Go to Nineveh! Speak Up! NOW!

 

When Jesus set us free his sacrifice included every area of our lives. The freedom we share as children of God because of His sacrifice gives us a hope that is beyond any hope the world or any other religion can give us. So why are we afraid to go to Nineveh?

The Prophet Jonah, as depicted by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel

We've been delivered from strongholds, but do we really know what that means? We know that there is none righteous, no not one. We know that we have become the righteousness of Christ and that who the Lord sets free is free indeed. When we allow fear to block our path, we may be neglecting the things that God has called us to do.

Going to Nineveh, Jonah had to tell a whole town that they were steeped in sin and that God was going to destroy them if they didn't change. He didn't compromise with them and try to reason out their evil the way we are trying to compromise and reason with evil today, instead he ran. He ran away from his home of blessings and ended up spending three days in a stinking, fishy hotel. Jonah 1:17 Now the Lord had prepared and appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Finally, when Jonah did what God asked him to do, he was blessed, but he wasn't happy and still argued with God that it wasn't fair. He thought it wasn't fair for sinners to have the same covering that he, as a 'self' righteous person had, until God showed Jonah that everything he had belonged to God and that Jonah had no right to question God's judgement.

Yes, every sinner has a chance for redemption. But many are called and only a few are chosen. Why? Maybe because we refuse to go to Nineveh. We refuse to do what God has asked us to do. We try to compromise and reason with evil instead of pointing it out for what it is.

So how can we be assured of a house full of blessings instead of a stinky fish hotel?

Nineveh. The Mashki Gate. Reconstructed. One of the fifteen gateways of ancient Nineveh. The lower portions of the stone retaining wall are original. The gateway structure itself was originally of mudbrick. A few orthostats can be seen at the right of the passageway. Height of the vault is about 5 m. (Photo credit: Wikipedia

5 Biblical tips to understanding the will of God.

1. Give God due credit. God is omnipotent. Expect that in his omnipotence and loving nature he is also forgiving to everyone, not just you.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like You, Who forgives iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy and loving-kindness.

2. Submit to God with a humble heart as you would to a father you love and trust. God does not belong to us for our own private interpretation. We belong to him.

Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.

3. Do what you are asked to do. When God asks us to do something he has a purpose we may not understand or notice at the time, but because God in his omnipotence sees and knows everything, he knows the outcome and that outcome is to bless.

John 6:29 Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].

4. Go to God whenever you slip and he will keep you from falling (or from being swallowed up).

Hebrews 12:7 You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?

5. Trust God. There's nothing more to be said. If we can trust him we can humbly submit to him and know that our lives are in his loving, wise, intellectually superior, omnipotent and perfect hands.

Genesis 15:6 And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

Psalm 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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Our God of Mercy

Why does it always seem to take so long for God to intervene and help when we are at our most pitiful? After all, isn't God a God of mercy? Doesn't He know our pain?

There are times when the last thing on our minds is whether or not we are showing mercy because we wonder why we aren't getting mercy ourselves from God. We, the offended, become the offender when lack of compassion and kindness spews forth from our mouths or actions. We feel justified. After all, we are offended. But, is this what we expect from God?

We expect mercy to be eternal, everlasting, and gracious when it comes from God. So, why should we be merciful? We are not God. Why then, should we show mercy? Because, like forgiveness, without mercy, we will never receive mercy.

James 2:13 For to him who has shown no mercy the judgment [will be] merciless, but mercy [full of glad confidence] exults victoriously over judgment.

Every action we take and every reaction we have will dictate the results we receive now and in the coming judgment. Here on earth, we face many personal trials and tribulations as we move forward in our attempts to navigate the roads of life. Every day we potentially face a  threat in one way or another or worse, we threaten in one way or another. For some, threats are a way to results. For others, understanding, compassion, and mercy is the key.

Who’s right and who’s wrong may not be in question when we face the ultimate last days or moments of our lives. At that time we will probably only be seeking mercy. The Word of God [Bible] assures us that when we show mercy we will receive mercy and blessings. If we could gauge our temperament by the Word of God, mercy would exude from us every day of our lives.

5 Biblical tips on showing mercy: 1. Show forgiveness quickly. Mercy is forgiving. Forgiveness can turn a volatile miscommunication into spiritual growth.

The good Samaritan was a biblical example of mercy.

Colossians 3:12-13 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³  bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

James 2:12 So speak and so act as [people should] who are to be judged under the law of liberty [the moral instruction given by Christ, especially about love].

2. Attempt to understand before you judge. Judging quickly lacks mercy. It is for God to judge. Not us.

Romans 1:32 Although they know God’s judgment that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do these things but also approve of others who do them.

Romans 2:6-8 He will pay all people back for what they have done. ⁷He will give everlasting life to those who search for glory, honor, and immortality by persisting in doing what is good. But he will bring ⁸anger and fury on those who, in selfish pride, refuse to believe the truth and who follow what is wrong.

3. Acknowledge God in everything you do. Sinful humanity ignores God. If you refuse God or God’s guidance through his word and commandments, you may think you’re doing well, but your end is eternal death.

