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Justice

Teen Wrongfully Accused For Sexual Assault Sentenced 25 Years To Prison Until God Gave Justice

by Christel Berns November 8, 2022

A teen wrongfully accused of sexually assaulting two boys spent six years in prison until God bought him justice.

Wrongfully Accused For Sexual Assault

Greg Kelley was 18 years old when he became a rising football star in his school at Cedar Park. A great future was ahead of the teen when an unexpected event took away the young man’s dreams.

Photo Courtesy | YouTube – The 700 Club

One day, Greg became a suspect for sexually assaulting two 4-year-old boys. He couldn’t believe he was accused of a crime he had never committed. That’s when the nightmare of his life began.

Apparently, some people pointed at him for committing the assault. Because when the crime happened, he was staying at his best friend’s home, Jonathan McCarty, where the assault occurred. The two had an uncanny resemblance. Later on, he was convicted of the crime he didn’t do and was sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole.

Photo Courtesy | YouTube – The 700 Club

Crying For Justice

At that moment, Greg began wrestling with God for justice.

“God, if You’re real, step in right now. I need a Savior, I can’t do this by myself,” he cried out to God.

Meanwhile, friends and people who closely knew Greg rallied for justice as they knew he was innocent. They created a Facebook page named “Fight For Greg Kelley” to contend with the wrongful conviction.

JUSTIN BIEBER UTTERS POWERFUL PRAYER & WORSHIPS GOD AMIDST CONCERT IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS

Also, one concerned citizen, Jay Brighton, thought Greg deserved the conviction. But when he discovered that the 18-year-old was a good young man, he also rallied. So, he brought hundreds to the county jail to rally two days after Greg’s verdict.

Greg felt encouraged when he saw the support of not just his friends but also strangers. Hope began to arise. However, he had to spend years fighting for justice. But inside his prison cell, he became closer to Jesus and would soon receive the justice he had prayed for so long.

Wrongfully Accused Found Innocent

Watch this video on YouTube

Reference | The 700 Club

November 8, 2022 0 comment

Articles Faith

What Path Will You Choose?

by Nina Keegan February 13, 2022

written by Nina Keegan

This is such an important story and I love how the Bible is so relevant today…

The vision of the prophet Nahum
The Lord’s Anger Against Nineveh

Nahum 1:1-5
2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
and vents his wrath against his enemies.
3 The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
he makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither
and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

The mountains quake before him
and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
the world and all who live in it.

This passage is concerning the state of the world at the time ..The world had lost boundaries and rules for living an established by God life… But men and women regularly flaunt these regulations, hiding their interactions or overpowering others and declaring that “might makes right”!

God calls this sin, He calls it willful disobedience and rebellion against His control or empathy. At times it certainly does seem as though the violators succeed.. it’s like no fouls are being called and individual dictators, and an evil agenda rule. The truth is, however, that ultimately justice will be served in our world… God ultimately will settle all accounts!

Nineveh was a city in Assyria which was the most powerful nation on earth at the time. They were very proud in their self-sufficiency and haughty in their military might. They plundered, they oppressed and slaughtered their victims. But it was only 100 years earlier that Jonah had preached in the great city of Nineveh and the people received God’s messages and turned from their evil ways… But then, generations later, evil was again reigning and the prophet Nahum pronounced judgment on this wicked nation…

In the Word, Nineveh is called a city of murder, a city of cruelty, and the Assyrians are judged for their pride, Idolatry, murders, lies, treachery and social injustices .He predicted that this proud and powerful nation would be utterly destroyed because of its sins and because of their turning away from God and the end most assuredly came within 50 years.

In this declaration ..God is judging a sinful world. The message is clear, disobedience, rebellion and injustice will not prevail but will be punished severely by a righteous and holy God who rules over all the earth. I love that as you read the book of Nahum you sense God’s wrath as he avenges sin and brings about justice.

There is ultimately a turn around and they decide to live under God’s guidance and within his rules, commands and secure guidelines for life.

God would ultimately judge the city of Nineveh for it’s Idolatry, arrogance, and oppression although Assyria was the leading military power in the world, God completely destroys this” invincible” nation
.. it’s important to understand that God allows no person or power to scoff at or mock his authority!

