Forgiveness and My Commandments

Lord: I want to talk to my church about forgiveness this morning, for I know that many are as distressed as I am, with the lack of forgiveness, in the very public eye, and in the media.

There is a modern trend to offer no quarter to anyone who, even once in their life, transgresses the law, and people are today bringing up small offences 20 or 30 years after they were committed, in order to gain money from them. In a Christian country, this sort of behaviour should be balanced by My perspective on things. Let me explain what I mean. I will start by my law.

 

My Law can be summed up in the commandments I gave to Moses. Now six of these ten commandments are the fundamental basis of all laws in both Christian and non Christian societies. For the moment I have passed over the first four, but I will come back to them in a moment.

The last six commandments are agreed upon by most societies around the world as the foundation stones for society. Not all the societies which incorporate them in their legal system derived them from Moses, but from the realisation that stable society requires standards of acceptable behaviour. Respecting and honouring your parents and elders is part of all stable societies where the young are safe and protected and free to learn and grow up into good people. Murder is unacceptable to most, even the most heathen or materialist, societies, and although it is commonplace as societies wander further from me, it is still a basic punishable law offence in all nations. Adultery is considered stealing or cheating, but it is also recognised as a cancer that attacks family life, and the stability of any nation is in its family. Stealing is also socially unacceptable the world over. Even in those nations that embrace communism, and re-distribute wealth, stealing is still a crime against the state. Bearing false witness is effectively lying! Lying leads one away from truth, and although many individuals and societies, wouldn't recognise truth if it reared up and bit them, no one likes to find out that they have been lied to! Coveting is one of the most widespread of all the sins of mankind. Everyone at some time in their life is jealous of someone owning something they don't have. That something may be a material possession like a car, a home or a job, or it may be something less tactile, but nevertheless just as real, like a talent, an education, an opportunity. Coveting anything that belongs to someone else leads to a breaking of all of the commandments or laws that govern society.

The first four commandments are the elements that set My law and commandments above the laws and commandments of the godless. The reason for this is simple; the first four commandments require an acceptance of an authority higher than the authority of man. That authority is Me! Why should I have more authority than the leaders of men? Because I am the Designer and Creator of everything that is. I formed everything in the entire universe and beyond, out of nothing! As the creator, even of the laws of nature, many of which mankind has not even imagined exist, I have absolute power and authority over everything I laid down those laws on tablets of stone for Moses, to create a nation. They were the lowest common denominator of basic rules. Keep the first four, and keeping the next six is much easier. Keep them all and man is living the life I intended him to live.

Now let's look at something which is often overlooked. When I gave the commandments to Moses, I wanted mankind to use a gift I first gave to Adam and Eve. That gift is free-will. I wanted mankind to exercise the gift by accepting the commandments freely, without coercion, to recognise the goodness and rightness of them, and to realise that as they became a single nation, the free adoption of My commandments would enable them to live in peace with one another.

Notice that in the narrative which relates how I gave them to Moses, I do not include a punishment for the breaking of any of the commandments. The nearest I come to a punishment is that I say of those who take my name in vain, that I will not hold them guiltless. I want man to keep these commandments, not out of fear or punishment, but out of love, accepting them as the minimum standard of decent living and of righteousness.

Now, because they are so basic in society, the breaking of any of My commandments, does have consequences, which, if left unchecked lead to human suffering, disease, and the breakdown of family and society. Hence the necessity for some form of reckoning and or punishment. This purges the evil from society, but it must be, and be seen to be, just. Some trespasses are unintentional or accidental, and some seem unavoidable at the time. This is why I have allowed for forgiveness and a means of atonement.

Remorse and sadness, about a breaking of the commandments can and should, lead to repentance. and an acknowledgement of the wrong done; a desire to say sorry and to make restoration. A resolve to never do it again, should lead to forgiveness. on the part of society.

A society which is in any way God-fearing, whether Christian or otherwise, should also accept that what I have forgiven is forgiven for ever! Those who fail to forgive, whether great or small, set themselves up above mankind as some sort of god themselves. In remaining unforgiving of those who have repented, they place themselves in the wrong before me. For if I, as the Creator, and only just judge, have declared someone clean, who can dare to challenge My judgement?

