Saturday, July 30, 2011

Sunday School Lesson for July 31, 2011: Return to God’s Ways (Judges 10:10-18: 11:4-6, 32, 33)

Judges 10:16
Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.





Exodus 3:7
The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.





Hosea 5:15
Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face— in their misery they will earnestly seek me.”





Can you hear it? Press in just a little and it’ll become clearer. Listen… you can hear it. It’s … the Father’s heart. Don’t miss it. I don’t dare overlook Israel’s sin. It can’t be overstated. They had forsaken God completely. They were absolute violation of the Commandment. Over a long period of time. But God never forgot them. Never. And He never stopped acting on their behalf. Love lasts. God’s love is eternal. He separated a people unto Himself. He cut Covenant with their forefathers. He held fast to His promises and never forsook them. When they rebelled, He redeemed.

The same is true for us. There are many among us who know not the Lord. But, He loves us anyway. Created in His image and His likeness, when we picked up a Bible or visited a Church, He began the process of redemption. In the Word and in the Church he provides the tools, the knowledge, the map to find Him. He provides a path to true worship, true worship and eventual peace in Him.

Someone you know doesn’t know Him. But He loves them as much as He loves you. And He put them in your path. Don’t be shy or afraid. He has equipped you for this moment: the moment that He has chosen to bring another of His Prodigal children home. Be the instrument. Be the voice. Be the ambassador. Open the door and show His child the way.

God’s not looking for the great or powerful, the wise or the charismatic. He’s just looking for someone who will tell the story. To tell them about the Heart of the Father.





Peace,



.wb





2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.





Romans 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?





Exodus 34:6
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

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