Anyone who remains arrogant and resists God’s authority will ultimately face his anger. No ruler or nation will ever get away with rejecting God. No individual will ever be able to hide from God’s judgment…those who keep trusting God and seek his will first in all things will be kept safe forever.

Remember it is God alone that can truly rescue us from any fears and oppressions ..We must place our confidence and trust in him because he alone rules all of history, all of the earth,and all of the world .
Ultimately it will be His will that will be done.

God will not allow sin to go unchecked forever. When people wonder why God doesn’t punish evil immediately, we must all remember that if he did, none of us would be here. We can all be thankful that God gives people time to turn to him that he is merciful and a just God!

Nahum 1:1-7 , 13, and 15,

7 The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He’s close to those who trust him. But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night.

13 Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression.

15 Look, a messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is bringing a message of peace for your wicked enemies will never invade your land again .

No person on earth can safely defy God the Almighty Creator of the entire universe.. to the people who refuse to believe, God’s punishment is like an angry fire. To those who love him, his mercy is a refuge, supplying all their needs without diminishing his supply… The relationship we have with God is up to us. What path will you choose?

________

“Illegal” Justice Minister? Chaos in the Cabinet and Another Close Call for Bibi

by Ron Cantor April 30, 2021

written by Ron Cantor

Israel’s Cabinet meeting Tuesday descended into chaos, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise move to have Ofir Akunis, his pick for Justice Minister, selected amid cries that the action was “illegal.”

Israel has not had a justice minister for a month. Netanyahu was told one must be appointed, even temporarily, while they try to build a government. However, the Blue and White party, under an agreement made last year with Bibi and Likud, would get to pick the person. And they picked Benny Gantz, the Blue and White party leader. The Cabinet vote did not pass. Then Netanyahu decided to offer his candidate—Akunis—someone loyal to Bibi even as he is on trial for serious corruption charges.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, along with ministers from the Likud and Blue and White parties and Netanyahu got into a shouting match after the Likud majority successfully installed Akunis into the influential post. Mandelblit made it clear to Netanyahu that such a move was absolutely illegal.

The High Court of Justice temporarily halted the appointment hours after the meeting while the legality of the vote could be sorted out. The court said the position would be left vacant until a ruling occurred.

After the chaotic Cabinet meeting, Gantz said the prime minister tried “to undermine the foundations of democracy. [Netanyahu’s] belligerent and illegal conduct must be stopped now.”

Attorney General Mandelblit strongly objected to Akunis’ selection, saying it violated the Basic Law (Israel’s Basic Law is our constitution).

Netanyahu has managed to keep the justice position from being permanently filled for months. Critics claim by doing so, he is deliberately weakening the judicial system at a time when his criminal trials are in process. The Justice Minister is also a key in the legislative process in Israel. No new laws, especially one proposed that would prevent Netanyahu from holding office due to his corruption charges, can pass without a Justice Minister’s oversight.

Meanwhile, some have been questioning Netanyahu’s soundness to continue in office due to his most recent proposal for staying in power, the so-called “Putin Plan.” With only a week left for him to form a governing coalition, Netanyahu continues to search for partners who will let him remain in the prime minister’s residence while others serve in the position.

It has been nicknamed the “Putin Plan” for its resemblance to the Russian dictator’s agreement with Dmitry Medvedev from 2008 to 2012. When Putin was constitutionally barred from serving again as president, the two worked out a deal where Medvedev would be president, and Putin became his prime minister until he could again reign as premier.

The High Court in Israel was expected to rule on the Justice Minister vote by Wednesday. However, prior to the court stepping in, Netanyahu opted to reverse course and agree to Gantz as a temporary Justice Minister. The Cabinet met virtually and approved the appointment. Netanyahu refused to concede, however, that the original selection of Akunis was illegal.

Netanyahu has until May 4 to form a governing coalition of 61 Knesset members. However, meetings are ongoing with leaders of other parties seeking to form a unity government without Likud or Netanyahu.

