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Join us each Saturday for our weekly gathering.
Sabbath School: 9:45 – 10:45 am
Church Service: 11:00 am
Lead Pastor Simon Liversidge 805.498.2300
“IF My people, who are called by My name will…” 2 Chronicles 7:14
I know, I’ve probably written about this text before (I didn’t go back and check but I think I have!) but I REALLY like it! “If My people, who are called by My name will:
- Humble themselves
- Pray
- Seek My face, and
- Turn from their wicked ways
THEN I will:
- Hear from heaven
- Forgive their sins, and
- Heal their land.”
IF I do this THEN He will do that. There are a lot of IF-THEN texts in the Bible like, “If I confess, THEN He will forgive.” It helps me discover my part in this whole thing called Christian living. I can’t just sit around and expect something good to happen; it doesn’t work in life and it doesn’t work with God. It helps me turn verses like this around so I can look at my need and discover the solution. In life, if I want to lose weight I have to increase calories burned and/or decrease calories consumed. There are other issues that can also play a factor in reaching this goal but IF I want to lose a few pounds THEN I need to monitor the input and outgo of calories.
IF I want my sins forgiven, THEN I need to confess them. IF I want to “hear from heaven,” THEN I need to do the four things listed above. IF I don’t choose to focus on the four things listed above I shouldn’t be surprised if the second list of three things doesn’t become readily obvious in my life. It’s not that God doesn’t want me to have them; there’s just a cause and effect in all of life including life with God.
I’m NOT talking about salvation; that’s a gift from God and all I have to do is accept that. I’m talking about living day by day until Jesus comes. IF I want life to work better, or at least increase the probability that it will because I still live in a sinful world and junk can still happen, then I need to make wise choices, focusing on the goal and then doing what I can to assist in the realization of that goal. My text for today was written to a people in rebellion from God. His solution is my verse. If I’m in rebellion maybe it’s my solution too. If I’m not in rebellion but just searching it might also fit. If I’m fully assured in my relationship with Jesus I believe it STILL offers me direction and guidance in the journey of life. It’s God’s promise—“IF you will—Then I can.”
Have a great day setting the conditions for your desired outcome,
Pastor Rich
Quote for the day: “If someone treats you badly, just remember that there is something wrong with them, not you. Normal people don’t go around destroying and hurting other human beings.” Soul Quest
