No Corners Cut, No Pacifying, No Round-About Way

By Lou Yeboah

As I reflect back over my life, I am reminded that, “I never could have made it without the Lord. I would have lost it all, but now I see how He was there for me.” [Marvin Sapp – Never Would Have Made It – “Emphasis Mine”].

You see, “I could have been dead and gone but [He] saw differently. [He] decided to save me… from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you Jesus. Thank you for delivering me; for setting me free, for saving me, for washing me clean, for loving me.” [Grateful – Hezekiah Walker].

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hands against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand delivers me. I give You thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing Your praise; I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness. [Psalms 138:1-8].

It fills me with humble gratitude and overwhelming awe. Thank you! [Psalm 77:11–12].

Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness, My God, that is Who You are. [REVERE, Darlene Zschech & William McDowell Lyrics].

“Oh, get the shackles off my feet, so I can dance. I just want to praise You” [Mary Mary – Shackles [Praise You].

This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad! Amen

I tell you, when we look at our life from where we came from to where we are today, we should be giving thanks to the Lord, proclaiming aloud “look where God has brought us from.” It is His grace and mercy that has carried us through. Like David, God has taken us from the pasture [2021] to the palace [2022]. It’s not just where we made it. It’s how we made it. A remarkable journey that reminds us that we never would have made it without the Lord. [2 Samuel 7].

By no stretch of the imagination, the past two years have been an easy time. The pandemic has forever changed our world and yet here we are thanking God for the brand-new year. We would not have made it, to where we have made it, without a way maker.

Just imagine what would happen if God did not intervene on our behalf? “If the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.” Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. [Psalms 124:1-7].

“I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising Him. I will praise Him for what He has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad! Proclaim with me the Lord’s greatness; let us praise His name together! I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me; He freed me from all my fears. [Psalms 34:1-7].

Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard; He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping [ Psalms 66].

“Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!” [1 Chronicles 16:8].

For, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his passions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” [Lamentations 3:22-23].

Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One!

By Lou Yeboah

Even though the journey may not necessarily have been an easy one, God has been good to you. God has blessed you. Don’t make the mistake of forgetting that truth. God’s grace and mercy brought you through. [Psalm 91:7] says, “Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.” May you never forget where He brought you from!

Like God through Moses told His people before their entrance into the promised land at least six times in [Deuteronomy 8:1-20]: Be careful not to forget the Lord your God! The children of Israel were being blessed with the Lord with the ability to enter the Promised Land, but they did not listen. May we not be like the children of Israel who didn’t listen. Not only did they forget the works of God, but they also forgot that it was God, who was leading them; guiding them; that had promised them a land flowing with milk and honey. I say and I say again, if God allows you to see another day, yet along another year, may you never forget where He brought you from.

We must remind ourselves, on a DAILY basis, where the Lord has brought us from, and where we could have been. We must keep a humble and a pure heart before the Lord because the danger of forgetfulness according to [Psalms 50] tells us that God will tear us in pieces, and there be none to deliver!”

Therefore, “Beware, that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His precepts, and His statutes, lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all you have is multiplied, then your [mind and] heart be lifted up and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, but who brought you forth water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.  And beware lest you say in your mind and heart, my power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and walk after other gods, serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. Like the nations which the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.” [Deuteronomy 8:10-20].

Thank God for His Grace and Mercy and thank Him for the provision made for you, so that you can have life in abundance.

Oh, Heavenly Father, I thank You Lord for Your Grace and Mercy. I reverence Your Holy and magnificent name. I give You praise, thanks, honor and glory for Your extended grace and mercy towards me. I thank You for paying the penalty for my sins and for never turning Your back on me. For there are many times that I have come short of Your Glory, BUT You still love and care for me. I’ve failed You and walked away from You BUT, You still came after me. Even when I take Your mercy and grace for granted, You still give me more grace and more mercy. I thank You Lord, for allowing me to awake this morning, when so many have passed unto eternity. You have favored me with life yet another day, whereof I am grateful. Thank You Lord for Your GRACE and MERCY. In Jesus name. Amen

May the New Year be one of great spiritual growth for you. May it be one where you learn the name of Jesus, and never fail to see Him for who He is, and what He is doing. And may it be one where you resolve to live with hope, and with love for God. Christ’s blessing be upon you in 2022, and always. Amen.

