The Fuel Project Series walks through the history of mankind from a Biblical and Historical perspective. 70+ episodes talking about God and Mankind. Pretty interesting conversational pieces.
Category Archives: Spiritual
Magnify the Lord
Life is full of difficulties, frustrations, challenges, sorrows, injustices, sadness, etc.
Really, the list could go on…
How do we view life when faced with a mountain or obstacle? Do we focus on it with anxiety, trepidation, fear, and intimidation?
That’s called stress.
Whether it’s a relationship, issue with work, finances, car not working, company going out of business, loss of a loved one…
How are we to respond? In the moment of trial, where do we turn?
Alcohol?
Drugs?
Prescriptions?
People?
Sex?
Work?
Money?
Check out mentally and/or emotionally?
“Magnifying” those options will never lead anywhere with lasting change or improvement. Magnifying the problem, will not serve you well mentally, emotionally or physically.
What if we turned our eyes towards Jesus, the Author of Life? What if we could magnify Him?
[Job 36:24 NKJV] 24 “Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.
[Psa 34:3 NKJV] 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
[Psa 69:30 NKJV] 30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
If our small brains would simply take a minute to pause, think about how BIG the God of Heaven and Earth truly is, plus His promises over our lives, we would be able to remain in a state of peace and joy, no matter how distressed a situation might seem or even be.
[Rom 8:28 NKJV] 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Based on this one verse, I find it helpful to ask the Holy Spirit to show me just 1 thing that He is doing in this “circumstance” for my good? Once I find the 1 thing, it’s as if comfort comes along and sucks all the chaos out of the room into a black hole abyss never to return. Jesus is big. Jesus is good. Jesus loves me.
[Rom 8:37-39 NKJV] 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Whatever you’re going through right now, no matter how big it seems, MAGNIFY the Author of Life. MAGNIFY His possibilities in the situation and circumstance. MAGNIFY Him and declare the outcome He is capable of with your own lips. For the born again, Holy Spirit baptized believer, the Living God flows in and through you. Speak out His good will and result. Speak out the good outcome. Declare it full of faith in Jesus name.
Then wait. Then listen. Then watch it manifest according to your faith.
Remember: Yoke easy. Burden light.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. Shall we?
MAGNIFY. extol; glorify.
Gossip & Slander
Gossip…
It’s funny.
The Bible talks about gossip and slander as significant sin issues.
Society is filled with people talking about people. Social media has exponentially allowed for the world wide conversation to escalate in epic proportion.
The definition of gossip is as follows…
1. casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.
2. a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others
3. rumor or report of an intimate nature
Slander is defined as…
- the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation
- a false and defamatory oral statement about a person
The irony about the topic of sin pertaining to conversation is that with so much talking going on seldom do we hear the preacher, teacher, TALK about this very issue.
This post isn’t to fault anyone, it’s simply a point to highlight because I cannot recall one message, aside from someone else writing on the subject in a blog that I read once upon a time.
Honestly speaking, having conversation about others, especially others that we’ve never actually had a conversation with in a negative light, a majority of the time, is fruitless, weak and unnecessary.
Personally, when I find myself talking about others, I ask myself if I’d say the same thing to the person’s face or in their presence. If I don’t feel as though I would say it to their face, I’d likely be guilty of gossip or slander and do my best to not say the thought or share the idea.
Let’s face it; gossip and slander are tools the accuser of the brethren uses against the saints, one to another. In a real sense, any time someone speaks gossip and slander, they are partnering with Satan. Frightening picture to behold, but it’s the reality.
Check out what the book of James has to say about the taming of the tongue…
2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a ]perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. ]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of]nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. – James 3:2-12
If we’re honest with ourselves, we can admit guilt when it comes to both gossip and slander. Every single person on the planet is absolutely guilty of participating in these sins. No one is unique or guilt free.
So what do we do?
We pray. We pray to ask the Holy Spirit the power and self-control to not participate in such conversation. Ephesians 5:18-21 talks about what we are to speak to one another.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear ofGod.
Philippians also mentions the things in which we’re to think about as well…
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you
We pray that the Lord would give us the ability through His Spirit to tame the tongue, moment-by-moment, day-by-day. It’s possible through His leadership in Jesus’ name.
Come Lord Jesus come….
Closer – Bethel Music
Holy Spirit, come. Thank You.
