If You Do Well

In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:3-7

How could we talk about offerings without mentioning Cain and Abel and their story? Cain brought offerings of fruit. Now, I had to admit I went back and reread this, while Abel gave the firstborn of the flock, there is a lot of wisdom here and spiritual revelation that I don’t want us to miss.

We know that Ephesians 2:8 tells us we are saved by grace and not works. Cain offered works, perhaps even second best works, he could have eaten the best and given God the leftovers. Like we are known by our fruit, Cain was angry and jealous, and God’s question was simple really, if you do well, won’t you be accepted? He saw His heart, the bitterness and hatred toward his brother, it was a lot more than competition and sibling rivalry.

Abel offered up a lamb most likely, his offering was acceptable and God was pleased you have to remember that they too were under the grace of God, there was no law yet, God spoke to people and would send angels. Jesus, for believers is  once and for all sacrifice, and He too knows hearts, you cannot abuse grace.

We know the rest of the story, I can imagine Cain as a wanderer and a vagabond running around like the madman in the tombs, he was the first murderer, you know the devil was from the beginning, his jealousy of Christ has caused trouble from the start. And yet, God made some provision for Cain, He is full of mercy and grace, but He will not always strive with people, so what we offer should be the best we can do, and really Jesus is our offering and we should be so grateful.

An angry and jealous brother killed his, and denied it to God, ” Am I my brother’s keeper? ” And this according to my research was a gruesome murder, I read in some text I can’t recall that he was killed with a weapon that nearly decapitated him, if that is the case, it was doubly heinous, it was the first and a beheading.

Jesus was offered in a most cruel manner as a sacrifice for us, and was and is God’s own Son, He is good enough to cover anyone who believes but never condones any of these actions and knows hearts, He will prune and harvest souls that are pure in heart, not people who think grace allows you to just say you believe and keep willfully sinning. If we know Jesus we don’t want to. He knows we can make mistakes and forgives but there is quite a difference.

Cain could have been angry and not killed his brother. I do feel sorry for Abel, he may not have ever known what was about to happen. Adam and Eve had a rotten apple didn’t they? It is why people should always bless their children as believers, but if you have a spoiled one or bratty one, ask God to help you with discipline. We are living in times where love is waxing cold and children turn against their parents, authority and siblings, even God. Life is sacred and too short to bicker and quibble.

If you do well, He accepts you. And Jesus, our Lamb, will save the lost by grace and your heart will change.

Rebecca Jones  Mari-jana1 / Pixabay

Offerings Of Thanksgiving

I can hardly believe it is almost November, it has been cooler here, but still a few warm days. Truthfully, we have had very little really cold weather in a long time. I can get by with a sweater or jacket but I love boots.

And I have to admit that Thanksgiving was not always my favorite holiday, cooking, then people eat and leave or head out to those early black Friday sales. You know you have lots of cleaning up to do, the overeating jokes, the catching up with people that sometimes really don’t know you, even if you are related, dealing a with children’s table, you know the drill, and leftovers and more left overs. Georgia is know for pecans, but one piece of pecan pie year is enough for me.

But what about thanksgiving offerings, yes, there were offerings of thanksgiving made. And I suppose that is one of the problems I had with Thanksgiving, not as a day to be thankful or a feast day of sorts but because, if Christmas has been commercialized, Thanksgiving has been hijacked, Why?

Let’s look at the Greek word, eucharisteo, I got a lot of guff over taking Communion at home but that is Thanksgiving. As compared to the Hebrew, yadah, to bless, raise up, ( a cup or Communion ) even to speak together praise, it can have a meaning or a song as well.

Go ahead and eat and have a great time with family and friends but offer some thanksgiving to God, everyday. Let’s look at some verses.

The cup of the blessing that we bless — is it not the fellowship of the blood of the Christ? the bread that we break — is it not the fellowship of the body of the Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16

If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I spoken evil of for what I give thanks for? 1 Corinthians 10:30

For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

And Ephesians 5:4, even mentions losing jesting and bad language, and instead thanksgiving. We all know what a bunch of relatives can look like getting together, I have seen so many women sit in panic of what a husband will say. And really, they should have fed them before they got to dinner. And then there are those who eat at home and then join you too. I think people are really missing the point of Thanksgiving, we should be grateful for our food, homes, health and freedom, and the many blessings of God.

