Blizzard Conditions Staying Safe 12/22/13

Good Morning,

I am sitting in the kitchen at home watching the snow fly. My coffee cup is filled with Door County Pumpkin Spice. I am enjoying it very slowly and taking in the scene outside my window. I had to chuckle earlier this morning when of course our two dogs had to go outside for their bathroom duties. Both looked over the situation with the snow blowing and wind howling and the lights flickering from time to time and they decided to get their business done and  get back into the safety and comfort of the house.. What they also noticed is that I had already retreated back inside and was not with them. They are two sturdy hunting dogs and will go wherever I go. But they also know that we have a big presence of coyotes around and it is best to be around the guy that can whack a coyote if necessary. So at the door they stood barking to come in. Little did they know that the whole time I was inside I was watching them and had them in protective sight.

God is with us always and is around to protect us. Yet we seek to wander from His presence by demanding our own ways or living a lifestyle He does not approve of by grasping to sin instead of Him. If we are smart and we do wander out, a quick retreat back to the arms of God is in order. I was reading  my Bible and the passage in Romans 1 below just illuminated to me and I knew that I was to write on it. This passage should make every bone tremble in the believer and non-believer. When God has had enough of our ways and until we return to Him there comes a point where He says "ok choose that over Me and you can have your choice. But the consequences of that choice are yours, you own them." (Paraphrased) Read this passage. We can always turn to God and He will receive us, but the consequences of our earlier choice will be there.

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness Romans 1:18-32

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,^[c] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,^[d] unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

I will give you an example. Drink to excess and know better and sooner or later you will be arrested for drunken driving, or a pickle for a liver, have an accident or kill someone. You might say. "Well then God doesn't really love me". When I hear that statement I just want to put my shoe in their anatomy where the sun doesn't shine. Because it is just the opposite. God does love us so much that He does not force Himself on us. He allows us to choose. But when we choose life outside of God we actually stand against Him and are now partners with the darkness (Satan) and all that hot mess has to offer. Doesn't sound too wise or safe to me. Give in to anger as your love and you will hurt someone and it won't be able to be fixed. You will say and do things that are just plain messed up.

Scripture teaches us best, but two smart dogs give us a good example. They knew where the safety was and they went to it. The door was open and a biscuit was ready.

God the Help of Those Who Seek Him

A Song of Ascents.

121 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
² My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

³ He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
⁸ The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Have a great and blessed day. Be strong in the Lord.
Marty