Know Your Enemy
This is a brilliant content piece with 80 parts to it. Walk through the sands of time to understand human history according to the Bible. I’m half way through at this point and have found this documentary of sorts, fascinating. Perfect for a long car ride or a Sunday morning.
Talking About Adultery Got John the Baptist Beheaded
Continuing the conversation about a “Great Wail” a couple of posts earlier. It’s interesting to note that it was John the Baptist’s talk about adultery to Herod that got him killed. Wow. Notice how touchy this particular discussion regarding “adultery” is for Herodias that she wants to kill John over it. Yeah, it’s a hot topic, not talked about much today. In fact, adultery is rampant, maybe more than ever? It’s everywhere. If we take a close look at what Jesus calls adultery it’s clear – the problem in America is widespread. We’ve all fallen short of the glory of God. Take a look at the scripture below as to exactly what the progression to John’s death looked like:
“17 For Herod, himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”
“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.” – Mark 6:17-29
Woman Caught in Adultery
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
The woman who got caught in adultery is another great story. He who is without sin let him throw the first stone, paraphrasing Jesus. Nobody threw a stone and Jesus told her to go and sin no more. Stop committing adultery. Stop participating in it. End that relationship. Pretty straight forward. You got caught in this act. Stop committing the act and live.
So much of the Church seams to do one of two things, ignore the command to sin no more or remains ignorant of the words of Jesus as to how and what He identifies as adultery as mentioned in Matthew 5, along with other passages.
Could you imagine if more pastors started calling this particular issue out from the pulpit for what it is, not every week but simply talk about what Jesus says qualifies as marriage and that which does not? He really lays it out quite clearly. A pastor/preacher might lose his head or at least a large portion of the congregation, because let’s face it a MAJOR portion of the so called Church is quite alright with living in the sin of adultery. The flock would be reduced to a fraction of whatever the current numbers were. Instead, we’re focusing on gifts or prosperity or politics or take your pick. All of those things mentioned are wonderful and need to be discussed, yet, our families are falling apart at the seems. Satan absolutely hates people calling attention to this sin so much so that he had John the Baptist beheaded for it. I suspect we have NO idea how damaging this particular sin is upon marriages, family and humanity.
“But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself.” (Proverbs 6:32 NLT)
Marriage and family is the very thing God created to be a picture and reflection of Himself in the earth and it’s coming unglued at the seems.
The very essence and nature of God is family. It’s so clear Satan is out to destroy the image and reflection of God in the earth, from conception to grave. He’s working to speed this process up exponentially. The people of the Lord need to take the earth back, rule and reign as God originally intended since the Garden – to take dominion.
All of creation groans for the revealing of the sons of God.
Where are they? Take a look in the mirror. It’s you. It’s time to actually become the reflection of Jesus Christ in the earth. Look like Him. Talk like Him. Think like Him. Act like Him. Walk like Him. Heal like Him. Do miracles like Him. The works Jesus did and GREATER you will do. But first, you’ve got to DO what Jesus did, to do greater than He did.
Holy Ghost breathe. In Yeshua’s name. Amen.
Maturing the Bride of Christ by Francis Chan
Francis Chan is such a breath of fresh air for the body of Christ. I love this conversation on the picture of maturity. I am filled with anticipation for the Bride of Christ to move beyond the current plateau. It’s time to put the milk away.
Hey, we’re all guilty of falling short, and some of the antics Christians pull are down right silly. I’m guilty, and you’re guilty, so what do we do with it? Forgive. Forgiveness is this absent unspoken thing within the Church. People generally don’t do Matthew 18. People generally don’t go to their brother before leaving the gift at the altar to reconcile differences. Unforgiveness reigns in the heart of man, and yet the claimer of Christ still thinks they’re okay. “I’m okay.” Imagine how much different society would become or marriages for that matter with intentional forgiveness face-to-face. Credible. They’d be totally credible.
Is it just me or does the Church at times seem to be filled with false pretense and people attempting to play nice. Imagine for a second if the Church could get rid of being nice and start getting real? True love would begin to flow. Hearts could sit in an atmosphere where they might warm towards one another. Sure it might be challenging, awkward and on the other side of awkward, healing and love could spring forth. Real unity and fellowship of the brethren. Real honor will manifest.
Devoted. There’s a scary word for the Church. What a picture that word paints. Devotion for and to one another. Wow. Dedicated people drawn together in His love. Powerful.
Francis Chan is always concise, compassionate and to the point. Way to address the elephants in the room.