So we can see how thanksgiving, the true kind corresponds to offerings, and to Jesus, even with Communion. So, let’s read some other verses from the Old Testament, realizing, that Jesus was our offering and sacrifice and we need no other, God wants obedience not sacrifice.

The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart. Obey me, and I, your God, will show my power to save. Psalm 50:23

I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:22

I will bring you a thanksgiving offering and call on the name of the LORD! Psalm 116:17

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. Hebrews 13:15, is what I leave you with as a visual, this is true Thanksgiving.

I hope we all have a blessed and joyful holiday. Go ahead and eat, have dessert, enjoy family and friends but don’t forget to set a place at your table for Jesus and offer Him Thanksgiving.

Rebecca Jones Pedram Normohamadian / Unsplash

Offering Answers

Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise. Proverbs 26:5

Ever have to deal with disagreeable people? it can be tough. I have had people twist my words, try to put them in my mouth, say I said one thing when I said another. I have talked drug addicts, apparently  to no avail. That is not my idea of fun or God’s. And He knows hearts, truth and lies.

God has all the answers, when we only have natural ones and the spiritual ones He gives us, the true common sense ones. He offers answers in His Word, in the Spirit and in rhema words that are personal, and sometimes through others but some answers we may just not need to know, just to be glad that He does. And that He is merciful and loving, and gives us unmerited favor as believers.

I have to tell you I do more good teaching believers and praying for the sick. I always tell people that their addicted children have to want to change. God moves when He sees sincerity, a broken heart and contrite spirit, He knows by the Holy Spirit how to bring someone into conviction, and ultimately forgiveness, and then to not condemn them, I suppose we have all done that to ourselves and others, but He never does, He may remind us of things, where we have come from, but it is not where we are going. He offers answers, and gives us grace.

I don’t people let fool me, their words locate them, and their actions. No one is fooling God.  I try to answer with wisdom, but I don’t have all the answers, I just know the one who does, and that has to suffice. So much for the accusers who think I either don’t know what I am talking about or think I am better.

When hearts are not right or receptive, we don’t receive our answers or He can speak them and we will ignore or not recognize them. I try to keep an open mind and heart, that doesn’t mean I agree with everything or everyone or even approve of some the things they do, while others may be fine and helpful, God is the judge.

Instead of telling people what not to do, I like to tell them about sthe love of Jesus, grace is not doing what you want to. If you are a believer, you are bought and paid with a price, the price of His blood. I hate when people who know what you believe challenge you, think you are lying if they see you ill as you profess His healing. God call the dead to life, things that be not as though they were. Is He foolish? Are you foolish to copy Him? To be obedient? Aren’t you ignoring the answers He gives you if you don’t?

The gospel is to be preached in season and out. Your answers can be yes and no. You can explain it or speak the truth in love. I am a better intercessor in most cases, even with some believers. How you answers  can stir up anger or change a heart, but it can also stir your anger or break your heart. I have been there too many times, and yet, He wants me to shine and has blessed my words.

Learn how answer to correctly, let the Spirit teach you wisdom and discernment, so that you will not be perceived as foolish but profound. And the people who think you are foolish still, won’t matter anyway, leave them to heaven. Let me help you. I had an issue, older people will automatically think they know more  believer or not, or at least, some will.

I hate because children can work a phone better but that is another story, I am not despising youth or wisdom, but the foolishness, yes. The arrogance and wickedness, yes. But as for my own situation, the Spirit spoke into my spirit to say, ” that’s not your decision. ” to some who just assumed they could do better. Will it always be that clear? Perhaps not. But why not? the Spirit is our Helper.

Some people are just determined to prate, prattle, or natter. It is all flumadiddle, meaning to talk incessantly. It is foolish. Don’t answer foolish people and appear foolish letting them think themselves wise or even superior. Even if you are right. Never put yourself in danger. There is wisdom, a time to speak and to be silent. A time to offer answers and a time to, well, just hold onto them for a better time, and just maybe, to seek your own. Let God be God and offer answers.

