Thoughts on Judgement and Wrath

I read an article recently and I regret to say I don't remember who so cant give them credit. But it was one of the best articles I have read laying out the difference biblically between judgement and wrath.    Many have said that the weather changes and disasters and other issues going on in America isn't judgement.    I have the feeling that they think judgement means God is angry with them when in reality, that would be the wrath of God.  Judgement is always meant to bring someone to the Lord, to cause their eyes to be opened so that they don't get the wrath of God through continued disobedience.

As I listened to the present issues with ISIS and Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and in general the Middle East issues as well as the current issues with Russia and China,  I see that we are facing God's judgement.  The failures of American leadership to appropriately address our national interests and things like ISIS gaining control of all the USA's weapons given to the Iraqi army, isn't just a leadership failure. It is judgement that is intended for American's to wake up and realize that without the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord God, the creator of the Universe, the creator of all mankind, the one who holds the stars in place, there will be no success story coming out of our national politics or foreign policy.   The embarrassment that many feel over the leadership of America in the past 6 years comes because we have neglected 1. to pray for our President and those in authority. 2. we have failed to live out the mandate to "go therefore into all the world and make disciples....." while we gather in our panelled walled buildings with cushy seats and the latest technology and think we are immune to evil because we call ourselves by the name Christians.

American sings the song, God Bless America, and yet, while we find ourselves pleading with God to bless America as tragedy comes to our door step and possible is already ensconced in our homes and houses we fail to bless Him, to in everything give thanks that HE is the Lord God that we might be in His will even as His Word has instructed us.   We want God to bless us but we remove His name from our lives and the freedom to even freely speak of the birth of the Messiah, and wonder why "judgement" is at hand?   The earth itself is revolting at the abortions, the prostitution,and pornography, and greed, and the lies and half truths that abound.  The earth is reeling over the horrible sex crimes engaged in by high school football players. Are we not aware that these things are happening that we might turn to Him, change our way of thinking, remove the idols and all the things that we lift up above the name of Jesus in our lives, and turn to Him in full dependence by faith?

Judgement isn't payback or retribution. It is kind of like letting a kid touch a hot stove so he will find out it is hot and not do it again. Yet we are so much like Israel and Judah who kept on doing their wicked deed, enjoying their wickedness, rather than come into the Light of Almighty God's presence that they might honor Him with changed thinking and changed behaviors...have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb!

The Day of the Lord IS coming and it  is about wrath. But we have not seen that yet.   Does it mean that God is not angry with His beloved people?  No, but judgement is what comes forth in His mercy that we might be made aware of the cost in part of our idolatry/adultery and turn back to Himself!\

Will we cry out...Oh God our Father, in judgement, remember mercy?  God's judgment is always merciful. Were it not it would be wrath and that time is not yet at hand according to His Word.  Judgment is about giving His people, us, the opportunity to change our ways and be conformed to His image before it is too late and the opportunity is gone.

Wednesday Musings Oct. 1, 2014

Wednesday musings October 1, 2014

Two thoughts this morning about a couple very different things.

I know many of us wonder about the great earthquakes that will come upon the earth as scripture speaks of them. I live in the Pacific NW and all the talk is that another BIG one..8-9 earthquake is on the horizon anytime. As was reading these two scriptures seem to get glued into the frontof my mind.

Ps. 75: 4/3..When the earth quakes with all living in it, it is I who hold its support pillars firm.

And Ps 93 1: The world is well established. It cannot be moved.

I so remember , as I drove alone State Route 508 some years ago, driving back and forth to work , praying for the hillside above the highway. I was encouraged of the Lord to believe Him to have his angels drive stakes into the hillside, holding it. I never dreamed that one day I would live on that hillside and be there when an earthquake shook the region. We suffered no loss on that hillside. But today, Lord....how do we pray facing an earthquake that will shake the very foundations of earth and heaven, as the scripture says, and maybe many  earthquakes previous to that that will do unimagined destruction?  That is my question.

Another thought that seems in the forefront of my thinking as many of the nations of the world face the reality of other groups than Al Queda like ISIL/ISIS coming forth out of the darkness in which their existence has been enshrouded. I so often hear my Christian brothers talk about judgment upon these wicked/evil purposing groups. Yet I read this morning something that cautioned me to ever even think this way.

Ps. 94:1

God of vengeance, ADONAI!

God of vengeance, appear!

Pay back the proud as they deserve!

I was momentarily caught up with the idea of ISIS and other violent extremist groups being dealt the hand of the Lord, when that last part came to my attention.

PAY BACK THE PROUD AS THEY DESERVE!!

How does that apply to us in the USA? How does that apply to us who call ourselves Christians in the USA and we sit in our paneled buildings, the comfort of our “secure” homes, with TVs, smart phones and tons of other conveniences, in what much of the world would call the lap of luxury? How does proud fit a nation with one of the highest abortion rates in the world and one of the highest percentage of people incarcerated in the world? I don't know but somehow the arrogance of the American people and me included, seems to qualify for “proud”!

As I see our nation's leadership calling forth a coalition with those we ourselves have declared to be our enemy and even ignoring the power of one of our enemies to develop nuclear bomb capacity, I wonder if it isn't bringing us closer to when this Awesome God of ours, the God of Vengeance will indeed pay us back for what we deserve? A nation who appears to not be able to see through our own ideology to see the difference between civilians killed in Gaza and the few civilians killed in Israel in the Israeli/Hamas conflict?

As we come to that time when the spotlight of the world is on Israel as never before, is it possible we, in the USA, are blinded by our own pride in thinking that somehow we really know what is “right and what is wrong” in the world even though our own infrastructure is failing at an unprecedented rate, the number of abortions continues to arise, the use of drugs is legalized and yet not enforced within the legal parameters of the law and violent escalates in numerous ways across the country, especially near our borders?