Proverbs 14:22 Don’t those who stray plan what is evil, while those who are merciful and faithful plan what is good?

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is merciful, compassionate, patient, and always ready to forgive.

4. Practice mercy to others in place of cruelty. When you show mercy to others, you are fulfilling God’s will in your life. God will replay. When you practice giving mercy, mercy is easier to give each time.

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be treated mercifully.

Proverbs 11:17 A merciful person helps himself, but a cruel person hurts himself.

Romans 12:19-21 Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.” ²⁰But, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed.” ²¹Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.

5. Let others know about the mercy of God. In this way, you share the good news of salvation.

Mark 5:19 But Jesus would not allow it. Instead, he told the man, “Go home to your family, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been to you.”

Luke 1:78 A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful.

Hebrews 2:17-18  Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters so that he could be merciful. He became like them so that he could serve as a faithful chief priest in God’s presence and make peace with God for their sins. ¹⁸Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help others when they are tempted.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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Free to Be a Joyful Servant

Although joyful and servant seem to be an oxymoron when put together, the ideal life on earth according to Jesus Christ is of servitude. Imagine a world where we all are helping each other, where we actually enjoy serving, and where being responsible for ourselves and others, is normal. That’s a world where selfishness does not exist, love and giving take priority, no one is left out, everyone does their part, respect prevails, and peace and harmony always permeate the atmosphere.

Philippians 2:5-7 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

The joy of giving of ourselves in servitude to God and others brings heaven to the natural world. God is not surprised by our actions whether in giving, loving, sharing, and helping or in taking, hoarding, hating, or walking away from the needs of others. When we reach out in love we fulfill the command of Christ to love, our lives take on new meaning, and we walk joyfully.

Dorfkrippe von Baumkirchen Nativity

The only problems we might encounter in a world where servitude is a priority in life would come if God were not considered. In that case, our servitude would be distorted at best and subject to our control according to our own thinking, desires, needs, and opinions. Servitude without God is manipulative at best.

The unfolding sky (Photo credit: badjonni)

Isaiah 64:6 For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousness is as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

5 Biblical tips to the joy of serving:
1. Pray. Prayer is the most important service we can give our fellow man. If we pray for the needs of others and pray for God to open our hearts to know and give what is truly needed, the Holy Spirit will guide us.

1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,

2. Ask. Reach out to your neighbor and ask if there’s anything you can do to help them.

1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

3. Be receptive and grateful. When others serve us they receive a blessing from God in return.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

4. Love your family. God has given us a family for a good reason and a service of love toward your family, whether wife, husband, brother, sister, mother, father or family in Christ is expected and desirable.

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Proverbs 11:29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise of heart.

1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Have a respectful fear of God. Honor the emperor.

Romans 12:10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other.

5. Bless your enemies. As difficult as it may seem, another way of serving God is to forgive and love even our enemies.

Luke 6:27 “But I tell everyone who is listening: Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you.
Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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Stronghold of Rage

Rage demands its own way. It is always violently angry. It inflicts fear and terror in others. If it is allowed to become a stronghold  it will eventually push everyone out of its host’s life. Selfishness, jealousy, rebellion and offense can invite it in.

This stronghold can end our lives or keep goodness and love at a distance if it is allowed to continue.

Job 5:2a For vexation and rage kill the foolish man.

Rage can be instigated by [vain] imagination. Thoughts of foolishness and selfishness can bring it on. It is paranoid. It perceives offense where offense may not be intended. Every part of its existence is grounded in selfishness.

When rage moves forward it does not take anyone or anything else into consideration except its own agenda. It has no compassion, no respect, no concern for the welfare or well-being of its host or those around its host.
If this stronghold of rage is not stamped out it will kill. It may not be the death of a human but it will be the death of something good — something the host does not want to, or should ever lose.

5 Biblical tips to overcome rage:
1. Do not allow the stronghold of denial to cover over rage in your life. Be honest with yourself, God, and others.

Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices,¹⁰And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.

2. Try to understand why you are angry before it turns into [verbally or physically] foolish violence.

Luke 6:11 But they were filled with lack of understanding and senseless rage and discussed (consulted) with one another what they might do to Jesus.

3. When you feel rage trying to stick its ugly head into your life find a safe, quiet place and look to God for help before it moves in.

Hosea 7:16 They turn back, shift, or change, but not upwards [to the Most High]. They are like a deceitful bow; their princes shall fall by the sword for the insolence and rage of their tongue. This shall be [cause for] their derision and scorning in the land of Egypt.

4. Turn to God if someone has raged against you [especially for a foolish or nonsensical reason].

Psalm 7:6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; lift up Yourself against the rage of my enemies; and awake [and stir up] for me the justice and vindication [that] You have commanded.

5. Do not argue with fools or allow an argument to turn passionate. If someone you know is acting foolishly, back off– before you allow rage to take over your or their countenance.

Proverbs 29:9 If a wise man has an argument with a foolish man, the fool only rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

Job 31:12 For [uncontrolled passion] is a fire which consumes to Abaddon (to destruction, ruin, and the place of final torment); [that fire once lighted would rage until all is consumed] and would burn to the root all my [life’s] increase.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.