Like Water Spilled On The Ground

For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.  II Samuel 14:14 NKJV

Here we are given deep insight into the nature of God and His heart for mankind. It comes to us in an Old Testament story about King David and his favored son Absalom.    Absalom had ordered his servants to murder his older half-brother, Amnon, because Amnon had raped Absalom's full sister, Tamar, and nothing had been done about it.

Following the murder, Absalom had fled to his mother's country of Geshur and dwelt there for three years. King David missed Absalom but he apparently wasn't comfortable with the ramifications for his kingdom if he set the precedent of letting members of the royal family be above the law. He knew justice would not be served by pardoning Absalom, and yet he pined for him.

After three years had passed without a solution, Joab, King David's nephew and the commander of his armies, decided he should intervene to help King David bring Absalom home. 

Joab hired a wise woman from Tekoa (a small town about six miles from Jerusalem) to come before King David with a petition to spare her son from the death penalty for killing his brother. 

Her plea was that her remaining son was the only one left to support her and to carry on the family line. 

King David's compassion was stirred, and he gave her an assurance her son would not be killed.

Once King David made his decision for mercy on her son's behalf, the wise woman pressed him concerning mercy for Absalom. 

She said: "For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again."

This is such a vivid and therefore haunting picture of the hopelessness of death without a Savior. Selah.                               
She reminds King David that we are all sinners without hope, but for the grace and mercy of God. The death penalty is upon us; yet, God does not pursue our death because He "is not willing that any should perish." 

She goes on to say, "God does not take away a life." She tells King David that God "devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him." And thus, she encourages King David to make a way for Absalom to come home.

The problem is that her plea was a call for King David to embrace mercy without satisfying justice.

The wise words of the woman of Tekoa were certainly true concerning our Heavenly Father. He created us to be with Him, but we turned our backs on Him by sinning. Our sin caused spiritual death and banished us from His presence. But God still longed for fellowship with us, so He devised a righteous means to bring us back into eternal relationship with Him.

Unlike King David's action, God's provision satisfied justice. It would violate His nature to do otherwise. For God to be morally consistent within Himself, He must satisfy mercy and justice! 

His means of salvation must pay the penalty for all sins committed by mankind. He could justly provide forgiveness in no other way. 

So He literally provided Himself a sacrifice! He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to die on a cross in our place. 

Consider the magnitude of that sacrifice!  Being a sinless man qualified Jesus to die for a single sinful man, but being a sinless God/Man qualified Jesus to die for all sinners!

This is good news! Because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary "whosoever will" may come to the Father for forgiveness and eternal life. We are no longer banished and expelled! All is forgiven if we turn away from sin and ask the Father to forgive us because of the price Jesus Christ paid.     
                                                
Don't be like the unrepentant Absalom who perished in a rebellion against his father's kingdom. 

"Today is the day of salvation."

I invite you to return to your Heavenly Father for forgiveness and eternal life!

Put your trust in Jesus and come home!  

Jesus Desires Your Affection

 

 

 

Before my husband left for work he brought me a Jonquil from the flower bed. Look at that beautiful flower. It is the flower of March so it bloomed right on time. Its name, Jonquil, means "I desire a return of affection." 

Lovers give this flower to express that sentiment to their loved ones. How much more does that apply to the One Who created the Jonquil for His pleasure and our delight? It reminded me that Jesus really loves us and that He wants our love in return.

Hebrews 12:2 says, "...Jesus...for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame..." 

What was the joy that was set before Him? It was the joy of an eternal loving fellowship with us! He really loves us! He loves us and wants us to love Him. Nobody deserves our love like He does. Our Creator and our Savior!

If you know Him, rejoice in His love today! If you don't know him, today is always the day of salvation for those who believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The end of this age is very near.

May God's Spirit make His love, His grace and His truth real to you.

The ONLY Begotten Son of God?

