Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Monday August 31, 2009 and we are completing our studies in the book of Lamentations, please read chapters 3-5 in your Bible or Click Here to read them.

Today's Message: Living in The Dark
Many people are living in the dark, believing they are going to heaven, when they are not. It's time to truly examine whether or not you have confessed that you know the True Christ or are being deceived by Satan.

Jeremiah was one of the greatest prophets in biblical history, and few have suffered so much public humiliation, rejection, and hostility. For more than 40 years, he warned the Israelite's to believe Moses and follow the Law or to face the judgment of God for their sins. Eventually, because they failed to repent, they faced the inevitable destruction of their glorious Temple and Jerusalem, the City of God. The last three chapters of Lamentations refers to the city in ruins. “I AM the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day. My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.” - Lamentations 3:1-7. This is not only referencing Jerusalem, it is also speaking about what our world faces when the false messiah comes and deceives all nations. Though our nation appears to have light (Christ) in it, it is in total darkness, sadly, many people who have confessed Christ and say they are saved will be deceived and when Satan comes as the Antichrist (false messiah) many will turn to him instead of the True Christ. This is why it is so important to know God's Word and to know the true Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ who is the only begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary. “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” - I Corinthians 15:1-4.

Many do not understand that God does not permit suffering just for the sake of punishment. It always has a twofold purpose: first, as judgment upon sin, but, second, to allow the offenders the opportunity to repent and commit their lives to Him. We can truly praise the Lord that He forgives us of all our sins when we repent and confess them to Him. Jeremiah assures us that, “For the LORD will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” - Lamentations 3:31-33. God does not inflict any punishment because He wants to, but chastises us to show us that we need to do something better with our lives. We can get so caught up in what we or others want that we resort to many immoral things, if we have to suffer for a time, it is much less sever then the consequences we would face had we continued walking these paths. Sadly, some never heed these warnings and do suffer severely, by their own merit, not by God's.

After the destruction of the Temple, there was a realization of the awfulness of sin and the consequences of disregarding God's Word. The Israelite's had assumed that God's Covenant promise would continue while their Covenant responsibility was being ignored. Jeremiah called for a national confession of sin, repentance, and obedience to God's Word. “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.” - Lamentations 3:40-42. Look at what is happening in our cities today, all the the drugs, murders, robberies, pornography, and violence, not only with the adults, but with the youth also. It is becoming clear why God is allowing these things to come upon our nation. If our people refuse to confess their sins, then our Lord must go to these ends to draw our attention back to Himself. This applies to any major city in our Land or any other christian nation where the people have turned their backs on God's Word.

We do not have to live in darkness and we can avoid much needless suffering, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - I John 1:5-10. The righteous always suffer in the midst of a wicked nation; but, for the Christian, suffering should open our eyes to the true values of life and the assurance that all who confess will be saved. Praise God!

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, You know the very intention of all that I say and do. I invite You to examine my heart, I lay before You the people and pursuits that drive me further away from a heart that places You at the center of my life. You have not removed me bodily from this world, but You have raised me up spiritually to abide in Your presence even as I carry out my daily duties. As Your presence graciously overshadows me it is there that Your love and faithfulness sustains me and keeps me focused on You in all there I do. Even as a vehicle needs fuel to properly function, I need You to uphold and equip me for the day that lies ahead. In Jesus' Name...........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and week.
God Bless You,
Christina

Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved