by Our Dearest Friend Sharon Manning
There are a lot of abused animals and this little one looks like its reaching out for help.
I send out these devotions as well as post them. Some comment on them. One gal in particular has been very vocal in asking why? I am on the topics I have been on. So as in light of I Peter 3:15 But set apart Christ as LORD in your hearts. And be ready always to give an answer to every one that asks you a reason of the hope this is in you with gentleness and respect. I want to explain where I am coming from and in that way give a reason for the hope that is in me.
Like that kitten, there are countless people who need help and before GOD our Savior, JESUS came and died in our place, all of us were doomed. For the soul that sins, he shall die. Ezekiel 18:20 for the wages of sin is death but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Romans 6:23 But GOD didn’t leave us helpless,
No, JESUS came to earth as a baby and died carrying every sin, past, present and future to deliver us. All that we need to do to obtain for ourselves the benefit of what JESUS did for us on the cross is to believe in HIM. But just like an abused animal has wounds that need to be healed even after it has been rescued from danger, that is also true of people. If we have received the love of the truth, we have been forgiven but many of us still have deep wounds. GOD wants to bring healing to each one of us. The forgiveness of our sins is just the beginning of what HE has for us. There are awesome things awaiting us in heaven but even before that GOD is at work behind the scenes here and now in every believers heart.
· Romans 8:28 And we know to the ones loving GOD (HE is at work behind the scenes), GOD by HIMSELF (singular) in reality is continually holding together, has in custody (all things that touch us),and is exercising a constraining influence on all things to the good, yes to benefit the ones being called according to HIS purpose. 29 because those whom HE in reality in undefined time past foresaw (foreknew) them HE also in undefined time past determined beforehand to conform to be like (exact image) of HIS SON, that HE should be the 1st born of many brethren.
GOD is our Savior and Deliver, our Redeemer… Although HE has given us free will, HE has not tied HIS own hands or crippled HIMSELF from working and delivering HIS people
· Isaiah 50:2 …Is MY hand shortened at all, that It cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? ….
Although HE has called us to co- labor with HIM HE is not dependant on our response.
· Isaiah 59:15 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. HE saw there was no one, HE was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so HIS own arm worked salvation…
· Isaiah 63:5 And I looked and there was no one to help, and I was appalled that no one gave support; so MY own arm worked salvation…
GOD does use people as instruments of HIS work. He calls both HIS people and HIS enemies to do HIS bidding.
· Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD who places within you the desire to do what HE wants done and also enables you to do it.
· Revelation 17:12,17 The 10 horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast…For GOD has put it into the hearts of the 10 kings to accomplish HIS purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until GOD’ words are fulfilled.
Our GOD is the MOST HIGH, HE is LORD of lords and KING of kings, HE is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, the LORD of hosts (armies). HE is Sovereign, let us not forget it. Just because HE is love does not lesson HIS Majesty or HIS power.
I love the way Sinclair Lewis spoke in the Chronicles of Narnia as he describes Aslan (a picture of JESUS), the son of the Great Emperor-Beyond-the Sea ..”if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking they’re either braver than most or else just silly…. “Then HE isn’t safe?” Asked Sally…“Safe?... who said anything about safe? Course HE is not safe. But HE is good.
Hugs
Sharon Manning
