09/06/15
Ezekiel 29.20 I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for me, declares the Lord God. - Ezekiel, for God
All of us work for somebody; ourselves, our families, our employers, our lifestyle – on and on it goes. Everyone works some way for someone or something. That’s just how it works on the blue/green ball.
Reading the prophecies and oracles of Ezekiel, I am amazed at God’s attitude toward the nations. God is not apart from us, but very near; and for those who may find it uncomfortable, very involved. The evening newscast looks a lot different when we factor God into the picture. God in His infinite wisdom is carrying out His plans and purposes in this world. He hasn’t asked for my help, or anyone else’s; He has all things under His control.
The US, Russia, China, ISIS, Iraq, Iran, are all under God’s control. Yes, even the real great Satan has limits. The catch is this: God is love and because He is, there is nothing done anywhere ever that is apart from the attribute of His love. Now certainly, God is gracious, and merciful, and forgiving but He is, and always will be, love. The deepest, darkest cell in hell is prepared because of His love. Paradox? Perhaps, but I wasn’t consulted when God chose to do what He is doing and as He has done. Not sure my perspective would’ve made any difference anyway, given my track record of living.
I was impressed with all this when I read the verse in Ezekiel 29 today: I have given [Nebuchadnezzar] the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because [Nebuchadnezzar and his men] worked for me, declares the Lord God. Babylon was God’s employee. And for a season, Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) was Employee of the Month.
God gave Ezekiel some inside information to help him help His people to remember, that even in captivity and exile, He, the Lord, was providing for them, and He, the Lord, was using His employees to help them and care for them.
Which makes me ask: God, who (or what) have You employed to help and serve me? You see, if God uses all things for the good of those who love Him and are called by His Name, then those ‘all things’ are His employees to help me in my walk with, and devotion to, the One whose name is Love. I don’t subscribe to the notion that God never gives us more than we can handle (utter nonsense), but I do believe that God brings the right people, places, and purposes to us at just the right time for just the right reason so that we may know Him who is called Love and adores us with an affection that is beyond comprehension.
Oh Lord, may I quit trying to figure it all out and, just. trust. You. Use whom or what You must; just don’t take Your hand off of my life as I walk in my pilgrimage and learn to cooperate with that which You’ve employed to help me make my way home. Amen
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HYPOCRITES OR FALSE CHRISTIANS? BY STEVE FINNELL
According to a 2012 Gallup poll 77% of those living in the U.S.A. identify as Christians. How many of the 77% are hypocrites or false Christians?
According to a May 22, 2014 Gallup poll only 46% of those living in the U.S.A. oppose killing unborn babies by abortion.
Obviously a large percentage of those who identify as Christian see nothing wrong with murdering unborn babies, would they be hypocrites or false Christians?
According to a Gallup poll July, 2013 54 % of those living in the U.S.A. support same sex marriage.
If 77% say they are Christians and 54% of the population say they support gay marriage, then there is lot of support among those who claim to be believers in Christ for gay marriage. Are they hypocrites or false Christians?
Do the Scriptures support homosexual marriage and killing unborn babies?
1 John 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.(NKJV)
If killing unborn innocent babies is not murder, then what would it be?
Revelation 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."(NKJV)
The sexually immoral and murderers will have their part in the lake of fire.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?....nor homosexuals, nor sodomites.....11 And such were some of you . But you were washed, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.(NKJV)
When it comes to participating or approving of abortion and same sex marriage, it should be past tense if you are claiming to be a Christian. The apostle Paul said SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU not ARE SOME OF YOU.
If you claim to be a Christian and approve of sinful practices or live a sinful lifestyle, then you are either a hypocrite or a false Christian.
In a 2008 Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life 57% of Evangelical Christians said there might be other ways to heaven other than Jesus.
Would that indicate hypocrisy or false Christians?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)
ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE?
Mark 16:16 He who has believed, and has been immersed, will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.(T.B.V.O.T.N.T) by Chester Estes
Galatians 3:17-27....26 Since you are sons of God through that belief, by Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been immersed into Christ , have put on Christ.(T.B.V.O.T.N.T) by Chester Estes
If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that God raised Him from the dead. If you claim Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you have been baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins, then you are a Christian.
The question remains how many of the 77% who claim to be Christians are hypocrites or false Christians?
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