In my mind, I saw a picture

In my mind, I saw a picture of an angel swooping down and plucking a man up from the stands of a ball game, where he'd been shouting and carrying on. And he screams at the angel, "what are you doing?" And the angel says, "I am saving you!" and the man says, "I don't need saving! I was having fun! I was with my peeps! We had just scored!"

Shaking his head, the angel flies off and then hears another man screaming! The Angel swoops down and scoops the man up out of the muddy torrents of the river and carries him to safety! The man is grateful for the rescue, giving glory to God for saving his life.

This is a picture of the church and the world. The church is happy and believes they do not need rescuing; that they are "right!"! They see themselves as "saved" because the do not perceive immediate danger. Whereas the drowning man knows the peril he is in!  It's kinda like how you boil a frog. You put him in cold water and then gradually increase the heat, and he'll sit there and be cooked alive! Where if you drop him in boiling water he immediately recognizes the danger and jumps out!

In the story, both men are in the world. One is satisfied with the joys of life, the other going under from a crisis!  When we win the Lottery we don't turn to God; only in adversity do we seek His saving arms! 

If you are going through a trial, Praise God! That means He's trying to get your attention and/or refine your relationship with Him! 

"But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.”"(‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭20-21‬ NKJV)

You, who go to church every week yet do not have a relationship with God are in the greater threat of hell that the drunk in the gutter!  You believed the lie, that you are heaven bound because you "asked Jesus into your heart" (years ago) and that God's mercy covers the sins you hold so dear; worry, fear, unforgiveness, pride, glutony, bitterness, anger and lust! You sit in judgment of others, never extending mercy or forgiveness, yet expecting the merciful God who created the universe to cover your hard and unrepentant heart! 

You who fear everything; fear God!

"For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."(‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬ NKJV)! 

 

And right now you are angry and pointing your finger at me; accusing me of judging you! 

I do not judge you, for I was you!

I was where you are! I was sitting in church, all my life, and then I heard a word, decided to check it out for myself in my Bible, and God opened my eyes to my sins! One minute, I was the man in the stands and in the next minute, I was the man in the river!

His Word opened my eyes to the truth and when I repented, He changed my heart! I am not the same person and I am so grateful! 

I have to tell you - everyday - 

Repent!!!!

Examine your heart!

Turn from your wicked ways!

Pray and ask God to open your eyes and change your heart!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From: 10/5/14, 6/8/15