By Lou Yeboah

Oh, I can’t help but respond with an offering of praise. You see, the Father gave His son. The Son gave His life as a ransom for me and you. [Galatians 1:4]. “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” [John 3:17]. God sent His Son to be born of a virgin and to be born into human flesh, to live a perfect life and to have Him give His own life so that we might be saved and not fall under condemnation but rather, be saved by the free gift of grace [Ephesians 2:8-9].

Thank You, Lord for Your Indescribable Gift of Jesus. The invaluable, unspeakable gift You have given us! No thoughts, words, or songs can begin to convey the greatness of Who Jesus is, nor of the love You lavish on us by sacrificing Your beloved Son! I thoroughly delight in the incomparable benefits [current and eternal] that I have received through life in Him [His glorious strength, peace, hope, mercy, pardon, righteousness, love, wisdom, joy, deliverance, light and infinitely more]. Thank You that I have everything in Your Indescribable Gift! I repent for how I have often not treated Him as Your Indescribable Gift, and I pray that I, my family members, and all other believers will, from now on, Exult in Him. Experience Him as Your Pleasure. Know Him as Your Treasure. Love Him, Honor Him, Cherish Him, Worship Him, Abandon ourselves to Him, Abide in Him and speak continually about Him as Your blessed Indescribable Gift.

What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.” [Psalm 116: 12-14]. Yes, I will proclaim Your greatness…I will thank You forever. Because my Hallelujah belongs to You. All of the glory belongs to You. I will praise you Oh Lord, because You deserve it. You deserve my love, my adoration, my devotion, my praise, my worship, my obedience, my everything… for you have clothed me with the garments of salvation. You have covered me with the robe of righteousness [Isaiah 61:10]. Oh, When I think upon Christmas! Thank You Lord!

If God has been good to you, you ought to say so. [Psalm 107:2]. If God has delivered you, you ought to say so. If God has saved your soul, you ought to say so. If God has blessed you, you ought to say so. If God woke you up this morning, you ought to say so. If God has brought you from a might long way, you ought to say so. The King of Kings is still alive. Therefore, celebrate Him! Because He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is your doctor in the sick room. He is your lawyer in the court room. He is your bread when you are hungry. He is your water when you are thirsty. He is a wonderful counselor when you are confused. He is your peace in the midst of the storm. He is your joy when you are sad. Our Great Redeemer, Great Jehovah, the Open Door, the Great Shepard, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The Giver of the Holy Spirit. The True Vine, Jesus I can’t forget what you have done for me. I can’t forget how you set me free. I can’t forget, No Never. For Grace and Mercy, so freely given, I cannot forget. For Faith that says, my sins are forgiven, I cannot forget. For your sons precious blood, which covers my faults, I cannot forget. Thanks be to You Oh Lord, for your inexpressible gift!” [2 Corinthians 9:15].

Singing ? “Because of Who you are, I give you glory. Because of Who you are, I give you praise. Because of Who you are, I will lift my voice and say: Lord, I worship you because of Who you are. Jehovah Jireh [My provider] Jehovah Nissi [You reign in victory]. Jehovah Shaloh [My prince of peace] I worship you because of Who you are.” [Vicky Yohe – Because I Sing].

“Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful – Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Grateful – Grateful, Grateful, Grateful, Gratefulness – is flowing from my heart. Are you grateful for what the Lord has done, why want you give Him glory?” [Hezekiah Walker-Grateful].

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” [Luke 2:8-14].

Celebrate Jesus!

By Lou Yeboah

And think about all the events in my life up unto the present time, the good as well as the bad, the bitter, and the sweet, my soul cries Abba, Father. Looking back upon those days I see now that the chief comfort of my soul was you Oh, Lord. In my time of doubt, it was Your assurance. In my time of darkness, it was Your light. In my time of confusion, it was Your instructions. Man’s opinion meant nothing to me because man could not help me. It was You and You alone Oh, God.

“I say a prayer every night, whatever I do, I’ll get it right. With no regrets, no guilt or shame, no not this time once I surrender, I won’t dare look back, cause if I do, I’ll get off track… Prepare my mind, prepare my heart for whatever comes… I feel like I’m so blessed. With You in control, I can’t go wrong. You showed me Your Grace, now my life’s renewed and I thank You, Yes, I thank You. So, I’ll tell anyone who’ll listen. I’ll testify about how good You are to me. The fact that You would show somebody so broke down, so-much-mercy, use me as You will, I’ll pay the price cause You made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s all because of You, that I even have life, and I’ll give my love, as a tribute, to how great You are…” [I’m Gonna Be Ready – Yolanda Adams].