Forgiveness, whether from man or from Me, is a precious gift. When I forgive sins, those sins are forgiven forever, and no amount of fishing can bring them back. When you forgive the sin of anyone who sins against you, they stand forgiven! Yes, I have declared through My beloved son Jesus, that if you forgive the sins of anyone they are forgiven, both on Earth and in Heaven. You may not, after forgiving anyone, bring that sin up again! To do so makes you a liar, and equally as guilty as the one who has sinned against you. Remember that All mankind has sinned, that means even you, and have fallen short of the minimum standard I have set! No one is without sin, and the wages or consequence, of sin is death! Jesus died on the Cross to deal with that death and give all men a way to come back, into the way of righteousness. Once they have been forgiven, they are forgiven, both in the eyes of his fellow sinner and, in My eyes as well. Remember when you accuse others, that there are accusations against you! If you forgive others, then others will forgive you. If I forgive you, then no man may accuse you.
 

Love one -another, as I have loved you!

Act of Righteousness

Lord: The story of Abigail is the story of how I saved and redeemed a nasty situation. She was a righteous woman, caught in an arranged, loveless marriage to a man who wasn't worthy of her. In her righteous act of sending gifts to David to avert his wrath over the insult her husband had heaped on him, she diverted his wrath and kept him from acting without consulting Me. His reward, and her salvation, were both satisfied when he asked her to be his wife. You see her security was all tied up in her marriage. If David had attacked and killed all the males in her household, she would have been left with no security and in contempt of David and everyone else. She would probably have ended up as a slave. Even if her husband died of natural causes her fate would rest with whoever inherited his estates, as they had no children. That would mean someone of her husband's choosing and of like mind to him. Her fate would be to become the wife of an equally obnoxious man, or to be turned out of her home, penniless. So, because of her act of righteousness, David met her and saw her in a good light. He fell in love with her and she with him. When she was freed by the sudden death of her husband, David sent to her and she became his wife. Thus her situation was redeemed.

    I see every act of righteousness and I honour every deed done in love. There is no situation that I cannot redeem. I have proved that with the Cross. Even the hardness of man's heart can be softened! All the problems of the nations today can be solved overnight, yes, overnight, by that nation turning to Me and asking forgiveness! A national day of prayer for the nation, called by national leaders and backed by all the churches, would restore this nation of yours overnight.

    Keep these things before you, and pray for the moving of My Spirit in your land. I am with you and I am listening and waiting for those prayers of repentance. 

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Lay Your Burdens at My Cross

Me: Good Morning Lord. Thank you for waking me this morning and for this new day you have made. Thank you for always being here for me. I love you.

Lord: Good morning Martin. Thank you for joining us this morning. You know I am always here for you, no matter what time of the day or the night.

Whenever my children need me, I am there for them. I am often accused of not being there, and as a result someone dies, just like on the occasion of the death of Lazarus! Even my very good friend, who knew me so well, said, "If you had been here my brother would not have died!" I want to assure you all that no-one suffers or dies in this world alone. I am always there with them, as they go through the depths, or as they pass over. You may not be aware of me, but that is usually because you are not tuned into me. No one passes into life after life, alone. Nor can I be accused of not knowing the suffering of man. I feel every sadness, pain and anguish every man, woman and child feels. The big difference is that, though they feel it only for a time, I feel it for all eternity!

This is the reason the Cross of Jesus is so important to mankind, for it was on that hideous cross that I suffered all, yes all, the pains and sufferings of mankind in every age, from Adam to the end of time. I suffered it all, in order to take it away from you! That is why I want you all to lay your sin and all your sufferings there at the foot of the Cross, and to leave them there. They are no longer yours, but mine! I want you to walk on from the Cross, unburdened and free, so that you can enter into life. I don't offer it for tomorrow, but for today, for now. There is no reason why anyone, reading this word, should walk away from me still burdened by sin. Lay down your burden now at the foot of my Cross!

