TRUST IN GOD...

Jehoshaphat and the Choir That Led an Army

 

God corrected Israel and Judah for turning to other nations instead of Him in time of need. But a faithful king shows the results of trusting in God.

God told His people, the children of Israel, that if they obeyed Him they would enjoy amazing blessings (Deuteronomy 28:2-4, 11-12). And He would provide protection: “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways” (verse 7).
Unfortunately, throughout most of their history, they missed out on these blessings. They did not obey God, and they did not trust that God would protect them and deliver them from their enemies.
But on just a few occasions, there were righteous kings who truly tried to obey God and lead the people in the right direction. And when they did, blessings and miracles happened.
The story of Jehoshaphat and the choir that led an army is one shining example.

Jehoshaphat, a king who sought God

Jehoshaphat was a good king we read about in 2 Chronicles 17-20. He was the son of Asa, another good king of Judah, and he “sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments” (2 Chronicles 17:4). “His heart took delight in the ways of the LORD” (verse 6).
Jehoshaphat sent out leaders to teach the people about God and His way of life (verses 7-9). He set up judges and cautioned them they were judging on behalf of God and should “take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes” (2 Chronicles 19:6-7).
And God blessed Jehoshaphat and his kingdom.

And then comes trouble

But then Jehoshaphat faced a trial. He heard that the armies of Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir—“a great multitude”—were coming to fight against him and Judah (2 Chronicles 20:1-2).
Jehoshaphat did the right thing. His example is a lesson to God’s people today about how to handle a looming threat or trial: “Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD” (verses 3-4).
They fasted and they prayed! The people of Judah gathered together at God’s temple, and Jehoshaphat prayed. His prayer is inspiring and faith-filled (verses 5-12). Jehoshaphat remembered what God had done for His people in the past, and he knew how much they needed God’s help now. He said: “We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

The answer came

After such a powerful prayer, the men of Judah, their wives and their children stood in the temple expectantly. How would God answer?
Then, the Bible records, “The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel,” a Levite of the sons of Asaph, perhaps a musician who served in the temple.
“Thus says the LORD to you,” Jahaziel said. “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you” (verses 14-17).
Jehoshaphat and all the people with him bowed to the ground in worship of God who had given them the answer they had looked for. And then two groups of Levites stood up to praise God with “voices loud and high” (verse 19).
The next day they rose early in the morning and went out to the place God had said.
As the army was getting ready to go out, Jehoshaphat encouraged them: “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper” (verse 20).

 

The king appointed a choir singing praise to God to lead the army. After all, the battle was God’s and the end result was certain!
And so, the army marched out with singing: “Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever” (verse 21).

Deliverance and blessings come from God

The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly how it happened. What we’re told is: “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated” (verse 22). For some reason the armies of Ammon and Moab fought against the inhabitants of Mount Seir who were with them. And when they had killed them, they turned on each other!
When the people of Judah came to the place where they could look out on the wilderness, they only saw dead bodies! They did not have to use any weapon—the battle was already finished.
Their only task was to gather spoils from the fallen armies, though that was no small task. There was so much precious jewelry and valuables that they were busy gathering it for three days!
They named the place “Valley of Berachah,” or “Valley of Blessing” (verse 26). And truly God had blessed them. They had faced danger by turning to God for help and deliverance. They trusted God and praised Him in advance, and God intervened mightily for them. He completely removed the threat and turned it into a blessing.

Lessons for us today

God cares about His people today, just as He cared about the people of Israel and Judah in the Bible. When we seek to obey Him and follow His way, He will give us blessings. But that doesn’t mean we’ll never have trials or challenges. When those hard, scary times come upon us, we must turn to God—praying, fasting and studying His Bible.
We must see that we can’t handle the challenge on our own. We need God’s help. We must recognize that God has taken care of His people in the past, and He can be trusted to take care of us now. An answer from God might not come as fast or as clearly as it did to Jehoshaphat. Still, when we seek God and do our part to turn to Him, we can go forward, trusting God to take care of us.
We might not know how long the problem will last or how much we will be challenged, but we can know that in the end God will save us and turn it all to blessings.

GOD IS ON OUR SIDE NO MATTER THE SITUATION

Deuteronomy 3:22 says, “Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.” Just after the king of Sihon and the king of Og were defeated by the Israelites, Moses instructed Joshua to have no fear when he led the people into the promised land. Just as God had given victory to the nation under Moses, so, too, He would give victory to Israel under Joshua if only Israel would trust and obey. We are not fighting literal kings and literal armies, though we do fight the spiritual forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). Our call is not to fear evil or cower before the devil. The devil can only do what God gives him permission to do. Even though he has rebelled against God to set up his own kingdom, he knows that he is not the supreme power. This is why, for example, he had to ask God for permission to afflict Job and his family (Job 1:12). God had a plan for Job to sanctify him and use him to teach countless others great lessons about suffering and the sovereignty of God. When we read the accounts of Job and of Israel as they entered the promised land, we should be moved to have confidence that the same God who delivered them from their foes is the same God who can deliver us from our foe, the devil, today. In Christ, we have the victory. No demon and no scheme of the enemy can defeat the child of God or force him or her into sin. Because of Christ in us, the enemy must flee when he is resisted (James 4:7).

 


Not only, however, do we not have to fear the forces of darkness, but we do not have to fear mere mortal man. People can be difficult. If you have ever been teased, bullied, or made fun of in school, you understand. If you have an annoying neighbor or co-worker, you understand. If you have ever been given a raw deal and have been taken advantage of by another person, perhaps even a professing believer, you understand. It is easy to become angry at the person and desire to take vengeful action. It is easy to take matters into our own hands and begin to fret and worry. Sure, there might be some things we can do to try to be at peace with others and to defend justice, but ultimately we must put our hope in God. The command from Moses to Joshua was “Do not fear them.” Who is your "them" that you fear? Who is the "them" that frustrates you to no end? Who is the “them” that is a thorn in your flesh? God’s call to Joshua and to us as well is not to lose hope or give in to sinful measures simply because of the schemes and ways of evil man. What is man, after all (Psalm 144:3)? We serve a powerful God Who goes by the name of Jehovah Jireh, the God Who Provides. There is nothing He can’t do. When we are pressed against the wall by our enemies and have every human reason to fear, God can deliver. He is the One fighting for us. When a relationship is just going nowhere and is just plain difficult, God is the One fighting for His children. When we are attacked, insulted, or mocked, God is the One fighting for our cause. Sometimes situations are easy to rectify, and other times it just seems as if the wicked are going to win because there is nothing we or anybody else can do to stop them. Sometimes the wicked do prosper (Psalm 73:3), and the righteous do suffer (Matthew 5:45). Our hope, however, is that God is just, justice will ultimately be served, God will avenge all wrongs (Romans 12:19), and He is on our side, taking up our cause. God is in our corner. May we always remember that, no matter what opposition or struggle we face. He is the One fighting for us. We are weak; He is strong. We are feeble; He is powerful. With us alone, the task is impossible. But with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). What a mighty God we serve, and how wonderful it is that He fights with us and for us to accomplish His will in our lives. If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? In the end, righteousness always prevails because God gets the final say come eternity and judgment time.

Are you backed up against a wall? Or maybe you know someone else who seems to be in a sure bind of the enemy with no hope of escape. Why fear, when the Sovereign of the Universe, the One Who is in charge of it all, is on the case? God is always on call, always available, and always present. He is the One fighting for us. Political measures might fail. Personal influence might not get the job done. Money might not solve the problem. One’s strength and resolve might not be enough, but God knew we would be in these strenuous kinds of situations all along. He wants us to see our helplessness so that He can be our Help, our Hope, our Deliverer, and our Provider. Whatever the situation and predicament, call to God and do not fear because He is the One fighting for you. And in this case, One is more than enough.

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JESUS MY FIRM FOUNDATION

Jesus Christ told His followers that a stable foundation is critical in building lives. He said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matt. 7:24-25). The foundation of Jesus Christ is what will give us the stability our hearts and lives need now and into the future.



By allowing the Lord’s wisdom to guide us in our relationships, decisions, and priorities, we find that He provides the most trustworthy foundation any life could be built upon.

Gracious Father, You are the Lord God, the King of heaven, and I choose to place my hope in You because You alone are worthy of my trust.

STRONG TOWER

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.

 

The Name of the Lord signifies all that God is in himself - his attributes, his love, mercy, power, knowledge; which allow man to regard him as a sure Refuge. "Thou hast been a Shelter for me," says the psalmist (Psalm 61:3), "and a strong Tower from the enemy." The words bring before us a picture of a capitol, or central fortress, in which, at times of danger, the surrounding population could take refuge. Into this Name we Christians are baptized; and trusting in it, and doing the duties to which our profession calls, with faith and prayer, we are safe in the storms of life and the attacks of spiritual enemies.  

