Notre Dame Cathedral.
But God.
But God.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8, NAS)
Much
as been reported on TV, written in newspapers and social media, and spoken all
over the world, about the burning of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. It is a
major event, of destruction and forever loss. This type of structure just
cannot be replaced, no matter how much money will be pledged and spent to bring
it back to its former glory. (I think of the 2nd Jewish Temple and
its destruction in 70 A.D.)
I have
never been to France. but I do know Frenchmen, having served with Derek Prince
Ministries for 8 years and knowing the French director of the ministry there
during that time. It was always a struggle to have funds to support that
specific national office; far more so than the other 11 worldwide offices DPM
had at that time.
The
deep foundational roots of Catholicism made the effort to share the pure Word
of the Gospel quite difficult from that office. And now with the influx of
Middle Eastern culture and religion, even well beyond the French borders in
other European countries, I am sure the cost in spiritual and natural resources
must make the desire for truth shared even more difficult to cast seed and bear
fruit.
It
continually amazes me that even in such a situation as this, such as this
terrible Notre Dame Cathedral immense fire, many do not even consider the One
who still sits on the throne of heaven. They instead speak of “Our Lady”, the
English version of Notre Dame, as if she is the queen of all. Often, she is
lifted up above her Creator, God Himself. Indeed, Miriam (the real name of
Mary, in Hebrew) was called and blessed of God to bear His Only Begotten Son,
Jesus (Yeshua), which she willingly accepted to do, though unmarried at the
time. But even she never exalted herself, but instead exalted her God.
“I am the Lord’s
servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel
left her.” (Luke 1:38, NIV)
A servant generally
doesn’t think they are above and beyond their Master. They tend to better
understand their role. As so with the real Mary, the one who gave birth to our
Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah, that was her proper consideration of
herself.
But God chose her, as
He has and continues to do among humankind. His plan and purpose is to draw
each to His Son Jesus, Who alone is the Savior of the world. Only through His
shed blood will forgiveness, redemption and salvation be found. There is no
other.
Having been a Roman
Catholic for the first 21 years of my life, I understand the theology that was
built on and covering over the very foundation of truth, laid by God through Jews,
since the days of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Prophets, Jesus (Himself a
Jew, and still is), and the early church apostles and believers. All Jews. And
not Mary worshippers, but Yeshua, God in the flesh, worshippers.
The cross remains at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France
It is now time that any
and all structures, both in the natural and the spiritual, that have covered
over that eternal truth, of Jesus Christ being the Only Savior, be torn down
and restored to that of which He is. Only then will eyes be turned from the
idols and lies that have so blinded, so many, for so long.
“And you He made alive, who
were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you
once walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once
conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of
the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as
the others.
4 But
God (emphasis mine), who is rich in mercy, because of
His great love with which He loved us, 5 even
when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by
grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up
together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in
Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might
show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward
us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been
saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the
gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone
should boast. 10 For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:1-10)
There is no joy in
seeing the destruction of beautiful architecture that was built centuries past.
For that matter, there is no joy at all in seeing anything good and wholesome
in life being removed, especially the unborn lives we have become accustomed to
destroying, with little thought of the eternal ramifications.
But God, seated on the
throne, knows what is going on, and is not sitting idly by. He promised to
shake all things that stand between Him and the people He loves, continually
trying to show that His love alone can save.
When that truth is
realized and accepted, those crying at times like these can know of Him and
know Him. Hopefully, they will turn to Him, Jesus Christ, and be saved.
Now think on this.
Shalom
and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People,
Inc.
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Now Think On This #413 - in the year of our Lord
04.17.19 – “Notre Dame Cathedral. But God.” – Wednesday 8:15 am
