Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)
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Scratching
the Surface of Zephaniah
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If we're really excited
about Jesus as Lord and Savior, we're compelled to worship Him as often as we
can with excessively effervescent praise and thanks for His saving graces from
here to eternity along with
ever-increasing passion to obey Him because He deserves our obedience and it's
the only way to tap into His best graces.
Sadly, there are
too many people pretending kinship to Him who aren't really that excited about
Him and it shows by
their deadly expressionless worship services and lives that are mere winks than
robustly regular witnesses; or as Gwen Shaw noted as confirmation of
conversion, "You must live the manner of life that reveals to the world
that you have an intimate relationship with...[God]..."
From everything
that can be seen, our
world, nation, and too many churches don't really believe in God as Source,
Starter, Sovereign, and Savior; for if they/we did, they/we would surely order
our lives much differently with Him as the focus and filter of everything said
and done.
If God is really to
be believed, there are consequences to behaviors honoring Him and dishonoring
Him.
That, of course,
is an undeniable thread weaving through the entire fabric of Holy Scripture.
Zephaniah is no
exception.
Essentially, he
says two things.
First, the day is
coming when God will separate the sheep from the goats just like Jesus said in
Matthew 25.
Second, anyone
can avoid being on the wrong side of His judgment by getting back to Him before
that day arrives.
Getting back to
the first point, the day of judgment is coming.
Jesus said no one
knows when that day is coming; but
that day is coming and we don't want to be caught with our pants down when it
comes!
Zephaniah issues
the strong warning about not being on the right side of judgment: "I will
wipe away...When I cut off...I will remove...I will use My power against...I
will punish...You will hear cries...Sounds of destruction...Everything they
value will be taken away...I'm warning you, this day of judgment is right
around the corner...Here it comes!...It will be very bitter...You will see what
happens when God is furious...You will be overwhelmed with all the trouble and
pain - total destruction...I will bring distress on all humanity...Because they
have sinned time and again...Don't think any amount of money can save them from
the terrible anger of God when that day arrives...He will consume the whole
earth in His fiery jealousy, for He is going to expedite the annihilation of
every living thing on the earth."
Let's ask
ourselves, "Who really believes that? What does the world's,
America's, churches', and our behaviors say about what we believe about
that/Him?
Zephaniah urged
for those who still believe enough to alter their behaviors and escape being
burned, "You shameless bunch of people, gather together now and
pray. Do it while there is still time, before all these terrible things
happen. I'm warning you they are beginning to happen..."
Then he announces
the good news that it is still possible to get back to Him before it's too
late: "Seek God...Only He can save you...Call out to Him...Pursue what is
just...Chase after true humility...Maybe God will hide and protect you from
what will happen on that terrible day when His anger is unleashed."
I think of the
fellow who says to his buddy while eating breakfast in a local diner, "I
am Napoleon!" His friend asks, "How do you know?" He
replies, "God told me!" And as the waitress pours their coffee,
she chimes in, "I did not!"
Our world,
America, too many churches, and maybe even...must sound like that to God; for
all of the below often act as
if all of the above is not watching.
To such a world,
such a country, such churches, and maybe even..., the prophet's voice echoes,
"Roll the dice!"
Buuuuuuut make no mistake
about it/Him, the best book revealing our Source, Starter, Sovereign, and
Savior says, summarily, "trust and obey...for there's no other way...to
be happy...but to trust and obey..."
Listen to
Zephaniah's good news for those who behave like they believe in Him: "God
is standing right here among you...He is the champion who will rescue you...He
will joyfully celebrate over you...He says, 'Don't be sad anymore...On that
day, I will gather all of you together for one big homecoming...Right before
your eyes, I will restore to you all that you have lost, and your lives will be
full again.'"
Praise the Lord!
Yes, praise the Lord!
It's/He's the
only way not to be left behind when that day comes.
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...to be continued...
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Blessings and Love!
5 comments:
Dear Pastor Bob,
Thanks for these scratching the surface posts. Maybe you could collect them all in a book. It would be quite a good quick start guide to get people to read the Book. Blessings, John
Very good Pastor. You tell it the way we should here it. Thanks
Walton
John,
Thanks for your encouragement, brother. I will share this with my favorite publisher. While I'd just like to scrape together enough $ to trade/buy a FLHTC, I'd really like to make some $ for him and then give the rest to folks who need it. So, yes, I will share this with him and hope for the best. Again, thank you, brother, for being kind and encouraging to me.
Walton,
Your faith encourages mine, brother!
Bob,
Oh My My!!! What a true., relevant word! How can we call Him Lord and yet He, His House, His Kingdom, His plans and purposes fall so far on our priority lists? Thank you! Thank you! I will be sending this on!!!
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