The righteous runneth into it (the tower), and is safe; literally, is set on high; exaltabitur, Vulgate; he reaches a position where he in set above the trouble or the danger that besets him. Thus St. Peter, speaking of Christ, exclaims (Acts 4:12), "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." "Prayer," says Tertullian ('De Orat.,' 29), "is the wall of faith, our arms and weapons against man who is always watching us. Therefore let us never go unarmed, night or day. Under the arms of prayer let us guard the standard of our Leader; let us wait for the angel's trumpet, praying." Septuagint, "From the greatness of his might is the Name of the Lord; and running unto it the righteous are exalted."  

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Ways God Speaks to Us Today

1. Through His Word in general.
2 Timothy 3:16 says that all Scripture is “God-breathed.” His Word sometimes gives us a warning, a word of encouragement, or a lesson for life. It’s ”His-story”–written with love as God’s guide for life, “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
That means God is whispering, and sometimes shouting, all through His Word, giving us instructions and principles for life. As we interpret Scripture by other Scripture, we avoid the false logic and misinterpretations that sneak into our world. If someone claims, “God told me to go kill my neighbor!” would you believe him? Of course not! God never violates His own Word or principles. That “voice” does not belong to God.
I needed help for raising my children. God “told” me about that in His Word, especially in proverbs. Marriage difficulties? God spoke about that as well. Times when I was afraid? I “heard” Jesus’ words to His disciples as they feared for their lives one stormy night: “Peace, be still!” and it was as if God was speaking to me, too (Luke 8:23-25).
2.  Through His Son, Jesus Christ
The New Testament was the fulfillment of God’s special plan. It’s the gospel: the good news of Jesus Christ. “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe” Hebrews 1:1-2, NIV).
Through the words of Jesus in Scripture, we can “hear” God’s heart and God’s voice–and know what God is truly like. These words were not written for a few, select individuals who could jump through the right spiritual hoops (“For God so loved the world…”). Someone in Africa, in Germany, in China, and in Alabama can “hear” Jesus’ voice by reading the same Bible.
Comparing us to sheep and He as the Shepherd, Jesus says in John 10:27, NKJV: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Why? Because the sheep know who He is. They belong to Him, and they recognize Him by the sound of His voice. And He’s the one who will always lovingly lead them on the right path–again and again.
3. Through Nature and God’s Creation
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse ” Romans 1:20, NIV). Through the intricate details and magnificent beauty of all that God has made, we can “hear” His voice. How? By observing the ant’s strength to store up food all summer long, we learn about wisdom and industriousness. By studying the heavens, we understand more of God’s greatness. And through planting and growing a garden, we “hear” about miracles of death and rebirth. God designed–and spoke them all into existence.
4. Through Other Believers
God may use a friend, a teacher, a parent, or a preacher to convey His message of truth to us. Their words may come as a warning, a blessing, or as a prophetic truth about our lives.Whether we choose to hear it or ignore it, depends on us. Do their words line up with Scripture? Will God confirm or affirm that truth in us? “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere” (James 3:17, NIV).
I’ve “heard” God speak to me numerous times through other people. A good friend once cautioned me about flirting with danger. Words from a speaker or Christian author have both challenged me and convicted me at times. And I’ve “heard” God talking to me through my own children as their pure and honest words cut clear to my heart and spirit, reminding me of God’s true priorities.
All these things may not sound to you like ways of ”hearing God’s voice,” but it’s possible to reduce God to our own image if we insist on Him acting or reacting a certain way. God is bigger than that. He once spoke through a donkey (Numbers 22:28). Why then, can’t He speak through anyone at anytime or in any way He wants to?
Bottom line is that if we are His children, God loves us unconditionally and will spare no expense to show us. Our part? Believe Him!
Hearing His “audible” voice would no doubt cinch His reality in an awesome way. But I’ve never heard God through an angel’s message. I have no taped recordings to tell you what God sounds like. But I have heard God “speak” through the above ways–and in a few more. Read on.

