Accusing God

Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” Matthew 26:59‭-‬61 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.26.59-61.NKJV

Here is the most embarrassing moment in all of history.

From the time of the serpent in the Garden, lies have been spoken about God.

Genesis 3:1 NKJV — Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

Genesis 3:2 NKJV — And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
Genesis 3:4 NKJV

And so entered sin into humanity with the taking of the fruit.

Many heinous and deplorable acts of wickedness have occurred since that moment.

Yet, this trial of Jesus is the lowest point of mankind.

The creation was prosecuting their own Creator.

But lies wouldn’t stand, they couldn’t condemn Him on falsehood, no matter how much they tried.

So, instead they accused and convicted Him on the truth.

But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “ It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Matthew 26:63‭-‬64 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.26.63-64.NKJV

How ironic, God’s own creation, plotted and schemed, to accuse and convict God for being Himself.

Why?

For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3:5 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.3.5.NKJV

Because our sinful nature wants to be God ourselves.

And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
Genesis 11:4 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.11.4.NKJV

Mankind wants to make a name for themselves, instead of being called by God’s.

People want to live lives unto their own desires.

Thus, when faced with God in flesh, mankind choose to crucify Him.

If one is honest with themselves, and observant of others, we can easily see the accusations and falsehoods have not stopped.

“If God is so loving why all these wars, famine, and death?”

“If there is a God, He must not care about anyone, look at the mess we are in!”

“If God is truly all knowing and all powerful why didn’t He stop that?!“

Since the beginning, we have blamed God for our sin.

Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to  be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:12 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.3.12.NKJV

But the incredible thing about this is what God did through the accusations.

Jesus allowed Himself to be convicted and punished for being Himself.

Then, after dieing for all sin, He rose again and gave us a way to be saved.

Genesis 50:20 NKJV — “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

What a wonderful holy God, Who loves in such a way!

To turn lies aside and use the truth to set us free from sin and death!

2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV — who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Romans 8:28 NKJV — And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for being the Son of God. Thank You for Your sacrifice and for using our accusations to show us Who You are. Lord, too often our pride and rebellion towards You causes us pain, confusion, and misunderstanding. Lord, please help us to humble ourselves, confess our sins and be made new. Please help us to relinquish our own ideas, our desires, even our dreams into Your hands, that we might follow Your perfect will as the bond servants we are called to be. Lord, please help us to discern lies from the truth. Help us to walk with You daily in humility and in surrender. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Patiently

The end of a thing is better than its beginning;
The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecc. 7:8 NKJV

Do we believe this?

Do our lives reflect this truth?

Is a funeral really better than a wedding?

It can be.

Look at Billy and Ruth Graham as an example.

When both died, many people mourned their loss, but the legacy of love, marriage, family, and most importantly, devotion to God has been left as an imprint in the fabric of history.

Yes, their end was better than their beginning.

Their lives reflected the hand of God.

And there are many other people God has done the same through.

People who followed this verse:

“eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;” Romans 2:7 NKJV

People whose lives inspire others to live unto the Lord, to be diligent in their walk each and every day.

Men and women who are servants of God, not full of pride or self importance, but truly looking to serve with gladness where ever and how ever God chooses.

Truly it is better to be patient than proud.

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7 NKJV

Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Psalms 100:2 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. It is full of such life and truth and wisdom. Please let my heart be open to Your Words and help me to walk in them. Lord, I want to have my end be better than my beginning. Lord, I want to be patient, serving You with gladness wherever You call me, however You choose. Lord, I want to be humble; not proud, not haughty, not mean, not angry, but instead full of love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self control. Lord, I know all these things come from You alone. Please, help me to walk in Your ways and teach me these things. Thank You, Jesus. I love You. Amen.

Beginning again

School is over.

At least the scheduled,
organized,
class – room school.

And as the summer stretches before us,
I find myself feeling a sense of beginning.

Not a release from tasks or a dropping of To Do.

Instead a breath.

A chance to slow down.

The opportunity to let myself
get a fresh perspective.

It’s almost like a birth.

So much unknown yet the moment is too important not to savor.

What plans and errands and tasks and work which awaits these months of break are yet unknown.

However I have been praying for the chance to reconnect and refresh with my family, friends, but mostly my Heavenly Father.

As much as I want to spend time with the Lord, it’s never enough.

So as I watch the rosebuds unfold in my garden,
as the schedule and lists unfold in my day,
I plan to cling to the understanding of new beginnings.

What new beginning does the summer hold for you?