In Times of Turmoil the Christian Knows.....

In Times of Turmoil the Christian Knows.......

We are living in religious, social, political, and probably personal turmoil.   Fortunately, Isaiah 26:3 gives us these comforting words; ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Here are some things that the Christian whose ‘mind is fixed’, who ‘stays the course’, or ‘who perseveres’  in  keeping their thoughts stayed on the Lord knows:

I know my redeemer liveth.  Job 19:25  

What would be the point of trusting in the ideology of a dead philosopher?  The Redeemer of the Christian lives eternally.  He has power of death for Himself and for those who believe in Him.

I know Jesus is the Christ.  John 4:42   

Christians need look no further for their salvation.

I know all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

How hard it is to see this with our eyes when facing turmoil.  Matthew Henry explains it this way. 

‘That is good for the saints which does their souls good. Every providence tends to the spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking them off from sin, bringing them nearer to God, weaning them from the world, and fitting them for heaven.’ 

The good may not be that the event itself works out for good, although it often does.  There will always be good in events that draw us closer to the God of our Salvation.

I know that if our earthly house is dissolved, we have an eternal home with God.  

2 Corinthians 5:1

Based on God’s abilities, we have a secure future in heaven.  We will have health for eternity.  We can lay up treasures now for that bright future.

 I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.  2 Timothy 1:12b

God Almighty who created all things is able to keep and sustain all things. 

 I know believers are sons of God.  When He appears we shall be like Him.  1 John 3:2

Christians have been adopted by the King of all kings. 

 We have passed from death to life because we love the brethren.  1 John 3:14   God gives His children love for the brethren.  Like God’s love, it is unconditional.  (This does not mean we approve of or accept immoral behavior.  It means we love the brethren regardless.  Of course, how much easier it is to love those who are of like mind and are in fellowship with God.)

In facing the turmoil or storms of life, first consider the things that you do know regarding the character of God and His care for His children.  Then obey Philippians 4:8 which says, ‘Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This will help you to keep your thoughts and actions in harmony with each other. 

This will help you have perfect peace in your own heart.

Your life may encourage non-believers to reflect on how it is that you have peace in the turmoil of our times.

Year Round Joy for God's Children and Hope for All

Christmas came and went - but the message of Christmas is for every day.

There is never enough time to get it all done to make sure Christmas is perfect.

Christmas preparation really is a year round job for Christians.  If you are not a Christian I will tell you how to become a Christian at the end of the article.  If you are already a Christian here is a partial list of the gifts God would like you to give to Him.  After all, Christmas is about Jesus’ birthday.  He should be the one who gets the first gifts, the best gifts, and the most gifts.

The Gifts God Wants from you are your:

Heart – God wants your heart.  He wants to be first in your heart.  He wants you to love Him the way He loves you.

Mind – God wants your thoughts to be ever toward Him and the instructions He gives you on how to live your life.  He wants you to give Him the gift of trust.  Trust Him that the boundaries He sets for you are for your own good.

Ears – God wants you to give Him the gift of your ears.  He wants you to hear what He has to say to you in the Bible.  He wants you to not listen to evil words or music.

Eyes – God wants your eyes.  He wants you to keep your eyes on Him.  He wants you to keep your eyes off the evil that is in this world.

Mouth – God wants your mouth.  He wants you to speak what is true and right.  He wants you to avoid evil speaking and gossip.

Hands to work – God wants you to work for Him.  He wants you to actually do the things He says to do. -

Feet to go – God wants your feet.  He wants you to go where His word leads you.  He is not going to lead you astray, or anywhere that breaks a commandment.  He will lead you in the best path.

Body to work – God wants your body to work for Him.  He wants you to do whatever you do in a manner that would please Him.  Your work for an employer is reflection of how you work for God. 

He wants all of you – God wants you to love Him and work for Him with all your heart and all your mind and all your soul. 

Christians are supposed to pledge eternal and unchangeable allegiance to God, to His kingdom, and to a future that is not of this present world.  Christians are supposed to view the world through the eyes of what the Bible has to say about this world and our lives in this world.

This is not a one-sided deal.  God has far more for Christians than Christians have for God. Lets take a look at Psalm 103:3. 

It says, ‘Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

And don’t for Psalm 147:3 which says, ‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’

 In Psalm 103:3 we get the overwhelming good news that God forgives all our sins.  God is concerned with ALL your sins.  He is big enough to forgive your very big sins, and please be honest enough with yourself to admit you have committed at least a few very big wrongs.  He also cares about the continual sins in your life, and the little occasional sins.  If you are a child of God, then even the little sins bother you at least part of the time.  Please don’t make the mistake of comparing your little sins to the big sins of others and thinking God really doesn’t care if you have a few small sinful things you do.  He does care.  He wants to forgive you of ALL your sins and help you have a better life. You get a clean slate through God’s forgiveness.

