forgiveness

This Little Child I Love- why some live in the darkness of truth.

It is hard to imagine or grasp the belief system that took place in barbaric times when people sacrificed humans in order to appease a god. It is even harder to imagine them thinking that the best humans to sacrifice are those of the innocent; their own children.

I am sure there are still some cultures in third world or fourth world countries (these are the most poverty-stricken places; some that are hidden from society) that still may perform these practices today. These are places where there is no concept of a more advanced society or have any political stand. We, from more civilized countries, may be surprised by their pagan belief systems and traditions.

Yet in our civilized, prosperous and educated nation, these practices are still performed. It is not known as sacrifice or even murder. We conceal the practice with the word “abortion”.  To abort means to terminate prematurely. While we cry out in the defense of endangered species, sympathize with the heartbreaking commercials regarding mistreatment of animals and protest with those that have been offended or treated unfairly, our youngest suffer quietly. It seems like common sense to speak up for unborn children — common sense, right? And many do just that. Most do it from the kindness of their hearts.

Today, unlike any time in our past, we have the technology to view the inside of a woman’s womb and see a child moving in real-time. When I was pregnant with the first of my children I didn’t get the joy of viewing the child that grew inside of me through an ultrasound. But I was able to view my last child move around even though I was less than 2 months pregnant. Today it is common practice to have an ultrasound. Even 3D and 4D ultrasounds are available.

We can now watch time-lapsed videos from the moment of conception to a full term baby. The creation and development of a human life is breathtaking.

So the argument is not necessarily whether it is a child or not, although some would still argue that statement. To me it just seems obvious and common sense. But the argument is based out of fear. It is the fear of the future for the mother and/or the baby. It is the fear of timing and inconvenience or shame. It is the fear that women will lose their “rights”. We are led to believe that the woman is being dictated what to do with her own body. While it is her body that is hosting the child while it develops, it is another person altogether, growing inside her. It isn’t her body that will be aborted or terminated or “murdered”.  It is another person that will feel the sweep of a painful death.

The reason I am bringing up this extremely debatable subject today is because it has been getting a lot of attention recently.  It has been a hot topic since 1973 with the Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision. But it hadn’t been discussed a whole lot on social media until Kavanaugh became a Justice of the Supreme Court. The fear that Roe vs Wade will be challenged is causing states, such as New York, to push an agenda that legalizes abortion up to full term.

People are so desperate to keep this legal and sear the conscience of this act that it has gone from a quiet private decision to bragging rights and celebration. It has been taken out of the closet, so to speak, and put on the stage for debate. I suppose that is a good thing because now it is getting the attention it deserves.

I wish so desperately that this wasn’t even up for debate. I wish I could simply ignore it and pretend it is not taking place. I hate knowing that unborn children are enduring incredible pain as they are murdered while society applauds.

If you are wondering how our society has taken so many steps backward just read Ephesians 4:18.

“Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their mind and hardened their hearts against him.” (NLT)

It would be good to read all of Romans 1 to understand where this thinking comes from but let me just add a few verses from the New International Version:

21- 22 – For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.

28 – Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

32 –  Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they no only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”

You might asked, “What about Abraham? Wasn’t he going to sacrifice his own child?”

The story of Abraham obeying the Lord to sacrifice his son, Isaac, is found in Genesis 22.  Abraham hears the voice of the Lord to sacrifice his son. Isaac was the promise that was given to him (and the promise of many descendants) and he was willing to sacrifice that promise. He was trusting that God knew what he was doing. Abraham begins to obey the Lord, but the angel of the Lord stops him. God sees the obedient heart of Abraham, a man committed to him, and provides a ram instead.

Some say that the event went beyond obedience. It was the Lord’s hand stopping the shedding of child sacrifice altogether as it probably was more common in the cultures of the day to foreign gods.

It was also foreshadowing the steps that our heavenly Father would take to make a way for all sin to be paid for.  You see, blood has always been needed to cover sins. Before Christ, the priest would sacrifice a clean animal for the sins of the people. But God sent his son as a sacrifice for all mankind. His blood represents more than innocent blood being shed. It is the victorious blood of the Son of God which has the power to set us free from eternal death!

The blood of Jesus pays for all our sins, even those of abortion. Yes I do believe that is a sin, either done in ignorance or because of a hardened heart. But God has made a way for each of us to come to the Lord THROUGH HIS GRACE.

This is NOT a “bash you” because you had an abortion.  Instead this is to let you know there is another way. It is coming into agreement with the only true God, pleading that all should come to him. It is letting you know there is a place of forgiveness and peace. Sin brings grief.  James 1:15 states that when sin is completely developed or full-grown it gives birth to death. Hence God made a way to give us eternal life with him, through Jesus.

I understand that life choices can be very difficult and I understand that being pregnant may not have been a choice. I have been there. I was not ready when I was 19 and by 45 I had other plans. But when the nurse started to hand me a pamphlet with information regarding an abortion I KNEW that wasn’t an option. I knew that I could not even touch the paper it was written on. My heart was steadfast that God would make a way. Life is hard, but God can change a difficult situation into joy.

