Monday, February 1, 2010

WARNING SIGNS


I came across a scripture that God revealed to me a few years back. It was during the time I had just met someone and we were in the very beginning stages of dating. The scripture was 2 Timothy 3:1-9 There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women… always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Doesn’t really get any clearer than that! This was God’s warning to me about this particular man, but I didn’t take heed. When I read it again I just fell to my knees and wept. I felt so sorry and ashamed for not listening to my Father in heaven. I was so foolish. I know God has already forgiven me of my disobedience, but sometimes I think I haven’t forgiven myself. I sometimes have a tendency to beat myself up. I just don’t ever want to ignore God’s voice and not yield to His warning signs, ever again! And the thought of how much God loves me is so overwhelming at times. He is always there to protect us, guide us, always looking out for our best interest, and yet why do we time and time again, ignore His voice? We desire more the desires of our flesh, rather than God’s desire for us.

When you read the scriptures, especially the Old Testament, God was always giving His people (The Israelites) warning signs. He was doing miracles and wonders right before their very eyes, providing food and shelter everyday, and they still doubted, they still complained and disobeyed Him. It took the Israelites forty years before they entered the promise land, and yet they were just a few miles away the entire time. I guess it’s our human nature, but unfortunately we suffer the consequences of our rebellion. It happened in the garden of Eden when God said to man, “Do NOT partake of this tree or you shall surely die.” That was the warning “you shall surely die” and we still chose death instead of life. We are in this life because we chose separation from our Creator who gave us everything.

Genesis 2:15-17 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Now, we are living in this fleshly body with blood running through our veins (Genesis 3:21&22) which makes it even harder to make the right choices in life. We are continually battling between the desires of our flesh and the Spirit of God living inside of us.
Galatians 5:16-18 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Even Paul, one of Jesus disciples struggled with this. He writes in Romans 7 - I do not understand my own actions. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. He continues to say, when I want to do good, evil lies close at hand. My inner being delights in God's law, but I see another waging war against my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

It isn’t that God doesn’t want us to have things, but He knows that there are certain things we are not ready for. It’s for our own protection. If I had listened to God’s word, I could have saved myself two years of a relationship that only led to heartache and pain, and off the path of God’s will for my life. Time and time again, God showed me plenty of signs or “red flags” but I wanted things my way, rather then trusting that God knows what’s best for me and what’s not. I know some will say, “oh it’s okay, your heart was in the right place, you were hopeful and just wanted it to work.” Yes, that’s true, but I still suffered the consequences of my actions. The bottom line is that I ignored God’s voice. There is no other excuse. The good thing is that through it all, I’ve learned that God’s better, is SO much better than what we think is better.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

When I am reminded of these things from the past, it’s not to make me feel guilty, because there is no condemnation in Christ. I believe that it’s just God reminding me how much He loves me and that His grace and mercy endure forever. There is nothing that I can do that will cause him to love me any less or any more than he already does. A dear friend of mine bought me a book titled A Perfect Mess. The timing couldn’t have been more appropriate. It doesn’t matter how many times I mess things up, God is always right there to build me up. That’s what His forgiveness is all about. That’s what Jesus is all about.

Psalm 40: 1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

God literally rescued me from a relationship that was leading me down a path of destruction. Sometimes we may not have the strength of our own will to get out of that hole. As soon as we recognize it, all we have to do is cry out to Jesus for help. He will instantly yank you out of the pit! It may be painful. You may feel like your heart is broken into pieces, but He always gives us a way out. In my case, it had to hurt for me to wake up! But, I am so thankful God rescued me, no matter what it took. He has picked up my broken pieces and has healed my heart and soul. I am so thankful that our God is in the restoration business. If you are in a pit, just call out His name. I guarantee He will rescue you, too. He did it for King David, He did it for me, and He will do it for you, because He loves you so much.

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside
quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.


What is God warning you of, and are you listening?