"And the Lord spoke to me, saying, you have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north . . ." ~Deuteronomy 2:2-3 NASB
This verse is referring to the Israelites refusing to follow the direction of Almighty God through the voice of Moses. God performed a multitude of miracles, He more than proved Himself to these people, and yet they still wanted to go their own way leading them to continually go in circles. They literally circled the same mountain for forty years to make a journey that should have taken a few weeks.
So, why do we still continue to go in these same circles? Why, because we don’t really know where we’re going, we just think we do! If we continually do the same things over and over and keep getting the same results, we will continue to go in circles. This is all due to a three pronged mistake; we think we know better than God, we don’t always go to Him for guidance, and then when we do, we don’t always listen and obey.
God gave the children of Israel guidance, but they chose to walk in circles around the mountain in a state of apprehension rather than having faith in God. Don’t we do the very same thing time and time again? We ask for guidance, doors close and new ones open, but we are so afraid of change or failure that we continue going nowhere out of fear.
I’m so tired of making the same mistakes, repeatedly doing the same stupid things over and over. Not until I completely surrender, in total faith, and stop trying to control everything, can God then be free to lead me onto a new path. Logically I know this, I clearly see the error of my ways, but can’t seem to let go, let God, and stop trying to regain control!
Why am I so determined to run my own show? Why is control such a driving force behind everything I do? Intellectually I know that I have very little control over pretty much everything . . . and yet I continually try to force this course of events, better known as my life, in the direction I want it to go. And then, once again, I get stuck, crash, and burn!
Prayer is the only answer; it’s the only way out of this control life-loop. I need to run to God every time I feel that desire to grab the steering wheel. I need to stop, drop and pray. Pray for God to remove this desire from me; pray for Him to mend this character defect in me and help me trust His plan over mine. I need to surrender totally!
It’s hard for anyone to trust, it’s just human nature. But Jesus tells us to become like little children and trust Him so we can learn His ways.
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 18:3-4
If we aren’t willing to admit, like a little kid, that we don’t know everything, we will never be open to learn, and more importantly, change! We must be humble, willing to say, “I don’t know everything, I was wrong, teach me.” Then and only then are we open to change and free to learn!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
God has a plan; He isn’t just going along Willie-Nilly. He has a great plan, and all we need to do to get inline with Him is surrender our plans for His. Sounds easy, huh? Well, this is by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Why, oh why, is it so hard to truly let go?
We must pray for the ability to surrender. We must then act on this ability and do the great big let-go! We need to get it through our heads once and for all that God has a pre-planned agenda for us, and all we need do is get out of His way!
”For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ~Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Climate change is the secular world's explanation for Bible prophecies playing out. This is not to say that the climate isn’t changing, and changing for the worst. It most definitely is, but just because God knows something will happen doesn’t mean He’s making it happen.
Are humans responsible for any of this huge change? Of course, the inhabitants of this planter have played a huge part in this situation, who else would Satan manipulate to do his bidding? But the fact still remains that God has foretold all of this is His Holy Scriptures.
Humanity is doing everything wrong as far as God’s original plan, and this is clearly the biggest part of this messed up climate situation. Nevertheless, just because God knew it would happen, and warns us of the inevitability, doesn’t mean He planned it.
He is beckoning us back to Him, to read and understand His word, especially His words spoken through the prophets. He warns us over and over to turn from our secular ways, turn back to Him, to His ways and commandments. But so many have gone astray and don’t want Him or His ways. They just trod along, spiritually dead, not caring who or what they harm. Literally leaving a wake of destruction in their path.
Every time I see a turtle with a six-pack band stuck on his back my heart breaks. Every time I see the suffering of any animal as the effect of human selfishness it devastates me. The simple fact that so many just don’t care about the ecological health of the world around them should be a rude awaking to the rest of us. They are lost, they are the devil’s workers here on earth. They are the ones that are working out the prophecies of God in the destruction of His creation.
The current climate situation is a huge case in point. If not for humans that Satan leads astray with self-centered existence, who else would he use to destroy this planet? The throw-away mentality that has existed for decades is the major culprit to this catastrophic situation. And you better believe that Satan is the one that’s at the helm of this sinking ship!
We all need to do our part, not only for the welfare of wildlife but for the planet itself. Yes, we must all care about the world around us, however, that won’t change this situation. Planet Earth is on a terminal course of destruction. Our primary responsibility now is to share the truth about all of this climate change, that it's simply a precursor to Christ’s return. It’s all been predicted by God for thousands of years, and you can be certain it will most definitely come to pass.
The ultimate effect of sin is degradation. The falling apart of everything, from the breaking down of our physical bodies, (sickness, disease, pain, and suffering) to the degeneration of all existence, even the planet itself. The degeneration of everything . . . all living creatures, animals and even plants. As well as the worsening of the weather and increase of planetary devastation are all the byproduct and the effect of a broken and fallen world.
Can God stop it? Yes. Will He stop it? Yes, but not until every person has made their decision either for or against Jesus. Not until everyone has heard of the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus, and have made their choice, will this mess finally come to an end.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” ~2 Timothy 3:1-5
”For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 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. 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; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful.” ~Romans 1:26-31
Wouldn’t you say this sounds exactly how things are in this very day and age? There’s such an enormous surge in wickedness of every kind. Crime is running rampant, murder and rape are at an all time high. Sexual immorality, pornography, multiple sex partners, indulgence in unnatural lust/homosexuality/incest/ transgenderism, and abortion, as well as overindulgence in every possible thing. Pride and greed have become the all-consuming ruler of this present world.
Oh yes, I’d have to say we are most definitely heading into the last days. God tells us that once this order of event starts, it will not end until everything that God has predicted happens. And this is all the more reason to believe that soon Jesus will come again to execute judgment upon the evildoers and restore order, peace, love, and justice upon this earth.
Q: Are you ready to totally surrender? Please leave comments below.
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I have done all I can to surrender all that I can to God but honestly don’t know the difference between what I should surrender and what’s not considered practical to surrender? Like what does he expect me as s human to surrender if he’s not directing me when I ask for help. Sometimes, no all the time, I sense that God’s me to be supernatural figure it out and then he’ll help. I just wish he would lead and guide me and tell what I’m missing, where and how. Great blog by the way .
Dear reader,
I feel your frustration as I read your comment. I have been in your shoes as well. First off you need to understand that God never holds back. He loves us so much that there isn’t anything that He won’t do to get out attention. He simply wants surrender, total, absolute surrender. When you are unsure as to exactly what to surrender, surrender it all! If you are harboring any guilt or regret, give it to Him. You can’t possibly over-surrender! Read Romans 10:17. I get my faith recharged every time I open my Bible.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Linda~