The whole world has been changed in a short time by this coronavirus; it has rocked many to the core, but I still don't see many turning to THE LORD, or discussing HIM in all of this; instead, it is the same as always, me, me, me...
FAITH REQUIRES FAITHFULNESS; they are ONE! In FAITHFULNESS we DO that which is of HIS WILL, even when it most difficult to, such as RELY ON HIM, and WAIT ON HIM, as we wonder about what is going on around us, and how far it will go before it is stagnated, or over! PRAY CONSTANTLY IS part of our FAITH/FAITHFULNESS, and that, for EVERYONE, including ourselves, as we seek HIM TO aid us, heal us, save us, protect us, and lead us through...
With tears I have implored HIM, night and day, and with calm I await HIM! For the whole world do my PRAYERS go UP, as we ARE all in this together, despite our disconnection, and division! PRAYER IS MIRACULOUS, though many want instant results, or those which align to their wishes! IF we PRAY as we ought to, our PRAYERS are heard, and answered, one way or another! When we PRAY we MUST repent, and this with sincerity, then we must believe to receive, albeit, HIS answer might be different than we anticipate...
Too, I would like to point out that ALL of our thoughts, actions, and reactions HAVE consequences, and so, that we are put through suffering IS often through our own doing, be we aware of it, or not, because the wrong we do HAS recompense the same as the rights we do! These days ARE FULL OF abominations, and all sorts of things evil in the sight of THE LORD, and as HE HAS told us, there IS an after-effect, as we stoke HIS anger, and ignore HIS POWERS!!!
So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me,’ declares the LORD of Hosts, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD of Hosts.
God's almighty power and sovereign dominion, should engage and encourage sinners to repent and turn to Him. It is very desirable to have the Lord of hosts for our friend, and very dreadful to have him for our enemy. Review what is past, and observe the message God sent by his servants, the prophets, to your fathers. Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings. Be persuaded to leave your sins, as the only way to prevent approaching ruin.
What is become of our fathers, and of the prophets that preached to them? They are all dead and gone. Here they were, in the towns and countries where we live, passing and repassing in the same streets, dwelling in the same houses, trading in the same shops and exchanges, worshiping God in the same places. But where are they? When they died, there was not an end of them; they are in eternity, in the world of spirits, the unchangeable world to which we hasten apace. Where are they? Those of them who lived and died in sin, are in torment. Those who lived and died in Christ, are in heaven; and if we live and die as they did, we shall be with them shortly and eternally. If they minded not their own souls, is that a reason why their posterity should ruin theirs also? The prophets are gone. Christ is a Prophet that lives for ever, but all other prophets have a period put to their office. Oh that this consideration had its due weight; that dying ministers are dealing with dying people about their never-dying souls, and an awful eternity, upon the brink of which both are standing! In another world, both we and our prophets shall live for ever: to prepare for that world ought to be our great care in this. The preachers died, and the hearers died, but the word of God died not; not one jot or title of it fell to the ground; for he is righteous.
2 Chronicles 15:2–4 is instructive for us. This passage was written over two thousand years ago to a people like us: “[Azariah the prophet] went out to meet Asa and said to him, ‘Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them.’”
The people make a solemn covenant with God. - The work of complete reformation appeared so difficult, that Asa had not courage to attempt it, till assured of Divine assistance and acceptance. He and his people offered sacrifices to God; thanksgiving for the favours they had received, and supplication for further favours. Prayers and praises are now our spiritual sacrifices. The people, of their own will, covenanted to seek the Lord, each for himself, with earnestness. What is religion but seeking God, inquiring after him, applying to him upon all occasions? We make nothing of our religion, if we do not make heart-work of it; God will have all the heart, or none. Our devotedness to God our Saviour, should be avowed and shown in the most solemn and public manner. What is done in hypocrisy is a mere drudgery.
JAMES 4: 8...
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow content or satisfaction. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer, and the working of our desires toward God. And let us beware that we do not abuse or misuse the mercies received, by the disposition of the heart when prayers are granted. When men ask of God prosperity, they often ask with wrong aims and intentions. If we thus seek the things of this world, it is just in God to deny them.
Unbelieving and cold desires beg denials; and we may be sure that when prayers are rather the language of lusts than of graces, they will return empty. Here is a decided warning to avoid all criminal friendships with this world. Worldly-mindedness is enmity to God. An enemy may be reconciled, but enmity never can be reconciled. A man may have a large portion in things of this life, and yet be kept in the love of God; but he who sets his heart upon the world, who will conform to it rather than lose its friendship, is an enemy to God. So that any one who resolves at all events to be upon friendly terms with the world, must be the enemy of God. Did then the Jews, or the loose professors of Christianity, think the Scripture spake in vain against this worldly-mindedness? or does the Holy Spirit who dwells in all Christians, or the new nature which he creates, produce such fruit? Natural corruption shows itself by envying. The spirit of the world teaches us to lay up, or lay out for ourselves, according to our own fancies; God the Holy Spirit teaches us to be willing to do good to all about us, as we are able. The grace of God will correct and cure the spirit by nature in us; and where he gives grace, he gives another spirit than that of the world.
We have a LONG way to go before this virus, and other afflictions are behind us, and once again, it IS TIME to reckon within, and acknowledge DEPENDENCY UPON THE LORD *GOD*, and to RELY ON HIM for ALL we need...
I believe HE IS SHOWING us THROUGH this that we are nearing a point of extreme distance from HIM, as far as the stars are from us! I believe HE IS SHOWING us THROUGH this, that we NEED HIM, and NOT that of the world; in other words, HE IS CALLING us TO HIMSELF, FOR the sake of souls, and for our safety, protection, and advancement! In HIS LOVE for us, HE WON'T leave us forsaken, though we forsake HIM constantly; that is simply, THE REALITY OF HIS LOVE, and the depth of HIS KNOWLEDGE of what we are up against in this realm, for CHRIST JESUS TOO, dealt with the wickedness of this Earth...
It doesn't matter what other people say, IT DOES MATTER WHAT *GOD* HAS TO SAY, AND CAN DO! If only 500 more souls are added to THE KINGDOM, that IS HIS AIM, as well as absolute proof of those whom reject, or deny HIM...
Be AWARE, there is NO half-stepping in our proclaiming THE LORD AS OUR SAVIOUR; it is ALL or nothing HE desires, and commands, yet, HE KNOWS who WILL work it out, or run farther away, AND STILL, HE WILL GIVE EVERYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN TO HIM, and in such times is as good as it gets to test us!!!
LWINSOR © 2020
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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