Lord, release. Release it and let the Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Mature us and make us Biblical. I forgive everyone, for everything, with my whole heart, my whole heart and I bless all those who have caused me harm intentionally or unintentionally. In Y’shua’s name. Thank You. Amen.
Roe Vs. Wade – One of the best Pro-life speeches EVER! Gianna Jessen abortion survivor – the truth about abortion
One of the best Pro-life speeches EVER! Gianna Jessen abortion survivor. The truth about abortion you won’t hear in mainstream media today.
When we realize society at large is responsible for the on-going slaughter of 1,000,000+ babies every year in the USA alone, we will finally begin to see the tied turn and other viable – real solutions come to surface more and more.
This is NOT about a woman’s right to “choose” this is about a lie that started back at Jane Roe Vs. Wade, perpetuated for nearly 50 years and has deceived millions, upon millions of young women into thinking it’s “okay” to murder the baby in their belly. Society has failed our women and children. Men have failed women and children. For a woman to go through the heinous process of murdering a real person in their own body is exceedingly traumatizing to them physically, emotionally and psychologically.
Jane Roe’s Testimony about the lie:
YOUTUBE removed.
In this video below, which is older than the 1 minute video above, Jane Roe (Norma McCovey) indicates she just got baptized back in 1995 and thought 1st tri-mester abortion is okay. However, in the newer video she refutes this idea and now is against the entire thing, completely. I put this link in simply to provide more of her journey and life as ABC Nightline News reports. Psalm 139 talks about how God knew us when we were only “substance” and that He knits us together in the mother’s womb.
[Psa 139:13-18 NKJV] 13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And [that] my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, [And] skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When [as yet there were] none of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 [If] I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
Perhaps the most important conversation we can have, considering it seems that the legalization of killing babies leads to nearly 2x more deaths than the leading cause of death – heart disease in America (about 611,000 yearly).
I can’t help but wonder how future generations will look back on this generation, judge us for our moral depravity, and lack of compassion for the unborn lives being flushed down the toilet daily, not to mention the millions of young women we’ve allowed suffer this abuse.
The false narrative that women need the right to kill the baby in the womb for reasons of rape, incest, or any other sinful act needs to be exposed for the lie that it is. According to the statistics I’ve seen, about 32,000 women who are raped become pregnant per year. Wow! I had no idea rape was this prevalent in this nation. This is horrendous and a total travesty. Something needs to be done to address this depravity. Yet, the current line of reasoning (pro-choice argument), says, one wrong makes another wrong – a right. How does it make sense that we punish another completely innocent voiceless human being by killing them because of what someone else did to us? It doesn’t.
Even though, 32,000 babies is a HUGE number of people, it fails in comparison to the 1,000,000+ babies in total being slaughtered for reasons beyond abortions strongest argument – rape, incest, etc. (about 3% of total abortions/yearly) and that’s ASSUMING every rape victim that got pregnant, also got an abortion – which isn’t accurate. These arguments justifying the murder of any life is only found in the vanity of man’s false compassion, foolish wisdom, reasoning and/or selfishness. The arguments are completely devoid of the God of the Bible, that says He gives and He takes. The arguments are completely devoid of faith and trust in a Sovereign God and Creator, that works all things together for the good of those who are called according to His purposes in Christ Jesus. The Bible is clear, He opens and He closes the womb. He is the author of life and death. His justice is perfect.
It’s the nations around the Israelite’s that sacrificed their children to other gods. There’s nothing new under the sun and that’s exactly what’s taking place in this nation, whether we want to acknowledge that or not.
In an era where man prides himself on technology, innovation and new ideas, how is it we can’t figure out how to help the innocent and vulnerable of our society? There are solutions beyond killing babies and traumatizing our young women. Great solutions, actually.
Why are we defaulting to barbarism? Rather than the nobility and respect of life?
Why are we working so hard to argue in favor of killing the voiceless, innocent lives in the womb, rather than arguing that there’s got to be a better way??!!!
I don’t pretend to have the answers as to how we as a society are to go about turning the ship around. I don’t pretend to be perfect. I don’t pretend to understand how we can take care of our women better so that they are not in the terrible situation faced with the decision of life and death. I can’t imagine what it must be like for millions of women to wake up to the unexpected pregnancy. We can choose life, stop allowing babies to be killed and let women have real options in place that promote life from conception to birth that are best for the Mom and Baby. Abstinence, and then C-sections and adoption are great alternatives to ending a life.