April 30, 2021 0 comment

Articles

Terry Crews Supports Shutting Down Pornhub

by Christa July 16, 2020

written by Christa

“America’s Got Talent” host, Terry Crews calls to defund the world’s largest pornography website, Pornhub.

Terry Crews

The Christian American actor, tweeted with an all-caps, “DEFUND PORNHUB” while tagging the anti-pornography group, Fight the New Drug.

DEFUND PORNHUB@FightTheNewDrug

— terry crews (@terrycrews) July 14, 2020

He seems to promote the ongoing petition of shutting down Pornhub because of its enabling and profiting from videos of rape and child sex trafficking. Laila Mickelwait, director of abolition for Exodus Cry, initiated the appeal. It has accumulated 1.5 million signatures and counting.

Shut down Pornhub

Mickelwait told Faithwire that she’s “heard from multiple pornographic actors and producers pulling content from Pornhub; because the outlet is profiting from the rape and trafficking of women and children. “ She added that it’s far from a safe platform.

A “MUST SEE” NEW VIDEO RELEASE:

Pornhub is complicit in the sex trafficking and rape of women and children. It’s time for Pornhub to be shut down and it’s executives held accountable.

**Share this video** and tell the world the truth about Pornhub. #Traffickinghub pic.twitter.com/AgX3vQBosO

— Laila Mickelwait (@LailaMickelwait) June 30, 2020

One of the known former porn actresses in the industry, Jenna Jameson, backed up Crew’s statement. She also invited her 760k followers in Twitter to take a stand against “the evil monsters at MindGeek (their parent company).”

Exodus Cry is an organization that advocates the end of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. They started the call to terminate the company behind Pornhub when authorities found nearly 60 explicit videos of a missing teenager on the website.

Instagram Disables A Ministry Account After They Share A Video Taking A Stand Against Porn

Another case that can hold against Pornhub involved 22 women who Michael Pratt coerced and deceived to do sexual acts for videos. The recordings are then uploaded to the site. According to the prosecutors, the wanted fugitive, Pratt, produced child pornography and sexually trafficked a minor. Many of his productions are still accessible in the smut site up to this day.

“If you go on Pornhub, they’re not just profiting off of the exploitation, the rape and trafficking of women and children,” Mickelwait said. “They’re also profiting off of extreme racism — and I mean extreme.”

She stressed many examples of videos “eroticizing” the brutalization of people of color.

Take a stand

Mickelwait shared that the reason why the petition has gone to an influential actor like Crews is because people have finally realized what trafficking and exploitation is.

“So I think what’s happening is the message is getting out far enough that it’s reaching all these people of influence. And once they hear about it, they’re really compelled to use their platforms to tell others,” Mickelwait explained. “I think that’s what’s taking place. And hopefully, as time goes on, we’re gonna reach more and more influencers and average citizens. Because it’s really both of these groups of people together that are gonna make a difference.”

Reference: Faith Wire

July 16, 2020 0 comment

Articles Faith

What Are You Sowing In This Life?

by Henrietta Decruz July 5, 2020

written by Henrietta Decruz

Image result for sowing and reaping

“As you sow, you shall reap” is actually a verse in the Bible. “Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God won’t allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.” (Galatians 6:7 AMP)

Sow: God will Recompense

God says in Jeremiah 25:14, “I will recompense [all of] them according to their deeds and according to the work of their [own] hands.” This is true for every single person. This verse gives us good reason to consider every deed we have done, especially those things no one else knows about. It is necessary that we take every such deed to God, repent and get right with God. It is important that we clear out such things from our conscience.

Matthew 12:36 says, “But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.” Imagine if we will have to give an account of every word we speak, how detailed the records would be that God keeps our actions in this lifetime.

God – The Righteous Judge

God cannot be bribed like unrighteous human judges. Those who do wrong and cover it can’t get away with what they did. Luke 12:2 warns us, “Nothing is [so closely] covered up that it will not be revealed, or hidden that it will not be known.”

Enjoy Now and Repent Later

Some may think that they have a long life left and they can repent later in life. Their life motto is to enjoy life and do whatever they please. Ecclesiastes 11:9 says, “Rejoice, O young man, in your adolescence, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your [full-grown] youth. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.”