When speaking of "the only begotten Son of God," there may be some confusion as to what the term means. Angels are called the sons of God and born again believers are called the sons (or children) of God. But, only Jesus is called "the only begotten Son of God." Why is that?

First of all, we must know what begotten means. The English word begotten is commonly used to refer to procreation: the fathering of children in a biological sense. This biological connection between human generations means the father and his child or children are genetically related. They are of the same species and share the same physical and spiritual makeup. They often even look alike. However, this understanding of begotten is not sufficient to explain what begotten means when used to express the connection between Jesus and God the Father. Why? Because it does not include the full meaning of the Greek word monogenes which is used in the Greek New Testament and from which begotten is translated.

Monogenes, according to the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament has two definitions.

First, monogenes pertains to "being the only one of its kind within a specific relationship." Monogenes is used in this way when Isaac is called Abraham's "only begotten son" in Hebrews 11:17. In case you don't know or have forgotten, the book of Genesis tells us that Abraham had eight sons. He begat Ishmael with Hagar. He begat Isaac with Sarah. And, he begat Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah with Keturah. (Yes, the Middle East is populated with Abraham's descendants!) But, Isaac was accurately called Abraham's only begotten son in the Hebrews statement because Isaac was the only son he had by Sarah and the only son of the covenant.

Note: Hebrews 11:17 is probably one of the scriptures critics use to point out mistakes in the Bible. It just goes to show that one must diligently study to avoid wrong conclusions!

Second, monogenes pertains to "being the only one of its kind or class, unique in kind." Monogenes is used with this meaning by Jesus when He said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Contrary to what some believe, begotten/monogenes does not imply that Jesus had a beginning. No, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus exists from eternity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. So, the English term "only begotten" is simply used to highlight the fact that Jesus shares the divine nature as the unique Son of God. 

This second meaning of monogenes is also used in 1 John 4:9;            John 1:14, 18 and John 3:18 These scripture verses reveal the truth I'm sharing with you. Please meditate on their clear meaning as you can understand it now.

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.      1 John 4:9 NKJV

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14 NKJV

No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.   John 1:18 NKJV

These verses say God the Father "sent" Jesus to us and "gave" Jesus to save us from our sins. They never say God created Jesus. He existed eternally with His Father as many verses tell us. Jesus, as God, created all things that are in heaven and earth! In the book of Isaiah, Jesus is called Wonderful (full of wonders!), Counselor (full of wisdom), Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. In the book of Revelation He declares Himself to be the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end!

Jesus is never simply called "the begotten Son of God." He is always called the "only begotten Son of God" because He is indeed Unique! One of a kind. Angels and humans are called sons of God because God created them but only Jesus proceeds forth from the Heavenly Father as His Eternally Existing Only Begotten Son.

In the Bethlehem prophecy foretelling His birth in Micah 5:2, the scriptures say His "goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." We know He physically created and then visited with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  He walked with Enoch and then took him to heaven. He instructed Noah on the building the ark. He spoke with Abraham about Isaac's coming birth, the destruction of Sodom, the sacrifice of Isaac and the future of his descendants. He comforted Hagar and assured her concerning Ishmael's future. He spoke "face to face" with Moses on many occasions. He appeared to Joshua as Commander of the Lord's Hosts. He announced the coming birth of Samson to Manoah's wife and later to Manoah. He has been going forth throughout history as Micah said.

Don't you find it comforting that Jesus takes such an interest in His people? I certainly do! And He takes an interest in us because He loves us! We rejected Him but He still loves us and makes a way for us to return to fellowship with Him and live forever. Knowing Jesus and accepting Him as Lord and Savior is the only way to gain eternal life.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 NKJV

He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18 NKJV

Let me repeat:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 NKJV

Jesus, God's only begotten Son,  invites you through His Word and His Spirit to be saved. I pray you will respond.

May God's grace and peace be with you and yours forever.

JESUS: KING, SAVIOR, MESSIAH, LORD!

Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, and the shepherds

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

                                                                                                       Luke 2:8-14



Star of Bethlehem

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,  saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”  Matthew 2:1-2

The poor, simple shepherds were led by the instructions of an angel to travel a short distance to find their Savior, their Messiah, their Lord!

The rich, wise men were led by a star to travel a great distance to find a new King! 

The lowly shepherds followed the angel's instructions and found Jesus! The wealthy, wise men followed the star and found Jesus!

Near or far, poor or rich: because of His love and goodwill toward mankind, all God's children are somehow made aware of their need of JESUS!  And, all who respond to Jesus in faith find what they need!

May you believe and find what you need today!

 For God so loved the world that

He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him

should not perish but have everlasting life. 

John 3:16

Merry Christmas!

Broad Way to Destruction

Highway to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. 
Google Images

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

I've seen this picture of the highway to Mecca used to illustrate that Arabs practice apartheid and it clearly proclaims that message, but the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this picture was the words of Jesus about the broad way to destruction. As you can see, there is a broad way of four lanes for Muslims to get to Mecca and there is a narrow way, a one lane exit, for non-Muslims to avoid that mistake.

As the Bible says, "There is a way that seems right to a man (in this case a Muslim) but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12

Mecca is the home of Islam's Kaaba which houses the ancient black stone. It is the number one religious site for those who worship Allah so all Muslim's must, if humanly possible, make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Non-Muslims, who are classified by Muslims as unclean infidels (unbelievers) are not allowed to go to Mecca. (That's one rule most non-Muslims gladly obey!)

However, this rule reveals a major difference between Christianity and Islam. Christians welcome unbelievers into their assemblies so they can share truth with them and let them decide how they will respond to it. But, Muslims forbid unbelievers entrance into their activities unless they first confess, "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet." (Like Nancy Pelosi saying the congressmen must sign the health care bill before they could read it, that's exactly backwards!)

Only after one confesses belief in Allah can one enter the city of Mecca to see the Kaaba where Muslim pilgrims circle the interior courts of the building seven times saying rote prayers and kiss the ancient black stone before heading out to Mt Arafat to throw stones at a symbolic Satan so they can fulfill the 5th Pillar of Islam and become known as a Hajji (one who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca).

Since Islam is the anti-Christ religion, the laws of Islam are opposite the laws of the true God. 

Under the true God, Who is a God of love and freedom, everyone is free to make their own choice. Anyone can take the broad way to destruction if they choose to. They can reject the very existence of God and the need for a personal Savior, or they can follow the teachings of numerous religions like Islam which require the futile and deceptive practice of "works" to earn one's own salvation.

Then, of course, one is also free to respond to the drawing of God's Spirit and choose the narrow gate to life through Jesus Christ, Who provides salvation for all who put their trust in Him alone.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.

He will come in and go out, and find pasture." John 10:9

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; John 11:25

Do you believe the testimony and promises of Jesus? 

 You are free to believe or reject His message. But your choice has consequences.

Please choose eternal life!
 
Don't take the broad way to destruction.

By Grace, the LORD Has Provided

Genesis 22:1-18 KJV

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

After these things? After God had called him out of a distant land and settled him in the Promise Land of Canaan. After God had protected him and provided for him through the years. After God had consulted with him concerning the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and saved Lot for Abraham's sake. After God had given him the son of promise, Isaac, even though Abraham had already produced a son of the flesh, Ishmael. In other words, after God had proven Himself faithful to Abraham, He tested him.

And he said, “Here I am.”    

Notice the quick, straightforward reply of Abraham. This response reveals that Abraham was in good standing with God. Unlike Adam, who had sinned and hid among the trees because he was afraid to be in God's presence, Abraham was ready to commune with God.

Are you ready to commune with God? If not, is it because you are out of relationship with Him through sin or afraid of what He may ask of you? In the first case, repent so you may be restored. In the second, think about all He has done for you and remind yourself that He always has your best interests at heart.

Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”    

God came to Abraham with simple instructions. God didn't give reasons or make assurances about the outcome. The test was designed to see if Abraham truly trusted God.

God made a jarring statement. He called Isaac Abraham's only son; the son whom he loves! Anyone familiar with this story knows that Ishmael was Abraham's son by Hagar. So, what is God saying?

There are legitimate and illegitimate children. As a rule, legitimate children receive the inheritance. Since Ishmael was not born according to the stipulations of God's promise to Abraham, he was not his legitimate son and heir. Abraham had, therefore, disinherited him and sent him away. And thus, God recognized the beloved Isaac as Abraham's only son. This scenario presents Isaac as a type of Jesus Christ, God's only beloved Son, born according to promise after a lengthy wait. And, it allows Abraham to play the role of God the Father, by willingly offering his only beloved son as a sacrifice.

God told Abraham to go to the land of Moriah, to a specific spot which God would show him, and offer Isaac there as a burnt offering. Why there? We know, looking back, that God was taking Abraham to Golgotha, the very place where Jesus would be crucified as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sin.

So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 

What an example of obedience! Abraham willingly obeyed. He did not ask questions or argue with God. And, he did not try to postpone the trip, hoping God would change His mind. No, Abraham, based on years of relational experience with God, trusted Him, and hastened to obey Him; only taking time for the needed preparations.  

Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”    

One with less faith than Abraham would have turned away from that dreadful place and painful assignment. But, he had been considering God's faithfulness and contemplating his mission for three days and had come to a positive conclusion. He believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead and he confessed his belief by saying, "we will come back to you." He trusted God with Isaac's life because He knew God would not lie and God had promised him descendants through Isaac which were as yet unborn.

This reminds me of a situation I faced. I had a spiritual dream about a friend which gave details about the future. Later, my friend ended up in the ICU on death's door. In the natural it appeared she might die, but I was sure she would pull through because details of the dream hadn't yet been fulfilled, and I comforted her family with those words. Faith sustained me as Abraham's faith sustained him. She pulled through and Isaac was spared because God is always faithful! He is "not a man that He should lie." 

So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 

Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice foreshadowing that Jesus would carry His own cross. The accuracy of the predictions shown in these Biblical Types are only possible because it is God inspired.

But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”   

And he said, “Here I am, my son.”   

Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”    

And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.    

We often think of Isaac as being a teenager during this event but the Book of Jasher says he was 37 years old.  Regardless of his age, Abraham could not have offered Isaac without his consent. Abraham's assurance to Isaac no doubt increased Isaac's faith that everything would turn out all right and he willingly cooperated with his beloved father's attempt to obey God and sacrifice him.

Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.  And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.    

As Abraham built the altar and placed the wood in order, God had created the very Mount where His Son would die and would grow the trees used to form His cross in due time. As Abraham bound his son and laid him on the altar, God the Father spiritually bound Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus asked three times to be released from going to the cross if it were possible. And Jesus yielded to His bonds.

The Gethsemane interaction between God the Father and Jesus, His Son. clearly presents the Father as the one who is offering His Son for the sins of the world, and just as clearly depicts Jesus yielding to the will of the Father because there was no other way to provide salvation for sinful mankind. Lest we think Jesus was overcome with sorrow, Hebrews 12:2 tells us: "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." He looked beyond the sorrow of the cross and was strengthened by His hope of eternal joy with those who would be saved!

As Jesus would, Abraham did everything God required of him willingly, and Isaac yielded to his father's will as well. What a testimony to Abraham's personal faithfulness to God and to his godly training of Isaac. His faith had become his son's faith. They both freely chose to obey God and were rewarded for it.

But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”
So he said, “Here I am.”    

As we know, the Angel of the LORD refers to the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. The very One Who would willingly lay down His life so others could go free intervened on Isaac's behalf.

