JEALOUS? GOD?

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

“For our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:29

“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire,

a jealous God.”

Deuteronomy 4:24

When we see verses stated more than one time in the Scriptures, it should make us stop and reflect.

In Deuteronomy 4:24, we see God is called a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29 echoes the same words as Deuteronomy 4:24. In Deuteronomy 4:24, the word “consuming” comes from the transliteration of the Hebrew word “akal.” The word “consuming” means to devour, burn up, devastate, ravage. In Hebrews 12:29, the transliteration of the Greek word is “katanaliskō” which means to be consumed, to burn up. Sin, wickedness, evil, and all those who are defiant against God will be burned up. He will show forth His glory like a consuming fire. These verses cannot be ignored as they are somber warnings against idolatry and the judgment soon to come.

What God showed me is not an image I can easily forget. When God had revealed to me Himself as a consuming fire, He showed me He is purging evil and wickedness and cleansing everything with His fire. He showed me destruction awaits those who oppose and rebel against Him.

It is a horrifying thought to be ravaged by fire or burned up. Yet, while the words of these verses are comforting to those who are believers, these words are downright terrifying to those who are practicing a life of sin. There is no comfort or peace for those who are not living a life surrendered to God.

“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Yes, God is jealous for us, and He burns with passion and zeal for His children. He desires to communicate and have a relationship with us. He is the consuming fire who loves His children far more than we could ever imagine. The problem is when we are not serving Him, we are serving and living for self. Serving and living for self is pushing God out of His rightful place in our lives. When we push God out of His rightful place in our lives, we break the first commandment. “You must not have any other God but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any king or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods…” Exodus 20:3-5.

The nature and character of God is HOLINESS. The God we see in the Old Testament is the same God we see in the New Testament. God has not changed. His commands have not changed. We are commanded to be holy, and “…He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:15-16. We are called to holiness. Therefore, as His children, we follow God’s instructions on how to be holy. We cannot be holy and take on the beliefs and philosophies of the world. Being holy and being worldly do not mix. We are either holy or worldly; we cannot be both.

God is the fire that refines. He is the One who is able to cleanse the stains of sin and shame. He is able to make a person complete. Because He is holy, He calls for repentance. If we do not have a holy fear of God and who He is, no act of worship will be acceptable to Him. If we do not have reverence for God, then we will not treat God with honor.

Linda A. Knowles

A Fearful Thing

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Hebrews 10:31 KJV

If any verse in the Scriptures makes me shudder, it’s this verse, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Some translations say, “dreadful thing,” “terrible thing,” “terrifying thing,” and then one translation says, “fearful and terrifying thing.” God is the Almighty, the Omnipotent One (Revelation 1:8, 15:3, 19:6). God does NOT play games (Leviticus 10:2, 1 Chronicles 13:10, Psalm 50:3).

What is so terrifying about falling into the hands of the Living God? Because this verse is speaking of judgment. God is awesome, and He is holy. His righteousness is pure. The Lord warns us of sin and the consequences (Romans 6:23). He warns us what happens when we do not turn from our evil and wicked ways (Luke 13:3, Romans 2:5). By warning us, God is granting us mercy. By giving us a chance to repent, He is demonstrating His longsuffering and patience towards us; the Lord does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Through the Scriptures, we can see He is calling people to repentance (Matthew 4:17, Acts 3:19). When someone sneers arrogantly at the Holy Spirit, when someone mocks or reviles the Holy Spirit and shows complete and utter contempt for the Holy Spirit, they are severing themselves from the Holy Spirit. In other words, they have broken themselves off from the Holy Spirit and they are unable to know the prompting of the Holy Spirit and His leading. It’s the point of no return (Deuteronomy 28:15, Isaiah 63:10). When someone falls into the hand of the Living God, at this point, is where they discover how wrong they are, but it’s too late. Judas is a great example of this. Judas betrayed Christ, and by the time, he realized how wrong he was, it was too late for him (John 13:21-30). Falling into the hands of the Living God will be frightening for the one who has rejected and scorned the Holy Spirit and committed the outright rejection of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-32, Hebrews 10:28-29). The true children of the Living God do not need to worry about facing God in judgment. Those who are not living lives that practice sin will be able to stand before God.

“Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God,” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT).

“In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like him. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us,” (1 John 4:17-19 BSB).

Linda A. Knowles

Judgment Begins In The Household of God

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

As I was reading and studying the Word this morning, I couldn’t help but find myself with a very sobering thought:  Judgment begins in the Household of God.  No one can escape God’s judgment, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God,” (Romans 14:12).  The closer the return of Christ is the more we see things in this world unravel.  It is important that we remain vigilant in our walk with the Lord.  This is not a time to be slacking.  This is a time to rise up.  Stand up for God’s truth.  Do not back down.

