Do we really seek satisfaction from Jesus?

Woe to them,
because they have strayed from me!
Destruction to them,
because they have rebelled against me!
I long to redeem them
but they speak about me falsely.
They do not cry out to me
from their hearts
but wail on their beds.
They slash themselves, appealing to their gods
for grain and new wine,
but they turn away from me.
(Hosea 7:13, 14 NIV)

Jesus longs to redeem us as does his Father. For that is why while we're still in sin Jesus came to die for us.
Yet the world and many speak falsely about Jesus.
Denying his death
Denying his humanity
Or denying his divinity as
the Son of God
Denying his authority
Saying Jesus is just a
Prophet
Wise man
Teacher
Story
One way to see the world and "gods"

Yet Jesus can be none of those things for what he says makes him either crazy and not worth following
Or he is who says he is
He has the authority he says he has
He really did die for us as he said he would

Yet when the hard times hit
Then we come begging to this Jesus who we hope heals even though we have minimized him to someone without any power to heal. When we get what we want then we will go back to our ways won't we?

Because what we really want is contentment and for life to be comfortable, pleasurable and safe.
But Jesus doesn't promise us any of those things.
In fact he promises us something much better:
Wholeness in who God made us to be
Purpose in our giftings personally and communally
Life in Christ now and in eternity

Yet he shows us the way:
Repentance
Beginning by crying out to God with our hearts
Opening our hearts and inner sin and identity to be healed and shaped by God
For when we truly turn we will be healed and receive forgiveness

But instead we want instant gratification and removal of suffering
We want God to fix us and the situation without really being willing to
Change in an internal lasting way

Instead we turn to
Work
Money
Facebook
Relationships
Counselors
Drugs
To make us feel good
And yet we stay in death and emptiness

But God is waiting and loves us.
He is actively pursuing us if we would
Open our hearts to him
Our father the God of the Universe
Amen

Daniel: God is in control. As the king of Babylon finds out

Following Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniels correct interpretation this comes to pass as they saw:

All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?" While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, "O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will." Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws. At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,

for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;

all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,

and he does according to his will among the host of heaven

and among the inhabitants of the earth;

and none can stay his hand

or say to him, "What have you done?"
At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
(Daniel 4:28-37 ESV)

I love these Old Testament stories especially of Babylon kings who in Ezra pay to rebuild the temple they attacked. In Nehemiah where the king supports and send Nehemiah to restore Jerusalem and give him authority. Now Nebuchadnezzar finds out the God is in control. God humbles him. God is the one who chooses kings and makes kingdoms.

Sometimes we forget God is in control. Sometimes we lose sight of God still at work. But God has all things in his plans. Rulers may think they have power. But this Babylonian king loses everything by God's will.

God himself makes Nebuchadnezzar know him as the God of heaven the only real God.

Let us not make you so small God..
God I praise you for your
power
Authority
Plans
Creation
Influence
Holiness
Righteousness
And love

Amen

The mystery of God in Revelation

Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
(Revelation 10:5-7 NIV)

There are many great mysteries of God.
First I think is creation.
Second is Christ and the Cross which is Gods wisdom but foolishness and a stumbling block to the world.
And now here in the Revelation of Jesus Christ is again the mystery of God. As the old heaven and earth are destroyed God is making all things new. He is restoring and redeeming creation, humanity and even heaven itself.

We have been waiting a long time for this final mystery. The time of tribulation. The Second coming. The end times. The judgement. Eternity,

And yet though it may seem far off, it is urgent. For the work of God is urgent: to make disciples of all nations tribes and tongues. For together people of all nations will worship God in every language.

For each of us death and the end of all things seems far off and yet it seems alarmingly close sometimes. Let us be prepared therefore. Not by anxious hearts but by an honest and sincere faith that brings mission and love. That we might prepare our own hearts and our world in small ways to be more like heaven. For as we pray your kingdom come your will be done Father on earth as it is in heaven. Let us not wait to experience heaven but bring pieces of it into reality here and now, yet trusting in the promise of more to come. The fullness of heaven and the end of all things is coming urgently!

Praise be to God for who he is and the mystery of God which is Christ in creation, the cross, the resurrection, and the new creation.
Amen!

End of all things: God still desires repentance

As the destruction of heaven and Earth come:

And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. (Revelation 9:15, 18 NIV)

There is still a chance for them to repent of their ways and turn to God who is becoming clearer.

