Thank you. Two Simple Words.

Early in our marriage while we were eating dinner one evening, I said to Kathe “Thanks for dinner, honey.” She responded a little surprised so I followed up with, “You have taken the time to put it together and it tasted great so I think you deserve a thanks.”

One of the easiest ways to celebrate Thanksgiving is by sharing a simple “thank you” with someone who has served us. On the public platform our culture seems to do fine with this. It is normal for celebrities and politicians to express thanks while the cameras are rolling and crowds gathered. However, what are we like when our guard is down and have nothing to gain? In those moments how often do we express “thank you” to our spouse, parents, children, co-workers, friends or classmates?

Thankfulness is a character issue. It is about humility. When we say “thank you”, we are lowering our self and elevating another. When we do that, we are giving people a sense of dignity.  We are honoring their act of service toward us no matter how insignificant or routine it may seem to them or others.

Thankfulness is also about awareness. In order to give a “thank you” it requires that we shift the focus from our own world to someone else’s. It is where we hit the pause button in our busyness for a moment and acknowledge what someone has done on our behalf. It is a simple act of courtesy that is polite and the mark of a true gentleman or lady.

The life altering effect of Jesus’ suffering, death, burial and rising again from the dead is dependent on our attitude toward thankfulness. It takes a sense of awareness to realize all that Jesus did for you and the people of the world. Awareness is required to realize it was done because you are a sinner and need a Savior. And after you are aware of this it takes humility to say “thank you” for all He did. In that moment, life-change happens because you have lowered yourself and exalted Jesus in your heart. The Scripture says, “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name” (1 Chronicles 16:8).

A prayer for you - “Lord God, help us to be a thankful people.  Open our eyes to be aware of what others have done for us, both in our homes and from strangers among us.  Then give us humility to lower ourselves and exalt others with a simple thank you.  Greatest of all, help us to thank you for saving sinners just like us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The Wrath and Love of God

About Jesus it is written, “. . . whoever does not obey the Son [Jesus] shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).  Wrath of God?  The phrase is uncomfortable.  Jesus was the most compassionate, kind and loving person the world has ever known.  Wrath?  It just does not fit the idea most people have of who Jesus was and is.  We talk about the love of Jesus and the love of God, but the wrath of God? 

Sometimes we might think this idea was just in the Old Testament, that somehow when Jesus came it ended the era of the wrath of God.  Not true.  There are hundreds of verses from the Bible that speak about the wrath of God in both the Old and New Testaments, including after Jesus’ resurrection and the establishment of the church.

What is the wrath of God? Theological scholar, Dr. Leon Morris wrote about this, stating it is the “active opposition of God’s holy nature to everything that is evil.”

Mankind naturally goes against the ways of God.  To speak evil of others, engage sexually with others outside of marriage and put our interests above our neighbor is all very normal for us.  This is who we are as a human race.  We are inwardly corrupt, even the most religious and moral among us.  We all inherently walk in disobedience to God. 

How does God respond to that?  By being just.  When man persists in going His own way, God must be impartial and act.  His wrath is an expression of that, where He comes against every thought, word or deed that violates His glory, honor and holiness.

How we feel about something is not as important as how God feels about it.  He is opposed to our blatant disobedience.  Therefore, when we understand this and His wrath, it ought to make us tremble in reverent fear before Him.  He is invisible, is everywhere, reads our thoughts, can control the weather, dispatches unseen forces, can alter the course of daily events and possess the power over life and death.  When we do not care what God says or foolishly presume things about His kindness, we are living dangerously.  Hear this Word from the writer of Hebrews in the Bible, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31).

God’s wrath is certain and it will come against all who refuse to humble themselves and obey Him.  Hell will be their home for eternity, which is the unbridled, full manifestation of the wrath of God for forever. 

What can save us from this definite and unbearable wrath?  The cross of Jesus.

