Hellfire & Brimstone
Friday's Devotion (4-20-07)
"
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." James 5:11 (KJV)You know I'm reminded of how I used to imagine the Lord, and I haven't imagined Him this way in so very long... And that's because I know the truth about Him now. I used to imagine a God sitting up there waiting for you to mess up, and waiting to punish you for it... But my friends that is NOT our God! Our God knows that we're going to mess up, but He doesn't wait to punish us, He waits for us to come to Him so that He can forgive us. He doesn't want to condemn us like so many of us have imagined, He wants to love us.
I am so tired of hearing the false preaching of those "Hellfire and Brimstone preachers." These preachers will tell you that you're condemned and that God hates you, and that He wants no part of you. They say these things as if they have never sinned themselves. Have they forgotten that they too must repent and ask forgiveness daily? Or do they repent and ask for forgiveness at all? Do they think they're perfect? I just don't understand it. Why preach of God's judgment alone and not preach of His love and forgiveness? It's not edifying. Probably if you would've told me when I was younger that I was going to Hell, I would've thought, "Then why change my ways? I'm already going to Hell, what's the point?" Thank God that He's forgiving and loving, otherwise you, me, and your dog would be going to Hell. If you're going to preach God's judgment then preach the other half too, that is that you can be forgiven if you seek forgiveness and repent of your sin! Judgment covers half of the story, but love covers it all.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins as we forgive all those who have sinned against us. Help us to teach of your love and to know your love in our own lives. Let us show your love to all those we come in contact with. In Jesus name. A-men!
God bless