Posts filed under ‘Emotional virtue’
King Ahab and Jezebel, Part 7
There was not only no national salvation for Israel on its way as a result of God’s victory at Mt. Carmel. Elijah now faced a new problem, one that he probably did not expect. In this case, as we read, Jezebel wasted no time. She quickly sent a message to Elijah saying that he would be dead by that time on the next day. No sign of repentance on her part! Imagine watching or seeing 450 prophets of the god you worship get cut down by the sword after losing a very decisive and clear battle between the false god of Baal and the only true God, Jehovah. I get the feeling Ahab was hoping for such a response from her because he wasn’t man enough to do it himself. Yep, he wanted Jezebel to fight this battle for him.
King Ahab and Jezebel, Part 6
Elijah’s was a prayer to God and a mini-sermon to the people of Israel. The saddest part is that this entire scene should not have been necessary, but the people had fallen out of favor where God was concerned because of their penchant for idolatry and wanting to “fit in” with the people around them. Because of this, they literally cast the God of Abraham away from them and then wondered why trouble seemed to dog their footsteps. Gideon had this same problem in Judges 6. It’s because the people took their eyes off of God and slowly began to incorporate false gods into the mix, eventually fully pushing out Jehovah. It didn’t happen overnight. It took a bit of time. Because of that, the people could kid themselves into thinking that they were clueless as to why God seemed so silent and distant.
King Ahab and Jezebel, Part 5
During the event at Mt. Carmel, Elijah allows himself a moment or two to even poke fun at the prophets. On one hand, we can understand his sarcasm (v. 27; where Elijah “mocks” the prophets), yet on the other hand, this may have ultimately caused problems for Elijah within himself. Sarcasm at its root, is a form of arrogance. I must admit that I myself have had to deal with this within. In times past, I have been cutting to the bone and have gone for the proverbial jugular during a disagreement. I have been guilty of doing the exact opposite of what the Scriptures in many places tell us how to respond, where a soft answer would have turned away anger, my sarcasm simply made things worse. I’ve had to apologize to people because of it.
King Ahab and Jezebel, Part 3
Imagine being Elijah. Jezebel’s domineering demeanor and King Ahab’s cowardice toward Jezebel (whom he began to treat and run to as if she were his mother), and hatred toward God, brought about Baal worship in Israel big time. Jehovah’s prophets were scared for their lives, with some compromising their faith in God by kowtowing to Ahab in order to retain their positions. Others withdrew and hid in caves to be out of harm’s way.
King Ahab and Jezebel, Part 2
Such was King Ahab, who possibly without realizing it (but being just as culpable), ended up sided with Satan, and because of the overbearing personality of Jezebel and the fact that Ahab had little to no fight in him, Ahab continually opposed God’s purposes. Because of this and as is usually the case, Jezebel didn’t stop at simply ensuring that the worship of Baal was established throughout Israel. Eventually, she wanted to completely stamp out the worship of Jehovah.
Christians and Civic Responsibilities
For me, the reality is very simple. Regardless of who wins the Oval Office, Satan’s plan for world domination will continue unabated. He will get what he wants because God is allowing that to happen. That’s the only reason he will get what he wants, but please note that even there, Satan is playing right into God’s hands and God will hold Satan up to ridicule to the entire Creation, which will then be forced to recognize there is only one God, one Almighty, one Most High. Not only will Satan be forced to reckon it, but this evil world will also see it and be forced to accept it. That’s what this whole thing is all about.
So What Should We Do With Donald Trump?
What is most interesting and shows exactly how many on the left truly think is the way WikiLeaks is being hounded and vilified. In essence, they have released personal emails to the public. Legal minds can argue whether what they did is legal or illegal, but the information is out there in spite of that. It shows a corrupt DNC system that will do just about anything to bring opponents down; opponents like Bernie and Trump. This isn’t new as this type of corruption has been around since the Old Testament times. It is, unfortunately, part of the fabric of humanity due to our fallen natures and people willing to give into it.
Increasing Persecution of Christians in the UK and Europe
The times are becoming more difficult for all people, but especially for Christians, because I believe God is allowing Satan to gain dominion over this world for the coming seven years known as the Tribulation/Great Tribulation. It will kick off when one man steps onto the world’s stage and brokers a peace agreement with Israel and the surrounding Arab nations (Daniel 9:27). That man – the Antichrist – will eventually rise to the top of the heap and will be allowed (by God) to rule this entire planet for seven years. Ultimately, it will be Satan ruling through Antichrist, who is really Satan’s spiritual son. In that sense then, Satan will fulfill, to some degree, his promises he made to himself (yet God heard because of His sovereignty and omniscience), that he would become “like the Most High,” (Isaiah 14:14).
An Ill Wind Has Arrived
There is a global malaise developing throughout the world, created by Satan and his minions, and aided by the strong delusion that God will send. I personally believe that the delusion is blanketing this globe as it would appear that Satan is in the final stages of putting all the pieces together to build his global one-world kingdom that God is allowing him to build. This is taking its toll on the lost and more and more people will begin to experience what the person I’ve quoted above is experiencing. They have no hope without God in Christ.
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