Lyle's Blog

Psalms 150:6 says “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”. In the book of Genesis, we are told that everything was made for God’s pleasure. This knowledge is crucial to understanding why we are on earth. We are here to praise God. If we don’t, the very rocks would cry out in worship because God is worth to be praised.

God warns us that is dangerous to fall into the hands of the living God. This is why we need to find the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. The world has long ignored/rejected God. Oh, they’ll find other gods that are more to their liking, but the real God? No, the real God doesn’t allow us to participate in justice. The Ten Commandments are too restrictive. Lesser gods make room for sin and cozing up with them is comfortable. We kind of enjoy lust, envy and doubt.

The earth is in continual distress because of drought, flood, earthquakes, etc The apostle Paul tells us that the earth is in turmoil and groaning for the return of Christ. If we don’t praise God and worship Him only, the earth will and does cry out. Creation is furious, unsettled, and vindictive because mankind has covered the earth with violence and hatred of Jesus Christ. The earth longs to be at rest with the Creator. The lion and the lamb will live in peace when we accept the Prince of Peace.

Those were the words the thief on the cross said to Jesus. We who claim to be Christian assume Christ will remember us. Jesus told us that if we love Him we would obey His commandments. The thief had no opportunity to do anything but Jesus assured him that very day he would be with Him in paradise. Why? Why does that thief get to go to paradise when we who are alive and yet remain have to obey a bunch of commandments?

Before all that obedience we have a wicked heart to take care of. Jesus knew the thief was wanting to be with Him. Isn’t that the key ingredient in our relationship with Christ? Do we simply want to be with Him? I think it’s that decision that makes us willing to do anything for Christ. The thief was willing, wanting to be with Christ.

We have nothing to offer Christ except our hearts, and the desire to be His bride. That’s enough for Jesus. Obedience is just preparation for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Whether five minutes or a long life, Jesus just wants us to be wanting to be His bride.