Yesterday, I shared with my nearest and dearest my learning about the pictographical meaning of the word shalom. I shared how it had energized me in prayers and how i had felt a ‘kick in my spirit’ when i used the terminology strategically in my prayers . I shared that we can say over a matter ‘destroy the authority that binds to chaos’ . When Adam and Eve sinned, the spirit of chaos was let loose into the universe.
Today (and by way of encouragement) , I want to remind you that when Jesus ascended on high (after his death and resurrection on the cross) he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:8) . He gave us (those who believe in his name ) delegated authority to take back what the enemy of soul had taken from our forebears (Adam and Eve) in the garden of Eden. Anything Satan has now of ours, has actually been stolen or he has gone to great lengths to appropriate through cunning, manipulation, blinding , and bringing in death and disease.
The Bible tells us the thief comes not, but for to steal kill and destroy (John 10:10) . Satan (the god of this world )is a thief because all things belong to God and is ours by rights, if we have entered into covenant with him.
As a result (ie when we repent of our own personal sins and the sins committed by our blood relatives and lines) we can legitimately approach the throne of grace and and ask for restitution for ourselves and on their behalf. But the emphasis is on ‘if’. If we haven’t entered into covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ, our asking is futile and in vain. The scripture tells us no one can come to the Father expect through Jesus Christ. First things first. Our God patiently waits but he won’t wait forever.
All through our lives we have entered into relationships with this or that and have made alliances. There are forms and patterns constituted from when Abraham met Melchesideck – priest of the most High God. (See Genesis 14:18-20 and Hebrews 5:6; 5:10;6:20;7:1)
The people we take out contracts with expect us to honor our part, as in when we buy a house or a car, sign a contract of employment or indeed when we say I do in marriage. Parents who write out wills -(so that loved ones might inherit- even babies not yet born) expect it to be followed to the letter. Law courts seek to uphold and honor these testaments .
It is strange to me that many have taken it lightly negated or thought it not necessary, to seek to enter into covenant with the author and finisher of all things , Jehovah God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, about life and final destinations. Our God has made his intentions very clear who will and who won’t, inherit . Let me bold here and say this, it is (and will be) the most important decision of your life, whether you engage in the divine covenant or not.
As the Apostle Peter called out (and I now attest) ‘The Lord is no respecter of persons’ (Acts 10:34) and he is righteous. He will not circumvent spiritual or eternal laws for me, nor for you. The soul that sins will die.
Provision however has been made through the cross and the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, that is , we don’t have to face death and we can be forgiven of our sins , but we have to sign on the bottom line (so to speak ) so that we can be benefactors of the inheritance of the saints, and to defeat our arch enemy Satan. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God and if we say we have no sin , we lie and the truth is not in us. We sin by thoughts, deeds and actions .
Why then do we procrastinate and gamble each hour and day outside of the safety of the eternal covenant? The Bible gives an explanation. It says ‘because sentence of an evil work (sin) is not executed speedily, the heart of men and women is set to to wickedly’ (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Many people think they have time to continue to do what God has asked them not to do !! I’ll just finish this or that or try this or that first ..! We get comfort in our stuff and we don’t realize we have actually joined ourselves with the god of this world – the god who is hell bent on stealing from and destroying you…We don’t always appreciate how close we are to the edge.
No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other. Even if you sit on the fence you have actually made a choice… Think about it..! On the other hand, my God makes it clear that he is a jealous God (read Exodus 20:5; 34:15; Deuteronomy 4:24)visiting (and intending to visit) the iniquities of the children of the third of fourth generation with his consuming fire. He honors his word above his name and none will escape.
What to do Linda ?
Don’t waste another moment before making it right with the creator of the universe. He is not looking for your good works, there is none good – rather he is looking for our acknowledgement of sins , a penitent and repentant heart and the acceptance of knowledge of provision for our salvation, through Jesus. He is expecting us then to take the next step , be baptised and to lean on Him.
Simply put ‘believe in the Lord Jesus Christ… , confess with your mouth that he is Lord and be saved’. Don’t do it for me or for show. Do it because you know in your heart, it is the Truth and that it is Wisdom. Don’t do it because your friend or your mother has done it. Don’t do it because it seems fashionable. Do it because you genuinely believe and want to receive the gift of eternal life. God knows from the moment you open you heart and mouth whether what you say is genuine or not. In the final analysis of our lives, none of us will be able to hide from God.
It is because I care that I write such a letter at this point. Jesus cares so much more and is not wanting any to perish, but the time of the end is drawing near. I think you would have to be a fool not to see the signs of the times and God (in his mercy) has given us the ‘heads up’ to understand the signs and to know the end time is drawing near.
God bless you as you do first things first. I will continue to pray for you that the light will shine on any areas of darkness , that your heart and eyes will open and that will begin to see the hope of this glorious provision which our God has made for us and through the shedding of blood on the cross and the death of is son.
I write not for myself , but as a servant of the Most High God and I will be accountable. Continue to pray for and stand with me as I seek to do the work the Lord has called me to.
Greater love hath no man than this than a man lay down his life for his friend. Whether you accept it or not Jesus died for you, was resurrected because of his perfect sacrifice done out of love and selflessness. He continues to plead in glory on our behalf.
Evangelist Linda J UK
17/10/21