5. Through Music

Perhaps one of the ways I can sense God’s presence the most and “hear” His voice the best is when I am praising Him through music. Maybe it’s because in times of depression and difficult trials in the past, I would pour over David’s songs in Psalms, often singing them back to God with my own tunes. Praise brings me instantly to attention, like a sergeant’s command to his soldiers. The words and the notes bring a soothing comfort, excitement, and passion that open my ears and heart and lift my spirits immediately.
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a huge army of enemies who could have easily destroyed His people, but he did a strange thing. With a declaration that his eyes were on God, he sent in a choir of praise singers: “Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever’” (2 Chronicles 20:21, NIV).
God “spoke” clearly. He released His power, and Jehoshaphat’s army defeated their enemies!

 

6.  Through Circumstances

When others claim to hear God through circumstances, I try to caution them to test their conclusions with other evidence. God is a Holy God, and often uses circumstances to get our attention. But He will usually confirm it in other ways.
This happened to us before my husband and I married. We were dating in high school and were both involved in what could have been a deadly accident, when a speeding pick-up hit our car broadside. Through that accident, my husband felt God had a special purpose for his life. Did he “hear” God’s literal “Yes?” No, but through much prayer, seeking God’s Word, and talking to others, he felt God’s confirmation. Several months later, he committed his life to full-time Christian service.
Someone once told me they just knew God was telling them it was okay to buy a brand-new pickup. They’d prayed about it, and circumstances confirmed it: the local car dealership had just the color and model they wanted. But there was one small problem they were neglecting. They couldn’t afford it on their income. And they ignored other red flags as well.
Through Moses, God used circumstances (plagues) to convince Egypt’s leader to release God’s people from slavery. But Pharaoh wouldn’t listen.
Sometimes God uses our circumstances to test our faith. We don’t always know how to interpret the things that happen to us. I recently took my first trip in an ambulance to the local ER–unfortunately as a patient. My pulse, along with my blood pressure, dropped dangerously low. For several minutes my world looked like a spinning photo negative. Scary, to say the least. Four hours of testing later found no cause as to why it happened. The doctor pronounced me healthy and sent me home, after encouraging me to get a follow-up–which I did. Nothing showed up.
I don’t know if God was speaking to me about something special, but the first thing I did was tell Him I was listening! If nothing else, life–and loved ones–suddenly became much more precious to me. One of the first things I usually ask God when circumstances change is: “God, is there something you want to teach me through this?” Yes, I know everything is “fodder” for writers. But I want to make it personal and learn the lesson first.

7.  Through His Spirit

I once heard someone teach about “minding the checks” in your spirit. Some may call it “God’s whispers,” while others say, “God’s still, small voice.” We are made in the image of God, and when we confess Jesus and follow Him as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit comes to live in us (John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 3:16). God’s Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, helping to make the right decision. When we’re tempted, that same Spirit warns and nudges us to do the right thing.
As a writer, I depend on God’s Spirit to give me direction. There are times when ideas pop into my mind totally unexpectedly–and sometimes directly after a plea for help from God. The good ideas I credit to God, because after all, He is the source of every good and perfect gift. The others? They’re in file 13. Even the good ones need developing and rewriting, but that’s a different subject.
Why do you suppose ten people can “hear” a sermon, but each person will walk away with a different truth that applies to him? In some cases, the speaker never spoke what the people say they “heard.” Many times, that may be the result of God’s Spirit speaking a personal “Rhema,” a living, breathing word of truth to our spirits. It’s when Scripture comes alive to us–because it is truly “God-breathed.”

8.  Through Prayer

Each way I’ve shared that God may speak to us today meshes into the other. God often speaks to us through His Spirit, through prayer. We may not know how to pray, but God’s Word tells us His spirit makes intercession for us (Romans 8:26-27).
Often through a combination of fasting and prayer, our minds become clearer and our hearts are more sensitive to God. Again, we may not hear God’s literal voice, but His Spirit confirms a certain direction or answer for us. As the distractions fade, we can sense His leading in a new way. Sometimes while praying, God’s Spirit will remind us of a Scripture or a truth in His Word that we can directly apply to the situation.
Does that happen immediately? Not always. There have been occasions where I still had no clue what to do, but in faith I thanked God whenever and however He would answer. A day, a week, maybe even months pass. Then one day in the shower or on a walk, a thought comes–that gentle “whisper” that could only come from Him, accompanied by His peace.