Some of you may not know there can be another way.

So with compassion in my heart I pray for those in difficult situations. Join me in this prayer:

Lord I pray that you will open the eyes of those lost in darkness. Give them grace to come to you with hearts of repentance. And give hope to those who honestly feel that this is the only way. Rescue the children that are being sacrificed and rescue the moms who are considering this or have already walked through this heartache. Finally, rescue those that perform these acts and those who have the power to change laws. Open their eyes. Lord have mercy on each of us.– Amen

As always, God Bless.

 

 

 

 

Escaping the grasp of hell

I am forwarding this short message or dream from Jeremiah Johnson Ministries. This is actually from one of  his Facebook sites dated June 23, 2018. I found it extremely enlightening, yet challenging and quit sobering. If you have not had the opportunity to read this, you might want to take a moment out of your time.

I WENT TO HELL AND WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED

Several months ago while I was extensively studying Matthew 7:22-24 and asking God for increased revelation, I had one of the most disturbing prophetic dreams of my life. The Scripture I was studying in Matthew says, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name did we not cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.”

In the prophetic dream, I was taken to hell where I saw all these ministers and individuals who had performed miracles, cast out demons, and prophesied. What I was shown next, I will never forget. The Holy Spirit showed me long lines of people behind all of these ministers and individuals. He immediately revealed to me that these were all the people that had received the miracles, prophecies, and had been at one time delivered. As I gazed at the people in these lines, He said to me, “Did they not RECEIVE miracles, prophecy, and deliverance, yet I never knew them?”

I woke up from the dream alarmed and startled. I said to the Holy Spirit, “So there are not only people that will perform signs, wonders, and miracles that will be sent to hell, but also people who receive all these things that will also be in hell. Why?” Immediately the Holy Spirit spoke again to me and said, “Because those that worked miracles, prophesied, and cast out demons never preached the full gospel of Jesus Christ which is the message of repentance. They were so in love with the gifts that I had given them that people became trophies and souvenirs to them. When My power would manifest in their ministries, they would tell people that I loved them, but never that they needed to repent for their sins. I tell you that a great deception will sweep over the signs and wonders movement in the earth. Beware of the ministries where miracles and prophecies will flow, but the message of repentance is a no go. You have been warned”. Then I woke up.

Will you pray with me today that ministers and individuals who move in God’s power will not only live a lifestyle of repentance but also preach it? What if people getting healed, delivered, and prophesied to, and only told God loves them isn’t the full gospel message? What if repentance and holiness is the full gospel message too?

-Jeremiah Johnson

I have often read the same verses with curiosity. How could God state that he never knew those who walked in the knowledge of him? And how could people who walked in the revelation of the Lord, be deceived into not understanding the importance of repentance?

Was it because they never had a relationship with the Lord in the first place? Did they love the signs of the Lord but never truly love the Lord? Does this message of “love” that is being preached from some pulpits, never explain the need for repentance? According to the dream the “whole” gospel is not being preached. Love without total surrender or commitment is artificial love, at best.

The dream reminded me of the parable of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25. Ten virgins had all fallen asleep as they were waiting for the bridegroom (Jesus). At the midnight hour the announcement of the coming of the bridegroom was heard and they all woke up. The Bible states that five virgins were wise because they had extra oil for their lamps to stay lit. They were ready. The other five, who were foolish because didn’t have enough oil to keep their fire burning, left to buy more. While they were gone they missed the bridegroom’s return.

“Later, the others also came, ‘Lord, Lord’, they said, ‘open the door for us.!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Matthew 25:11-12

Will people enter hell under the assumption they were in right standing with the Lord only to discover that the Lord never knew them? Of course he knows us each by name, but they never wanted a “real relationship” with God; not enough to repent of their sins, turn from their wicked ways and follow him.

I think about the message Billy Graham preached. It was always one of repentance.  At every meeting the song that was played was, “Just As I Am”. We are invited to come to the Lord as we are. Yet, the blood of Christ was not shed so that we can stay in our sins, and never change. We come in repentance. As we continue having a reverent repentant heart towards the Lord, we will begin to eventually look like our Lord, because we will change from glory to glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Where do you stand? What do you think about this dream? Is it just someone’s dream? Or is it really a warning to make sure that our hearts are in the right place? If you have never had the opportunity or knowledge that you are welcomed to know the savior of the world, this is it.

John 3:16 is a popular verse that explains salvation as it is. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)

Please don’t walk away from the greatest invitation you will ever receive, to be in the presence of the Almighty forever and escape the hell and fire that was created for the demons of darkness. This invitation is not only for the life to come, but for you to enjoy now!

God DOES love you. He desires that you repent and accept his forgiveness and be set free. You will NEVER regret that choice.

God bless.