"At The Crossroads"

 Scripture Reading: Matthew 21: 33-46 (KJV)
Scripture Text: "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?" Matthew 21:42 (KJV)

If your read the entire passage of scripture found in Matthew 21: 33-46, you will see that Jesus is delivering a clear description of what is taking place between God The Father and all of humanity.

I could go in depth as to what each of the verses mean in the scripture portion here, but we need to hear the message that Jesus was trying to bring forth and to know that it is the same message He is bringing you and I today.

Let me stop and say for the “enlightened crowd”, that I am aware that these words were spoken to Jews, about Jews. They were a promise of judgment to the entire Nation of Israel. However, let me remind you of Paul's words in Romans 2:28,29

"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."

When you and I gave our hearts and lives to Jesus - we became, by adoption through Jesus' Blood, one of the family of God - just as the Jews were at one time considered to be God's chosen ones, His family. But they rejected Him and turned Him away, and so he opened the door to "all who would believe" and He said to Jerusalem and the Jewish faith,

"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." Mat 23:38, 39 (KJV)

Quickly America became the most "Christian" country anywhere in the world. Let me say that again so that I know I have your attention. Quickly America became the most "Christian" country anywhere in the world.

It is because we are the center of Christianity WORLDWIDE and have the wherewithal to do whatever we want should we corporately decide to do so, that this nation will be judged for our lack of evangelism in these last days. Christians are afraid to go to jail for standing for their rights. They are afraid that the very constitution that protects the homosexual and the Muslim will no longer protect them and so they have "shut up" and have allowed the militant homosexuals and the Peaceful ("so-called") members of Islam, to take over our country. one can’t help but wonder if the Lord isn’t saying to all of America (including the United States and Canada)

"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord?"

In this scripture passage Jesus speaks of some people (called farmers here) coming along and renting the Land that the keeper renting the Land that the keeper of the house had prepared for them to bring forth fruit.

Yet, in these passages, we saw how the "keeper of the house" (Landlord) sent forth his servants to collect of the fruit of the vine, yet the renters, or sup-planters of the vine beat them up and even murdered them. And when the Keeper of the house or the owner of the land sent his son thinking surely they will respect him, yet, they  killed him too and tried to steal his inheritance.

So, the "servants of the vine" today, the "servants" of our American heritage, once branded by the words "In God We Trust", have been beaten, and imprisoned, and threatened against the harvest. Yet, God still sends forth laborers into the field, knowing full well they could be beaten, knowing full well they could lose everything for the cause of Christ - even their lives, yet, believing in their heart of hearts that this is “of the Lord”, and that their blood mingled with the Blood of Christ is the sacrifice that they have chosen.

I'll never forget when one of my daughters decided that her greatest desire was to become a missionary. As a very young girl at the age of 16 she travelled to a land far away for 10 days to do service for the King, and I remember how I cried every night as I looked at the moon and prayed, Lord, somewhere out there, beneath that vast sky is my little girl. Father we have given her to you to do with as you will, to call to whatever life you would have her to do and I just ask that you would bless her and keep her safe".

The vicissitudes of life changed her plans and laid aside the plans of God as she never fulfilled her calling to missionary service. Now she has become a missionary to her very own family - Wonderful things are happening there.

Just a few weeks back my oldest Granddaughter packed her belongings and with a heart full of God, she went away to a distant land for 10 days to do service for Jesus. Being she is so young (14) it is hard to say what will become of her promise to the Lord to become a missionary for him full-time. Yet, my hopes are high that she will not forget the experience she has been given, and that she will live for God  unconditionally and completely.

I cited those two illustrations because first of all, they are close to home. I feel them. I cry deeply for them and for their decisions of the past tense and the future tense and I spend much time praying for their circumstances in the present tense. You see, they are the NEW WINE that flows forth from this Godly vineyard, and I consider myself to have been the VAT that in one way or another taught them how to tread the grapes. It is one thing to have the vine dry up as cursed by the Lord as He did the fig tree (which represented the children of Israel by the way) and quite another to have the fruit of the vine dry up by the careless management of the farmer.