Rebecca Jones  Ali Pazani / Unsplash

Offering Verses

Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.  Genesis 22:2

And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God. Leviticus 23:28

Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the LORD; from each its best part is to be dedicated. Numbers 18:29

But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 7:22

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He Has put Him to grief: when you shall make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed. Isaiah 53:10

For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. Psalm 51:16

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18

Truly I tell you, He said, this poor widow has put in more than all the others .    Luke 21:1-3

God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. Romans 3:25

Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ( or reasonable service ) Romans 12:1

For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh….. Romans 8:3

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace…..Ephesians 1:7.

If sacrifices were good enough, they would have stopped, but they didn’t. Only Jesus was the acceptable sacrifice. His body was that shadow. Colossians 2:7

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Hebrews 10:1

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for me. Hebrews 10:4

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:12-14

These are a few, if not most  or all, of the verses from posts so far. I hope they are a helpful reminder to us al las to the great sacrifice of Christ. That alone is visual enough.

Rebecca Jones  Vadym Lebedych / Unsplash

Offering Crowns

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Revelation 3:11 ( to take )

Think it can’t happen, read on. It happened to those opposing God.

Now, however, You have spurned and rejected Him; You are enraged by Your anointed one. You have renounced the covenant with Your servant and sullied his crown in the dust. Psalm 89:39

You have made his splendor to cease and cast his throne to the ground. Psalm 89:44

As opposed to…

You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. Psalm 21:3

And in Revelation 4: 10, 11, we have the four and twenty elders prostrate, casting their crowns at His feet. We will likely do the same as we get to heaven and see the Lord. He really is the only one worthy. Crowns are some of the many rewards to believers, and there are various kinds, including soul winners and martyrs.

And I looked and saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was One like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. Revelation 14:14

But I can tell you that my personal belief is that the are more types than the ones we read about and are familiar with, for instance He crowns us with lovingkindness, tender mercies and wore a crown of thorns for our peace, so in effect, He changed our crown of thorns for His crown of peace as we were crucified with Him, He took our place. He may actually fashion our crowns Himself, or oversee the workmanship of them, silver, gold, jewels.

He also can crown us with glory, the Hebrew word kavod, or what is known as shekinah glory. And is a crown that encompasses us from head to toe, what Adam and Eve would have had before the fall. It would be like a canopy, a golden glow some might call an aura but we know it is His glory and glory often is interchanged with splendor.

And of course every believes who overcomes will receive the crown of life.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

And Proverbs 12:4 calls a wife of noble character a crown to her husband.

But the basic teaching is five crowns, life that we just read, Incorruptible Crown as opposed to temporal, 1 Corinthians 9:25, Crown of Righteousness for believers who have intimacy with God.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

The Crown of Glory for shepherds or pastors who have faithfully served and been a good example. 1 Peter 5:4

And lastly, the Crown of Rejoicing or soul winners crown because angels rejoice over sinners being saved.1 Thessalonians 2:19 and Philippians 4:1

But whether you believe there are five or how every many, don’t let anyone take it. Hold on tightly to your crown, even if it is only one, so you can toss it at His feet. He is coming!  Hold fast!

Rebecca Jones  Alice Alimara / Unsplash

And a couple of more.

You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 62:3

She (wisdom ) will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty. Proverbs 4:9

crown Hebrew feminine atarah  Greek diadem

 

Closet Christians

Are you a closet Christian? I suppose I have been at times, though I can be pretty outspoken. In a day when everything is out there and open to interpretation, people are shutting off their professions of faith either to live and let live or to not get involved.

Some are being hurt by rude comments as they share over social media, I have been blessed there, not too many, most are kind and very encouraging. I always pray for the right people to read or share it. There are those you cannot reason with, even carry on a civil conversation with, I have to avoid people who only understand loud and crude, I hate that. A lot of people are offended because they think they know everything already or are a Christian and have been for years, an almost, ” How dare you? ” type thing.

I have written about having a teachable Spirit, the Holy Spirit will help you if you let Him. A lot of times I found out that what I thought in the natural was wrong or someone was not telling it right, even more so with the supernatural. Basic Christian morals have been tossed out of society, and a lot of believers are now Closet Christians.

And that’s not a bad thing, to be in your prayer closet, taking on requests and believing God for things that only He could do, just make sure you don’t surrender to compromising your beliefs either. I have told people my opinion, and let it go, still being as nice as I could, hate the sin love the sinner.  And that can be hard to do.

I have had quite a few arguments, had to avoid drug users. You can’t mix drugs and Christianity or witchcraft and Christianity, God’s love will not fail, especially in the end times, when He comes to judge. He will decide and separate the wheat, the true believers in Jesus from the tares, the one who really don’t know Him and sow deceit.

We have to be careful to let Him guard our hearts and to watch our mouths, there are times to speak up and times to be silent, you will hear Him in those times of quiet, being still in the prayer closet. He will give us peace and protection. I pray for people all the time, some may be lost, some are under spiritual attack, some are just misguided.

And you will run across a few who just will not listen, who insist on their own way. Some people will not change. As believers we can bend but not break, He is not going to hurt the bruised reed. Jesus is about love and tenderness, and He knows hearts so let Him help you in the prayer closet or out shining for Him.

The world is in turmoil and is being shaken, He doesn’t want our faith to be. What others say, the enemy’s lies, all the false accusations, whatever people are doing against your testimony and victory, He will make a way, and it is not a bad thing to be a prayer warrior or Closet Christian in that respect.

He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. This is the New Living Translation of Isaiah 42:3, Jesus quoted it in Matthew 12:20.

So stay in the prayer closet, the literal one and the one that exists in the mind and heart. Prayer closet, yes, some say you need a war room, perhaps, but He fights if we can be still, Exodus 14:14, and Jesus certainly defeated him on the cross, a fallen angels had no power, don’t allow it and God won’t. He had won the war is over. And the Prince of Peace is coming.

Rebecca Jones  Devostock

So Much To Offer

We are about to close our series on offerings, but I had to include a post for women who don’t think they have much to offer, in order to do that we will look at the widow’s mite, here is the story.

Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others “. Luke 21:1-3

These coins had been struck in that day and were the smallest, they were at best, the equivalent of only a fourth or half of a farthing, one cent at the most. I have a couple myself, that are copies, they are smaller than dimes but brown like a penny. It made me wonder if that is where the expression ” putting your two cents worth in came from. ” Really, these coins would have been an unacceptable offering to the treasury, but Jesus saw her heart.

Being a widow, doesn’t automatically mean she was old, and the adjective poor only indicates that she was needy as opposed to a beggar. We just don’t get the whole story which is why I write stories about Bible women and often give them a name when they are not even named in the Bible, just as a teaching tool to to relate.

So this woman, whomever she was and whatever she did, whether it was all she had left after buying food for her children or all she had been paid to do someone’s laundry. She gave it and it was all she had, so it made her offering greater, than those paying a tithe or a tenth, they were rich and had it to spare, and God honors tithes but He also blesses those cheerful givers, she did not say she needed to hold onto it, she gave it all.

Jesus took notice of this woman and bothered to mention it, don’t you know she was probably blessed beyond measure after that. I have to think so and she didn’t think she had anything to offer. I thought that about myself many years ago, but God saw different and showed me what He saw in me, and He will you too. Don’t discount yourself because of income, education, or background, you are worth many sparrows as a child of the Most High God.

Jesus sacrificed His life, offered up Himself on a cross for you, He poured out His very soul. So, if you think you have nothing to offer Him think again. If you are a believer, He is thinking of  you, with many thoughts and good plans, the enemy will try to deceive you, that you are worthless, that nobody cares, even if that were true, Jesus does, He will come to us and not leave neither widows nor orphans.

So maybe you have a lot of money and can support charities, and causes that benefit others. Do it, and offer it in love. Or maybe, you are average, living paycheck to paycheck, find out what you have to offer and do it in love. It may not be money, but some of your time because it is a valuable thing, you don’t get it back, but you can redeem it and God certainly can, He will not waste anything done in love. Even if you are homebound, an invalid, you can offer prayers, pray for His peace for yourself and others to receive it.

