Category: Love

Our Personal Responsibility.

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, Faith, Heaven, Love, RighteousnessLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Ezekiel 18

OBSERVATION

Ezekiel 18:4 ~ For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.

APPLICATION

So often we hear folk talk about how a child is suffering because of the sin of their parent(s), and like in this chapter, we often use scripture to try and support us in thinking that a child will be punished for the sin of their parent(s). However, in this chapter God, through Ezekiel, goes into a lot of detail explaining how we each stand alone before God and will be judged for our own sin. In fact as I meditate on this I realize that I probably have so much on my own slate to be judged for that I can only hope and trust that God will not look back on previous generations and hold me accountable for their deeds also. The neatest thing with this passage that I am reminded of today is that in and of our own selves we are so weak and sinful that there is every reason why God would not allow us into His kingdom, HOWEVER, praise God that He realized this and did something about that. He brought His one and only son into the world in a very miraculous way for a specific reason, so that He would not only have opportunity to demonstrate while on earth how we should love, act, speak, care for and sacrifice for others, but that through His death on the cross God ultimately demonstrated His love for all those who accept Him as Lord, that they would have opportunity to live eternally with Him in heaven. No conditions, just plain love for us that caused Him to find a way, the only way, for us to know that we would have eternal life in heaven. I don’t know about anyone else, but I have never seen love like that demonstrated in any similar fashion here on this earth. Only a God like mine would be so loving, so kind, so thoughtful, so sacrificial to create a being, provide and care for the beings, see them turn from the source of their life and support and follow another god yet, because of His undying love for mankind, provide another means for us to return to Him and gather around His throne in glory.

Then, and Only Then, Will I….

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, Faith, Humility, Love, Obedience, Things that make God angryLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Ezekiel 11

OBSERVATION

Ezekiel 11:18-21 ~ When that happens, I want you to clear the land of all disgusting idols. Then I will take away your stubbornness and make you eager to be completely faithful to me. You will want to obey me and all my laws and teachings. You will be my people, and I will be your God. But those who worship idols will be punished and get what they deserve. I, the LORD God, have spoken.

APPLICATION

I am finding the book of Ezekiel almost as interesting as the book of Revelation, as God really spoke to Ezekiel through a vision, including showing him how He would follow through with all that needed to be done to effectively open the eyes of the sinful nation of Jerusalem. I have highlighted in ‘red‘ one of the very key words in these verses, ‘Then’. So often we talk about/preach about/think about our loving God who will do everything for us, and often saying this while continuing to do the sinful, prideful things that God abhors. In the verses preceding these, God told Ezekiel all that He demanded of the people of Jerusalem, and only AFTER those things were done, THEN He would do His part. In other words God is saying that His good work among them will be conditional upon them doing their part. He had given so many opportunities for them to straighten up their act, but each time they miserably failed to follow through in obedience, even after He wiped out several of their towns. Fast forwarding this to apply this to life today: God still expects us to do our part. He developed us with enough intelligence to understand the written Word of God, to communicate effectively with Him in prayer; example after example of how we should separate ourselves from this sinful world and instead be light to a dark and dying world. In other words, to be an example of Him to others so that they might dedicate themselves to Him and follow His commands. Unless we straighten up our act and follow the Christ that we profess that we personally know, we could find ourselves in the same predicament as the people of Jerusalem, we could be wiped out so that God could raise up new warriors who will obey Him and sincerely do His work. Our excuse today is that I can’t do a whole lot for the large city/state/country in which I live, much less this whole wide world. Remember that this is a very true analysis of the situation, because that will be God’s job. However, I truly believe that He wants us to concentrate first on our own personal relationship with Him. Then as we example Him to our family, friends, co-workers and world He will work through our witness to reach into their hearts.

