I was listening to a teaching by Grant Luton today on chapter 2 of the book of Judges, (click here download it) and he said something that struck me as very profound. He said that, "Every decision you make is a test, and every consequence is a teaching."
He then says "-always. I've found no exceptions to that in my life - not a single one."
As I listened, I began to test his statement by thinking about decisions I have made in the past, and come to the conclusion that he is 100% right.
So many times I have suffered the consequences of a bad decision, only to give the results absolutely no thought at all... then do it again! Man, I thank God for His mercy. I am an idiot... but he still loves me.
Have you ever been praying, and been struck by the fact that God loves you? I know that sounds like a statement from "Mr. Obvious", but think about it - meditate on it before you go to sleep tonight.
I think about what I am, what I've done, the things I've said and thought, and He still loves me. He has even allowed me to be called "one of His own". Why would he give His life for such a vile, pathetic creature, such as myself... and then still care enough to gently teach me and guide me through the messes I have created? He cares for me.
When you are praying today, ask God to show you what you are; what's inside of you. I'll warn you before hand, it is going to hurt (If you're anything like me, it may make you a little sick to your stomach). Ask Him why He chose you. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you know that He chose you before time itself was created. From the bottom of your heart, ask Him why - after all you've done, why would He go through what He did for you.
And when He tells you, "Because I love you."
You'll see what I mean.
Grant Luton is the pastor of Beth Tikkun Messianic Fellowship, in Akron, Ohio, and the Author of "In His Own Words"; a book about the intricacies of the Hebrew alphabet. He is a wonderful teacher with a lot of wisdom, and very balanced in his views (he even took the time to correspond with me when my family was making the transition to Hebraic Roots teaching).
Stop by Beth Tikkun's website the next time you are looking for a good bible study, or click here for free downloads of audio teachings on several books of the bible.
He then says "-always. I've found no exceptions to that in my life - not a single one."
As I listened, I began to test his statement by thinking about decisions I have made in the past, and come to the conclusion that he is 100% right.
So many times I have suffered the consequences of a bad decision, only to give the results absolutely no thought at all... then do it again! Man, I thank God for His mercy. I am an idiot... but he still loves me.
Have you ever been praying, and been struck by the fact that God loves you? I know that sounds like a statement from "Mr. Obvious", but think about it - meditate on it before you go to sleep tonight.
I think about what I am, what I've done, the things I've said and thought, and He still loves me. He has even allowed me to be called "one of His own". Why would he give His life for such a vile, pathetic creature, such as myself... and then still care enough to gently teach me and guide me through the messes I have created? He cares for me.
When you are praying today, ask God to show you what you are; what's inside of you. I'll warn you before hand, it is going to hurt (If you're anything like me, it may make you a little sick to your stomach). Ask Him why He chose you. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you know that He chose you before time itself was created. From the bottom of your heart, ask Him why - after all you've done, why would He go through what He did for you.
And when He tells you, "Because I love you."
You'll see what I mean.
Grant Luton is the pastor of Beth Tikkun Messianic Fellowship, in Akron, Ohio, and the Author of "In His Own Words"; a book about the intricacies of the Hebrew alphabet. He is a wonderful teacher with a lot of wisdom, and very balanced in his views (he even took the time to correspond with me when my family was making the transition to Hebraic Roots teaching).
Stop by Beth Tikkun's website the next time you are looking for a good bible study, or click here for free downloads of audio teachings on several books of the bible.
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