God takes no pleasure in the perishing

 

“Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!’” Ezekiel 33:11

 

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

 

The reason Christ's return is not immediate is because God is patient with sinners. Any waiting is attributable only to God's gracious longsuffering. It is not that He is indifferent, powerless, or distracted. Instead, it is just the opposite. Because He is merciful and forbearing, He delays so that elect sinners might come to repentance.

 

Despite the ridicule of the scoffers, the Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness. Slow (bradunō) means “delayed,” or “late,” implying the idea of “loitering.” None of that applies to God; His seeming slowness is not due to lack of ability, forgetfulness, or apathy. In fulfilling His promise, God is working everything precisely according to His perfect plan and schedule. That same principle applied to Christ's first coming: “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law” (Gal. 4:4).

 

Those who perish—“utterly destroyed” in eternal hell—suffer damnation because they are dead in their sins and refuse God's offer of salvation in Christ. At the same time, it is clear from Scripture that the Father takes no delight in the death of the lost: “‘For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,' declares the Lord God. ‘Therefore, repent and live'” (Ezek. 18:32) In fact, God actually offers salvation to all.

 

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The Lord is My Shepherd…

 

We have been looking at various Psalms these past few Sundays. We looked at Psalm 1 where shows us how we can be blessed, be a blessing and bless others. This past Sunday, we looked at how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. This coming Sunday we are going to look into the most familiar Psalm, the 23 Psalm. This one is used a lot at funerals to give comfort to those loved ones who have lost a Christian relative. But this is really a psalm for the living and illustrates how much God loves and takes care of His sheep, His people. In this psalm, David explains that if we follow the Lord and trust Him, He will meet our every need, no matter what the circumstances may be.

 

"The Lord" is Jehovah God, the covenant making God of Israel. The compound names of Jehovah in the Old Testament reflect the contents of this psalm.

"I shall not want"—Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide" (Gen. 22:14)

"Still waters"—Jehovah-Shalom, "the Lord our peace" (Judg. 6:24)

"Restores my soul"—Jehovah-Rophe, "the Lord who heals" (Ex. 15:26)

"Paths of righteousness"—Jehovah-Tsidkenu, "the Lord our righteousness" (Jer. 33:16)

"You are with me"—Jehovah-Shammah, "the Lord is there" (Ezek. 48:35)

"Presence of my enemies"—"Jehovah-Nissi, "the Lord our banner" (Ex. 17:15)

"Anoint my head"—Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, "the Lord who sanctifies" (Lev. 20:8)

 

The Lord is our shepherd.

 

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July 4^th Celebration

 

Last week, on July 4th, was the day we celebrated the United States of America’s birthday.  Let me share something with you that many do not know or refuse to believe. At one time, Great Britain was the missionary sending country. God called out people like William Carey, Hudson Taylor, John G. Paton and hundreds of other to go throughout the world to evangelize. But in the sovereign knowledge of God, He knew the heart of man and He knew that the passion for the lost would diminish with Great Britain and He would need another launching pad for missions. He instilled in the heart of a group of people we know today as the Puritans to seek out the New World to set up a new government that would encourage freedom and would one day be a sending nation of missionaries. Contrary to what is thought the Pilgrims (Puritans) did not come to the New World for religious freedom, for they had that in Holland. They came because they had a call of God on their lives. Why would they risked their lives and lost many of them to scratch out a new life in a hostile and dangerous place? A call of God on their lives was the reason. The basic founders of our country were God-fearing, God-loving men and women.

How many of the incredible blessings have been poured out upon this land- how much of the grace of God which continues to cover this country today- were a direct result of the founding fathers obedience and willingness to die  to self, only God knows for certain. That grace seems to be lifting now, but as we look to our nation’s history from God’s point of view, we begin to have an idea of how much we owe a very few- and how much is still at stake. For God’s call on this country has never been revoked.

“America, America, God shed His grace on thee and crown they good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”

“While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.”

“God Bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, My home sweet home.”

 

By Irving Berlin

 

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The phenomenon of the World Cup

 

As an American I am not very interested in soccer. We have American football, basketball, golf, hockey, baseball, NASCAR (stock car racing) which happens to be the most watched sport in the US and a myriad of other sports mostly imported. So you can see why soccer would not be high on the list for most American and yet the largest spectator group for the World Cup outside of South Africa is the United States. A wave of interest and enthusiasm has swept across our country in light of the oil calamity and economic woes.

Here in Mexico they go crazy over their soccer (futbol). In fact, when Mexico is playing the streets are practically deserted. Restaurants are encouraging patrons to come and watch the games in their establishments. Vendors sell shirts and flags on most every busy street corner in the cities. There is a lot of excitement over 22 men running up and down a field trying to kick a ball in the net.  As we read Hebrews 12:1 we see that those of us engaged in the real game of life have those who are cheering us on.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

We are involved in the true game of life and there are winners (those who finish the race) and there are losers (those who never got into the race). We are encouraged to keep our eyes on Him, Jesus Christ, who has finished the race. By the way, He is cheering us on.

 

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Fresh Water or Bitter Water?

“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of the water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14

When the children of Israel were in the wilderness on a few occasions they could not find water. However God miraculously provided that essential element to them. God even provided water for them from a rock. Water has been a symbol of both cleansing and life. Living water is a reference to the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said this, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures has said, out of His heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38

If you have in your heart the Holy Spirit and He is operative then the fruit of the Spirit will flow from the heart.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

But Jesus also spoke of another heart, a defiled heart. 

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Matthew 15:18-19 (NKJV)

James asked the question, “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” The answer is very clear, “No can do.”

Whatever is in the heart of a person will come out, it will be evident and indicate the kind of character a person has.

Fresh water or bitter water, which is coming from you?  

 

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