I pray to walk in it. It is a gift. You can phone people, take prayer requests, or  visit the sick, lay hands on them if God directs you too, and since a lot of people are in quarantine and panicked at the Covid outbreak, and I am not taking it lightly, use social media, speak healing and peace to others, make them laugh if you can.

I encouraged a new blogger the other day, not to be worried that she had only a few readers. God takes small things, like fish and loaves and even mites and multiplies them. Let that visual be yours today. Do you bake cookies, cakes or pies? Stay home or run a corporation? He will bless it. Teach children? He will bless it. Write books, take pictures? Whatever you do no matter how large or small, He will bless it all.  You may not think so, but you, as a believer and Daughter of the King have so much to offer.

Rebecca Jones Nastya Gepp / Pixabay

Jesus, My Atonement

We recently had the Day of Atonement back in September known as Yom Kippor, Jesus is our High Priest, and no doubt, He enters the Holy of Holies on that sacred day. The Jews believe that our names are inscribed and can be blotted out, whereas Christians believe they are written in the Book of Life at salvation.

It is an interesting though though that Jesus would have our names written there and no blot them out until the last moment when someone had refused His love for the last time. It is also said that He decides our New Year, He decides the righteous and unrighteous, all those feast days and celebrations have passed in August and September, and even into October we have the knowledge of His sacrifice and that He is our once and for all offering. His blood covers us all forever as a believer.

Perhaps you are familiar with the scapegoat. While Jesus was the Lamb of God and crucified at Passover, He was also made the scapegoat, Barrabas was guilty but He was innocent. The High Priest would lay his hands on one of two goats in the Old Testament, transferring sin to it. That goat would be taken off and pushed down a cliff, when the goad was dead, the red thread on the door of the temple would turn white, and everyone knew it, sin was forgiven, let’s read the verse that alludes to.

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18

And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God. Leviticus 23:28

God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. Romans 3:25

Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace…..Ephesians 1:7.

I could have done this post earlier for Yom Kippor, the Day of Atonement, but I had thought of October Offerings later, but His blood is always relevant, the Spirit decides a lot of times and gifts and seasons for us. And we we did not have to work for salvation and atonement, it is a gift.

I am so grateful, that He was and is my atonement, I sacrificed a lot and for nothing in many ways, though not like a lamb, I can’t even comprehend Him giving His life, and in such a cruel way, can you? Let make the temple door our visual are you forgiven? Then we are white as snow, in a robe of His righteousness.

Rebecca Jones Giada / Unsplash

Offering Wisdom

I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. Ecclesiastes 7:25

There is a lot of wisdom in Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, throughout the Bible. Isn’t this a great verse, as believers we should be searching out wisdom and understanding. Wickedness is stupid any way you look out it. How many lives are destroyed because of wickedness? And yet, we have the very answer in our hands as we read the Word of God, but sometimes, it is on a shelf overlooked and ignored, and sadly in our hearts and minds and ignored. Many have become offended, afraid to speak the truth, accused of hatred, but we must not allow the enemy of our souls to destroy them, not when Jesus offers wisdom, by the Word and by the Spirit.

Drugs, greed, jealousy. wickedness. Stupidity. A loss and waste of life. Children and young people are in desperate need to know and be taught right from wrong, at an early age. I have to believe everyone must know in some innate way. Society and environment do play a part, the mad man in the tombs and Mary Magdalene were both from or near wicked towns. But that doesn’t necessarily made you bad.

Atlanta is a big city with a high crime rate  but it didn’t cause me to get into trouble. The only trouble I had was against me as a believer and I learned to let Jesus take care of that. You do have to submit to God and then resist the devil. Children sometimes have little resistance to bad behavior. I have seen eight years olds go bonkers and follow the lead of a disruptive four year old. It is no different with teens, young adults and even some old people. The enemy goes from person to person, seeking to devour.