I hear your cry to me, "How Lord? How do I lay it down when I have carried it so long?" Dear one, it is simple. Confess that sin, tell me about it and don't hold back. I will not be shocked or surprised; I already know about it! But you need to confess it before me and repent. With the realisation that sin is clinging to you, comes the desire I give you, to be free of it. However hard you shake and wriggle, it clings to you and you will soon realise that you need the help of Someone Else. That is the moment of repentance, when you cry out, "Help me!" At that moment Jesus, my beloved Son, steps down from the Cross and removes the burden from you, taking it on his own shoulders. You never need to carry it again, once He has taken it away.

The Cross of Jesus has been the salvation of millions of ordinary men, women and children, from every nation, tribe and people, down the last 2,000 years. It still has the same power it had on the day of the Crucifixion, and Jesus is still there in the world with you, lifting burdens and carrying all your sins and sufferings. No one dies alone, and no one suffers alone. I am with you always, right to the close of the age!

I love you.

I say to You

Me: Good morning Lord. Thank you for waking me this morning and for this new day. Thank you Lord for a good night's sleep, and a refreshing walk with you. I love you Lord.

Lord: Good morning Martin. Thank you for your company this morning and for spending time with us. We always enjoy your company. I love you too.

Take your pen, and write all the words that I give you, and do not be afraid, or over awed, by the things that I say to you. Remember that I command, and my word is law!

To the Young

I am speaking to the young ones who have committed their lives to me. Rise up, men and women of God. Do not be afraid to speak out the truth, that has been revealed to you through the Holy Spirit. Older men will speak out against you and try to silence you, but their words are as empty as their heads. Base your truth on the Holy Scripture, my word. Use my word as your starting point in all debate and research. Do not let yourselves be drawn by empty theories and arguments that exclude me, for they all lead down blind alleys.

Use all the vigour I have given you in your youth, to pursue truth, and discover all the things that have laid hidden from men since the fall of Adam. Follow the leadings I shall give you, and walk in the way of righteousness and truth. Love one another and uphold each other, as together you work for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Those of you who are feeling the call to be evangelists, know this: In every age, those who I call are young and still have the energy of youth. Be bold, be strong, and use the energy I have given you, as you speak the words I shall give you each time you open your mouth for me. Do not let anyone despise your youth, nor be discouraged, but continue to speak the words that I give you. Remember that I am standing by you, and I am in every word that I give you.

There are others among you, whom I am calling to support and encourage, to pastor and to nurture. Again I say to you, do not let any despise your youth, or try to discourage you, by saying you have no experience of being a pastor. Let me give you that experience, and guide you to do all the things I am calling you to do.

To all of you I say: Stay close to me, and spend time with me. Read and digest my word in scripture. Do not be selective, but read and mark every word, for all scripture is given for your learning and edification. Listen to the still small voice as I speak to you in the silence, and be prepared, for when I speak to you it will be words of knowledge, wisdom, and prophecy. Use the gifts that I have provided through the Spirit, and clothe yourselves in the armour I provide. I am with you, now and always. Come, let us go out, claim the Kingdom, and proclaim Jesus is Lord!

To the Older ones

I am speaking now, to those who are past the first flush of youth. I want you to rise up from your comfortable chair! Take to the walls of the city, and watch. Use all the wisdom, and knowledge I have given you, as you watch, wait, and listen. Look at the state of the city, and the mess that is in people's lives. Look at the corruption, and the injustices, that have been brought about by greed. You may not feel that they are your fault, and may even feel indignant as you look upon them, but I want you to repent for your city, repent for your nation, repent for the sin of the world. I call on you to do this, because those who have caused this mess, or who live entrenched in their lives of sin, cannot yet repent themselves. Through your prayers of repentance, I will cause a wave of repentance, to sweep through the nations. That wave will carry others with it, and like a tsunami, will gather momentum, until it has washed all things clean.

Encourage the young men and women, who now carry the torch of faith. Pray for them and support them in every way. Correct them in all gentleness if they stray, and do not criticise them, for they speak as I command them. Bless those around you, and support my children, as they discover their ministry and place, in the church I have created, and in the Kingdom I have established.