You Are Unique

Does God speak to all of us the same way? No, we are all unique. Are these the only ways God speaks today? No. He’s a creative God. He speaks so many ways, including through miracles. In other countries where Christianity is taboo, God is also revealing Himself repeatedly through dreams. Report after report confirms that an unbeliever who has never heard of Jesus dreams of Him–but doesn’t know who the “man” is–or what the dream means. Then a messenger comes, shows a film about Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the one who has dreamed recognizes the man in his dream: It’s Jesus, the Son of God!

Remember One Truth

Regardless of the way God chooses to reveal Himself or “speak” to us today, remember one truth. He will never contradict His Word, and the message He gives will always bring glory to God. The Bible warns about adding anything to the already written, God-breathed Word of God, or accepting any other messenger who claims to be superior to Jesus (Revelation 22:18-19;2 Corinthians 11:4).

LOVE According to the BIBLE

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I had the gift of prophecy and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be?
And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody.
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.

Love is patient and kind.
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear.
Now we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little! But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear.
It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.
There are three things that will endure – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.

WHEN YOU FEEL SO DOWN, LIKE U ARE ON YOUR OWN......

We lose our way,

We get back up again

It's never too late to get back up again,

One day you will shine again,

You may be knocked down,

But not out forever,

Lose our way,

We get back up again,

So get up, get up,

You gonna shine again,

Never too late to get back up again,

You may be knocked down,

But not out forever

(May be knocked down but not out forever)

Sooner or later I swear we're gonna make it, we're gonna make it,

Milk and honey till we get our fill

I'll keep chasing it I always will

Sooner or later I swear

We'll make it there

Sooner than later

GOD OF SECOND CHANCES

          God is not only the God of second chances; He is the God of another chance. This is good news because most of us mess up the second chance fairly quickly. One of the amazing facets of God's character is His incredible patience with us. Psalm 86:15 says it well: "But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." Micah 7:18 says, "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love."

The Bible is full of people who received second chances, and even third and fourth chances: Peter, Jonah, Mark, Samson, David, and others. All trophies of God’s grace.

Just as God is patient and forgiving, He wants His children to be patient with and forgiving of others. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12). He gives us second chances, and we must give the same to others. Jesus gives a stern warning to those who refuse to forgive, saying that if we will not forgive others, God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:15; see also Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; and Proverbs 19:11). If someone is truly repentant, then we are obligated to forgive (Matthew 18:21-22).

Forgiveness, however, is not the same thing as reconciliation. Many people struggle to find the balance between showing mercy and enabling a harmful person to continue harming. We should forgive everyone who wrongs us, just as Jesus forgives us. Forgiveness is between our heart and God's, removing any barriers that unforgiveness brings. When someone continues to unrepentantly violate another person’s boundaries, a wise person learns to set firmer boundaries. If a man has repeatedly punched you in the face, you can forgive him; but you don't stand within arm's distance until he has proved over time that he has changed.

Giving someone a second chance means we give him another chance to earn our trust. But that does not mean we instantly forget what experience has taught us. Trust must be earned over time, and we are foolish if we give trust prematurely. We can have a loving and forgiving heart that also practices wise guardianship over our lives.

When we have wronged someone, we have no right to demand another chance. But we should work to earn another chance by continued demonstration of repentance and change.

 

Even God has a limit on forgiveness. In Romans 1:18-32, the apostle Paul warns us what happens when we continue to spurn God's patience and reject His call to repentance. Three different times, the phrase "God turned them over" appears. When we insist on running our lives the way we want rather than the way God wants, He lets us. Eventually, when our hearts are hardened against Him, He lets us go. He turns us over to a reprobate mind, one that can no longer seek God. At that point, sin has become our god.

There may come a time in a human relationship when the same thing has occurred – when forgiveness has been offered and restoration made possible, but one party refuses to repent and rejects all efforts to reconcile. It may be time to end that relationship. Second chances are no longer working. Ending a relationship is a last resort, but sometimes it must be done (Matthew 18:17).

God does everything possible to draw us to repentance, offering forgiveness and second chances (2 Peter 3:9). But if we continue to reject Him, the offer is withdrawn and, at death, there are no more chances (Hebrews 9:27). God’s grace is our model. We can offer second chances to others until a healthy relationship is no longer possible.

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GODS DEVINE FAVOUR

BY GIDIE NESH

               Divine favor does not belong to all but only to the elect, and as a child of the Most High God you are legally in line for an outpouring of divine favor and promotion that is coming your way. But you must first apply these biblical principles to receive it.
For example, divine favor rested on the life of Abraham, yet none of his family experienced it. His father, Terah, and all his family that stayed in Haran did not know God’s favor (Genesis 11). Abraham was blessed and favored because he was chosen (Genesis 12:1-3).
And that favor was seen repeatedly in Abraham’s life. There are so many examples in Scripture. When he went down to Egypt, he had favor with the pharaoh (Genesis 12). When he fought against the forces that captured his nephew Lot (Genesis 14), Abraham was given divine favor and victory.
Divine favor rested on his son Isaac, but Isaac’s half-brother Ishmael did not know the same favor. Isaac was blessed beyond measure during one of the worst famines of his day. Even though he sowed seed during drought, he received a hundredfold return (Genesis 26:12).
Think about it—he received a hundredfold return in the midst of famine, even though those around him remained in drought! Now that is real favor. And everywhere Isaac turned he prospered, so much so that Abimelech, king of the Philistines, said to Isaac:

“Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we” (Genesis 26:16).

How about Jacob, whom God favored instead of his brother Esau:

“Yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau” (Malachi 1:2-3).

Why would God set his heart on one brother and not another? Favor.
In fact, amazing favor rested upon Jacob repeatedly throughout his life. He escaped the wrath of his own brother and the trickery and mistreatment of his uncle Laban. Jacob left Isaac’s house empty and came back one of the richest men of his day.
Favor also rested on Joseph, Jacob’s son, in such a supernatural way that he was promoted in Egypt when Pharaoh had never seen him before. He was unknown to the ruler of the most powerful nation in the region, yet Joseph was given such favor that Pharaoh handed him control over the land!
Favor rested on Moses to such an extent that he was favored by Pharaoh’s daughter, who prepared the infant as he grew up for his life’s historic mission.
Favor rested on Israel when they left Egypt to such a degree that they literally took all the riches of Egypt (Exodus 12:36). The Bible says they “spoiled,” or took all the wealth, not just part of it.
God’s supernatural and divine favor rested on David as he defeated Goliath and later was given the kingdom while being protected repeatedly against his enemies. God even called David “a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). Divine favor rested on Solomon and God restored him in the end.





So much favor rested on the life of Job that God restored twice what was taken from him.
God’s favor rested on the prophets so amazingly that when Nebuchadnezzar seized Jerusalem in 586 B.C., he ordered that Jeremiah be freed from prison and treated well.
The list of examples of divine favor is endless!
Even our precious Lord Jesus, who escaped harm time after time, experienced His Father’s divine favor.
The apostles were favored by the people and the authorities could not touch them or stop them from preaching the Gospel. Paul the apostle was given favor by the Romans themselves and protected from death when the Jews tried to kill him. He was rescued more than once, with God preserving his life repeatedly.

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God's Unconditional Love

By Gidie Nesh

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” —1st John 4:16

       God is love. Few people nowadays understand what true love is, nor can they comprehend the unconditional love of God which sent Jesus to Calvary to die for our sins. God's love is UNCONDITIONAL, i.e., it matters not who you are, nor what you have done—God loves you!
God doesn't love us for who we are; but rather, because of WHO HE IS! Likewise, we ought to love others because of who WE ARE; and not because of who they are, nor what they do, nor what they think. God's love is unconditional. We ought to love our spouse, not because of who they are or what they do; but rather, because of who we are. I love all my web visitors, even my enemies, because of the love of God shed abroad in my heart. Romans 5:5, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” I love you, whoever you may be, and I mean that!
It is easy for visitors coming to my website to wrongly judge me, thinking that I don't love people, and am being unkind to others by preaching against sin; but nothing could be further from the truth. If your house were on fire in the wee hours of the morning, and I came banging at your door to warn you, you'd thank me and call me a hero no doubt. My ministry is no different. I am warning people about the consequences of sin, and of dangerous false prophets, and of the judgment to come in hellfire. I have great concern for the souls of men and don't want anyone to be cast into the Lake of Fire. I care.
The Bible ought to be a frightening Book to you if you're not prepared to meet your Maker. There is much false teaching today about a loving god who would never cast anyone into a burning hell; but this is not the God of the Bible Who has plainly stated in 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9 . . . “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction...” (all Scriptures are quoted from the precious and inspired King James Bible). Jesus plainly said in John 10:35, “...the scripture cannot be broken.” You can rest assure that God will keep His Word. All Christ-rejecters will suffer eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8).
Only a fool would risk their eternal destiny on the assumption that God would never cast anyone into hellfire. Just look at the suffering in the world today because of sin. Do you think eternity will be any different for those who die in their sins? Oh, listen my friend, please obey the Gospel so you don't end up in Hell.
 

