The Law and the Judge

^“So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
 For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.’”  Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.  Romans 14:10-12 (NLT)

We live in a day and age of relativism, where some say there are no absolute truths.  However God set forth the truths by which all men should live. He first brought them to mankind through Moses. We call Moses the Lawgiver. Then God sent prophets to point out and correct mankind and finally, He sent Jesus Christ, the grace of God, to show us the love of God. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the law is engraved upon our hearts and we know what is right and wrong. God says there will be a day of reckoning, a judgment day in which everyone will stand before God and give an account.

This brings a tension between the mercy and grace of God and His judgment and just rewards. Here is how it plays out, God says, I sent my Son to show you the way. I sent Him to show you how to live. You have the presence and power of the Holy Spirit available to you and therefore you are without excuse. The just shall live by faith. I have provided forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ and it covers a multitude of sins. You are washed clean and now live that godly and righteous life. He wants to look the believer in the face and say to each one,” Well done, good and faithful servant.”

 

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It is true!

 

^“So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.  And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.” Revelation 14:19-20 (NKJV)

To those unaccustomed to vivid descriptions of God's anger in judgment, these are disturbing images. People dislike the idea of other people, even evil ones, being trampled like grapes. The depth and length of the blood flow provides a sickening scene of the immensity of God's judgment. But unless we face the necessity of God's judgment, we will never see our desperate need for his mercy. A god with only grandfatherly kindness would not inspire our repentance, obedience, or worship.

God has promised a harsh harvest for those who reject him. It is a conscious choice that we make to either accept the grace of God or reject it. Those who know God well enough to fear his wrath know God well enough to desire his grace. The crushing wrath of God is coming. Blessed are those who have had their sins forgiven, and blessed are those who lead others to God's mercy.

Hell is hot!

Heaven is sweet!

Judgment is sure!

 

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Hard Hearts

 

^“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.  And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. Revelation 9:20-21 (NKJV)

These people were so hardhearted that even plagues did not drive them to God. People usually don't fall into immorality and evil suddenly—they slip into it a little bit at a time until, hardly realizing what has happened, they are irrevocably mired in their wicked ways. Any person who allows sin to take root in his or her life can find himself or herself in this predicament. Temptation entertained today becomes sin tomorrow, then a habit the next day, then death and separation from God forever.

"Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires.  These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death.” James1:14-15

To think you could never become this evil is the first step toward a hard heart. Acknowledge your need to confess your sin before God. Yet, one can repent and come to God for salvation and deliverance.

 

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Veterans’ Day 2009

 

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

Later President Eisenhower made a Veterans Day Proclamation.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Here in Mexico, there is a U.S. Military Cemetery, where soldiers from previous wars have been interred. It is a beautiful location and there are several ceremonies held there throughout the year.

I have been invited to give the invocation this year. 

Each Sunday in churches around the world we observe a day that celebrates the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

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Jesus’ Authority

 

^“Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day.  There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.
 Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—began shouting at Jesus, “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One sent from God!”  Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further. Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!”  The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region. . Luke 4:31-38 (NLT)

A man possessed by a demon was in the synagogue where Jesus was teaching. This man made his way into the place of worship and verbally abused Jesus. It is naive to think that we will be sheltered from the evil in the church. Satan is happy to invade our space whenever and wherever he can. He loves to rant and rave on the believer, attempting to intimidate him. However, Jesus’ authority is much greater than Satan’s and where Jesus is present, demons cannot hang around very long.

There is power in the name and authority of Jesus.

 

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