I hear some of the prophets saying that we won't see another 9/11 because the body of Christ is crying out. And I do hear cries, but sadly the cries that I hear aren't ones addressing the failures and shortcomings of us, the body of Christ! But then I don't hear what God is hearing.

However, I may  be in over my head in these matters. Yet  I don't see the changes that need to come to “protect” America either in the spiritual dimension or in the practical dimension of our borders being protected. Instead I see wide open doors letting all kinds of those who are our enemy come into this nation without any check, and at times it seems the welcome mat is out for even the worst of the kind of terrorists such as MS-13.

It would seem that the type of things that run our airways also must change if we are going to see a turn around in our nation of the violence and cruelty that is on the increase. Yes, we see some “religious/spiritual” things coming to TV and the theaters but that is such a dribble of effect considering the attendance at the horror, violent and sexually explicit movies and programs infiltrating our nation on a regular basis.

I think of how the Lord told Jerusalem that her behavior even the Philistine women found revolting. (Ezekiel 16:27) Today, much of what is going on in the USA, would cause much of the world to blush as we have “outdone ourselves” in corruption and sexual deviancy. Are we as “bad” as them yet? That isn't the issue...the issue is that this nation represented Christian values and a standard which stands as it always has to judge us.

Oh Lord, what then are we to do? We are but frail human beings whose lives are as a piece of grass that wilts and dies at your very breath!

And I hear Arise and Shine, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!

Yes, there is still a place for each of us as the dark gets darker, for then even a little light appears brighter and is seen in the darkness.

Shine where you are planted! Even in the deepest darkest pit, a tiny light might shine to give encouragement to another. But there is no “pride” in shining. A time will come when we are only able to “save ourselves” not those around us. Even now, it is about Him, our trust and faith in who He is. Somehow as Christians in the USA, we have gained some sense of “identity” as Christians rather than finding our identity in Him. In a world lost in the ravages of violence and sexual deviancy, I think of what Paul said...and remember you too were once captive of these very things. Remembering that, we don't elevate ourselves in pride, but gain “common ground” with those, who like us, are beloved of the Father and who are being called into a relationship of discipleship with Him for eternity! There and there only, it seems we can cry out for the mercy of the Lord God Almighty, the God who is the God of Vengeance, as well as the God of Mercy and Justice, and in judgment, Lord, remember mercy!

Meri Ford

Meri Ford 516 Park Rd Winlock, WA 98596

                              360 520 4503 Blogs
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Obviously From Another Perspective

Obviously from another perspective by Meri Ford  September 13, 2014

This week I participation in a nationwide conference call calling Christians to pray for our nation. I understand at least two other nations were represented among those that called in.  I was waiting all afternoon for 4pm our time for the time to call in and before I knew it it was 4:15pm. So, perhaps there were some things said in the first 15 min that I missed.  I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be a part of that nationwide conference call.

I listened to it on my cell hands free as I dug potatoes out in my garden knowing I could say anything I wanted out in the garden as folks were led in prayer.  The very last prayer done by the organizer a Dr. Theresa something I seemed to have forgotten her last name was one of the most profound declaration of the power and authority of the name of Jesus spoken into various aspects of our government. Her prayer was unlike most of the previous prayers which were prayers of petition asking God to do this and do that, save our school, move on our legislature, etc. etc.  And they were gracious sounding prayers I know prayed from the very heart cry of the people praying. And then the director or organizer had all listening in to sing God Bless America!

Sorry folks, but that did it!!   Throughout the conference call I kept hearing 2 Chronicles 7:14 ...if My people who are called by My Name..will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from THEIR wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and heal their land.

We were praying for healing and righteousness in government, in our schools, asking God for this...and that...and to bless us. Yet, His Word says...if we want Him to bless us...we who are called by His name must humble ourselves. Granted I missed the first 15 min. but I didn't hear any of the ones praying address their own propensity or the "church's" propensity to do the same type of thing going on in our schools, in our local, state, and federal governments. I didn't hear anyone talk about their own failure to take care of the widows and orphans...and to welcome the "aliens".

How do we think God will hear us crying out to him when "we the church" carry within ourselves all the very sin of this nation, the pornography, the adultery and other sex sin, alcoholism and drug addiction, thievry and control?  When we the body of Christ repent of our idolatry in all the forms it takes, of all the ways we put people, places and things ahead of relationship with Him, then I think He is going to hear us and help us as we seek His face..and His grace will empower us as His own body to turn from our wicked ways.

Please,.....I've already been told that God looks at our hearts and that I need to be "careful" when I address things like this.  I write this figuring I will pull some more of that kind of thinking.  God is a god of mercy and as soon as the Israelites would turn back to Him, look towards Him tired of their own wicked ways, He heard. Until the point came when he said no more....and told them He'd hear them if they "cried to him early and then in the day of trouble he'd hear them."

Somehow I don't think it is "early" for the USA. Yes, I believe God is a gracious God, and He will hear the cry of the righteous over this nation, for the righteous one is humble, knows his own frame, and knows that apart from Himself and our life in Him, we will make even more messes than we see governmental agencies making.  

I would like your input on this.  It is crucial I think for us to really know what God wants of His own people in this hour..those who are called by His Name, who live out of Jesus Christ and live and move and have their being in Him.

May we grow in wisdom and knowledge and redeem the time for the days are evil.

Meri

              Meri Ford

              516 Park Rd

              Winlock, WA 98596

              360 520 4503

              Blogs

              
                http://meriford.blogspot.com/

               http://www.renewedhopesite.wordpress.com/

              website: http://www.renewedhopesite.com