Love and Mercy. This is the message that God so deeply desires for the world to know. It is our message to a dark and hurting world.
If we are to have faith and confidence in God, we must trust in His mercy. We must Develop Faith in the Mercy of God. God is faithful to His mercy.
Deuteronomy 7: 9 Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (NKJV)
2nd Thessalonians 3: 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (NKJV)
The entire Word of God emphasizes God’s Love, Mercy, and Goodness. We can trust in His Mercy. His Mercy endures forever.
Psalm 145: 9 The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. (NKJV)
Psalm 106: 1 Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 103: 8The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
Psalm 25: 10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. (steps, ways, purposes)
Psalm 103: 17 But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children (Amplified Classic)
In our personal walk with God, we will develop faith in His mercy by:
(1) Making the decision to live the life of the love of God. Set your Love upon Him.
(2) Putting the Word first place, not how you feel.
(3) Acting on the Word. Base your conduct on God’s Love and mercy, not on the condemnation of past mistakes and sins.
(4) Meditating God’s mercy. Do not dwell on your failures. Set your mind on God’s Love, mercy, and forgiveness.
We are walking in a very dark world. It has always been dark in this World since the fall of Adam of Eve. But Darkness was not God’s plan for this world. God Is Light. Darkness was allowed to reign in the World where it was not supposed to reign. God placed Adam and Eve in Dominion over this World, not Satan and Darkness. Adam was supposed to take dominion over Satan and cast him out, but he did not. Instead of casting Satan out Adam yielded to Satan’s deception disobeying God. Adam, with the encouragement of Eve, ate fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, disobeying God, yielding to Satan’s deception. Ever since that moment darkness has been allowed to reign in this World.
But God – so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3: 16 Amplified Classi
Praise the Lord – The True Light, Jesus, has come.
John 12: 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. (NKJV)
John 8: 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (NKJV)
Because of the Blood of Jesus Christ, Satan and all the demons of hell put together cannot keep you from coming into the True Light Jesus Christ.
No matter who you are or where you are,
No matter what you have done or think you may have done,
No matter how far away from God you are or think you are,
No matter how deep in darkness you are or think you are,
You can still choose Jesus. You can move from darkness to the True Light.
God Himself gave all mankind the right to choose. God will not reject the one that comes to Him
John 6: 37 All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me]. (Amplified Classic)
Your debt no matter what it is or how great it is has already been paid in full by the Blood of Jesus. Come to the One Who Loves You. Come into the Light.
The Heart Cry of God to all mankind, past, present, and future is “Come to Me”.That heart cry from the depths of God’s Loving Heart has been a continuous heart cry for thousands of years and will continue until Jesus’ final return at the end of the age.
Can you hear that Heart Cry from God’s Heart?
Please Come unto ME!!
Do you hear God calling you by name?
Our Loving Heavenly Father deeply desires for all of us to come to Him in every area of life no matter how big or small the problem may be. He deeply desires to walk and fellowship with us.
Can you hear the heart Cry of God? Are you answering that Heart Cry?
Matthew 11: 28 – 30Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.](29) Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.(30) For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. (Amplified Classic)
We must above all guard our hearts in order for the Living Word to abide in our hearts. If the Living Seed of The Living Word does not abide in our hearts, it cannot bring forth Life.
We must decide how big our want to is. God has already made His decision and provided for a 100% harvest. He will back our decision. No decision is a decision.
Whatever is abiding will bring forth fruit for good or evil
Colossians 3: 1 – 2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (NKJV)
Colossians 3: 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (NKJV)
Colossians 3: 8 – 17 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (9) Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, (10) and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, (11) where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. (12) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.(14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.(15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (NKJV)
Colossians 3: 23 – 24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, (24) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (NKJV)
We must be consistently constant attending to His Word and not become weary in well doing.
God Himself has set His Faith and Hope (Absolute Ernest Expectation) on His Word and called all mankind especially us the Church, His Children, to that Hope.
Ephesians 1: 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), (Amplified Classic)
We are not in this alone. Our hope (Ernest Expectation) is connected to God’s Own Hope (Absolute Ernest Expectation).
When I apply my Faith and Hope to the Living Word His Faith and Hope are already applied to the Living Word.
Our Loving Heavenly Father wants us to know Him and the Hope (Ernest Expectation) that He Himself has set before us.
There is a deep heart cry from God to all mankind saved and unsaved to come and experience real Living Hope.
The precious loving Holy Spirit is constantly calling us to come. We have an open invitation to come.
If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior I boldly declare to you today that there is hope. You are not alone. You are not hopeless. There is a real Living Hope available to you. You are never alone. This an absolute Truth
1st Peter 1: 3 – 4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (NKJV)
1st Peter 1: 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (NKJV)
Hopeless: a. Destitute of hope; having no expectation of that which is desirable; despairing. desperate; a hopeless condition, no way out and no answer.
Common Definition of Hope in today’s modern usage is = Wishful Thinking. Maybe it will happen and maybe it will not. We do not know for sure but we sure would like for it to take place.
Bible definition for Hope = Absolute Earnest expectation.
Real Bible Hope is absolute earnest expectation. It is anchored in the absolute truth of God’s Living Word. It cannot fail. It cannot lie.
No matter what the problem or issue is God has already provided everything we need and the way out.
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
2nd Peter 1: 3 – 4 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). (4) By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. (Amplified Classic)
In today’s world we all are living in perilous times. No matter where we live or what our station in life may be there are difficult times present.
Many are crying out inside themselves for help. It may not be obvious to the people around them but inside there is a struggle going on and a cry for help. They feel alone and unloved.
Many feel that they are at the end of their road. They feel that there is no help or hope for them. They have been struggling with the same issues and problems for weeks months and years. They believe that they are facing a hopeless situation and that there is no hope for them.
It is sad to say that many truly born-again Christians feel the same way. They believe that they are in a hopeless situation. That there is no way out and no hope for them. They believe that they are alone with no hope.
I boldly declare to you today that there is hope. You are not alone. You are not hopeless.
You are not alone! There is a real Living Hope available to you.
We do not deny that the problems and trials exist but no matter how serious the problem is there is an answer.
John 16: 33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (Amplified Classic)
At one time before we were born-again, we were without hope. But once we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are no longer without hope.
Ephesians 2: 12 – 13 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:(13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (KJV)
If we know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we are not without hope and without God in this world. We are never alone!
Hebrews 13: 5b …for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] (Amplified Classic)
Restoration Ministries 