There are some who think they are gods and free to live however they want. Romans 2:5 warns them saying, “But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation when God’s righteous judgment (just doom) will be revealed.”

Sow: We Make Choices

The truth is that God does not force His hand on anyone. He gave each of us free will to choose. When things go wrong, most people like to blame God. They forget that they themselves made the choices that led to the problem or disaster facing them. God has given us many instructions and words of wisdom to guide us so we can live a good life. However, most people disobey these instructions and choose the path that leads to destruction or loss.

Some may say, “He made me do it” or “She was the reason I did that.” The truth is that any excuses will not help us when we stand before God on the Final Day of Judgment. It is a good reason for us to search our hearts and stop doing the things that would grieve God.

Standing Before the Judge

Romans 14:12 says, “Each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God.” One day our life will come to an end. In Genesis 3 Satan caused Eve to mistrust God. Satan told her, “You shall not surely die.” (Gen 3:4) We know that Satan had lied since every human being since Adam died and all alive today are definitely going to die. There is only one human who lived, died and returned to life, His name is JESUS CHRIST.

Jesus is more than just our Saviour who died so we could reconcile with God. He is also the Judge who will judge us at the end of our life (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus is coming soon! We all may not live to see His coming. Today even a small child or a young person can face death. We can’t even be sure if we will live for another day, a month, a year or a couple of years. What do you sow? We need to live mindfully, so we won’t be ashamed when we stand before God after this life.

July 5, 2020 0 comment

Faith News

Finding Justice: God Hates Injustice And Violence

by Henrietta Decruz June 5, 2020

written by Henrietta Decruz

The accusation of buying cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill cost George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, his life. Four Minneapolis police officers arrested him and pinned him down, leaving him unable to breathe. He called out for help saying he could not breathe but they didn’t budge. He soon lost consciousness and showed no signs of life. The aggressive and heartless manner in which the white police officers treated him snuffed out his life. Where is the justice in this situation?

Tears And Injustice

Many scars reopened in the hearts of black people in America the moment an onlooker’s video showed the world what had really happened. It exposed the callous attitude the white officers had to George Floyd’s situation and how they turned a deaf ear to his cry for help. Derek Chauvin, the officer who pinned Floyd to the ground kept his knee on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. He didn’t move his knee even after Floyd became unconscious and for a full minute until paramedics arrived at the scene.

There are many questions we have to find answers for. How could a simple situation quickly become a life and death situation where a man lost his life? Isn’t that injustice? Don’t the law-keepers follow the laws themselves? Are they not accountable for their own actions? If law-keeping officers are found to be instruments of injustice rather than justice, who can the people seeking justice go to?

Beware Of Unbridled Injustice

Habakkuk 1:3b-4 says, “For destruction and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is slackened and justice and a righteous sentence never go forth, for the [hostility of the] wicked surrounds the [uncompromisingly] righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted.”

God warns us that we should not let injustice and violence prevail. In Genesis 6:11-12, it clearly says, “The earth was depraved and putrid in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence [desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power]. And God looked upon the world and saw how degenerate, debased, and vicious it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way upon the earth and lost their true direction.” We all know that this situation ultimately led to the flood during Noah’s time when God wiped out the earth of its population and started over again with Noah.

God Brings Ultimate Justice

All of mankind can trace their roots back to Noah’s family as God chose to continue humankind through them. This should remind us that no matter how we look, we are all the same – human beings who belong to one human family. Galatians 3:28 tells us, “There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

The USA is a nation with strong Christian roots. How can such grave injustice be perpetrated on the basis of race in such a land? Jesus died for people of all races, not just for whites. Those who say they believe in God, follow the Bible, and uphold Christian values would be totally wrong in permitting atrocities against any one race or community.

We need to remember that God is the ultimate Judge and He will judge even the authorities who act unjustly. Psalms 9:12 says, “For He Who avenges the blood [of His people shed unjustly] remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted [the poor and the humble].” In Isaiah 61:8 God Himself says, “For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong with violence or a burnt offering. And I will faithfully give them their recompense in truth.”

