Shalom,
Proverbs 5:22-23:
22 His own iniquities shall ensnare the wicked man, and he shall be held with the cords of his sin. 23 He will die for lack of discipline and instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray and be lost.
People who say that preaching on the grace and mercy of Almighty God will give others a license to sin, simply do not understand the Word of God! As human beings, we don't need a license to sin, we will ALL sin (making a selfish choice to do something our own way, instead of God's Way)! The only perfectly sinless person Who ever lived is Jesus of Nazareth! The difference for believers is that when WE sin, we have 1 John 1:9 to get us back into fellowship with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! The unbeliever has no such recourse! The unbeliever, or wicked man (or woman), MUST BE BORN AGAIN (John 3:3)! If he is not, his sin will continue to lead him along a path that leads to death! Eternal death, which is eternal separation from the God of the Bible, and physical death, which is the death of the body. John 10:10:
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I cam that they many have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
A born again believer who continues with unconfessed sin in their life will also open up their earthly life for death to affect it. Remember to hide the Word in your heart so that you might not sin, then confess it when you DO miss it! Stay in fellowship with Almighty God through His Word and the Holy Spirit. He desires that you experience an abundance of HIS LIFE in your life! Amen! Here is a great song from Hillsong United called "The First And The Last":
Revelation 11 introduces the two witnesses. It is interesting to read some of the reasons that people
give to explain their guesses as to who these two witnesses will be. Whatever YOUR idea is, none of us will know for sure until that day! We who have received Jesus of Nazareth as LORD and personal Savior will NOT be here to see! The most important Truth about these two is that they are anointed of God to prophecy about what is coming to the world! During that time they will enjoy God's protection, provision and safety. Once their assignment is finished, they will be killed, so that God can raise them from the dead right before the eyes of the people, and all over television! Then HE will get all glory and many people will turn back to Him! Not all, but many! Thank You, Jesus!
Lamentations 3 has Jeremiah speaking of himself and his own troubles. Then he remembers the Word of God and reminds himself. Verses 21-25:
21 But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation: 22 It is because of the LORD's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. 24The LORD is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. 25 The LORD is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's Word].
His "mercy and loving-kindness" is the Hebrew word "checed" which we covered a few posts back. You and I need to so KNOW our God that we can talk ourselves back into joy when tests and trials hit our lives, just like Jeremiah did here! Remember: Our God IS God; and He IS a GOOD GOD! He desires only good for His people - ALWAYS! Stay in the flow of the Spirit of God and you will know ahead of time what the enemy has planned for YOU! Then you can use your mighty weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4) against him! Amen!
Shalom in Him!