All my days He had sought me, now I began to seek Him. He had called me, now I began to call upon Him, yet I thought He would never hear me. I had truly become the beggar. I wept till I had no more tears; prayed till I had no more words. Sought for advice and comfort but none could help me. Then one night by my bed side as I lay under the burden of my guilty conscience, He suddenly revealed Himself to my heart. I saw all my sin taken away in His blood. For the first time in my life, I knew the Lord, He was in Heaven, and I was on Earth, yet He had made Himself known to me through His cleansing power.

I tell you the Love of God is Unmerited. [Deuteronomy 7:7-8]. The Love of God is Eternal. [Jeremiah 31:3]. The Love of God is Universal. [John 3:16; 1st Timothy 2:4]. The Love of God is Unlimited. [Ephesians 2:4-5]. The Love of God is Immutable. [James 1:17] and He wants to bestow His love upon you. “Come to the feast.” The lamb is slain. The wine is poured. Forgiveness of sins, life and salvation is offered freely to you. God asks for the honor of your presence at the banquet of His love. He will compel you, lavish His gifts upon you, put the wedding suit on you, seat you at His table and feed you. Come. Come Now! “Come to the banquet, come to the feast. Eat the bread of life! Share in the singing, share in the joy. Drink the cup of love!”

“All things are ready,” Come, for the door is open wide… He waits to welcome thee; Delay not while this day is thine, tomorrow may never be. Leave every care and worldly strife; Come, feast upon the love of God, And drink everlasting life.” [Come To The Feast Lyrics & Chords By Charles H. Gabriel & William A. Ogden].

And “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” [Revelation 22:17].

Oh, When I Look Back Over My Life – My Soul Cries Abba, Father!

By Lou Yeboah

It’s over! We need to understand that. There is no shortage of fire and brimstone to be found in the Bible. [Revelation 21:8]. It’s clear from the opening pages of Genesis that there is a wrath of God, which abides on every ungodly man. For it is written, “God is angry with the wicked every day.” [Psalms 7:11].

What does this mean for us? It serves to remind us that we need to take the words of the Lord to heart! What He says will happen, will happen. What He promises, He will do. Do not trifle with your salvation. Be like the wise virgins in [Matthew 25] and prepare, because I tell you like a tidal wave, judgment is heading towards us.

Yes, there’s a time when God says, “Enough” to a nation. There’s a time when God says, “Enough” to an individual. God gives grace, He gives mercy, He gives space to repent, but when man is living in rebellion to God, God will not continue forever to give him space. When God draws a line, when God says, “That’s it!” It’s over! Period!

I tell you, it is frightening when the trumpets are sounding, when the alarms and the warning bells are ringing aloud, but yet, you will not take heed, nor believe His word. Just as in the days of Noah, people are ignoring the warnings even with destruction right at their doors. Why? God says, because you rather believe a lie and trust in the arms of mere man and follow after the things of this world which are temporary, than to trust in Him and follow after the things which are established eternally, in His Holy Word.

Therefore, He says, “Enough is enough! All that are unjust, let them be unjust. All that are wicked, let them remain wicked. Do not think that I come to bring peace, but I will come with a sword [Matthew 10:34] with fire and fury and will judge the wicked and all who follow and trust in the idols of this world.” For there are only a few, a small remnant who will hear and take heed to My warnings and will run to Me for true safety.

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins,” [Isaiah 58:1].

You have a decision to make. If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, then heed [Mark 1:15]. “The time has come…the Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” “Because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” [Mark 13:35-37].

Then the Lord said to me, “Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people; send them away from My presence and let them go! And it shall be that when they say to you, ‘Where should we go?’ then you are to tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Those destined for death, to death; And those destined for the sword, to the sword; And those destined for famine, to famine; And those destined for captivity, to captivity.”‘ I will appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares the Lord: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag off, and the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. I will make them an object of horror among all the kingdoms of the earth because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem. [Jeremiah 15].

Oh, when the Spirit of the Lord says, “Enough is enough! It’s over!

“Weep for yourselves and for your children.” [Luke 23:28].

By Lou Yeboah

Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha ?ka? laka ? Boom! – – Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha-ka-laka ? Boom! Whoosh!