Justice Comes – Warning of God’s Recompense

Hebrews 10:31 warns us, “It is a fearful [formidable and terrible] thing to incur the divine penalties and be cast into the hands of the living God!” Ezekiel 9:9-10 reveals what happens when God intervenes. “Then said He to me, ‘The iniquity and guilt of the house of Israel and Judah are exceedingly great; the land is full of blood and the city full of injustice and perverseness; for they say, “The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see [what we are doing].” And as for Me, My eye will not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their wicked doings upon their own heads.'”

Job 34:28 tells us that God hears the cries of the people, “So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, and He heard the cry of the afflicted.” The best thing for everyone in authority to do would be to heed what 2 Chronicles 19:7 says, “So now let the reverence and fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking of bribes.”

June 5, 2020 0 comment

Articles

Martin Luther King Jr’s Dream Cries for New Voices

by Brian Taylor January 23, 2020

written by Brian Taylor

It is probably no stretch to say that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the most prolific voices for social justice that our nation has known in the modern era. His voice rung out loud during a time when many had gone silent. The nation had not been far removed from the silence they chose during the years of the Holocaust. If not for the attack on Pearl Harbor, America might have continued to remain silent. And the Second World War might have continued on longer than it did.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Voice

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s decision to be a voice was not one he entered into lightly. But it was one that was essential to the turning of the tide on the injustice in the nation. His voice provoked many in the faith community to stand up and speak up. This happened when it had previously been so much easier to remain silent. He pointed out the hypocrisy of 11 o’clock as the most segregated hour in America. The hour when white Americans went to their churches and Black America went to their churches.

His action was a critical aspect of a nation moving towards desegregation and the acceptance of equal rights. Children were soon able to attend the same schools and universities. And adults eventually able to compete for jobs, better pay, live in the same neighborhoods, and eat in the same restaurants.

A New Generation’s Voice

We’ve entered a new age. And a new generation is being called upon today. They are called to answer the call to speak up and speak out. There is still much justice to be done. While there is evidence that the Church in America is becoming increasingly less segregated, it is still by and large one of the remaining hold outs of integration and acceptance of unified worship.

Even more than this is the need for the Church to become more vocal about many of the social, ethical, and moral issues that have become so pervasive in this present-day. These issues include abortion, poverty, mental health, human trafficking, sexual abuse, violence and criminal injustice, and so much more. Interestingly, Dr. King was noted for saying, “History will record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.” We are in a time crying for good people to cease being silent.

Final Words

The body of Christ has always been uniquely poised to birth voices that can speak to the ills of the world because God has equipped His own with what is needed. The question that begs to be answered is who will be the unifying voice that will rise up today and speak? The great thing is that it does not have to rest solely on one voice. We are living in a day when the mantles no longer need to fall to one person alone. They simply have to be picked up by voices who will be bold enough to let their voices ring out.

January 23, 2020 0 comment

Articles

‘Just Mercy’ Stars Opens Up About The Biblical Themes In The Film

by Rhoda Gayle December 27, 2019

written by Rhoda Gayle

“Just Mercy” stars Michael B. Jordan and Brie Larson and includes Biblical themes in the film.

“Just Mercy”

The film “Just Mercy” is a legal drama film. Destin Daniel Cretton directed the film. It is about the true story of the Walter McMillian, portrayed by Jamie Foxx, who was wrongly convicted for murder. His young defense attorney Bryan Stevenson, played by Michael Jordan, made history fighting for justice.

Walter McMillian was sentenced to death after being convicted of the murder. Despite the pieces of evidence proving his innocence and the main testimony came from a criminal with a motive to lie, Walter still served six years on Alabama’s death row.

Bryan faced several hurdles as he continued to fight for freedom.

JUST MERCY Official Trailer

Watch this video on YouTube

Faith and hope

It was Bryan’s faith that drove him to fight for those he represented. It is no surprise that his faith was the main undertone of the film.

“Faith and hope is a big part of Bryan Stevenson’s upbringing,” Jordan said. “He grew up in the church. I did as well, and so did Jamie. And for all of us, faith is directly connected to hope. Bryan is an advocate for hope and optimism, so those were things that were just very important to the story.”

