The Cup of Iniquity –> The Cup of God’s Wrath

Yes, as Christians we walk in grace and God’s forgiveness (when we repent), but every time we sin it is added to OUR NATION’S ‘cup of iniquity’.

 

When God’s people walk uprightly, that influence spreads throughout their nation–often the entire nation is blessed because of their presence and influence.  But when God’s people turn to sin (or simply fail to stand AGAINST sin), their nation begins a downward spiral of depravity that results in God’s judgment (if they don’t turn to Him in repentance first–and most won’t). We are the ‘salt’.  Salt is a preservative.  (How long does home-baked, preservative free food last compared to processed food that has preservatives in it?)   Without ‘salt’ or with only ‘salt that has lost its savor’, there is nothing to stop the rapid proliferation of sin within a society.

 

Because sin is taught from one  generation to the next by example, each generation grows more wicked than the one before. The more wickedly a nation behaves, the more hardened the people’s hearts become, the more defiled they become, and the more demonic entities take up residence in their land (and inside the people).  This ultimately leads to DEEP depravity and wickedness in a nation, where the innocent suffer greatly at the hands of the wicked (assault, rape, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, abortion, murder, human sacrifice).  God eventually will have to step in and judge the nation, and this means even more suffering and loss of lives.

 

Sin may seem fun at the beginning, but it leads to great suffering two to three generations later.  Two generations later is one’s GRANDCHILDREN, people!  It is our grandchildren who will suffer from the sins our generation indulged in, and the process we set in motion.  Once the door is opened to sin, it will not be shut again until this whole process has played out.  Sin has a horrible ripple effect, passing down through one’s children and grandchildren.  There is great sorrow in watching your children go astray, and teach their children to go astray, each generation becoming more and more wicked and depraved.

 

When you open the door to sin, you bring great suffering upon your future descendants, as well as yourself.  Many of us are old enough to have seen this happen.  We grew up in a country that was peaceful and mostly safe for children.  We enjoyed great freedom and blessing as children.  But now it is not safe for a child to play or walk to the store alone.  They are not safe in a boyscout troop or attending school.  Dangerous, wicked people of every stripe lie in wait for them (kidnappers, Satanists, homosexuals, pedophiles, murderers).  They are not even safe among their peers as some of them have already become Satanists, pedophiles, homosexuals, and murderers.  And if the risk of them suffering physical harm at the hands of such people were not dangerous enough, there is also the very real danger of them being pulled into the company of the wicked and learning their ways.  They are encircled by the wicked every day.

 

I’m hoping this short video will illustrate how God judges nations. The Bible speaks of a cup of God’s fury or a cup of His indignation. People in times past have talked about a ‘cup of iniquity’ (cup of sin). Here is the way I picture it: The sins of a nation are recorded in Heaven. They slowly fill an imaginary ‘cup of iniquity’ and once it is full, it reaches the tipping point. When it is full, it becomes the cup of God’s wrath, and it tips and is poured out on the people.

 

All of a nation’s sins will eventually be punished–but not necessarily at the time they happen. God forbears and suffers long, as He gives the people time to repent. But usually they won’t, and the whole process of ever increasing wickedness will have to play itself out.  Eventually a generation comes along that goes full bore into every kind of wickedness imaginable (second or third generation?), and the cup fills up quickly and ALL the nation’s punishment (even for sins long past) comes down upon THEIR heads.

 

As you watch this video, be mindful that it represents how YOUR sins can be poured out upon the  heads of your grandchildren.  (If you are young and don’t yet  have children or grandchildren–imagine it being poured out on the head of someone you love with all your heart–because that is how you will someday feel about your grandchildren.)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byw9ogXQptI

 

(Although God’s judgment is a horrible thing, it is also a blessing because it serves as a ‘reset’ and gives hope to future generations on the other side of it.)

We All Sin Every Day . . . ???

Christians don’t ‘all sin every day’. When we repent of our sins and turn to Christ by faith, in sincerity, He gives us a new heart and we hate the sin we used to love. Not only that, He fills us with His Spirit, who gives us the power to wrestle with sin and be able to say ‘no’ to it.

Did you ever repent when you came to Christ? Did you ever confess your sins to God, ask Him to forgive you, and make up your mind to live the way He wants you to? No, you don’t have to answer to me. But, as a Christian, I have to ask.

It seems that the ‘churches’ today are so keen not to offend anyone that they don’t dare tell people they are sinners, and that they need to repent. But if we don’t repent, then we don’t receive the new heart I told you about, nor do we receive the Holy Spirit to help us stop sinning. God only gives those things (and eternal life) to those who are sincere in their commitment to turn away from sin and to obey Him. Just BELIEVING in God is not enough.

‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 7:21)

‘And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and DO NOT the things which I say?

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, AND DOETH THEM, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

But he that heareth, AND DOETH NOT, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.’ (Luke 6:46-49)

Christians rarely sin on purpose, because when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us, He does not lead us into sin–and if we start to go astray, He will convict us (make us feel bad) to warn us. Sin separates us from God, and we do not WANT to sin, so when the Holy Spirit shows us we are doing something wrong, we repent and stop.

To sin in ways we do not know . . . sometimes we do. And the Holy Spirit sometimes overlooks those things for a time, and leads us to learn the truth about them. What we do after we learn the truth is important, because if we continue to do something that is wrong after He has taught us, and warned us not to, then that is a serious thing.

‘For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.’ (Heb. 10:26-27)

Those who are truly children of God are serious about not wanting to sin, and serious about learning how God expects us to live, and being obedient. We do not brush off warnings, and we do not stiffen our necks and go our own stubborn way.

I hope you will honestly examine yourself, your attitudes, and how you came to Christ. If you have not truly repented, it would be a tragedy for you not to realize you aren’t really a Christian until you are standing before the Lord on Judgment Day. I urge you to make things right today.

Expel The Immoral Brother

We are to reach out to those who have turned away from the truth and have gone back to sin:

‘Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.’ (James 5:19-20)

‘And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.’ (Jude 1:23)

But we must NOT tolerate, in our midst, those who take the name of God in vain . . . those who profess to be Christians, but deny Him by their deeds:

‘I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:  Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, IF ANY MAN THAT IS CALLED A BROTHER be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore PUT AWAY FROM AMONG YOURSELVES THAT WICKED PERSON.’ (1 Cor. 5:9-13)

‘Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves FROM EVERY BROTHER that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.’ (2 Thess. 3:6)

In fact, those who claim to be Christians, but persist in their blatant sin, unable or unwilling to come to a place of humble repentance, we must ‘deliver to Satan’ (in prayer together, ‘wash our hands of them’) in the hope that through the torments of Satan, they may come to a place of humility and repentance.

‘It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, [concerning] him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, TO DELIVER SUCH AN ONE UNTO SATAN for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.’ (1 Cor. 5:1-5)

Such are difficult situations for everyone involved. It is hard to turn your back on someone you love. But true humility and repentance requires brokenness, and sometimes it is only the brokenness that comes from rejection, loneliness, and despair that drives one to their knees. Let your grief and love drive you to your knees for that person, in the prayer that they will humbly repent. Hope for the day when you can welcome back that prodigal with open arms.

It is also important that The Church be pure. Making concessions for those who love their sin and will not depart from it only allows that ‘leaven’ to spread. Once the high standard of holiness is dropped for one, many others will adopt the lower standard as well. The bar has been set high, by God. Make no mistake, the standard is not ours to alter. We are plainly told that without holiness no one shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).

Churches today are acting contrary to Scripture when they try to be all-inclusive and reach out to all ‘whom the churches have hurt’. It just may be that the church that hurt them was doing the will of God and rejecting them in their ongoing, unrepentant sin. Contrary to the desire of sinful humans, The Church is not a social club where all are welcome. The Church is exclusive–only REPENTANT sinners may join.

I Never Knew You

‘Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’  (Matt. 7:22-23)

These are people that placed their faith in Jesus.  According to today’s (false) gospel, they were saved, by simply believing.  And THEY believed they were saved.  But here’s the problem: they lived in sin (they worked iniquity).

‘They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.’  (Titus 1:16)

Whether they never knew Jesus, or whether they backslid, it doesn’t matter.  Now they are lost.  They lived in sin even though they persisted in their faith.

In God’s Word, in the Old Testament alone, it is repeated four times (the number of times something is repeated signifies its importance–four repetitions means God wants to make it VERY clear) . . .