And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”    

By God's grace, Abraham passed God's test with flying colors! He proved his faith in God by his actions, as James would later declare. He became known as the Father of the Faithful for all future generations; for Jews and Gentiles alike. 

Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.  And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”    

Just at the right moment, Jesus, Himself, provided a sacrifice! This sacrifice, which was freely given to Abraham, took the place of his son, Isaac. What a foretelling of His provision of Himself as the sacrifice which would take the place of every "child" God loves. And, this Godly provision resulted in a prophetic proverb which proclaimed the coming sacrifice of Jesus for generations before He actually came to the Mount of the LORD and provided Himself as the substitute to procure our salvation.

The truth of that proclamation still goes forth today. Please understand and know that you are the one who has been provided for! If you are separated from your Heavenly Father by sin, Jesus has provided Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for your sin so that you can come into an eternal love relationship with your holy Heavenly Father. This means that no matter what you have done, your deserved death penalty has been covered by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross of Calvary and it will be credited to you if you confess your sins, forsake them, and turn to your Heavenly Father for forgiveness and a new life of obedience to Christ. How glorious the grace of God is toward us!

Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,  and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”  So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

For his obedience, Jesus promised Abraham a multitude of natural descendants (the Jews) and spiritual descendants (the blessed believers in Yahweh of all nations). 

It is important to remember that the Jews and the Jewish nation have been preserved through history because of God's promise to Abraham. All who fight the fulfillment of Yahweh's promise will lose. God is in control and His Word never goes forth and returns without the desired result. 

Not all Jews will be saved but a remnant will. God's Word tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and to bless Israel. How God deals with Israel is His business but He has commanded that we do them good and He has promised to bless or curse us according to how we respond to that command. 

Not all Gentiles will be saved, but those who believe in Jesus and His Father, and follow in the footsteps of Abraham by faith and obedience, are his spiritual children and will receive eternal life along with the remnant of faithful Jews.    

May you be blessed today as you put your trust in Yahweh and stand with Israel!

Love & Believe

                                                                       Jesus Loves You!

                                                                Step out and believe it!

When Death Has Died

The fearful end of life for which we grieve

Is death which comes so unexpectedly.

Slow and unlearned are taught to leave this life,

And learn as well as any erudite.

Assured it is and cannot be denied,

Or yield to arm of force or plea of bribe.

Death comes to all at the appointed hour,

To saints and the undone with equal power.

So, trust the Father if gifted you have been,

When shadows grow and darkness hastens in.

 

You are fulfilled, so don't deny your worth,

If you contented served from your new birth.

His ways are high. His timing for your best.

And knowing this, when Death has come you're blessed.

Look to the Father of eternal light.

His Daystar's ever bright in darkest night!

And then, as Death comes welcomed to your door

(The numbered days of earth to be no more),

With Paul, you can esteem this life worth less

Than gain of heaven's resurrected rest.

There, all men being bought and fully tried

Are free eternally and Death has died!

Death’s End

His ugly head crushed neath the conqueror's feet.

His key retrieved from Satan in retreat.

Bound and held with dark companions,

Hell and Grave.

Ne'r again to rob the land of godly saved.

To God Be The Glory!

Cherel Justice

The Christ

Can one so limited as man

Complete a task so great?

Convince a world steeped in sin

That someone came to die for them?

Where could one start to tell about

A God who took on flesh,

And leaving glory in its place

Came down to see men face to face?

What words would do to half describe

The trade He made that day,

In shedding glory without end

To wear a robe of flesh like men?

How should someone present the news

About the life He lived,

How He, when tempted and tried like men,

Lived victorious over sin?

Who would believe such a report?

Anyone could, I certainly did!

It wasn't just the way He lived,

But how He died and rose again!

The truth of the whole matter is,

However it is told,

That Jesus Christ, God's only Son

Prepared the way for everyone.

He lived a pure life without sin.

He was crucified and rose again

To give to us eternal life!

And, if we believe, we'll never die.

Cherel S. Justice