PRAYER

Father, may You find a willing and prepared saint through which You can work today as You look deep into my heart. Forgive me for my selfish motives, my personal desires and the times that I could have been way more proactive in sharing Your message with others. Please help me, through Your love and strength, to rid myself of anything that stands in the way of You using me to do Your work. Help me to represent You perfectly in all that I say or do so that others may see Jesus, and gain a desire to want to know You personally. May You have Your will and way this day, dear God.

When Our Loving God Becomes Angry

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christian, Love, Obedience, Things that make God angryLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Ezekiel 8

OBSERVATION

Ezekiel 8:17-18 ~ …. They have disgraced and insulted me in the worst possible way. So in my fierce anger, I will punish them without mercy and refuse to help them when they cry out to me.”

APPLICATION

As I read this chapter and noticed the awful things that God had brought to Ezekiel’s attention to show him how upset He was and all the things that were angering Him, I felt so terrible because I saw where there were many things going on in my town and in our society today that no doubt anger God. In fact, I would quickly declare that I probably don’t know the half of what IS going on, because I live somewhat of a sheltered life around Christians and the church. However, the greatest thing that I believe that God spoke to me on, is that I needn’t think for a moment that all the issues that anger God rest in the ways, attitudes and actions of the unsaved, because when we, as God’s people say that we love God and His people, yet we go on treating each other poorly by not forgiving them, or by snipping at them because of all that we have brought on ourselves and not because of anything that person did to us, then we are displeasing God. We are definitely not imitating our Savior when we treat others wrongly. God told Ezekiel that his people had angered Him so badly that He would punish them without mercy and refuse to help them even when they cried out to Him. Could it be that sometimes when we feel like we are hitting a brick wall and perhaps God is not hearing our cry, that perhaps He is refusing to hear us because of sin in our lives, or because we are not doing all we can to avoid sin around us? We are so good at shutting God out of our lives during those times that we feel it is necessary to gossip or otherwise commit some ‘secret’ sin, yet we think that it is so difficult or impossible to think that the loving God that we serve could possibly shut us out of His blessing because He is so angry with us. I want to strive to love Him, serve Him and do all that I possibly can to live my life in alignment with His will and in obedience to His commands, so help me God.

PRAYER

Father, You made me, so You are very aware of my weaknesses. Please don’t become exasperated with me, but give me a heart like Yours so that I may obey Your every command and display Your love for others so that they may also be encouraged to do Your will. You are a loving and holy God, please help me to show Your holiness in and through my life by the way that I live my life before others and before You. Please alert me to Your will and direction each and every day and give me strength to live in accordance with Your will. Please help me to be actively involved in my church and that, together we may be busy carrying out your work in our community. Please help us to warn others, as You have warned us in Your Word about Your soon return and Your desire to see them saved before it is a day too late.

Know that You Have Life Eternal

On By Ed AlgreenIn Born Again, Christian, Eternal Life, Faith, Forgiveness, Heaven, Humility, Love, Obedience, SinLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: 1 John 5

 

OBSERVATION

1 John 5:13-15 ~ I write this letter to you who believe in the Son of God so you will know you have eternal life. And this is the boldness we have in God’s presence: that if we ask God for anything that agrees with what he wants, he hears us. If we know he hears us every time we ask him, we know we have what we ask from him.

APPLICATION

Here are some words of encouragement for us today, some key points on which we can build our faith in Jesus Christ and reassurance for us as Christians to know that our living, powerful Savior is actively involved in our lives, as we give Him room and permission to. Here are the key points that really encouraged me:

  • Through God’s leading, with His direction, and through His grace, I accepted Jesus as my Savior back in 1976. God, through John is assuring me here that I have eternal life, therefore one day when life shall leave my earthly body, I will be taken away to forever be with my Savior in heaven! Although I already knew this, every time I am reminded of this it bring such a peace, reassurance and excitement to me. I can’t imagine why the Master of this universe would consider even me to one day join Him in glory, but I am satisfied that it will happen, praise be to God! As a side note, what is also exciting is that while this is an exclusive group that will get to join Jesus Christ at His right hand, the invitation to join the group is open to ALL who will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life. This is something that no one should refuse. I constantly pray that I will see all of my family and loved ones there, so I am praying that they will accept Jesus today, while they are still able to. Why don’t you consider doing the same thing friend?
  • As a child of the King, we have the boldness while in God’s presence to ask for anything, that He agrees with, and we can be assured that He hears us. As the last sentence in theses verses says, if God hears our prayer and it is in accordance with His will for our lives, then we can consider it done. The verse actually says that we know that we already have it! While this is super exciting, one might ask well how will I know if it is God’s will for me? For those that ask arbitrarily without any type of relationship with God, this will probably be extremely difficult. After all, think about a marriage relationship – if after leaving the altar where you said your vows, the husband goes one way and the wife another, not only is there a lack of relationship between them (although they are ‘married’), but one of them will have no idea what pleases the other in three months when they get together for dinner! Likewise, to know God’s will we must be constant in prayer and Bible Study so that we may learn His heart’s desire for us. There is a group study called ‘The Mind of Christ’. This is something that you cannot discern from a distance, this requires an intimate relationship with Christ. One of the huge ways that one can be helped with this is by connecting with a body of believers (a bible believing/teaching church). Not only will you hear the Word of God preached and taught, but to network with others of like faith brings an enormous sense of love, accountability, boldness and strength that could help both you and them through daily challenges with life here in this wicked world in which we now live. If you are not connected already friend, I encourage you to give this a try. Believe me, it works!

PRAYER

  1. Lord Jesus, You are so awesome. You have provided the means for us to have eternal life. You hear our prayers, even though we tend to stray away from Your teaching so much. I often feel so undeserved of such love, but again today I want to thank You for that love. I feel especially blessed, loved and cared for by You and can easily say thank You for all that You do in my life. Forgive me for sometimes asking for things that may not fit within your will for my life at the present time, but thank you for redirecting me towards a right path pleasing to You. Please be my guide each and every day, for

Overcoming the World

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Love, Obedience, RighteousnessLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: 1 John 5

 

OBSERVATION

1 John 5:1-5 – If we believe that Jesus is truly Christ, we are God’s children. Everyone who loves the Father will also love his children. If we love and obey God, we know that we will love his children. We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow. Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

APPLICATION

These are very powerful verses and reveal several truths to remind me of what a child of God, Christians, should look like and how we should act:

  1. The reassurance for us, in order to comprehend verses 2-5, is that for those of us that believe that Jesus is truly the Christ, we are children of the Almighty, the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords, the Master of the universe. We are royalty! Words from a popular old hymn, “…I, though so unworthy, Still am a child of his care, For his word teaches me …”;
  2. If we love the Father, then we will also love His children. – How then can we say that we hate a Christian brother or sister?
  3. If we love and obey God, then we will love His children. – Slightly different to #2, because this point says that not only if we love but also if we obey God, then we will love His children;
  4. A major way that we show that we love God, is by obeying His commands. Read and/or listen to the Word, and obey what God says to us. Prove that we love God by obeying Him;
  5. Exercising our faith in God is what gives us victory over this world. We become so depressed when things of this world really burden us, yet through Christ, we are reminded that we are more than conquerors. Let’s place our hand, our faith, our trust in the hand of the only One that has power to overcome all the sick, violent, evil, hateful things of this world, for He has the power and the wisdom to overcome it all!

Why do we whine when the world seems to be against us, for we don’t serve the world. We are not servants of the world, for Jesus is our master. Our stress levels would be much improved if we place our faith where it belongs, in the only One who sacrificed it all for us.

 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, please help us, Your children to get our act together, get our priorities in order, help us to just simply obey Your Word and allow You to be God, to be our Master over everything, especially the challenges of this old world, for there is power in the name of Jesus. I love You Father, and need to frequently remember who is in charge so that I can direct my energies towards obeying and serving You, and to loving Your children. Thank You for challenging me with this today!