‘But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, [and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, IN THEM SHALL HE DIE.’  (Ezekiel 18:24)

‘When a righteous [man] turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; FOR HIS INIQUITY THAT HE HATH DONE SHALL HE DIE.’  (Ezekiel 18:26)

‘The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression . . . neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth.

When I shall say to the righteous, [that] he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, HE SHALL DIE for it.’  (Ezekiel 33:12-13)

‘When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, HE SHALL EVEN DIE thereby.’  (Ezekiel 33:18)

Furthermore, Jesus is being truthful in saying ‘I never knew you’.  And here is why . . .  there is a principal that was twice repeated in the verses above:

‘But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity . . . All his righteousness that he hath done SHALL NOT BE MENTIONED . . . ‘  (Ez. 18:24)

and

‘ . . . if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, ALL HIS RIGHTEOUSNESSES SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED . . . ‘  (Ez. 33:13)

Just as completely as Jesus forgets the sins of those who have turned to Him in humble repentance . . . so completely does He forget those who have turned back to sin, rejected the warnings of His Holy Spirit, and despised His chastisement.  Don’t believe He can ever deny someone?

‘But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.’  (Matt. 10:33)

Remember this?

‘They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him] . . . ‘  (Titus 1:16)

That ought to put a little fear in you–and that kind of fear is a good thing. 

‘ . . .Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.’  (Job 28:28)

Better you learn the fear of God now, and turn from wickedness, than to hear those most dreaded of words on judgment day:  ‘I never knew you: depart from me’.

‘For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?’  (Hebrews 10:26-29)

‘For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.

or the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned.’  (Hebrews 6:4-8)

The Bible also has something to say about pastors that teach false doctrines such as ‘Once Saved Always Saved’ . . .

‘For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. . . Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.’ (Jude 1:4, 13)

‘These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.’  (2 Peter 2:17-21)

If you are backslidden now and this message has gotten ahold of your heart, I want to offer you hope and a plea:

‘when the wicked [man] turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.  Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, HE SHALL SURELY LIVE, he shall not die. . .

Repent, and turn [yourselves] from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.  Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die . . .?  For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn [yourselves], and live ye.’  (Ezekiel 18:27-28, 30-32)

‘But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, HE SHALL SURELY LIVE, he shall not die.  All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.  Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?’  (Ezekiel 18:21-23)

‘Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; [If] the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; HE SHALL SURELY LIVE, he shall not die.  None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.’  (Ezekiel 33:14-16)

‘But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.’  (Ezekiel 33:19)

‘The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.’  (Psalm 51:17)

If you are ready to turn from wickedness, God is willing to forgive you of all your sins. Jesus–God in the flesh–died upon a cross, in your place, to pay the price for your sins, so that God could forgive you.

Jesus was perfect and sinless. He died, not for any sins of His own, but for you. If you are ready to count yourself as dead and live for Him, then confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and fill your heart with His presence.

Chastisement

America is under God’s judgment. The stench of America’s sins have reached to heaven. Are we not Americans too? Have our sins not added to the stench? Why should we join with those who rebel against the judgment of God and shake their fist in His face when judgment comes? Should we be yoked with those who continue defiantly in their sin–or should we not set an example for them, by bowing our heads in submission to God’s chastisement and acknowledging that He is righteous in judging our nation?

Yes, hard things are coming: loss of our rights, loss of our sovereignty, loss of many things. But we must entrust ourselves to God, and be examples of those (Americans) who ACKNOWLEDGE their sins and REPENT. We must walk in humility, not stiffen our necks as judgment comes upon us. How can we ever hope for the wicked to repent, under God’s hand of judgment, if WE don’t be an example of the proper mindset towards our rightly deserved judgment?

Ripe For The Picking

‘What is my reward then? [Verily] that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.’

How many preachers today have this attitude?  Instead, most who preach in churches claim full rights to a salary.  It is true, they are entitled to this.

‘ . . . the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.’  (1 Cor. 9:14)

But even better, as Paul was suggesting: those who do it for free have their reward in heaven.

Many pastors today though, are in it for financial gain.  They prefer to have their rewards in this life–and then some!  They see the people of God as ‘ripe for the picking’.  The benefits that some believe themselves worthy of boggle the mind!  Palatial homes, private jets . . .