God Hates as Much as He Loves
Although God loves all mankind; God also equally hates sin. God has an unconditional hatred for sin. It matters not how kind, generous and loving you may be—you will be cast into hellfire on Judgment Day if you refuse to obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Bible commands (Revelation 20:11-15). The Beatles sang their hit song, LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED. That is false. All the love in the world won't keep you out of Hell if you die in your sins. You had better get born-again and then you can one day die in the Lord and go to Heaven . . . “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Every person will one day either die IN THEIR SINS, or else they will DIE IN THE LORD. Sadly, George Harrison and John Lennon of The Beatles likely died in their sins.
God is a holy God—a morally perfect God who is incapable of doing wrong. God is a good God, whose holiness demands justice. As such, sinful men must be punished for violating God's holy Law. This is why we read in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death...” Mankind is inherently sinful and deserves to be punished in Hell. Adam brought sin and death into the world by his own sin (Romans 5:12).
We are all sinners, incapable of pleasing God in our own self-righteousness (Romans 3:10-23; Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8,9). Thankfully, God sent His only begotten Son into the world (John 3:16) to pay for our sins with His own blood (1st Peter 1:18,19; Acts 20:28). Jesus came into the world in the flesh, i.e., the Godhead became incarnate (John 1:1-3,14; 1st Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9). God did this because He loves us . . .

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us . . .” —1st John 3:16

Having said that, I want all my web visitors to know that I love you too, with God's unconditional love that He has shed abroad in my heart... “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5). I preach against sin because I love God, and He has commanded each believer to do so (Psalm 94:16; Ephesians 5:11). The idea that love is all that matters, and critical doctrinal differences are a minor issue, is utter apostasy. There are many people today who go around talking about God's love, who have absolutely no regard for the doctrine of Christ, the plan of salvation, nor the Christian faith. They are unsaved Modernists who know not the Lord Jesus Christ.
 

God Loves Sinners Too
Every so often someone will try to convince me that God only loves the righteous. Certainly, the righteous, i.e., the saved, are dear to God and have a right to approach the throne of grace by way of Jesus' blood sacrifice (Hebrews 4:15-16); however, the Bible plainly teaches that Christ died for ALL men because He loves ALL men... “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us . . .” (1st John 3:16). Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus died for ALL MEN... “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Jesus died for every unrepentant homosexual. Jesus died for every unrepentant murderer and adulterer. Jesus died for THE WHOLE WORLD. This is what 1st John 2:2 teaches. Christ died for all men. Notice what 2nd Peter 2:1 says, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Jesus bought those false prophets, even though they were unsaved and unwilling to get saved.
This is God's unconditional love. God has paid the price for all men to be redeemed, even for those who reject God's free gift of eternal life; but God will not force them to receive it. Salvation must be received by way of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There can be no salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Jesus is the One Way to Heaven. Therefore, no man can blame God for ending up in Hell. No one goes to Hell except those who CHOOSE to go there.

I have received letters from professed Christians who can't understand why I teach God's unconditional love for sinners. They argue that God doesn't love unrepentant sinners. The plainest teachings in the Bible declare “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Christ died for all the world. If God didn't unconditionally love Christ-rejecters, then they'd go straight to Hell the moment they rejected Christ. It is God's unconditional love that causes Him to be long-suffering and patient with even the vilest of sinners, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2nd Peter 3:9). That is love.

Christians are only saved by Christ's righteousness, through faith, so we certainly cannot claim that God loves us for anything we have done. The notion that God loves Christians and hates unbelievers is satanic, it is a false doctrine rooted in self-righteousness. We all deserve to burn in Hell.

Conclusion
God loves all humanity unconditionally. We're all bad in God's eyes, because all have sinned (Romans 3:23). Only the self-righteous would dare say that God only loves certain people. The truth is that God loves everyone, which is why we read in 2nd Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God is NOT willing that any should perish, not even the worst of criminals and villains.
The Old Testament tells us in Isaiah 55:7, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” God is willing to forgive any sinner who acknowledges their guilt of sin, for violating God's holy Law, and who turns to Jesus Christ, believing upon the Savior to forgive their sins and save them. Salvation is of the Lord. Our part is simply to believe on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." —Romans 5:8