Stay put. Stay focused. Whatever you do, don’t get defensive. Nor should you get haughty seeing how others behave. You may be the next target.
Continue to work hard. Be faithful to your task. 

In the minds of some people, there is considerable doubt about God’s dealings with people in the Old Testament compared with the New Testament. They think God was angry and judgmental in the Old Testament but became loving and kind in the New Testament.
The reality is that God never changes. We clearly see both the wrath of God and the mercy of God displayed in the Old Testament. Both are clear realities. But since the New Testament begins with the ministry of Jesus, it highlights God’s grace in a tremendous way. The love of God is extended to people in quite a vivid way through the life, ministry and death of Jesus.
This huge focus of the New Testament in the early books highlight God’s love. But it is important to understand God’s love in the context of God’s wrath against sin and evil. That wrath of God still exists and is therefore the very reason that God’s grace is so amazing. His love for us is so great that he provides a way for us to escape that wrath.
This is clearly seen in Revelations chapter 16 where God’s wrath against evil is poured out. Several times, the statement is given: “And they did not repent.” God was looking for an opportunity to show mercy to people even in the very last days, in the midst of His wrath against evil.
So in the New as well as the Old Testament, God is exhibiting his wrath against evil and extending his mercy to all his creation.

Your Turn

Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?

Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in

—————

I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.

* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.

* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

They are good people. But they talk constantly. They’re brilliant and knowledgeable about a vast array of matters.
But every conversion I’ve had with them were one way conversations. I listen and they talk. Rarely do I get a chance to speak. They do all the talking.
They get themselves into a mess, and they’re still talking. Talking themselves through the mess, and getting deeper into it. Never listening. They don’t need to listen since they’re brilliant.
One day, I hope they’ll listen to someone. 

When those you lead begin performing tasks with an inner drive, a change has come. Previously they only did what was required and when it was required. But now it is obvious that they have caught the vision. When this begins to happen, you must take some important steps.
Celebrate the fact that they are catching the vision and find unique ways to reward them. Rewards do not have to be monetary. Verbal acknowledgement and affirmation are sometimes the best. Then, continue to focus on the vision. Don’t let off or coast. Keep the vision before them and continue to value it. The momentum toward the vision must be maintained

God’s wrath against sin and rebellion is quite real. But while he remains angry at sin, his heart reaches out to those he created. With love he makes a way for redemption. And even today he continues to offer that redemption which was prompted by his love.

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed” (Rev 15:1-4).

So the wrath of God is finished. The song of Moses and the song of the Lamb exalts God and expresses what he wants to do in caring for and guiding people. What joyous news for us to know. Jesus, the Lamb of God has taken away the sins of the world. He has taken away my sins. That is the ultimate of God’s righteous acts. Yes, the wrath of God is finished.
Now for the question above I would answer “…till God provides an opportunity for redemption. And he has already provided that opportunity through his Son Jesus. So he now waits with eager expectation. He is filled with mercy and compassion – much beyond our grasp.
We would be too impatient with those who constantly fall into sin. Our tolerance gets worn out too quickly as we reach out to those who are hurting. We expect a quick turn around where people turn from their sin quickly and without any delay. But God waits with eager expectation that all people would turn from their sinful ways and turn to him.
So the answer to the question above is that God is not angry with us. But in love, he has provided a way for us to be free from everything in life that binds and controls us. 
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
—————
I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.
* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

But if you wait till you produce the best work, you may never get started. The road to “The Best” is too long and even scary for many people. There has to be a better approach.
Maybe you just need to begin. Start small, be regular, and do your best. Your best may not be The Best, but at least you’ve begun. Now you can learn and grow as you produce your best work as of now.
There are too many who wait till they are good enough or till they become The Best. These people never even begin.
 

You create space by building an environment conducive to the task. Which talents do you wish to attract? Be accepting of such people. Express the need for people with those talents. Although you can’t be an expert in everything, be fairly knowledgeable.
Once they feel welcome, they will bloom in the environment you’ve created. Then others with similar talents will show up. But it begins with you creating space for what’s important. 

What kind of investment has Jesus made in your life? For some, he gave healing for their bodies, healing for mental disorders, peace in the midst of turmoil, or other vital things you needed. Because he is merciful, he continues to provide healing and continues to meet your needs.
For some people, Jesus was a friend who stayed close when everyone else walked away. He gave you the promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He remained true to his word and stayed by your side.
In one way or another, Jesus has invested/sown good seeds into the lives of every human being on this planet (Matt 13:37-43). Now the question is, what return will Jesus get from his investments? Or what will Jesus reap as a result of what he has sown into the lives of people?
There is a time coming where Jesus will send out an angel with a sickle to reap the harvest of the final days.

Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put on your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped (Rev 14:14-16).

May we fix our eyes on Jesus in the way he wants so that we will be part of that end time harvest of Souls.
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
—————
I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
* For a Malayalam video of this post, visit my YouTube channel.
* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.
* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

Yes, you can come back and choose Jesus later in life. But during the other choices you make, you’ll add on some extra unwanted baggage as well. Unfortunately, that extra baggage can stick to you throughout your life. Sure, you can unload that luggage when you’re fed up with it. Bu its not as easy as it sounds.
There’s also no guarantee that you’ll have another day to for another choice. Oh, there’s no pressure. It’s your choice.
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