Sins that Continue to this Day

 

Violence, crime, pride, refusing correction, not trusting or seeking God, leaders out for all they can get, predatory judges, “prophets” seeking their own gain, priests acting contrary to God’s laws - these were sins in Zephaniah’s time; sins that continue to this day.

Zephaniah 3:1-5 (TLB) 3 Woe to filthy, sinful Jerusalem, city of violence and crime. 2 In her pride she won’t listen even to the voice of God. No one can tell her anything; she refuses all correction. She does not trust the Lord nor seek for God. 3 Her leaders are like roaring lions hunting for their victims—out for everything that they can get. Her judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time, who by dawn have left no trace of their prey. 4 Her “prophets” are liars seeking their own gain; her priests defile the Temple by their disobedience to God’s laws. 5 But the Lord is there within the city, and he does no wrong. Day by day his justice is more evident, but no one heeds—the wicked know no shame.

4/30/2023

Never Enough Lust and Shame

Acting upon what you know is wrong is akin to cavorting with prostitutes who never have enough of lust and shame. Unhealthy secrets and addictions are nurtured in this way. Sooner or later you find yourself a citizen of hell and bringing heartache to all around you.  

Proverbs 9:13-18 (TLB) A prostitute is loud and brash and never has enough of lust and shame. 14 She sits at the door of her house or stands at the street corners of the city, 15 whispering to men going by and to those minding their own business. 16 “Come home with me,” she urges simpletons. 17 “Stolen melons are the sweetest; stolen apples* taste the best!” 18 But they don’t realize that her former guests are now citizens of hell.

4/23/2023

The Stronger One

 

Those involved in evil are particularly adept at hiding stolen goods and schemes. It seems they get the upper hand and only gain ground.  Satan is fully capable, strong and fully armed - until you call on God.  God is the stronger; always has been and always will be.

Luke 11:21-22 (TLB) “For when Satan, strong and fully armed, guards his palace, it is safe— 22 until someone stronger and better armed attacks and overcomes him and strips him of his weapons and carries off his belongings.

4/16/2023

Wineskins

 

Coming to Christ you want God’s way of living, not your own. You don’t want your previous outlook, you want God’s.  Your previous taut and worn wineskins of mind are replaced with new ones that are flexible in heart and mind and you now know and appreciate God’s gifts to you.

Matthew 9:16-17 (TLB) 16 “And who would patch an old garment with unshrunk cloth? For the patch would tear away and make the hole worse. 17 And who would use old wineskins to store new wine? For the old skins would burst with the pressure, and the wine would be spilled and skins ruined. Only new wineskins are used to store new wine. That way both are preserved."

4/9/2023

Commandments

 

The word “commandment” in the Bible infers a mandatory order from God. Another way to think about it is God directs you to bring specific behavior under YOUR “command” or dominion.  Everything so noted in the Bible is something YOU decide to make a part of your character.

Exodus 20:6 (TLB) 6 but I lavish my love upon thousands of those who love me and obey my commandments.

4/2/2023