REJOICE WITH ME!

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever." Isaiah 40:8

Have you noticed that many of today’s Christians can listen more to popular influencers than the Word of God? There is nothing wrong in admiring and following bloggers as long as we are measuring what they say against the Word of God. ANY self imposed “truth” that does not align with God’s Word, in its entirety, should be discounted and held accountable - no matter how sweet and loving it may sound. The loving truth is this: Jesus loves EVERYONE and the rest of the story is that He is calling us up and out of our sin and into the life He desires for us! ♥️

Recently, I’ve noticed that a popular blogger is rejoicing that her daughter has come out of the closet, now is actively living the lifestyle, and is rejoicing that she can be herself and feel loved by her family, and God. Great rejoicing is going on in her household and the blogger is encouraging her followers to rejoice with her. In fact her followers are applauding her and thanking her and her daughter for their courage. However, didn’t she know that God has always loved her? Wasn’t she ever told that God’s love is unconditional? That is heart breaking if she struggled with thinking that God would love

her any less. However, God’s rejoicing is not in that her family now knows she is living this lifestyle and has accepted it. But rather Jesus rejoices for a different reason. In Luke 15:6-7, it says, “Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with Me;  I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” 

You see, many in this world are rejoicing over the wrong things. God does not tell us to rejoice over the sin, but to rejoice over the repentance of the sin. His love for us never changes in or out of our sin - that you can be sure of! But also you can be sure that according to God’s word, He is not rejoicing with you when you redefine truth and self impose your truth on others and then encourage others to do the same - no matter how popular your self imposed truth is - it’s your truth not God’s. 

When we ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and choose to do it our way instead of God's way, this grieves God because He loves humanity so much and knows this is not the best for them. He also is merciful and kind and understands the terrific and arduous struggle that many go through resisting  sin - remember Jesus became flesh. When God became flesh and walked on earth, he lived the perfect life, died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected so that we can be forgiven and have peace with God and have an intimate relationship with Him. He wants you to know that He gets it! God’s heart aches with you as you struggle against sin. And He will help you - if you want it. But God’s love is not only a pampering love, it is a strengthening love. Isn’t that what our love for our children should be also! God loves us so much that He promises an abundant life not a compromised life but an abundant life - if we put our trust in Him knowing that His plans are better than our own feelings and struggles. 

God loves All sinners, the Bible shouts the clarity of that fact! HIS LOVE FOR YOU IS UNCONDITIONAL! But God hates All sin - the Bible is clear on that too! Quickly let’s define sinner: A sinner is someone who misses the mark. Set by who? By God. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We ALL fall short of God’s glory! God rejoices when we turn away from  sin - not when we turn towards sin and accept it - sadly some have innocently and not so innocently got that twisted. 

Acknowledging the sin to God is a good thing,  a very, very good thing and you should be very proud of that. Also what is very important is when you share your struggle with someone you can trust. God knows that you need a loving, non-judgemental, patient and gentle arm around you through this painful process - pointing you to God’s truth,  love and mercy in his Word. 

You see, we should be rejoicing if we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior and there is repentance of the sin. Because if there is...let the rejoicing begin!!!!!! It doesn’t mean that your struggle will be over completely, but the person’s life is now being redirected for God’s great purpose for their life - this is truly a reason for Great pride and rejoicing on earth and in heaven! 

If anything I said offended you or angered you - I apologize if I have caused that - that was never my intent. But I will never apologize for being one more tiny voice that shouts out that God loves you and He will reward you, bless you and prize you for following and obeying His truth in His Word. 

How can I be so bold and confident as I share this with you??? Only one reason, the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. Inerrant: “Without error or fault in any of its teaching.”  If you struggle with believing that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God - I suggest you have a heart to heart talk with the God who is love and who created you and loves you - you will never regret it! 

God is the most loving and kind Father you will ever have the joy and honor of knowing and loving! ♥️

“Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with Me;  I have found my lost sheep.’I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:6-7