 Your body bears the consequence of sin, whether it is a big sin or a little sin.  Healing begins with a heart that is healed of its sin and grief.  This is obviously NOT a license to do more wrong.  It is a true way to get past the wrong things you have done in the past.  Even if you happen to have a very good excuse or explanation for wrongs you have done, you still need forgiveness.  Don’t waste time justifying or explaining your actions by the actions of someone else.  Instead go to God for forgiveness and healing.  Also go to Him for healing wounds caused to you by others.  Let God heal your heart of those wounds as well as the self-inflicted wounds.

 Joy is much more natural when you are totally forgiven by God.  He will strengthen you to go forward to a better life.  If you have wronged someone you need to sincerely ask their forgiveness.  You can ask for it, and pray for it, and do you very best to make amends; but no matter what happens, God has forgiven you! 

 Most people are interested in physical healing when they think of going to God for healing.  Physical healing is possible.  Sometimes God heal infirmities for at least a season.  But, healing of the heart is eternal.  (Eventually the body is restored for eternity.) If a physical body is racked by a sin-sick heart it will show.  Loss of joy and mental depression are to be expected in the heart of the Christian who is separated from our heavenly Father by sins. 

 When you are making your list of Christmas gifts for other, remember the list of things God wants from you.  Don’t consider it hard.  Remember Matthew chapter 11:28-30 which says,

’28.  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

 Follow these instructions and your spiritual life will improve. Give the gifts to God that He asks of you. 

 Hebrews 11:6 tells us, ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’

 God has rewards for those that diligently seek Him. Believe what God is telling you.  If you lack faith, ask God to increase your faith. In obedience to God, you are giving God the things He asks of you, and you are setting yourself up to receive good things from God.  Diligently seek His face.  Learn what He asks of you through reading the studying the Bible, and apply Bible teachings to your personal actions.   That is the gift God wants from you on a daily basis.  In return you will receive rest for your soul.  In resting there is healing.  Give to God and He will give to you. 

 Please remember that I am not speaking of material wealth or physical healing.  It is true that you God may give you material wealth and physical healing, but that is not what these verses are promising.  You can give to God of your material wealth, whatever it may be.

 For those reading this who are not already Christians, you may be wondering if this applies to you, or how to make it apply to you.  To personalize God’s promises, you must be adopted into the family of God.  This is done through salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  It requires that:

 1.  You recognize that your sins have separated you from the God of the Bible who is the God of creation.  You need to understand that there are two divisions of ‘righteousness’.  First, there is the utter continual perfection of God.  He is perfect in every way every single second.  There is no human being who can say that about themselves truthfully.  Many people are much kinder and more righteous than other, but none but Jesus Christ has ever been without some sins.  The human division of righteousness is between human beings.  We can compare ourselves to others, and find ourselves better than many evil people in the world, but none of us can honestly call ourselves perfect.

 2.  God has made a place for sinners or the unrighteous.  This place is hell. 

3. God has made a place for the righteous, those who have been made righteous through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice at calvary, called heaven.

4.  God is willing to save the unrighteous from hell.  When a man or woman turns from the life he or she is living and turns to God, God saves them from hell.  It is a personal choice that everyone makes.  It requires a specific definite decision to turn to God and His ways.  Through Christ, hell is escaped and heaven is gained!

 Some verses that are good to consider when seeking the way to God are:

 Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  (I know – I already used that verse – but it is worth reading twice.)

1 Timothy 1:16

 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

 1 John 5:13

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.’

  I love this verse.  You can KNOW that you have eternal life.  Remember God is greater than how you feel.  Once you are God’s child, you are His eternally.  That means He is with you on the days you ‘feel’ His presence and on a dark night when you may feel alone.  Feeling abandoned is just a feeling.  It is not a reality.

 DO YOU WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU DIE?

1.  Hebrews 9:27

 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

 So first is the judgement.

 2.  John 11:25

 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Next – those who have believed in Jesus will live again.

 3.  Revelation 14:11

 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

 Those who have refused Christ’s offer to save them from hell will go to hell.

DO YOU WONDER WHAT HEAVEN WILL BE LIKE?

1 Corinthians 2:9

 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 1.Matthew 19:14

 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

 Some of the things we see in children that will be in heaven are innocence, honesty, trust, joy, unconditional love, many other wonderful things.

 DOES GOD WANT YOU PERSONALLY?  HAVE YOU BEEN SO BAD HE WILL NOT TAKE YOU IF YOU ASK HIM?

 2 Peter 3:9

 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GO TO HEAVEN?

John 3:16

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 John 3:36

 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 CAN I GET TO HEAVEN SOMEWAY WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST?