To All I say: Love one another, as I have loved you!

Repentance and Forgiveness

Me:    Good morning Lord. Thank you for waking me this morning and for forgiving me my sins, which I confess before you. Lord I love you and I don't want to sin, so thank you for always being there for me, to forgive me. I love you Lord.

Lord:    Good morning son. Stay close to me and let my forgiveness envelope you. The only answer to sin is Jesus. Walk with him and be always seeking to be like him and leave the sin to me.

It's sin and forgiveness I want to talk about with you today. All of mankind is born into, and steeped in, sin. It is a fact of life that none can escape. For a long time in history mankind did what seemed good to him, without reference to me, including the people I had chosen for my own. As you read their history you see how they oscillated between those who did what was right, and those who did what was evil. While I did notice and deal with individuals, both good and bad, I dealt mainly with 'the nation', the wider group. Unfortunately the people did not listen to me and interpreted their selection as a nation wrongly and put themselves above the Law I had laid down. This putting yourself above the law soon means that even the law maker is put aside, and the people forgot me, and all I had done for them.

The only way to bring them back was to knock their feet from under them, so they fell. For generations they had been a wandering people with no land to call their own. I gave them their land on condition they followed me. When they went their own way and refused to heed my call through the prophets, I took away their land and once again they were a landless people, first of all living on the land that I had given them, but paying from their produce to foreign kings and rulers, then being taken from the land and planted in a strange place. It took them nearly 80 years to turn back to me and cry out in their distress. The problem was now that they were so paranoid about turning away again and losing what they had regained, that they cloaked the law I gave them, which should have given them freedom, with petty rules and regulation that bound the people in a new kind of bondage. But all this did not deal with man's tendency to sin. What could I do?

I had long planned to send my Son, and this is what I did; Jesus came and turned the hearts of ordinary individuals back to me. He was not dealing with nations or even tribes, but with the individual. The great appeal of the Good News was that it offered a once-for-all-time solution to the age-old problem of sin. For the first time in their history, the people were not dependent on their kings and leaders or even the religious leaders to repent on their behalf. Every man, woman and child could come to Jesus and receive forgiveness, know the love of God for themselves and be set free. No wonder the early believers were full of joy!

This was once again spoilt by institutionalising the Church, making it the religion of the empire and forcing its laws, most of which were totally man made and nothing to do with me, upon a people who just wanted to choose Jesus for themselves and live their lives without interference from others. Once again the 'Way to God' had been hijacked and the people who wanted to walk the way had been enslaved. Sin abounds under these conditions.

I continued to work among my people, setting many free. I even worked through institutions at times, until the leaders or godless men realised that congregations were being set free. In every generation I have provided revivals, renewals and have raised up prophets and teachers, many of whom were persecuted and even killed, just like the prophets of old. However, even through the worst times of persecution I have kept the truth alive and have kept a remnant. Because I am dealing with individuals and not whole nations' I have often been tempted to abandon nations to their own sin. But in your day I am calling my Church, the individuals I have saved through My Son Jesus, to pray for the nations. Yes, to come before me and confess the sins of kings, governments and nations, because I have already made a promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14, that:

'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'(NIV)

That is a two-part promise, a covenant. The first part is yours:

'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways...'

The second part is mine:

'...then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'

I am now calling my people, the Church, those who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, to 'humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways...' I am also asking them to pray for their leaders and the nations, because their leaders and the nations are not yet ready to humble themselves before me. Pray, believing that as you pray, I will work in your land. I promise that I will hear your prayer and I will forgive their sins and heal their land, your sins and your land.

The authority I have given to Jesus as My beloved Son, is still very firmly in His hands. No man, or ruler, or nation, can take that away from Him. All mankind is answerable to Him. Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and all in the other religions, even the atheist and the pagan are answerable to Him, because I have declared it so.

So, let all the individuals that are saved by the blood of Jesus stand together and pray for their leaders and their nations. Let them confess, and turn their backs to sin and wickedness, and I will forgive them and heal their land.