These Pointless and Senseless Acts of Violence Towards People and God's Children

I know these verses might seem random but they are not.   

We live in a world where I continually have to ask, "What is the logic? What is the foundation of such thoughts?  Has opinion replaced fact or is fact undiscernable to those those who don't know God?  

Now I ask, "What is the logic to this violence?  What is the reasoning?  There seems to be none but blind vengeance.  Drunk with hatred this evil staggers out public and harms and kills whoever might be in it's path. 

God spoke of these things in His Word. He knew times like these would to come.  He knew men's hearts would grow cold and turn to such darkness.  

But what is more alarming is the lack of wisdom/good sense the mainstream media has.  Why would ISIS tell anyone the truth?  They thrive on deception.  Small or large, why does anyone have to settle for such attacks as... "It is just the way things are"? Who settles for such ideas?     

IN a very odd sense these violent individuals are only strengthening those in the Christian faith.  They are only strengthening the Christian resolve.  Christians are holding on less to this life and turning to, holding and trusting more in GOD.  Throughout Christian history faithful Christians (men, women, and children) have been victims to bloody attacks for their faith in Jesus Christ. 
  

  "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it." Matthew 11:12

And when these violent people are killing Christians others are seeing the conviction of their Christian faith even when faced with death.  People are taking notice and people are coming to Christ- they want what these people know and believe and won't relinquish despite their spilled blood that cries out from the ground like Abel's.

Greg Laurie shared a story about a man named Polycarp.  He was pastor of the Church of Smyrna.  He was martyred on February 23, 155 AD. 

"On that day, the public games were taking place, and the crowds were whipped into a real frenzy.  Someone cried out, "Let Polycarp be searched for!"  

The night before, Polycarp had a dream in which the pillow under his head was on fire.  He woke up and told his follow believers, "I must be burned alive."  When Polycarp was arrested, he asked for the privilege of having a final hour to spend with the Lord in prayer.  

As Polycarp entered the Roman arena, God spoke to his heart and said, "Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man."  The Roman proconsul gave him a choice between cursing then name of Christ and making a sacrifice to Caesar, or dying.  Polycarp said, "Eight-six years I have served the Lord.  He has done me no wrong.  How can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?"

When the proconsul threatened him with being burned at the stake, Polycar replied, "You threaten me with the fire that burns for a time and is quickly quenched, but you do not know the fire that awaits the wicked and the judgment to come into everlasting punishment. Why are you waiting?  Come and do what you will."

The crowds went crazy, providing firewood and kindling from their woodshops.  There Polycarp stood, and they set the wood around him on fire.  Amazingly, the fire did not harm him.  It came right up to him and would not burn him, while Polycarp sang praises to God. 

Finally, they couldn't wait any long and thrust him through with spears.  Polycarp showed true courage in the face of true persecution."    

Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior said:

 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell^." Matthew 10:28

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, said:
"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers."

  Matthew 24:9

This violence today is just as irrational as it was back in Polycorp's time.   It was too kill anyone thought less of and doesn't follow and go along with certain religious practices.  Today it is the same but instead of killing for sport they kill for terror hoping it to cause panic, sow distrust, fear and unrest.  These are tactics that come straight from the devil handbook.  This is this pointless violence.  This is senseless violence. This violence has no reward.   It kills many and condemns the attacker to unquenchable flames of hell.  This violence is only a tool of evil.  A tool the devil uses to destroy what God has created and misdirect what God wants for His creation.  The devil manipulates men to destroy men, the creation God made in His own image. GOD sent HIS SON, Jesus Christ, to save and transform humanity from this kind of fallen mentality, this thinking that only separates them from their Creator.

Jesus Christ from whom all things were created through said, "Put away your sword, those who use the sword will die by the sword." Matthew 26:52

MURDER is SIN

God says: "You must not murder." Exodus 20:13 

This is how Jesus Christ, the Creator, spoke to some of religious men who were trying to kill him: 

³⁴ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. ³⁵ A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. ³⁷ Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. ³⁸ I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

³⁹ “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. ⁴⁰ Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. ⁴¹ No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

⁴² Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. ⁴³ Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! ⁴⁴ For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. ⁴⁵ So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! ⁴⁶ Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? ⁴⁷ Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”

⁴⁸ The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”

⁴⁹ “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. ⁵¹ I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

⁵² The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ ⁵⁵ but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

⁵⁷ The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

⁵⁸ Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” ⁵⁹ At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.

John 8:34-59

    

These violent estranged individuals from God, have not embraced God for who He is but have alienated themselves from God by carrying out these violent acts.  THINK!  Acts of violence never make one right before God. 