Brie Larson

Bryan was assisted by a local advocate Eva Ansley, played by Brie Larson, in his fight for justice. She agreed that faith and hope are the foundation of the movie.

“We all have to have that belief in a better future in order to work toward it,” she said. “Despondency gets us nowhere. Hopelessness gets us nowhere. That keeps us exactly where we are. It is that expectation of what our future can be and the belief in humanity itself that we will work together and get there. That’s who Brian is, so that’s what the film is.”

In this film, it is evident how one man’s faith can move mountains. Additionally, it offers inspiration and hope for those who are still fighting for their freedom.

Reference: The Christian Post

December 27, 2019 0 comment

Articles

Jeffrey Epstein and The Judgment Seat of Christ

by Dr. Michael Brown August 15, 2019

written by Dr. Michael Brown

The apparent suicide of disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein brought an end to one tragic chapter in his ugly and abusive life. But it is certainly not the end of the story. He will yet have his day in court. In fact, in the end, all of us will.

To the women and girls whom Jeffrey Epstein victimized

But before drawing some sobering moral lessons from the painful story of Jeffrey Epstein, my thoughts go out to the women and girls whom he victimized. May I address each of you directly?

I haven’t the slightest idea what it feels like to be trafficked or abused. I can’t relate to the emotions you are experiencing. But I can understand that it must be terribly frustrating not to be able to bring charges against him in a court of law. Not to be able to look Jeffrey Epstein in the face – if that is what you planned to do – and give him a piece of your mind.

And I imagine that his death is a small consolation to you right now.

But this much I know: What Jeffrey Epstein did not pay for in this world, he will pay for in the world to come. The Judge he will stand before sees all and knows all and is perfectly just. And based on the words of Jesus, I would hate to be in the shoes of a child abuser on that fearful Day (Matthew 18:1-6).

I also know that no amount of prison time for Epstein could bring healing to your own soul, and so I pray that you’ll be able to find a path to restoration and wholeness in the days ahead.

To everyone

With that being said – from the heart – let me share with you some sobering words from the Bible.

These words may have seemed irrelevant to Epstein at the height of his powers. He was incredibly wealthy. He was the friend of presidents and leaders. He was surrounded by beautiful women.

Yet the words of Scripture always come to pass, sooner or later. As Moses said almost 3,500 years ago, “you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23, NIV)

Either in this world or the world to come, our sins will catch up with us, and we will give account – unless, of course, we have truly repented before God and received forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.

In that case, God forgives us completely and entirely, calling us to lead a brand new life. At the same time, we may still have to do the time for our crimes here on earth.

With true repentance, God will forgive us for getting drunk and committing vehicular homicide. But we may spend years in jail for our misdeeds.

With true repentance, God will forgive us for racking up a massive gambling debt. But we will still have to pay off our creditors.

On the other hand, if there is no repentance, no seeking mercy through the cross, then one way or another, our sins will catch up to us. In the end, no one – and I mean no one – will escape.

As many have pointed out, there are no U-turns on the way to the Judgment Seat. There are no lawyers to hire and no juries to influence. There are no excuses to make and there is no one to blame. And this Judge cannot be bought or bribed.

In the words of the Puritan leader Thomas Watson, “Those iniquities which men hide in their hearts shall be written one day on their foreheads as with the point of a diamond.” Imagine that for a moment.

For years, Jeffrey Epstein was able to evade the law, which might have made him feel untouchable. Did he ever imagine that he would be hanging in a prison cell, his very name mocked and despised? Did he ever imagine that he could lose everything in a moment of time, and no amount of money could bail him out?

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.” (1 Timothy 5:24, NLT)

The first part of this verse can be applied to Jeffrey Epstein. The second part can be applied to others. Does it apply to you? To me?

The moral of the story is simple. If you are not right with God, get right with Him today. If you have skeletons in the closet, don’t bury them deeper. Come clean and get things right.

Better to be ashamed in this world, before people, than to be ashamed in the world to come, before God.

Better to deal with your sins today, when the door of mercy is open, than to wait until it’s too late, when it’s too late to repent.

