Two Sides Of A Coin
24/04/09 22:52 Filed in: Mike's BlogDevotional
As everyone knows there are two sides of a coin, heads and tails. God at times will have His ministers preach messages that at times that seem to contradict. Yet, there is no contradiction at all. The messages are just two sides of a coin. The messages come from the heart of God and both are meant to be heard and received by everyone.
Two Sides Of A Coin
By Mike Echterling
July 2009
As everyone knows there are two sides of a coin, heads and tails. God at times will have His ministers preach messages that at times that seem to contradict. Yet, there is no contradiction at all. The messages are just two sides of a coin. The messages come from the heart of God and both are meant to be heard and received by everyone.
Today many are hearing that God is moving in judgement others are hearing that God is moving in blessings. Both messages are true, both are from the heart of God, both are for us to hear.
One side of the coin is: blessing. God's Word does not change. He has promised that if you walk in obedience to Him you would be blessed, Deuteronomy 28:1-15. All the promises in the Word of God are just as true today as any other day. God wants His people blessed. If we walk in obedience to Him and His Word we will be blessed no mater what is going on around us.
The other side of the coin is: judgement. God is just. He must be God. He must do what He said He would do in His Word. He said if people chose not to obey His Word then they would reap the rewards of their choosing.
I want you to know that if you are thrown into the lions den you will come out unhurt. If you are thrown into the firey furnace you will come out of the the fire unharmed like the Hebrew children, "their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them", Daniel 3:26. You will "walk through the shadow of the valley of death"... you will pass through! Psalms 23:4
Everyone knows the scripture in James that talks about profound power in prayer and the example that the Holy Spirit gives to James is that of Elijah and the how there was no rain for three and a half years. Then Elijah prayed again and it rained. To illustrate the power of prayer James uses one side of the coin, judgement.
Elijah saw in the Word of God that if the people chose to choose their way above God's way, then there would be famine in the land. Elijah knew that if God did fulfill this Word, then the people would think that there was no God and that He did not watch over His Word to fulfill it. Elijah's heart was for God to honor His Name and to honor His Word.
Elijah prayed this prayer even though he was praying something that would effect not only his own family and countrymen but also his own well being. Can you imagine what our nation would be like if it did not rain for three and a half years? Can you imagine the effect it would have on your family?
Elijah knew that this famine would be sever but that it may also be good. Good because it may bring his countrymen, his family, the hearts of the Israelites back to their God. Romans 11:22 says, "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off". "The goodness and severity of God". Elijah knew there were two sides to a coin.
He knew that there was goodness in the judgement (severity) of God that came because the people chose to think, act, behave in a way that was against the directions found in the Word of God. Elijah wanted his countrymen to return to the heart of God no matter what the cost. Could you pray the same thing? Do you honor God's Word to that degree? Remember God's goodness and blessing will still be there for those that "continue in His goodness". God's love will never fail, God's mercy, goodness and loving kindness will always endure.
A final word. Our hearts must be full of compassion, love, and mercy. Jonah, did not want to go to Nineveh and preach repentance. Jonah knew that if the people of Nineveh would repent and turn their hearts toward God and obey His Word, that God who is so great in love and forgiveness would instantly and completely forgive them! Even though they had chosen to live as vile and perverse as any group of people ever has.
As every Sunday School child knows, Jonah disobeyed God and would not go and tell a wicked people about God's great love for them. Jonah's life went down hill from the moment he decided to disobey God... down to Jappa, down to the ship, down into the lowest part of the ship, he laid down, he was then thrown down into the sea, and finally he was swallowed by a big fish and went down into its belly. It is all down hill if you disobey God and run from His presence.
When Jonah realized what he was doing and finally changed his mind and heart the fish spit him out on the shores of Nineveh. As you know, Jonah preached, the king called for every man, woman, child and even all the animals to fast and cry out for God's mercy. God answered and revival came to Nineveh.
There are "Two Sides Of A Coin". God's heart is for you to always enjoy His goodness and blessings. At times He will discipline us and we are never to despise His correction. That judgment or disciple is a blessing. If received with a tender heart it will draw us to our Heavenly Father.
© Hart To Heart Ministries ℠
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Hart To Heart Ministries ℠.
Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Mike and Denise Hartmann-Echterling. © Hart To Heart Ministries ℠ Website: www.h2hm.org