Since posting this video, engaging in discussion around this idea, my heart, mind and soul have been grieving and weeping that we as a society are this broken, hardened and apathetic. Over 10x the amount of people killed in the holocaust (our brains can’t even fathom how big of a number this is), have been killed in the USA ALONE. Forget about China and their 1 child policy and all the other nations. We are just talking about the USA. WOW. Unthinkable.
Moreover, it absolutely needs to be communicated to those who may have participated in or know someone who has participated in this thing called, “abortion,” the words written here are not to accuse, blame, guilt or point the finger at you or any human. Make no mistake, the one I am pointing my finger at is Satan, who as the Bible indicates, “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” There’s principalities and powers working to destroy humanity because we are created in the image of God and Satan hates us. Misery loves company and he wants us to be miserable with him in hell. There is total forgiveness found in the Cross of Christ Jesus and His resurrection. He died to pay the price for our sins, when we make Him Lord and Saviour. He washes us clean of all unrighteousness. We’ve been deceived and opened the door to Satan in this nation by allowing the Roe V. Wade decision – which as stated in a comment already, was based upon a lie. We’ve lied to and not protected millions of young women for over 40 years, into believing this is okay. It’s not.
Just like slaves and Native Americans didn’t have constitutional rights once upon a time, we can change our policies/laws today to help the future unborn generation have rights they deserve and demand. We can do better.
“I’ve noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.” – Ronald Reagan
Prayerfully, believing that we will change this decision and do more to protect our women and children from violence.
In closing here’s a clip from a pastor that had a dream where he explains how the Lord reveals His perspective on the murder of innocent babies every moment from around the world.
We can’t sit by and let this happen any longer. We must become the voice for the voiceless. We must become the solution for babies being put up for adoption. We must become love. We must wake up out of our own apathetic selfishness and give more to those around us in need. End baby murder today! In Yeshua’s name. Amen.
Be the change. God bless you!
Roland and Heidi Baker on Dating, Romance, Marriage and Covenant
One word. Faith.
God bless the Bakers.
Zephaniah
Interesting week. I listened to and read Zephaniah over the last 5-7 days. Then began exploring other scripture with a similar theme, message, perspective. It was fascinating what the Lord was saying to the people of the day. What really made me take note was how the person sitting next to me in the prayer room, was ALSO reading Zephaniah. This obscure tiny 3 chapter book. I was nothing short of flabbergasted. What are the crazy odds of anybody in the room reading Zephaniah, much less sitting next to me? I mean even though it’s a room filled with Bible readers, the odds of being in these 3 chapters, to me is outrageous! I had to ask the gentleman what the Lord was speaking to him about, so I did my best to patiently wait until he was finished, but I had to interrupt him as he was getting towards the end – just in case he had to hurry off somewhere. Fortunately, he was agreeable and we talked about this obscure tiny book. I shared my experience in going through it myself recently. He too kind of stumbled upon it as his story goes. I greatly appreciated hearing his perspective on it as there were some definite similarities as to what he was getting and what I was getting.
I thought I would paste the entire book in my blog since it’s so tiny and highlight the things that stood out. It’ll be interesting to see what transpires in the coming days… or doesn’t. It seems there’s no lack for things to pray about these days. Reading this book and making comparisons to the current world reality, provokes one to PRAY more than ever.
