God's Warning Signs

What is the most important change you need to make today in your life to ease some of the stress? What areas of your life would be affected by that change? The Lord God is faithful to warn his people of the dangers of sin and going astray, just as parents will warn their children if they are going down a road that leads to danger. 

In Genesis 6 God warned Noah a great flood would cover all the earth and told him exactly how to prepare so he and his family would be saved. As Noah built God’s ark to specifications, a multitude of observers had to be curious enough to inquire about the purpose of this unusual structure. Apparently, no one listened.

It takes self-discipline to change behaviors, but the consequences for disregarding warning signs can be extremely painful.God's warning signs are given to encourage you to take corrective action. Resolving to pay attention and enact changes confirms you’ve listened in a way that will be blessed by God.            

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God looked at the world and saw that it was evil, for the people were all living evil lives.

~Genesis 6:12 Good News Bible

 

Sin pays its servants: the wage is death. But God gives to those who serve him: his free gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

~Romans 6:23 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Bridge to Self-Destruction

Most distractions can be insignificant, but major distractions can have major repercussions. When Shechem saw Dinah, the teenage daughter of Jacob, he was saturated with lust. Instead of redirecting his sexual energy, he gave his impulses full reign and proceeded to rape her.

 

Shechem allowed greed and lustful thoughts to have complete control and committed a terrible sin. Too late he realized there was more to Dinah than her sexual appeal. He permitted a destructive impulse to build a bridge of destruction to himself, his family and friends.

Dinah's brothers demanded revenge, so they created a trap of deception that permitted them to murder Shechem, his father and brothers. The entire population of the community was tainted by Shechem’s indiscretions. It’s important to accept the long-term penalties for submitting to distractions. We can do so by permitting the Holy Spirit to empower us with purpose and determination to stay true to God’s spiritual and social boundaries. 

Unending Grief

When Isaac summoned his son Esau to the family tent, his purpose was to confer upon him a special blessing of honor and prestige. However, his mother Rebekah was determined the blessing would go to her favorite son Jacob. This unfolding drama has all the trappings of intrigue, deception, betrayal, impending homicide and unending grief.

Can you just imagine the heartbreak this aging, dying father suffered knowing his wife and son betrayed him? Genesis 27:33 tells us he trembled violently, simulating a stroke or seizure. When Isaac informed Esau of their betrayal, he cried out to his father with bitter tears, “Bless me; bless me, too, my father.”

         

 

What follows this grief-laden, heart-breaking scene prompted by favoritism was anger and resentment that could last a lifetime. Recovery from grief that produces extreme hatred is difficult, but not impossible. The Lord Jesus Christ is the great physician, the healer who knows our sorrows and yearns to comfort and heal us.

Half-hearted Prophets and Compromised Faith - Part 2

Becoming a half-hearted follower of Christ Jesus may be connected to discounting God’s purpose and plan for your life. Being a follower of Jesus does not come easily, and no clear-thinking Christian would say their life has been free of temptations and obstructions. Some people mistakenly think they will escape hardship and pain if they acquire wealth and power.

Balaam, an Old Testament character, acknowledged God verbally but was committed to practicing sin and evil. Perhaps Balaam was never fully committed to God, but sometimes served him either out of fear or because he was better off economically and socially for having done so. St. Paul makes it clear that “the wages of sin is death.”

Sin creates a half-hearted, lukewarm desire to serve Christ Jesus. God, however, is a keen observer and will erect obstructions as a rebuke so we can return to the straight way, the way of righteousness. While adversity is hard to cope with, God will provide a way not only to cope, but to find opportunity for growth and change.  

Choice and Destiny - Part 2

An ancient wise man said, “Choice, not chance, determines destiny.” Our choices determine success or failure, happiness or discouragement. Romans 6:23 validates how our destiny can be altered: “For sin pays its wage which is death; but God’s free gift, to all who believe, is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus promised in John 14:26 to help us with our decision-making so there could be positive change.  “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said.” This may be difficult to believe for those who feel stuck or who feel abandoned, but it's true.

Rearranging and altering an old destiny is possible. While it may seem impossible at first, determine to explore what God puts in your heart to do. The guidance of the Holy Spirit, our Counselor sent to instruct us when faced with difficult choices, is always present. Determine to listen to this voice, for all things are possible with God.