**Prayer Group Updates!** 
Let's lift up 
A Call to Repentance
¹About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. ²“Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? ³Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. ⁴And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? ⁵No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.” [Luke 13:1-5]
But, in lying, trying to convince God that I am "your idol," as if He, being omniscient, doesn’t already know who your real idols are, you've come out in droves, and turned your backs on me. Yet you compass me about, even when I'm sleeping in the church garden, to sneak the blessing. Houston, God doesn't indwell idols.
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? [2 Corinthians 6-16a]
Your idols have not only confused you, they've got you so afraid that you don't even think you can win a ballgame without following their wicked instructions to "compass me about" [Habakkuk 1:4]. But, you don’t stop there: you also converge on me in the attempt to block your sister city’s teams from their blessing. God's instruction is simply "Be still and know." You see, it's first and foremost about God being exalted, not your teams, and certainly not your idols.
“Are you afraid of these idols? Do they terrify you? Is that why you have lied to me and forgotten me and my words? Is it because of my long silence that you no longer fear me? [Isaiah 57:11]
The Message Bible translation perfectly denotes what's been going on in this city: “Who talked you into the pursuit of this nonsense, leaving me high and dry, forgetting you ever knew me? Because I don’t yell and make a scene, do you think I don’t exist?" [Isaiah 57:11]
I'm your idol? Really?! OK, let's pretend that part is true (it is not); now then, complete the process:
¹About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. ²“Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? ³Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. ⁴And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? ⁵No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.” [Luke 13:1-5]
But, in lying, trying to convince God that I am "your idol," as if He, being omniscient, doesn’t already know who your real idols are, you've come out in droves, and turned your backs on me. Yet you compass me about, even when I'm sleeping in the church garden, to sneak the blessing. Houston, God doesn't indwell idols.
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? [2 Corinthians 6-16a]
Your idols have not only confused you, they've got you so afraid that you don't even think you can win a ballgame without following their wicked instructions to "compass me about" [Habakkuk 1:4]. But, you don’t stop there: you also converge on me in the attempt to block your sister city’s teams from their blessing. God's instruction is simply "Be still and know." You see, it's first and foremost about God being exalted, not your teams, and certainly not your idols.
“Are you afraid of these idols? Do they terrify you? Is that why you have lied to me and forgotten me and my words? Is it because of my long silence that you no longer fear me? [Isaiah 57:11]
The Message Bible translation perfectly denotes what's been going on in this city: “Who talked you into the pursuit of this nonsense, leaving me high and dry, forgetting you ever knew me? Because I don’t yell and make a scene, do you think I don’t exist?" [Isaiah 57:11]
I'm your idol? Really?! OK, let's pretend that part is true (it is not); now then, complete the process:
"Repent and turn away from YOUR sin"
Yes, that part. Otherwise, you are hypocrites. For Jesus himself preached repentance before, and after his death and resurrection. Repentance is grace, but to continue in sin, is to trample on that grace.
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
⁶Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. ⁷Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ ⁸“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. ⁹If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’” [Luke 13:6-9]
Mankind is that fig tree, God is the Owner, and Jesus is the gardner "The One" who provides the loving care, that we may grow to bear the fruit of the Spirit through repentance. Repentance - because we've trampled on God's grace (His patience). And, repentance - because we've mistreated one another, yet somehow arrogantly expect, and even demand God's mercy for ourselves. What amazing grace. And indeed, grace does abound, but Paul sums it up like this.
¹Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? ²Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? [Romans 6:1-2]
Someday the owner will return to reap His harvest...
The Day of the Lord Is Coming
⁸But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. ⁹The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
Therefore, again:
¹Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? ²OF COURSE NOT! [Romans 6:1-2]
Recommended Reading: 2 Peter 3 (whole chapter) & 2 Corinthians 6 (whole chapter). The NLT (New Living Translation) offers plain English understanding.
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