God so Loved the World that He Gave His Son: The greatest Spiritual battle ever fought – part fifty
Hello, hello, hello to my beloved blog readers. In last week’s blog I talked about the 2024 Solar Eclipse. Did you have your solar eclipse glasses and get to see the phenomenon in person as it actually happened? I hope you did.
A more important matter would be… did you contemplate the question I posed in last week’s blog? To jog your memory… here is the question that was proposed last week: “Is it through this sign in the heavens that God is speaking to us?” The Bible tells us that the heavens will declare the Glory of God. So… what does that all mean? Could it actually be God trying to get our attention? Perhaps to say “United States of America, repent of your evil ways and draw closer to Me!”
I have been contemplating that question since last week and here are some random thoughts that have come to my mind:
- It could be God trying to get our attention. Do you remember Psalm 19 from last week? Psalm 19:1-6 (NLT2)
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat - I don’t think it was God speaking… after all, it was an eclipse like others before and nothing has happened. What does the Bible have to say about that manner of thinking? 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT2)
3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” - How will I know if it is really God speaking? When Jesus was challenged with that question here’s what He said: John 10:25-27 (NLT2)
25 Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name.26 But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. - I want to hear His voice when He is talking to me. God speaks to us through His Word (the Bible), through nature, through the heavens and through His still, small voice. Just as in the story of Solomon, we must seek God and we will find Him. 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (NLT2)
9 “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 So take this seriously. The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” - So… it’s all about seriously wanting to know Him, and seeking Him with an open heart and open mind. Romans 10:9-13 (NLT2)
9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” - So then… that is the secret of how to hear the voice of God. However, it is not a secret! We must seriously seek Him, spend time with Him in His Word, and spend time with Him in prayer! If we spend time with Him, we will get to know Him and will begin to hear His voice. That’s His promise to us!
John 8:31-32 (NLT2)
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”