The prophet Ezekiel was given a message to the people of Judah.  The Temple of the Lord had been defiled.  They had chance after chance to repent and turn from their wicked ways, but they still chose to disobey and live lives of evil.  God’s mercy and grace gives us a chance to repent.  God’s mercy and grace gives us a chance to turn from our evil ways.  God’s mercy and grace also provides us with warnings.  When we do not heed the warning of God, then we find ourselves in positions where the ax of God’s judgment will strike.


If you are a leader of any kind, you are not exempt from God’s judgment.  Those who are in leadership are judged more harshly than those they lead. James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ”  And this is where I find myself saying, “God, never let me go” because verses like this make me shudder.  We are responsible to those we lead, those who follow our example.  We are either godly leaders or we are leading people to destruction.  The leaders of Judah knew this too well.  The people should have been able to look to their leaders to learn about the Word of God and they should have seen their leaders living examples of godly lives, instead, they defiled the temple, and the judgment of God began with them.  Check out this verse found in Ezekiel 9:6, “‘Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children, but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.’ So they began with the elders who were before the temple.”  You are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and YOU are sealed with the Holy Spirit.  If you are truly living for the Lord, then you will do everything you can such as following the laws of God and His commands so that you do not grieve the Holy Spirit.  


Remember in Ezekiel, the glory of the Lord had to leave the Temple because the Temple had become so defiled.  The Spirit will not always strive with man.  You will either submit to the ways of God now and surrender or you will end up paying the consequences of not serving God.  God’s holiness is perfect, and because the Temple was no longer a place the glory of God could dwell, the glory of the Lord left the Temple.  


Is there anything in your life that is grieving the Holy Spirit?  Are you truly loving God with all your heart?  Have you determined to set your face like flint in order to do His will?  Are you lukewarm or complacent?  Are you backslidden? 


I encourage you to resolve to live for God no matter what the cost.  It truly is a matter of spiritual life and death.  Don’t sacrifice your eternal destiny for the things this world offers you.  This world cannot offer you salvation.
Matthew 3:9-10 says, “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. ”  The ax of God’s judgment is ready to cut any tree at its root that does not bear spiritual fruit.  In other words, if you are claiming you have a relationship with Christ but living in whatever way you want, you are a tree that is not producing spiritual fruit.  


According to the Word of God, GOD DOES SAVE, and anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  The good news is there is hope for those who are repentant and turn from their wicked ways.  There is peace for those who have their minds fixed on God because they trust in Him.  Remember to resolve yourself to live for God and follow His commands, His ways.  


Heavenly Father, You are the Lord of all Creation.  You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  You are from Everlasting to Everlasting.  I surrender to You, O Lord, to live as You would have me to live.  Give me the courage to stand up for Your truth and Your ways.  Fill me with Your Spirit and give me the wisdom and discernment to know right from wrong.  Be my Instructor in all things.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Linda A. Knowles

RANDOM FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The Flapping Gossiping Gums Will Get All Up In Your Business.

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

It never ceases to amaze me the levels of stupidity people will resort to.  People will interfere in someone else’s argument without having all the facts.  Without having all the facts, unwise judgments are made, which results, most of the time, with people flapping their gums and spreading gossip and slander to anyone who will lend them a listening ear. 

If some people are gossiping about you, it should be understood that if they are not gossiping about you, they are gossiping about someone else.  Those who are flapping their gums are getting all up in your business because they don’t have a life of their own.  They will badmouth, backbite, slander, and lie because they have nothing better to do.  However, when they do so, they are involving themselves in something they have no business getting involved in.  They are too wrapped up in flapping their gums because they are filled with hatred, anger, and jealousy.  What they do not realize is that they have no self-control as they are salivating looking for the next dainty morsel to share with others who are all too eager to listen.  

It is shameful and embarrassing when gossipers do not have all the facts but will pontificate as if they have all the facts.  Has anyone considered that gossiping and interfering in someone else’s argument is like yanking the ear of a wild dog and expecting it not to take a bite out of him or her?  If they should attempt to yank on the ears of a “wild dog,” why should anyone feel bad for them?  They are simply reaping what they have sown, and they deserve whatever consequences they get. 

Linda A. Knowles

“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” -Proverbs 18:13NLT

Does He Know Your Name?

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

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One does NOT inherit Christianity, and one cannot get into Heaven riding on someone else’s coattails. There’s a choice that must be made. The book of John tells us TO ALL WHO BELIEVED AND ACCEPTED HIM, to them, He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).

As children of God, we are called to live righteous and holy lives, not to live as the world does. We’re in this world, but we’re NOT of this world because this world is a temporary home, a place we’re only traveling through; and we’re chosen to bear fruit, walking the walk, not just making claims but actually living the life. We must keep in mind our faith needs to be backed up by actions, walking in obedience to God who has chosen us to be His own. It is not enough to make claims. If we love God, we’ll obey Him. We’re called to bear good fruit such as helping our fellow man/woman, encouraging one another, following the examples Christ has given us.  May we always be His hand extended.

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” -Matthew 7:21-23

Much Love To You All,

 

L.A. Knowles