I could get into trouble calling people stupid or crazy, but read the verse. Wickedness is stupid and foolishness is madness. It is time to stop being wicked or foolish. To stop being driven into depression, anger, fear. It is time to put on the armor of God and ask His help to defeat the wickedness in high places, to tear down the strongholds. To come into the obedience of Christ through His Spirit. That is grace. His love, His joy, and His peace, seeking Him with all our heart and soul, He offers wisdom, He was and is our once and for all offering.

There is coming a time during the Great Tribulation when wickedness will abound, even more than now. It will be hard for people to be saved and you do not want people to take that mark if they are left when Jesus comes for the church. This is a warning for them. Though He will return and defeat the Antichrist, He will have to turn many into hell.

Now, that is foolishness, to go to hell forever, for a few years of drugs, greed or lust. Whatever keeps you from the love of Jesus. Search out wisdom, for yourself and your family. Nothing will ever separate you from His love as a believer. Wickedness can be anything from lying to murder, corruption in politics or churches. But He offers wisdom, what to keep or throw away, when to be silent or to speak up.

Don’t let wickedness deceive you or ignore what is foolishness. it is time to walk away, repent, and be ready for Jesus, searching out His wisdom by the Spirit. It is something God gives freely, another blessing and offering from the Lord.

Can you visualize God giving you wisdom? I can. What does you r wisdom look like, and what changes will you make? It is up to you.

Rebecca Jones   Peyman Farmani / Unsplash

Is it snowing where you live? It rarely snows here.

Offering Up Isaac

We all know the story. God called Abraham out of Ur, a town full of idol worshipers, then He promised he and Sarah a son. They were old, but people lived longer, so perhaps, the were middle aged or seniors, or maybe even young by that standard, though I have heard about Sarah being wrinkled, she was taken prisoner in Egypt, even if she was past child bearing years, God promised. And she must have been beautiful even as older woman.

And not only a son but that his descendants would be as the number of stars. That’s a lot of great, great, greats. But they had a slave, possibly even the daughter of Pharoah or someone high ranking in the palace, Hagar. When the promise didn’t come fast enough, Sarah decided to help out and sent him in to Hagar. To his credit, he refused at first, but she did bear a son and was then overstepping her place and ended up pregnant, out of water, in the desert, when she meets Jesus, as the Angel of the Lord and refers to Him as, El Roi, the God who sees.

She was saved from death, told to go back and submit to Sarah and promised a son, since he was to be a wild man and against everyone, they were expelled later. All that brings us to the son of promise, Isaac. He is a type of Christ in the Old Testament, his name means laughter, Sarah laughed as Jesus, again as the Angel of the Lord promised him, and Jesus is our joy. He was the promised child to Mary.

Isaac is often depicted as being a boy or a young man, but he obeyed his father, carried the wood, and was about to be a burnt offering. Abraham was certain God could raise him from the dead, and the angel stopped him. The Angel of the Lord that called from heaven, was that Jesus?

He was the one to be sacrificed and offered as a once and for all sacrifice. Imagine, being asked to sacrifice your son, He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you. ” Genesis 22:2, that would be a difficult choice to make would it not but Abraham passed the test and God did provide a ram, and the lamb was to be His own Son.

I have often thought of Isaac, he had to be willing, he could have out run the old man, fought back as a grown one, we have no idea his age. To be offered as a burnt offering, even though the Jews had strict laws about killing, even for food, it is a story of beauty for ashes and that is what the story of Jesus is.

God may have stayed the hand of Abraham, but He did not spare His son for us, nor with hold any good thing, it just may be that there is a better plan and time. Jesus was born and died at just the right time. Human sacrifice was unacceptable to God, yet, His Son was the only one worthy to take our place and atone.

We may try to bargain with God, even offer up our own Isaac. I thought God may not have wanted me to be a write at one point in my life, He is in control and He can do better that we can ever think or hope for.

I’m not going to ask you to picture giving your child up or anything like that, just know that God did, His Son, given to Mary by the Spirit, still virginal, He allowed a seed to grow in her womb, that became Jesus, and we know that seeds die in the ground. sometimes, He protects us in a good darkness, and are to produce much fruit, and we are the fruit of the Spirit, His fruit and children, all because Jesus was our burnt offering.

Rebecca Jones Vania Raposo / Pixabay