And to all this, they believe themselves entitled, because of the number of people they bring into the building on a Sunday morning.  But how many have they brought into the KINGDOM?  How many of those who sit in their churches are true DISCIPLES, who both live for God now, and will endure to the end?

‘But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious* ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned** words make merchandise*** of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.’  (2 Peter 2:1-3)

* destroying, ruin, utter destruction

** carefully crafted

*** use you for gain

These false prophets today, who are full of greed, use you for their own financial gain.  They carefully craft their words to please you, yet by those words they bring about your spiritual destruction.  They preach damnable heresies–like the package deal of ‘easy grace’ (aka ‘do as thou wilt’), and ‘once saved always saved’.  The fruit their followers produce causes Christianity to be evil spoken of.

‘For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves* enter in among you, not sparing the flock.’  (Acts 20:29)

*cruel, destructive, rapacious (ravenous, predatory, plundering, inordinately greedy) men

Their judgment awaits them though.  Their deeds will not be forgotten.

‘For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment . . . And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness . . . And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow . . . And delivered just Lot . . . The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished’  (2 Peter 2:4-9)

‘For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?’  (1 Peter 4:17)

Was the Super Derecho a Message?

I recently read an article, that summarized the recent super derecho that hit the eastern U.S. There were some things the author said that stood out, like a story in themselves . . .

‘The storm that hit the D.C.area . . . started on the west side of Chicago and gained speed, following a jet stream east. ‘

‘This is probably one of the biggest ones we’ve ever seen … probably one of the worst storms ever in D.C.’

‘The major takeaway from this storm . . . was the size of its swath, he says.

‘Outside of a hurricane, you will never see wind damage this widespread or this long-lived unless you had a land-falling hurricane.’

Call me crazy, but I see a parallel between this storm and our president. The above quotes make it even more evident.  Our president came out of Chicago and swooped into the White House as if carried by a jet stream. He has created a wide swath of destruction, and has been the most destructive person, by far, to ever lead this country.

I shared this story with a like-minded friend:

Hey, check out this article. To me it parallels what has happened since O took office–like HE was the derecho:

http://www.wtop.com/41/2925683/Science-behind-rare-derecho-storm-that-hit-Friday

(Let’s see if you notice the same things I did . . . )

Here was his response:

‘Yes, I did see the parallels in that story just like you did. Thank God for giving us eyes to see and ears to hear! God spoke to the nation, but very few heard Him. The country is indeed being divided, raging wildfires in the west and storms in the east. And the summer heat is in full swing across most of the nation. I don’t think that it was a coincidence that these storms happened right before Independence day either.’

How much longer will we be a free people? God is trying to wake people up–calling us to repent. He’s showing us, through nature, what has happened to our country so far, because of sin. But what is coming, if we don’t repent, will be far worse!

(Maybe someone sees a similar ‘picture’ through the fires we’re having–if so, please share it in the comments . . . )

If you agree with these interpretations . . . or see other ways God is speaking to us through events, TELL PEOPLE!! It is up to the people of God to share the interpretations with others, else how can they understand? Be a Daniel!! Make the most of every opportunity to share God’s message with others!

America’s History, From God’s Viewpoint

Most people understand that America has been blessed, but those who write history have left God out of the story.  Our children suppose that things have always been this way, and always will be.  Here is how God would describe America’s recent past:

If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make [you] afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.  And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.’  (Lev. 26:3-12)

Does this not perfectly describe America since World War 2?  All that we have had has come from God, but it was conditioned upon one thing:  that we walk in His ways.  Our laws were founded upon His commandments.  People followed those laws because it was the right thing to do.  People didn’t look for loopholes.  They didn’t obey only so long as someone was watching.  They were upright in their hearts.

But then came the sixties, the time of the great rebellion.  The hearts of the children turned away from God and His ways.  They ran after the pleasures of sin instead.  But the pleasures of sin last only for a season.  Fifty years later, God is giving His last calls for repentance.  If the heart of our nation doesn’t turn soon, our future is already written . . .

‘But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, [but] that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.

And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.’  (Lev. 26:14-18)

If you feel the list bit of guilt today, confess to God and get right with Him . . . because it seems to be, that when hardship falls on those whose hearts are hard, it hardens them even more.  When trouble comes, you may be too proud and too angry to repent.