Have you heard of the statement “Jesus saves”? What does He save from?  It is written in the Scriptures that we “shall be saved by him from the wrath of God” (Romans 5:9).  When Jesus hung on His cross, He bore upon Himself the sin of all humanity.  The very thing He hated; He chose to take.  And when He did, the wrath of His Father was poured out upon Him.  Jesus received our punishment.  Why?  Because of love.  He bore the wrath of God so we would not have to.  Only Jesus can save us from the wrath that is to come. 

God is kind and patient with us.  He waits with arms stretched open wide as He sends messengers back and forth across the world, and directly to you, carrying His message of good news.  People, no matter who they are, can be saved from the wrath to come and find forgiveness and peace in Jesus today. 

A prayer for you - “Lord God, I praise you for Your justice and mercy.  You are a God without partiality and a wise judge.  Help us to understand and not dismiss Your wrath.  Let us walk in reverent fear before you because of your mighty power.  May we call upon you to save us from our sins and spare us from Your wrath. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Elohim Reigns in The Face of Evil and Injustice

The God of the Bible says of Himself, “. . . for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose’ . . . (Isaiah 46:9-10)

When mankind squares his shoulders back and holds his head high in pride, his Creator says to him, “I am God, and there is none like me.” When evil abounds and the pillars of justice fail, the Lord says, “I am God, and there is none like me.” When the things God has done and only can do are attributed to science, government or other entities of this world, He forcefully states, “I am God, and there is none like me.” When people forget God and trust in themselves, the King of kings declares, “I am God, and there is none like me.” Who is this God?

He is Elohim (El-o-heem). The Supreme God. The God of all gods. The One True God. Elohim is a name ancient Hebrews chose to describe the God who created the heavens and earth.

Do not mistake Almighty God’s invisibility or silence as approval of evil or abandonment of His children. For God has spoken on both points. First, He will bring justice on all those who perpetrate evil and refuse His command to repent. Among those who will receive Elohim’s justice are the rebellious and self-righteous, because they continually reject the Lordship of Christ and His extended merciful hand. Secondly, He will never abandon His faithful as they walk through dark and dangerous valleys during evil and trying times. Elohim’s love and presence is like a rock. He is firm, steadfast and trustworthy. He is like no other.

The greatness of Elohim and the authority He possess over the lives and eternal souls of people is absolute. On judgment day military generals, kings and presidents, and people of sizeable wealth and influence will come trembling before Elohim’s throne and beg for mercy, but because they refused His mercy in this life, Elohim will cast them out of His sight forever. In this life, evil people boast of their godless exploits and rejoice in their vane achievements, but one day they will be forced to bow before Elohim and their mouths stopped, as the Almighty will declare His final judgment against them.

Elohim came from heaven to earth in the form of a baby over 2,000 years ago. He came as a man, Jesus of Nazareth. Through Him, Almighty God walked among us. He showed His power over evil, the Devil, nature and disease. The cross on which Jesus died, was Elohim’s greatest display of Lordship over all. He showed Himself greater than any power on earth when He died and rose again. Once and for all time, the world saw how He conquered sin and death, then smashed evil’s twin heads under His feet.

Elohim is a mighty and conquering King, and from His throne comes a river of mercy. Whoever has repented of their sin and placed their faith in Jesus, can drink of its living waters. The man of war, can be transformed into a man of peace. A woman of bitterness, can be changed into a woman of joy.

In this chaotic world kingdoms topple, economies collapse, cancer diagnoses come, evil and injustice often win. When these things happen, we sometimes say “Why God?” or “Where are you?” No matter what we see with our eyes or feel deep inside, there is a truth that is unchangeable – ELOHIM REIGNS! By faith, believe this truth. Listen quietly. He is speaking. Can you hear Him? “I am God, and there is no other.”

A prayer for you - “Lord God, you are King over all. Though the world be filled with uncertainty and trouble, you remain on your throne, watching over all. From your throne let justice and mercy come. I pray for mercy upon those who have never known your forgiveness. Bring them to repent and discover your mercy today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”