Proverbs says, “The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, ESV)

So, what will it be? Repentance today and mercy forever? Or rebellion today and judgment forever?

As for me, I’ve turned from my sins and sought out refuge under the cross of Jesus. I can testify firsthand that there is nothing in the world like a clean conscience and a heart at rest. And the best is yet to come.

August 15, 2019 0 comment

Articles

The God of Perfect Judgement

by Henrietta Decruz August 10, 2019

written by Henrietta Decruz

Are you angry after seeing the rising incidents of shooting, violence and wickedness around the world? When such things happen we wonder where is God? What is He doing? Why does He not stop this?

In such times, it is important to understand God and His real nature. True, God is all powerful, but He is also long-suffering to all of us who have sinned otherwise each of us would have perished the moment we first sinned.

God and Justice

Job 34:12, 14-15 says, “Truly God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice. If [God] should set His heart upon him [man] and withdraw His [life-giving] spirit and His breath [from man] to Himself, All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.” AMP

Even Habakkuk in his time had the same questions and complained saying, “For destruction and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is slackened and justice and a righteous sentence never go forth, for the [hostility of the] wicked surrounds the [uncompromisingly] righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted.” (Habakkuk 1: 3-4 AMP)

Injustice, violence and wickedness are not something only this generation is experiencing. It started with Cain and Abel and went on until the days of Noah. Genesis 6:5-7 says, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart. So the Lord said, I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground—not only man, [but] the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air—for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them.”

Thankfully the world didn’t end at that time. God remembered His promise to Abraham so He didn’t destroy mankind completely. Noah found favor in His eyes, God chose his family to continue the human race.

God waits

God is a just God. Isaiah 59:15 tells us, “Justice is turned away backward, and righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) stands far off; for truth has fallen in the street (the city’s forum), and uprightness cannot enter [the courts of justice]. Yes, truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. And the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice.”

As you have done, it shall be done to you; your dealings will return upon your own head. Obadiah 1:15

At such times, God stirs up His prophets and says what He said in Zephaniah 2:2 “[The time for repentance is speeding by like chaff whirled before the wind!] Therefore consider, before God’s decree brings forth [the curse upon you], before the time [to repent] is gone like the drifting chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you–yes, before the day of the wrath of the Lord comes upon you!”

When God says, “Time up!” He really means it. Obadiah 1:15 says, “For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your dealings will return upon your own head.”

Haman’s wicked plan

We can see a perfect example of God’s justice in Esther chapters 5 – 7. Haman had sneakily got the King to sign a decree to destroy the Jews in his kingdom. He hated Mordecai with all his heart and plotted to kill him. God placed Esther in the palace and at a very crucial time, she was instrumental in the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman’s wicked plot.

Esther – the Queen who stood up for her people

What is extraordinary is how perfect the justice of God is. Haman ordered for a gallows be made. He left early in the morning to speak to the king, to arrange for Mordecai to be hanged. As he came before the king, the king said to him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?”

Haman gleefully thought, “Who else will the king want to honor other than to me?” He rattled out a list of the grandest things he could think of. But horror of horrors, the king told him to hurry up and do the same to Mordecai the Jew and leave out nothing that he had spoken about!

Imagine the torment Haman went through as he placed royal apparel that the king had worn and the horse which the king had ridden, and a royal crown on the head of Mordecai! Besides that he had to take Mordecai on horseback through the open square of the city, and publicly proclaim, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

God’s perfect justice

On the same day Esther approached the king and Haman was invited to dinner with the king and queen. Esther invited them both to dinner the next day too. The king asked Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted. And what is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.”

She said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition and my people at my request. For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, slain, and wiped out of existence!” The king asked her, “Who is he, and where is he who dares presume in his heart to do that?” She then pointed out the culprit, “An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman.”

As the king’s anger rose he was told about the gallows Haman had made for Mordecai. A servant named Harbonah said, “Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, whose warning saved the king, stands at the house of Haman.” And the king said, “Hang him on it!” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath was pacified.”

Isn’t God’s justice perfect? Haman was hanged in the very same gallows that he made to hang Mordecai. Not just that the wicked plans he made to destroy the Jews were altered so that the Jews could defend themselves and save their lives.