Now, that reminds me of Revelation 12 where Jesus revealed the prophetic insight of a woman travailing in pain to be delivered... (The church or originally Jerusalem) and the red dragon (Satan) along with 1/3 of the fallen angels of the heavens, crouched in wait for the child to be born so that he might devour him.

We all know, that because Satan and his co-harts couldn't get at Jesus - they decided to come after the woman which again is the church.

Now friend, I know I don't need remind you that we are facing such trying times. I truly believe we have entered what Jesus called the "Beginnings of Sorrows". I believe that He is allowing many things to occur as He prunes the church and readies the bride for her final flight. Some of those things will include seeing a society more freely demonstrating their predilections - whether they be sins of the flesh, race, religion, or just about anything else. I believe that according to the scriptures in 2 Timothy 3 where it says,

“This, know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV)

... that we are indeed already in those perilous times. In fact, the Bible says, "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (ref., Pro 14:12), It also says, "broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7 13:14 (KJV)

That's the times we are living in my friend. We are facing the greatest apostasy the church has ever known, and while there will be those who will come to Christ in the greatest revival of all times in the last days, I don't know that we will see it. The scriptures which tell us that such things will occur such as Joel 2 and others ... speak clearly of a time preceding the final coming of the Lord and does not - that I  see, mention such "an awakening" (REVIVAL) until "after the rapture" of the church. It is my belief that the two witnesses and the remnant (144,000), will be those that are the catalyst and the reapers of such harvest in the last days and we will already be caught away in the clouds forever to be with the Lord.

But here's where I'm going with this message here today. Using all of the language of the scripture found in Matthew 21: 33-46, it is easy to see that life you have now - no matter how broken, no matter how diseased from your sin and shame of the past, no matter how long you may have found yourself to be imprisoned in some state or county facility, no matter how deeply ingrained you are into some humongous company or fellowship, YOUR LIFE BELONGS TO THE LORD! All other promises or persuasions must be put to rest and you must somehow be made to consider the ramifications of it all if you do not declare to those you love and those who are important to you and to those who speak with you for any length of time at all that Jesus is coming very soon!

O friend, I feel an aching in my spirit for home and I know it is because I have heard the rumblings of the Lord gently moving, preparing the way once again for the Saviour to come. Friend, the WORLD NEEDS JESUS and only You and I can prepare them for His coming.

Therefore I declare to you on this Lord's day ... "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: “this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Mat 21:43,44 (KJV)

I am convinced in these next few months, that the United States of America and Canada will face the greatest judgment we have ever known, and all of the nations of the world will shake their heads to see what will then be touted as the greatest nation of the world - so degraded and so devastated it will take years to rebuild.

Oh friend, have you wandered from knowing God? I'm not talking about knowing your Pastor, or some Evangelist or some television Program. I'm talking about God. The real true ELOHIM! YESHUA! THE onE TRUE GOD and Jesus the Son? There's no greater gift that you could receive today than to stand and say, "LORD, I'm Coming Home". Oh I have wandered far away from God by now I'm coming Home. The paths of sin too long I’ve trod, Lord, I’m coming home. Coming Home, Coming Home, Never more to roam. Open wide Thine Arms of Love - Lord, I'm Coming Home. Father, I've wasted many many precious years, Now I’m coming home; I now repent with bitter tears, Lord, I’m coming home. Coming Home, Coming Home, Never more to roam. Open wide Thine Arms of Love - Lord, I'm Coming Home.

Make that declaration today will you? Tell him that regardless of all else, you want to be ready and you're coming home even now. Don't let anything stand in your way today from making things right with Jesus. Come to him now.

 

 

출처 : http://inthegarden.us/devo2010/itg082910.htm