2004-06-05 - God's Accouting System

Encore 2001-11-28

Please Note: This is an encore from our retired writer Sandi. Even though she is no longer able to write for us, her devotionals continue to bless people - and we trust this one will bless you.

Matthew 7:17-23 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

When I found out that a man with whom I work was diagnosed with cancer, I told him that I would pray for him. He seemed happy to hear it. "Thanks." I did pray for him. I still do. Later, I received an e-mail from a friend that was both touching and thought-provoking. The last paragraph was taken from 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." I forwarded it to several people, including the man for whom I was praying. He didn't speak to me for weeks because I "sent him something religious."

I see "God Bless America" on the backs of cars and on tee-shirts. I wonder if the people who are wearing them understand that God's blessing requires a u-turn on their part? It appears that we want all of the blessings, but don't want to be accountable for our actions. We want Him to take care of our country, but leave us to live our private lives the way that we want to, with no input from Him.

I think that we are looking into the end of the age. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us, "This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. From such, turn away."

In the Amplified Bible, verse 5 reads,"And [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it -- their conduct belies the genuiness of their profession. Avoid [all] such people -- turn away from them."

Jesus said that we will know true believers. It shows up in their behavior. Unfortunately, a lot of people are more into the "fruit inspection" of others, and not looking closely at their own actions. The day is coming -- and I believe, soon -- when we will all stand before God and give an accounting for our actions. He is going to take every thought, every word and every action and throw them into the fire. The junk stuff is going to burn to ash like wood, hay and stubble. What is left will be gems. I pray that in my life, there are more gems than ash.

The last thing is that He is going to open the Lamb's Book of Life. My friend needs to understand that praying for someone to be healed isn't enough. We in America need to understand that wearing a tee-shirt or a bumpersticker that reads, "God Bless America" isn't enough. The day is coming when the accounting will be due.

Revelations 20:15 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

My friend, what are you counting on?

Father God, so much has happened. It's a different world than it was, and yet it's the same world that it has been since Adam and Eve disobeyed You in the garden. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. Lord, heal our land. Turn our hearts to You, Father. We are so proud that we don't want Your intervention in our private lives. God, forgive us. We are so far from You. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You that You promise a remnant. I wish there were more. Amen.

Sandi

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