God has a time for justice

If you are depressed and feel despair at the state of things, just put your trust in God. Since God is a merciful God, He has given those who are wicked grace and time to repent. In Jeremiah 46:17 it says, “They cried there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is destroyed and is only a noise; he has let the appointed time [in which God had him on probation] pass by!”

It is good to fear God as He holds our very breath in His hand. Those who are wicked would do well to repent and change their ways for when God says, “Time up!” they will run out of grace and God will judge them. Job 11:20 speaks about what happens to the wicked when judgment comes, “But the eyes of the wicked shall look [for relief] in vain, and they shall not escape [the justice of God]; and their hope shall be to give up the ghost.”

God should not be trifled with or taken lightly. He means every word He says. Romans 2:6-8 says, “God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”

What can we learn from this?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 sums it up very well. It advises us saying, “Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.”

It is good for us to examine our hearts from time to time so we can repent for the evil things we have done. God is not a hard taskmaster. First and foremost He is a merciful God. Jonah said, “You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and [when sinners turn to You and meet Your conditions] You revoke the [sentence of] evil against them.” Jonah 4:2

Jesus came to save sinners

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came down to earth and allowed Himself to be crucified on a cross like a criminal though He had done no wrong at all (The Roman Governor Pontius Pilate certified this). He did this so that fallible people like me and you could make the biggest exchange ever by trading all the wrong, evil and wicked things we have done with His righteousness.

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 NIV Those who accept the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, are saved from the punishment they deserve because Jesus paid the full penalty for their sins.

Many people think that it is fine to carry on living the way they lived before they accepted Jesus. But Jesus wants us to live by His values and obey His commands. Jesus says to us in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” In Romans 12:9 Paul advises saying, “[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.”

When Jesus saved the woman who was caught in adultery, He said to her, “I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.” John 8:11 AMP Jesus is saying the same thing to us too. We need to let go of the old life, resist all temptations and do our part by living like Jesus did. Jesus a lived sinless life even as a human being. He is the perfect example for us to follow and our role model.

If you love Jesus do as He said

If we really love Jesus and are grateful for what He has done for us, we will obey His instructions. Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 NIV)

Jesus said, “From now on sin no more.” John 8:11

We live in a fallen world, where it is easy to sin and be sinned against by others. Heaven is the opposite of this world. It is the inhabitation of God, Who is perfect. He is holy and pure. Jesus says in Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Grace – an empowerment to not sin

It is sad that many people treat the grace of God as a ‘licence to sin.’ How can a holy and perfect God say that it is okay to live in sin? In Romans 6:1-2 Paul asks a very important question, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”

Hebrews 12:14 says, “Be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” NIV In order to ‘see God‘ we will need to be overcomers who overcome temptations and live a righteous life. Besides seeing God and going to heaven, there are more benefits of following God’s commandments. Revelation 2:26 says, “To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.”

Heaven is a wonderful place. There are no tears there! Revelation 21:4 says that, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” NIV When our time on earth is over, far from the aches and pains, grief and sorrow of this fallen world, we will all stand in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with Whom we will live forever!

Is Jesus your Savior?

If you have not yet received Jesus as you personal Savior, you can do so now. It is simple! Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Those who have been born into Christian families should not take this for granted, they too need to personally accept Jesus as their Savior. We cannot live our lives based on the faith of our parents. Heaven and Hell are real. Each person should make their own personal decision to choose Jesus.

To make Jesus your personal Savior, you can ask Him to do so in your own words. It could be a small prayer to Jesus like this, “Dear Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose from the grave to give me new life. Lord, I want to know who You really are. Please reveal Yourself to me. Forgive me for everything wrong that I have done, change my heart and teach me the way You want me to live. Amen.”

If you have asked Jesus to be your Savior, find a good church in your area that follows the Holy Bible, which is the Word of God. If you cannot find a church near you, you could also join an online church.

If you are looking for a good resource to do a Bible Study on the subject of Love and Justice – Click here

The Cross – a symbol of the sacrifice Jesus made to save us from the consequences of our sins.

August 10, 2019 2 comments

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