The stage is set, the key players have taken position, the cameras are rolling, and the lights are beginning to dim. A hush is falling across the audience in Heaven, and all is needed is for the Director to cry out, “Action!” The seven seals crescendo into silence. Then the temple of God in Heaven opens, and within His temple the ark of His covenant is seen. All of a sudden flashing of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. [Revelation 11:19]. Compelling evidence that at any time now Christ could explode onto the scene, rupturing the sky wherewith He will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem. [Zechariah 14:12]. “Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha-ka-laka ? Boom! Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha-ka-laka ? Boom! Whoosh!

Finally, the Director gives the signal, the war is announced. It is declared. [ I Corinthians 14:8]. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and a third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. Then the second angel sounded, as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. [Revelation 8:7-9]

Can you imagine what that will be like? A day when all of those who have lived in rebellion to God, who will finally be vanquished, a day when—as the prophet Habakkuk said, “When the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” A day when the very prayer that we have been asked to pray will finally come to fruition and that is, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” [Habakkuk 2:14].

I tell you, there is no way to escape the conclusion that we are living on borrowed time. The signs of the times are upon us, and they are shouting for our attention. Are you ready? Is your life in order? How about your family and loved ones? Jesus uses four-word pictures to emphasize the same point: Be ready for His return. “Be dressed in readiness” “let your loins be girded.” Luke 12:35-40].

Warning after warning in scripture, telling us, today, that the time is short, discern the signs of the times, because the days are evil. {Ephesians 5:16]. Remember what Isaiah said to King Hezekiah, all of us, set your house in order, and pray that you are found worthy to escape the tribulation that is coming upon the entire world.

Listen, God is delaying His judgment for one reason – He is giving you an opportunity to be saved before it’s too late. Judgment will eventually come. It will come surely, says Peter. It will come suddenly. So, consider this your wake-up call because I tell you, what’s coming next there is no words for it. Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha ?ka? laka ? Boom! Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha-ka-laka-Boom!

As Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” When death comes, it will be too late for repentance. The Rich Man in Luke 16 discovered that too late. His destiny was now fixed and like in Esau’s case “there was no place for repentance.” May each of us learn from him, and from Esau, and not wait until it is too late to consider the cost of our decisions and actions.

By Lou Yeboah

I warned you when you were prosperous, but you replied, “Don’t bother me.” You have been that way since childhood— you simply will not obey me [Jeremiah 22:21]. So, because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; because you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. [Proverbs 1:24-27]

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” [Proverbs 1:28-33]. I tell you, “It Is What It Is, and It Will Be What It Will Be!”

After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! [Revelations 14:8].

For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow. [Revelation 18:3-5]

Therefore, her plagues will come in one day–death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ [Revelation 18:8-10].

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? May it never be! [Romans 6]. As the Holy Spirit led Paul to write in [1 Corinthians 6:9-11]: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. Hear what Peter told the onlookers when he healed the beggar at Beautiful gate: “Repent, then, and turn to God. That your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” [Acts 3:19].

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.” “Choose Life” [Deuteronomy chapter 30]

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles… And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting [Romans 1:18-23; 28]. “It Is What It Is, and It Will Be What It Will Be!”

By Lou Yeboah

Yeah, I know! But while very few people may want to hear this message that does not mean it is a message no one needs to hear. Repentance is difficult. No one wants to think about it. No one wants to contemplate it. No one wants to do it very often, and certainly no one wants to hear about it all the time. But the Word must be in season and out of season, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with great patience and instruction.

All throughout the Bible we see people being called to repentance. God, Jesus, Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, Prophet Isaiah, and many others, all were involved in clearly communicating to others to repent. Jesus came on the scene saying “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. [Matthew 4:17]. The fact that you may have a problem with “Repenting” messages, speaks volume.

I write this not to condemn anyone, but this is the urgency we face. The Kingdom of God is at hand! [Matthew 3:2]. The wicked must forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts and seek the Lord while he may be found. There is no time to waste, no excuses to be made. Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation. [2 Corinthians 6:2].

