Return to me, and I will return to you

Return to me, and I will return to you. That is the message in the first part of Malachi 3.

Way before the Lord speaks about the tithe in the latter part of Malachai 3, the Word speaks of Christ coming. This Messiah does not seem to be all cuddly here. In fact, it states quite plainly that He will refine, purify, those who seek to offer sacrifices so that they will be righteous before God.

When this happens, it states that God will act. But you have to go back to Isaiah 58 to understand how to get into this acceptable place of acceptable sacrifice.

True fasting is found in Isaiah 58. The definition of fasting has been obscured by traditions of men- just as God revealed through the prophet Isaiah. God desired that each of us walk humbly with God, and:

* Repent of sin (turn away from being in any state that keeps us from a close relationship with God. “God, I am sorry. I want to do things your way.”)

The next action requires complete submission to God as you need to be willing to be a spiritual warrior (if you are a follower of Christ, you will know what I mean).

* Loosen the bonds of wickedness (Now “wicked” is not good, it is cruel evil- when someone is attacked by a cruel evil, we are to help that person under attack. In fact, God tells us so many times not to be wicked. If you follow Christ, you are to do what you can – in action and in prayer. This is part of an acceptable sacrifice, part of an active fast)

*Break every bondage (Bondage is anything that has a hold on you- it might be drugs or another kind of addiction, but it may also be emotional bondage- baggage- or even mental bondage.)

*Free the oppressed.

*Divide your food with the hungry.

*Bring the homeless poor into the house. In fact, if you are homeless and your relatives ignore you, Isaiah 58 insinuates that your family members who turned you away are totally out of touch with God, therefore, in sin.

*Clothe the naked.

*Be available to family- do not turn them away. See above.

*Do not accuse anyone. If you accuse, you are doing the same thing that satan does. So, stop it. Yes, we are to reveal the works of evil…but not be an accuser.

*Satisfy the need of the afflicted.

So, it seems to me from this passage that we have a lot of work to do. If you say you are a Christian or a Messianic Jew, and you believe you have no time to act like this as you live out your daily life, check your pulse. You are alive. God gave you life again today. Are you ready to walk humbly with your God?

When lies multiply like flies

Put anything rotten outside in warm weather and you’ll have flies before you know it. Flies are attracted to garbage, just as accusers are attracted to lies. When one rotten morsel is tossed into your path, you know the flies will follow. Flies multiply as the garbage piles up, and lies multiply as rotten lies are piled up.

The Word of God states that spiritual things are discerned by the spiritual. A person in right standing with God knows the truth.

But one who lives a lifestyle of lies cannot discern the truth. Worse yet, liars believe liars. They believe a lie is the truth. Pack several liars together and you have a whole lot of accusations toward those following the truth. It is no wonder that so many businesses and organizations are falling into judgment, simply because they believe liars.

But the liar in his or her heart will say, “So what. Nothing will happen to me.” Just like the mass of Israelites who murmured against God in the wilderness, spreading lies among those called out of the darkness of Egypt. Well, those liars were swallowed up when the ground opened up. I know many people will say: “But..that doesn’t happen today.” Look around you, judgment happens…besides, if it doesn’t happen here, it will happen in God’s own timing.

But this isn’t so much about judgment- which is God’s job, not mine. It is more about those lies spreading like flies. It is more about being aware that a person who has lied to you two or three times will probably lie to you again, and many are so deluded, they actually believe the lies they tell. If you are a child of God, beware…there’s a whole lot of rotten stench out there. Watch where you walk…

The Prez is my shepherd

When leaders abandon righteousness, exchanging it for the law of sin- that nation, hypocritically appealing to God, will neither stand in the place of blessing, nor be spared from the judgment of God. But those who trust in the Lord, who surrender their hearts at His throne, will step through the fire, refined, and walk where no man nor woman can stop them, for the Lord is the One who gives the blessing, not some man or woman.

Those who do not seek God, who cling to The Hope, who worship at the Idol of a man or image built on lies and deception, who relish in his skin color-will sing a song of want, of lack, and of defeat- in the end.

I can hear that “o’ gospel song,” singin’ loud and clear across the land…from the sofas of people collectin’ big checks from the government while those caught on welfare try to escape the trap…while the greedy get richer and the average citizen struggles to keep from falling through the cracks…while the chorus of deceitfulness slams smut across the front of our monitors…small devices…and even the very institutions claiming to promote peace and goodwill toward men and women…

…and still, the simpleheaded sing…

The Prez is my shepherd,

I shall always be in want.

He maketh me to lie down on filthy sheets

He leadeth me beside crumbling streets

He restoreth my soup kitchen bowl.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of fear

Thou art with me.

Thy spies and thy staff they stalk me.

Surely wickedness and depression shall follow me

all the days of thy reign…

and I shall live forever

in the house on the hill…

with no care,

no thought,

and no future.

The time to wake up is now…you’ve been conned.