The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
(Revelation 9:20, 21 NIV)

Yet the people will not repent of their ways. They will not turn from their evil even as the world is destroyed around them.

God soften hearts that people might repent and turns to you. I believe you desire all people to repent and turn to you and be saved, and yet we see in scripture and in our world many will reject you. Yet I trust you are bigger and your love is great. The new heaven is not diminished by those who choose their own sin and own Gods and choose not to dwell with you.

Amen

When God seems far away: Worship

How long, Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?
How long will your wrath burn like fire? Remember how fleeting is my life.
For what futility you have created all humanity! Who can live and not see death,
or who can escape the power of the grave? Lord, where is your former great love,
which in your faithfulness you swore to David? Remember, Lord, how your servant has been mocked,
how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations, the taunts with which your enemies, Lord, have mocked,
with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.
Praise be to the Lord forever!
Amen and Amen.
(Psalm 89:46-52 NIV)

This psalmist speaks during a time of hardship and persecution. He is mocked. He feels abandoned. He remembers before this the days when your faithfulness was clear and your blessings were his delight.

What do we do when God seems far away?
We cry out for him.
We look around to see him where we don't expect.
We look upon our condition.
We often become angry with God.
We blame God.
Yet we also wonder if God is far off
And maybe won't return.
We wonder if he is real at all.

Yet God is always there.
In blessings and hardship.
For Jesus promised us both abundant life and persecution.

As the psalmist does here perhaps the proper response is worship.
To praise God.
To recognize God is bigger than us.
Bigger and better than our circumstances.
He has been faithful before, so remember that.
And trust that he will be faithful against
Beyond our own understanding.
For God is good and worthy of praise even when we lose a family member, even when our ministry is struggling. Even when a close friend turns from God. For God is not limited or hurt by the world or by our choices. He is sovereign, just and merciful.

Praise be to the Lord forever!
Amen and Amen

Called to be a watchmen of God's people

The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: 'When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.' "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, 'You wicked person, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.
(Ezekiel 33:1-9 NIV)

The responsibility of a watchmen is great. And yet in God's kingdom we are chosen. Leaders and shepherds of Gods people are given spiritual authority not by our desire but God's will.

The risk of a watchmen:
We are the first on the line as danger comes
To not call out when danger is coming
Means there blood is on our hands
To call out when there is no danger
Risks our reputation
To call out too late
Means many will die because of us

And yet
Even if we call out
They may not listen

God strengthen me as your watchmen to be vigilant and wise. Teach me your word. Full me with your Spirit. Give me discernment and courage to speak your truth. God help me to find my identity in you alone and not what others say. Help me to trust in your plans and be faithful even in my fear and when I don't understand.
Reveal your calling and spiritual authority to others. Help them to know that you have called and it is not a choice. Wherever they are and wherever you call them they carry that spiritual authority.
Amen

Ezekiel 33 God's justice

"Son of man, say to the Israelites, 'This is what you are saying: "Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?"' Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?'

"Therefore, son of man, say to your people, 'If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person's former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person's former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.' If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. And if I say to a wicked person, 'You will surely die,' but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right— if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live. "Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their way that is not just. If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, they will die for it. And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so. Yet you Israelites say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But I will judge each of you according to your own ways."
(Ezekiel 33:10-20 NIV)

Thank goodness we have a God who is both just and yet desires that the wicked should repent and live.

This Old Testament verse from the prophet Ezekiel ties in directly with Jesus message:

Mark 1:15 The time has come, he said.
The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!- Jesus

And also the parable of the workers in the field:

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. "The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. "But he answered one of them, 'I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' (Matthew 20 NIV)

God has open doors. If we will repent and receive Christ and live in his righteousness by faith then we will be saved even on the last hour. For it is not by a lifetime of works that we inherit heaven but by the work of Jesus on the cross.

The Lord is just.
We each die by our own sins except that Jesus died for our sins.
The Lord is generous.
All who repent and believe will be saved.
Our work is to believe in the one the Father sent: Jesus the Son of God in flesh that he died for our sins and rose again victorious!

To do so we must
Recognize our sinfulness
Repent and turn to God to change
Receive the forgiveness by the cross and new life in the Spirit
For we will continue to sin
But we must fight it and live by the Spirit
Then we will live now and forever
In heaven with God our Father
in his house
Not because of our righteousness but Christ's!

God help me to preach and teach this boldly. Not hiding our sin and the death due for sin. But also joyful in he life through Christ.
Amen