Because, Jesus, whose way John was preparing, has come. He has accomplished his mission of salvation. He took our place under God’s law and lived a life of perfect obedience. He demonstrated perfect love for everyone, friends, and foes alike, by not telling them what they wanted to hear, but what they needed to hear. He endured rejection from the very people he came to save. He did not complain when the rulers of Israel unjustly convicted and condemned him to death. He willingly took our place on a cursed cross and endured the hell our sins deserved. He demonstrated his power by crushing Satan’s skull under his foot and ripped the heart out of death by stepping out of the tomb. Everything that Jesus came to do – he did. And all that’s left now is to clear the threshing floor of this world; to separate penitent believers from stubborn, impenitent unbelievers. Wherever God’s Word – his Law and Gospel – are proclaimed, that separation is taking place. Right here, right now, Jesus is busy gathering his wheat and burning up the chaff.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Behold, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you that you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

I tell you, there are some warnings that we can afford to ignore, some at which we can even laugh, but this is not one of them. Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand! There’s no time to waste. Life or death. Eternal glory or eternal shame. Heaven or Hell.” Whatcha gonna do?

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. [John 6:60, 66].

Repentance – A message No One Likes to Hear!

By Lou Yeboah

So, the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” [Genesis 6:6-7].

And then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them…” [Numbers 14:11-12].

And He withdrew from them about a stone’s cast, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, ‘Not my will, but yours be done.’ And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” [Luke 22:41-44].

Listen, before mankind rebelled against God, we were warned that if we broke fellowship with the Lord, we would face dire consequences. But Jesus, God the Son, took on flesh, became a man, and suffered the penalty we deserved. Yet, in spite of all that Jesus did for us, we rebel against Him. We rebel against the One who gave His life a ransom for us. Shame on you! Shame on me! “We are all like sheep who has gone astray.” [Isaiah 53:6]. “A people with a revolting and a rebellious heart.” [Jeremiah 5:23]. May the Lord have mercy on our soul!

The Bible is clear that there are two possible destinations for every human soul following physical death: heaven or hell [Matthew 25:34, 41, 46; Luke 16:22–23] and for those who do not receive Jesus Christ as Savior, death means everlasting punishment [2 Thessalonians 1:8–9]. This punishment is described in a variety of ways: a lake of fire [Luke 16:24; Revelation 20:14–15], outer darkness [Matthew 8:12], and a prison [1 Peter 3:19]. This place of punishment is eternal [Jude 1:13; Matthew 25:46].

Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion, says the Lord? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness- only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil. Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege. Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. [Isaiah 1:5-9]. Therefore, consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, says the Lord. [Revelation 2:4-5].

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you [Revelation 3:1-3]. Accept Jesus Now! God has made extraordinary efforts to encourage humanity to repent. Consider all the Old Testament calamities, catastrophes, and cataclysms. They were designed to get men to repent.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you, life, and death, blessing and cursing therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. [Deuteronomy 30:19].

However, they did not repent [Revelations 9:20].

By Lou Yeboah

“I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you” [1 Chronicles 21:10]. Three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else three days the sword of the LORD; the plague in the land, with the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.” Choose One of them for me to carry out against you” because over and over I have warned you to repent, and you have ignored my warnings!

Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me: And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” [1 Chronicles 21:13].

So, the LORD sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy- thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! withdraw your hand. [2 Samuel 24:15-16]. Oh,Merciful God! If it had not been for the Lord on my side, where would I be?

Listen, even though God chooses to show mercy, what about when that mercy runs out? What will you do? So, many times we take things of God for granted. Things like salvation. God’s convictions. God’s calling. God’s grace and mercy without realizing the result of doing so. But [Isaiah 5:24] reminds us that if we do not repent and return to our first love, that God’s love will be turned to anger, His blessings will turn to judgment, murder and death of the people will increase, enemy nations will threaten to attack—suddenly and overwhelmingly—and all trusted defenses will fail. It happened to Israel. It will happen to us if we don’t soon change our ways. I tell you, it’s past time to look to God, repent and beg His mercy because the similarities of the six woes in [Isaiah 5] and how they relate to us, especially America today are astounding.

Sound the Alarm: Judgment is Coming! Blow the trumpet in Zion; let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand- a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come. Blow the Shofar! Another army is approaching… this one not of locust but men… who attack, scaling walls and entering houses… and this too will be a “Day of the Lord.”

The message God has given to proclaim; God has run out of patience with your unbelief and punishment is on the horizon: For He says, even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go! And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says: “‘Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation, to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.” [Jeremiah 15:1-2].

As Moses wrote in the book of Numbers: “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” [Numbers 23:19]. This is what the LORD says; while God is full of mercy, His justice will prevail. Make no mistake about it!

“I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.”