Escape God's Wrath 6-2-25
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I watched our 2 year old little girl playing with another toddler when suddenly a little 4 year old ran into her with a bike. Kids are clumsy and although the other little girl barely bumped her, our daughter fell down and bumped her head. When we see our children hurt, there is often a desire to be able to take their place so that they do not have to suffer. Thankfully the tears lasted less than a minute and our daughter was fine.
Our heavenly father has a desire to spare us from suffering as well. In fact, he loved us so much, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Jesus willingly went to the cross to bear the punishment for sin that we deserved.
I better grasped what Jesus did for us as I studied the book of Revelation. As we come to chapter 16, we see God's wrath poured out upon the earth. “And I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth."
(Revelation 16:1) Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. Sin has consequences and if sin is not paid for then the consequence for sin is the wrath of God.
In Revelation we read about the Apocalypse/ The Great Tribulation. During that Apocalypse, God's wrath will be poured out of 7 bowls. Each bowl has a different consequence. Summarized in order we find 1) sores on people, 2) sea water turned to blood, 3) fresh water turned to blood, 4) severe heat from the sun, 5) darkness, 6) a river dried up so kings can gather for the battle of Armageddon , and 7) a great earthquake.
This is the wrath that mankind deserves for sin and this is the wrath that will be poured out in the last days. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, so we all deserve his wrath, yet God loves us. In fact he loves us so much, that he took the wrath upon himself.
As we look at those 7 bowels, we can be reminded of the cross. Jesus took sores upon his own body. He also shed his blood as shown in the second and third bowels of wrath. Although I cannot be dogmatic about Jesus enduring heat as he hung on the cross, John 19:28 tells us that he said he thirsted. The 5th bowel speaks of darkness, and Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell of darkness as Jesus hung on the cross. The 6th bowel speaks of a river drying up and kings coming against God for the battle of Armageddon. Jesus on the cross was definitely the result of human rulers going against God. Finally, the 7th bowel has an earthquake. Matthew 27:54 records an earthquake as Jesus died on the cross.
I Thessalonians 5:9 tells Christians, “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Without Jesus people will be appointed to wrath. We are warned, in Matthew 25:41, "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;” Without Jesus, we can expect the wrath of God, but if we put our trust in Jesus as we follow him, then we escape God's wrath because Jesus already took it upon himself for us. Romans 6:23 says it so beautifully, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Trust Jesus, knowing that he died on the cross so you would not have to face the wrath of God. Reject Jesus and know you will have to face God's wrath yourself. Without Jesus, God's wrath will last for eternity and you will not escape it.
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The Witness of The Warning 5-19-20
You never know what you might hit when you dig a hole. It could be a large rock, or it could be something much more dangerous.
I do some excavating work as a side job. We are meticulous about calling before we dig. Each spring, South Dakota 811 holds their damage prevention safety meetings. I recall going to one of those meetings and they showed a picture of a natural gas line that had been hit by heavy equipment. When it was hit, a spark happened and there was a huge explosion. The picture showed the charred remains of tractors and trucks. It was complete devastation. The presenter then solemnly told us that there had been people there and they had all perished.
Throughout the room some earnestly gazed at the picture. Some looked away. Others closed their eyes. Some prayed. We all grasped the importance of the warning. We knew why we should call 811 to locate any utilities before we dig. The representative from South Dakota 811 was witnessing to us about the importance of making that call 48 hours before we dig and of the dangers of digging over the location of the marked spot.
Although the picture showed a disaster of Biblical proportions, it pales in comparison to what we read about in Revelation. Chapter 12 shows us that during a time of great tribulation, two witnesses will be upon the earth. Anyone who tries to harm them will be consumed with fire. In other words, they will receive a similar fate as those who hit the gas line. Each time they do this, they will be a witness to the warning that they bring. They are showing the danger of ignoring the warning.
These witnesses will be on earth during a time when people have rejected God in spite of living through the sorts of trials that should cause them to call on God for help. “And the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk;” (Revelation 9:20) There are consequences for ignoring danger. There are consequences for ignoring God.
As I witness for Jesus Christ, I like to tell about his love and to quote John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It is important that we understand God's love, grace, and care for us, but we must also be aware of his warnings and of what will happen if we do not listen to him. This is also part of the witness concerning Jesus: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:41). That everlasting fire will be worse than a natural gas explosion.
As we attended the South Dakota 811 meeting, they made it clear that they cared about us and our safety. They also made it clear that they were giving the warning about potential destruction and death because they cared about us and those around us. In a similar way, we should be witnesses to give God's warnings. Some people will not turn to God to glorify him until such a warning. Once they do turn to him, they are finally prepared to live under the loving rule and authority of Jesus Christ.
Stay Calm and Loving 5-5-25
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I was upset when I looked at my bill. Not only was it twice as much as I had expected, but I had been given a late payment service charge. I did not understand how I could have had a late payment since this was a monthly bill that was set up for direct payment from my credit card. The previous month's bill had not been paid, I had been charged a late fee, and then both month's bills had later been charged to the credit card.
I found the phone number to call the company and to let them know how unhappy I was that they had made such a mistake. As I was reflecting on my frustration, I considered how I should approach the conversation. I realized that it would not be fair to the person who answered the phone if I came across with an angry tone. Whoever had made the mistake, it was not that person, so there was no reason to take out my frustration on an innocent individual. Romans 12:18 tells us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
Once the lady answered the phone, she kindly asked me for more information about my account. After she figured out which account I was calling about, she very professionally asked what she could help with. I calmly explained that I had a direct deposit account and could not figure out why the previous month had not been paid and why I had a service charge for the late payment.
She was able to find more information on her end and informed me that during the previous month, my credit card had been rejected so the payment had not been made. I have had this credit card for years and I pay it off each month, so it never occurred to me that it might have been rejected.
I was so thankful that I had remained calm, because suddenly I realized what had happened. The previous month we had a large bill come due that maxed out our credit card. The reason I put such a large payments on the card, was so we would get reward points. The bill needed to be paid anyway, and we had the funds in our checking account. Since the card was maxed out, I then made an early payment on the credit card before the monthly billing cycle so that I could keep using the card. Evidently, the direct deposit for the other bill had come during that time and since the credit card was maxed out for just a short period, it got rejected.
I immediately told the customer service representative that I knew what had happened and that it was totally my own fault and thanked her for her time. I then thanked the Lord that I had not gotten angry with her over MY mistake.
As we follow Christ, he tells us in Matthew 11:29 to, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.” Knowing Jesus is meek and lowly, we should set aside our own arrogance and approach those who we think have wronged us with gentleness as well. As we listen to them, we might find out that they really had not done anything wrong.
Ephesians 4:31 tells us, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.” I wish I could say that I knew to be calm and gentle as I called because I have always been that way. Instead I have to say that it took time, and through the years I learned from my mistakes.
The more I learn about the grace of Jesus and his love, the more I want to be like him. I know I will not be perfect like he is, but that makes me even more thankful for his payment for my sins and that motivates me to love my neighbor as myself.