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

IS THE GOD OF THE BIBLE GENERIC?  IS HE THE SAME AS THE gODS OF OTHER RELIGIONS?

Exodus 20:5a

 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God;

There is an old Christian hymn that asks the question ‘Are YOU ready for the judgment day?

If you cannot say – YES!  I am ready!  I am safe in Jesus Christ.  By HIS sacrifice I have been promised entry into heaven, then now is the time to ask Jesus to save you personally from the evil times to come.

There’s a Great Day Coming

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/g/tgreatda.htm

There’s a great day coming, a great day coming;

 There’s a great day coming by and by,

 When the saints and the sinners shall be parted right and left,

 Are you ready for that day to come?

Refrain

Are you ready? Are you ready?

 Are you ready for the judgment day?

 Are you ready? Are you ready?

 For the judgment day?

There’s a bright day coming, a bright day coming;

 There’s a bright day coming by and by.

 But its brightness shall only come to them that love the Lord.

 Are you ready for that day to come?

Refrain

There’s a sad day coming, a sad day coming;

 There’s a sad day coming by and by,

 When the sinner shall hear his doom: “Depart, I know you not!”

 Are you ready for that day to come?

The Battle for Civilization as We Know it

Christians Are Losing the Battle for Civilization Because They Are Using the Wrong Weapons

When I was in school a history teacher showed a documentary film of Ethiopians using spears to go out and fight tanks.  Ethiopia lost.  Her warriors were brave and valiant, but they never had a chance.  Obviously, the Ethiopians fought with spears because they had no better weapon.  There was never any question regarding who would actually win that war.

 Christians today seem to be losing the war to maintain a form of Christian civilization.  Now why do you suppose that is?  I think we are told what is wrong in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

 3.  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  2 Corinthians 10:1-5

 Verses 3-5 should hold our undivided attention.  If you want to know why Christianity seems to be on the losing end of almost every battle then pay strict attention to verse 3.  Christians are obviously living people just like anyone else on the planet.  We definitely do walk in the flesh because we are living human beings.  However, we are not supposed to war after the flesh meaning we aren’t supposed to use normal weapons of war in our battles.  (Not speaking of national warfare arms.  Christians and nations are allowed self-defense.) Our weapons are supposed to be those provided for Believers through Christ and His word.  If the Ethiopians I mentioned at the beginning of this article had had weapons by which they could have won the war, don’t you think they would have used them?  Today Christians have jumped into the middle of political and social injustice with the weapons used by people of the world.  They are fighting with protests, and law suits, and marches, and whatever they can get away with. All they are succeeding in doing is degrading society and civilization as a whole.  Isn’t it about time Christians brought out the weapons that have power to win?  Some earthly battles can be directly won now, and ultimately the war between our Perfect God and evil will be won.  What are the weapons available for the use of Believers by which we may win great and small battles?  Actually Ephesians chapter six gives us the rules by which we are to live.  Don’t trivialize God’s blueprint for facing the trials of life.  Be obedient to the Lord and set your heart to do the things He tells us to do.

 Ephesians begins by telling us how to get our minds ready to face the challenges ahead.  Our actions follow our minds.  Once a mind is set to obey the Lord, then doing the things He says to do becomes more automatic.

 Ephesians chapter 6:

Verse 1 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  OBEY – as children we are to obey our parents.  As adults Christians are to obey the rules God gives us.  They are for our own good.  Also, they are not a heavy burden to bear.  They are to keep us from harm.  God didn’t randomly write a bunch of rules that are just busy work.  His instructions are for our personal good. 

 Verse 2 - Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Honor – giving moral allegiance to the Biblical principles taught by parents – while giving outward and inward respect to parents.

 Verse 3 - That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

The life a committed believer may have effects that live on after them for generations. 

 Verse 4 - And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Parents – be consistent in teaching your children the things of the Lord.  Let them see you practice what you teach. This goes for your children and those over whom you have any authority.  Be as gentle and kind as circumstances will allow.  Discipline may be required, but do what you can first with love and gentle persuasion.

 Verse 5 - Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Pay attention to your own task masters.  Do with care what is required of you.  It is shameful to the Lord to see so called Christians spending more of their time trying to get out of work than actually doing work.  Christians should go about their daily chores with a mind that is set on doing a good job.

 Verse 6 - Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

This means that you are doing your best to do a good job whether the boss is watching you or not!  You are working to please God and acknowledge that He sees what you are doing whether the boss is watching or not!

 Verse 7 - With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

You are cheerfully seeking to please God. 

 Verse 8 - Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Ultimately, people do reap what they sow.  If you are doing good according to God’s definition of good, you will receive good treatment from the Lord.

 Verse 9 - And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

I you have authority over others, treat them with gentleness and kindness.  Don’t ‘lord it over them’, but remember that you have a great responsibility to represent the God you serve.