ZEPHANIAH
1 The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. 2 “I will utterly consume everything From the face of the land,” Says the LORD; 3 “I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, The fish of the sea, And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land,” Says the LORD. 4 “I will stretch out My hand against Judah, And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, The names of the idolatrous priests with the [pagan] priests— 5 Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; Those who worship and swear [oaths] by the LORD, But who [also] swear by Milcom; 6 Those who have turned back from [following] the LORD, And have not sought the LORD, nor inquired of Him.” 7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; For the day of the LORD [is] at hand, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests. 8 “And it shall be, In the day of the LORD’s sacrifice, That I will punish the princes and the king’s children, And all such as are clothed with foreign apparel. 9 In the same day I will punish All those who leap over the threshold, Who fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit. 10 “And there shall be on that day,” says the LORD, “The sound of a mournful cry from the Fish Gate, A wailing from the Second Quarter, And a loud crashing from the hills. 11 Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh! For all the merchant people (businessmen: also in Revelation – comment added) are cut down; All those who handle money (bankers: money changers in Jesus’ day – comment added) are cut off. 12 “And it shall come to pass at that time [That] I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, ‘The LORD will not do good, Nor will He do evil.’ 13 Therefore their goods shall become booty, And their houses a desolation; They shall build houses, but not inhabit [them]; They shall plant vineyards, but not drink their wine.” 14 The great day of the LORD [is] near; [It is] near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; There the mighty men shall cry out. 15 That day [is] a day of wrath, A day of trouble and distress, A day of devastation and desolation, A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 A day of trumpet and alarm Against the fortified cities And against the high towers. 17 “I will bring distress upon men, And they shall walk like blind men, Because they have sinned against the LORD; Their blood shall be poured out like dust, And their flesh like refuse.” 18 Neither their silver nor their gold Shall be able to deliver them In the day of the LORD’s wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured By the fire of His jealousy, For He will make speedy riddance Of all those who dwell in the land. – Zephaniah 1:1-18 NKJV
1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation, 2 Before the decree is issued, [Or] the day passes like chaff, Before the LORD’s fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you! 3 Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’s anger. 4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, And Ashkelon desolate; They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, And Ekron shall be uprooted. 5 Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, The nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD [is] against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you; So there shall be no inhabitant.” 6 The seacoast shall be pastures, With shelters for shepherds and folds for flocks. 7 The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; They shall feed [their] flocks there; In the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the LORD their God will intervene for them, And return their captives. 8 “I have heard the reproach of Moab, And the insults of the people of Ammon, With which they have reproached My people, And made arrogant threats against their borders. 9 Therefore, as I live,” Says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “Surely Moab shall be like Sodom, And the people of Ammon like Gomorrah–Overrun with weeds and saltpits, And a perpetual desolation. The residue of My people shall plunder them, And the remnant of My people shall possess them.” 10 This they shall have for their pride, Because they have reproached and made arrogant threats Against the people of the LORD of hosts. 11 The LORD [will be] awesome to them, For He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth; [People] shall worship Him, Each one from his place, Indeed all the shores of the nations. 12 “You Ethiopians also, You shall be slain by My sword.” 13 And He will stretch out His hand against the north, Destroy Assyria, And make Nineveh a desolation, As dry as the wilderness. 14 The herds shall lie down in her midst, Every beast of the nation. Both the pelican and the bittern Shall lodge on the capitals [of] her [pillars]; Their voice shall sing in the windows; Desolation [shall be] at the threshold; For He will lay bare the cedar work. 15 This is the rejoicing city That dwelt securely, That said in her heart, “I [am it], and [there is] none besides me.” How has she become a desolation, A place for beasts to lie down! Everyone who passes by her Shall hiss and shake his fist. – Zephaniah 2:1-15 NKJV
1 Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, To the oppressing city! 2 She has not obeyed [His] voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the LORD, She has not drawn near to her God. 3 Her princes in her midst [are] roaring lions; Her judges [are] evening wolves That leave not a bone till morning. 4 Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, They have done violence to the law. 5 The LORD [is] righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, But the unjust knows no shame. 6 “I have cut off nations, Their fortresses are devastated; I have made their streets desolate, With none passing by. Their cities are destroyed; [There is] no one, no inhabitant. 7 I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me, You will receive instruction’–So that her dwelling would not be cut off, [Despite] everything for which I punished her. But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds. 8 “Therefore wait for Me,” says the LORD, “Until the day I rise up for plunder; My determination [is] to gather the nations To My assembly of kingdoms, To pour on them My indignation, All My fierce anger; All the earth shall be devoured With the fire of My jealousy. 9 “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, That they all may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him with one accord. 10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, The daughter of My dispersed ones, Shall bring My offering. 11 In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds In which you transgress against Me; For then I will take away from your midst Those who rejoice in your pride, And you shall no longer be haughty In My holy mountain. 12 I will leave in your midst A meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD. 13 The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed [their] flocks and lie down, And no one shall make [them] afraid.” 14 Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all [your] heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, [is] in your midst; You shall see disaster no more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak. 17 The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet [you] with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.“ 18 “I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, Who are among you, [To whom] its reproach [is] a burden. 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame. 20 At that time I will bring you back, Even at the time I gather you; For I will give you fame and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I return your captives before your eyes,” Says the LORD. – Zephaniah 3:1-20 NKJV
Your First Love – David Wilkerson
https://youtu.be/lHChcGHz1K0
