22 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 All the trees of the forest will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.
“‘I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.’”
Ezekiel 17:22-24
He can and will, let us trust in Him, for His goodness is holy, just and mercy filled. It is about Him and not about us. We take the focus off of ourselves and place it on our Heavenly Father and by His grace, we see all that matters is Him and our relationship with Him, our Savior, Jesus Christ. God became a man, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, facing all of the temptations of man, His creation, was nailed to a cross and died. And the earth became black. But the story doesn't end there. 3 days later, Jesus rose from the grave, defeated death fulfilling the prophecy of a savior for mankind, for all those who would believe and accept Him. And our hope today is found in Him. God became a man, that there would be a perfect sacrifice for His children. Not the blood of a lamb or bull was shed at Calvary but the perfect holy blood of our Creator in a man's body for men stained by sin. The one and only perfect sacrifice that would cover the sin permanently for those who believe. There is nothing that can make one worthy enough or righteous enough to deserve this gift of eternal life with the Creator. Simply put, it is a gift from a Father to His sons and daughters, whom He loves and extends grace to. He desires a relationship with us. He desires to love us and bring us a peace that surpasses all understanding. Can we believe we are anything but sinful people in need of a savior, even the best of us? Can we be so prideful that we believe we can do this thing called life on our own? Can we believe that we don't have a Creator who loves us unconditionally, who knit us together in our mother's womb and knows every hair on our head? Can we harden our hearts so much that we deny the awesome creation around us and the amazing intricate details of the human body, mind and personality and believe that there was anything but a Creator? Can we believe we are not deserving of the love of our Creator, the One who knows our innermost thoughts, desires, fears, hurts, joys? Could you step out with just the smallest mustard seed of faith and believe that He is there, waiting at the door, waiting to be let in and be reconciled back to His child, you? He will help.
3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
...
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance...
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
~2 Peter 3:3-5, 8-9, 11-13
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:5-10
If you confess with your mouth you are a sinner and believe Jesus died on the cross to bear your sins and rose again and is alive and you want Him to save you, He is just and might to forgive your sins and all unrighteousness that you might begin to live a life with Him. He will save you and you will have the promise of eternity with your Creator. You will have new life, be reborn spiritually, as you were once dead in sin. Will you trust Him?
I have...and I would never turn back. His love heals, His love endures, His love grows, His love promises a hope and a future. It doesn't promise a perfect, pain-free, trouble free life, but it does promise a helper, His Holy Spirit to guide and lead you, to comfort you, to strengthen you and to bring you peace in the calm and in the storms.
God loves you, no matter what! (A great lesson from Vacation Bible School we shouted out all week!)
Praying for you,
No comments:
Post a Comment