 Verse 10 -  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, be strong through God’s power.  All people are beset by ills and woes.  But no matter our weakness or strength, the Lord has power beyond what we can imagine.  Plead for His strength to carry you through whatever is happening.

 Verse 11 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Christians are to put on the complete suit of armor provided by God.  No soldier would go to battle only wearing half a suit of armor providing he had an entire suit of armor available.  How foolish of Christians to only make use of only part of the armor God provides.

 12.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

This verse reminds Christians of exactly who the enemy really is, and why they need the armor of God.

The chief fight of Christians is not chiefly with the living men and women we see in politics and society or even the fleshly things of this earth.  It is against the powers and rulers of darkness – or the angels who fell from heaven with Lucifer.   These evil beings, though unseen, are very powerful and have armies of fallen angels at their command.  How ridiculous is it for Christians to not take this seriously?

 Verse 13 - Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

This verse tells us how to face warfare with these fallen angels.  No, I don’t mean some sort of face to face combat.  But there will be combat with those who are tools of the devil.  It is imperative that the Christian always remember that while the weapons of the devil are often people who serve him, the enemy is the devil and his followers.  To forget this something like thinking a military tank is the enemy instead of the powers that are manning and driving the tank.  Evil days are scary days.  You do not want to face them without God.  Then just stand still, and keep standing. 

 Verse 14 - Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Entangle your thoughts with the truth given to you in the Bible.  Think Biblically.  Ask yourself what the Bible has to say about EVERYTHING.  And ask yourself what the bible says to do in all situations.  You KNOW what the commandments are including the new commandment to love others as Christ loved us.  To a large part it is simply determine what the commandments are in your situation.  If all else fails go by the rule ‘treat others the way you want to be treated’.  Knowing and doing what is right according to God gives you the breastplate of righteousness.

 Verse 15 -  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

The gospel is the ultimate gospel of peace because it brings makes available peace between God and man.  The shoes have a grip on the soles as though you are crossing an ice field.  The shoes are tough enough to take you through whatever rough terrain you must cross in order to get where God is leading you.  You cannot overstate the importance of proper shoes either spiritually or physically.

 Verse 16 -  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

More than anything else, you need the shield of faith.  Faith ignores circumstances and knows God is with you whatever mess you might be in at the moment.  When the devil throws a fiery dart of doubt at you regarding prayers not yet answered, or wicked temptations, or fear of the future, the shield of faith bounces them off. 

 Verse 17 - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Well – you need to guard your head because if the devil knocks you coco then you are not able to function well anywhere else.  Don’t let things of this world capture your mind.  Don’t let the love of money, or the material world, or the fleshly world, or the world of power capture your mind.  Christians are saved by grace to enter the kingdom of heaven.  They are safe from worldly lusts by guarding their minds from evil.

 Now the sword of the spirit is the word of God.  It is a mighty tool.  An excellent companion verse to this one is Psalm 149:6 which says, ‘Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;’.   The word of God is a mighty two edged sword. 

 Verse 18 -  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 THEN, when you are all decked out for battle it is time to start to pray continually with perseverance and pleading for all the Christian brothers and sisters. Pray continually, urgently as need arises, and with eyes watching for answers from God and to guard against the enemy. Be steadfast to the end of your days.  You will not regret for one second of eternity living for Christ today.

 Verse 19 -  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

When you are ready for battle, the Lord gives you a word to speak.  He opens your mouth to tell others about Jesus Christ.  THAT is the real battle, and you are ready to join in.

 Verse 20 -  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul was compelled to tell the Gospel. He wasn’t as an ambassador of one country to a different country.  He was a heavenly ambassador to the entire world.  Christians today are heavenly ambassadors to every person with whom we have contact. 

 I think we have all heard terrible stories of ambassadors to different nations who are disrespectful  to the laws of their host nations?  They have diplomatic immunity, and they certainly use it.  Christians are not so.  We are subject to obey the laws of the land and the laws of God.  The exception is that no rule or law of man breaks a law of God, Christians are to obey God above all earthly rules.

 Verse 21 - But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

.Verse 22 -  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

 Verse 23 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Verse 24 - Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Sincerely and obediently follow the instructions in this book of the Bible.  Do not forsake weapons that work for weapons that the world has designed.  Christians who choose weapons of the world over weapons provided by God are choosing defeat and disgrace.  It is time to get ready for the real battle using the powerful weapons that God has provided.

Memorizing Christian music that is relevant to the faith is an extremely easy way to encourage yourself in the Lord and remind yourself of important lessons the Bible teaches.

 Obedience and faith are crucial, so I put in links to two songs.

Trust and Obey/On Christ the Solid Rock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGKuBZ120Rs

Faith is the Victory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80C3xvrrCZw