 These evil acts are man wanting control. They are placing themselves in God's place.  They are of religion not of GOD.  Has anyone not learned from the past?  This pointless violence comes from the fallen sinful understanding that is idolatry, participation in demonic activities (murder, lies, deceit) hostility, quarreling, jealousy, out bursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, and feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group...) Note Galatians 5:19-21

The word says, "Don't be misled.  Remember that you will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.  But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.  So don't get tired of doing what is good.  Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time," Galations 6:7-9  

 These violent acts of terror are against God and HIS Ways. 

 Jesus CHRIST, Deity, GOD, LORD of lords, Who conquered death and the grave and is Life said,

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me." Matthew 12:30

I know some of these violent people think Jesus was only a good man or a prophet of God but he was MORE then a prophet.

Jesus said, "I am the Messiah!" John 4:26

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying." John 11:25

No prophet can promise that! 
Why do I tell you these things? One is remind you of the things Christ said and encourage you.  Two, to reach those who do not know.  That they might turn to God so God can give them living revelation in their heart that these things are true.  

I was speaking to a brother in Christ who used to be entrenched in evil practices.  He was told about Jesus. Curious, he just asked, "Jesus if you are real reveal yourself to me".  And instantly Jesus appeared before him in his face.  Needless to say, he left his evil practices behind and surrendered His heart to the LORD.  Now, years later he is teaching others about Christ Jesus as the Lord leads him. 

Jesus said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day.  With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations,  beginning in Jerusalem:  There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.  You are witnesses of all these things.  And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised.  But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."

For by the Holy Spirit comes living wisdom, resurrection power that continually teaches and transforms the heart to live liberated in God's love.

It is just as the Sovereign LORD spoke to the prophet Ezekiel

"And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new obedient heart.  And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command."

Ezekiel 36:26-27

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"So we have stopped evaluating other by what the world thinks about them.  Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being.  How differently I think about him now!  What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons.  They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone.  A new life has begun!  All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did.   And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them.  This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.  We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you.  We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!"  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

It takes a honest, humble, strong, discerning person to realize he/she needs God, Jesus Christ.  He is the one who gives you direction and purpose in every good thing you do.

 Jesus said, "God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them." Matthew 5:3

Jesus said, "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 

I too have seen Jesus Christ and things I did not think I would likely see until I passed through the veil of this life.  I tell you these things not to boost. I am an ordinary simple person.  A man very unimportant in the eyes of the world.  I share these things in hopes people stop and turn to Jesus so they might be saved and be transformed in heart and mind, and spirit.

Remember what Jesus said, "God bless you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.  Be happy about it!  Be very glad!  For a great reward awaits you in heaven,  And remember the ancient prophets were persecute, too."

Matthew 5:11

Again, persecution has the opposite affect of what these violent men want.   

 

 

 

Dream

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On November 1 of 2015 I had a dream. 

In the dream other members of other congregations join a congregation but the congregation remains the same size.

The number people always remained the same.  Is the body of Christ like a string of individual threads?  We may go to separate faculties, building, homes, services, groups but we belong to the one string, the one Vine, the LORD who is Jesus Christ.    

 “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

I was attending a service in the dream.  People were working on homework.  Some were lying down on the pews as if they were beds where they snuggled in with their pillows and blankets.   I told one by me,  “This isn’t an appropriate time to sleep”.  People sang the songs but didn’t know the words of the song.

“For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” 1 Corinthians 11:30.

What is to separate the church from the world? 

Once I shared this dream with a couple brothers in Christ who attend different churches I heard several familiar themes.

One. People in the church can read the Bible but they can’t seem to carry out/live out what the words says in their life.

Two.  People do not know who walks with them.  It’s if they are walking this Emmaus walk in life but don’t realize it’s the LORD who is walking beside them.

Ask yourselves these questions?

IS it like the words in Isaiah?  “Oh how deaf and blind you are toward me!  Why won’t you listen?  Why do you refuse to see?  Who is in all the world is as blind as my own people, my servant?  Who is as deaf as my messengers?  Who is as blind as my chosen people, the servant of the LORD?  You see and understand what is right but refuse to act on it.  You hear, but you don’t really listen.  The LORD has magnified his law and made it truly glorious.  Through it he had planned to show the world that he is righteous.   But what sight his people are, for they have been robbed, enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped.  They are fair game for all and have not one to protect them.   Will not even one of you apply these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you?” Isaiah 42:1-23

IS it like the words of Matthew 15:8?  “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

In the dream the pastor/clergy is frustrated as if nothing is getting through to his people.  I walk outside of the church to get some fresh air, as I too am discouraged.

I look to the sky and see the sun and a cloud of vapor before it that is imitating the sun’s shape.

It reminds me of the scriptures that say that people are but a vapor and though he/she is a vapor, they are to be imitators of Christ.

“Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1      

The word Saba is then mentioned in the dream.  I don’t know this word yet it is spelled out for me in my mind.  Who or what is Saba?  Does it pertain to the congregation or me?  Is it some kind of influence?

Saba, in the Hebrew, means “Seven” or “An oath.”  It is the number of completeness and perfection of wholeness.  It is God and man working together in God’s divine intention in our daily lives.

In the dream I walk on a street with older people.  They smile, as I pass by them.   Then with great fire and vigor I start to proclaim, "God lives in me and who is greater then He!”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Hebrews 12:1

The dream then turns and I am suddenly standing in front of a congregation encouraging others in Christ.

The dream ends and I wake with the song, “Raging Fire” by Phillip Phillips playing in my head.

Letting Go of Control

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Remember the song, "Everyone wants to rule the world" by Tears for Fears?

Since Adam and Eve’s fall in Garden of Eden, humanity has been trying to “control” what they can’t control.   They have used God’s name to control and denied there is even a God so they can feel in control. 

Come to think of it, one’s own justification for salvation comes from the idea of control.  Ever hear, “I should be able to go to heaven because I am a good person”.  Some people want salvation based on their works (control) instead of what God has done through His Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to heaven but through Jesus Christ.   

Man was made to be an instrument for God, to be used by God.

Don’t think of control as a bunch of puppet strings but a supernatural living conduit where the soul is weaved together with God’s spirit.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

One is either submitting to God or the ways of the flesh that are easily manipulated by evil.

Of course those who think they are in control would call this nonsense and that is their choice but what is steering their choice?

God gives us the ability to choose what we submit to.  We can submit to God and discover what LIFE is or be manipulated by Satan who comes only to kill, steal, destroy. 

When what personal control evaporates in a person’s life what happens to that person?

When I forget God is in control I become discouraged, spiritually tired, stressed, frustrated, overwhelmed, anxious, worried, and sometimes even physically ill.

No wonder why the Word says,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:6-9

If God is in control why does he allow suffering?

Suffering is part of the consequences of Adam and Eve’s actions in the Garden of Eden.     Their minds and hearts had become corrupted and this defect was passed down to all their offspring (that would be us).  And now those enticed, lured and persuaded by the world -yearn to have things their way.  They essentially want to be their own god.  This is not only sinful, self-centered, but causes trouble and heartache for anyone else around them and hence suffering occurs.

One of probably many reasons, God sent Adam and Eve into the world was to discipline/teach their souls to trust Him and show He is the one to be rightfully in control and without Him there is only destruction and havoc.   

Some might disagree but how many times did suffering awaken and reveal to us, as Christians, the realities of God?  How many times has our soul prospered in God through hardship and challenges in this life?   And have we not learned, as Christians, God needs to be in control, He trustworthy and He loves us?

Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”  

Knowing God is in control brings comfort, strength and stability to our soul.

That is not so when we think we have control -in fact it is down right destructive.

I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of what it says in Galatians 5:19-21 and Romans1:28-32 and all these instances have to do with not acknowledging God in our lives.  They all have to do wanting some type of control instead of submitting to God’s will.

They also have to do with us hanging on to our life and losing our life and instead of giving it to Jesus to save it. (Matthew 16:25)

But look what it says when we allow God to have control.

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Here there is no conflict with the law.” Galatians 5:22-23

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy1:7

Power, love and sound mind come from submitting to God who is really the one who needs to be in control.

Charles Stanley Sermon "When we don't understand why."

http://www.intouch.org/listen/featured/when-we-dont-understand-why

IN Name Only- A Dream of Two Sisters

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If you have any American cash or coins, take a minute to look at them.  Can you find the words, “IN GOD WE TRUST” on them?

Like streets signs you pass by everyday but pay no mind to their name, so goes the words, “IN GOD WE TRUST” on American currency that gets shoved into our pockets, wallets and purses.

Does America trust in God, considering it’s present undertakings and falling morality?

Annuit Coeptis?  God certainly would not favor America’s present positions.  We would have to be ignorant to His Word for one and brash to think God would continue to favor America and let America get away with such immorality.

Present lawmakers, by their choices, seem to think they can govern and make a nation great without God. This is far from the heart and mindset of the forefathers of the United States who established America’s republic in the everlasting truths of God. 

“The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” - Charles Carroll, Congress 1854

“Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle... In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.” – signer of the Constitution - Charles Carroll.

“Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they, therefore, who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments”- Charles Carroll

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” - George Washington 

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”– George Washington

“In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.” - John Quincy Adams

Further these present politicians seem to distance themselves from God, and only use God’s name when to suits them.  They forget God makes a nation great and without God, men make a nation and themselves a disgrace.  

It has become like the quote, "History has become legend and legend to myth."  This has only happened in 239 years.

 Two Sisters

In a recent dream, there were two sisters.  There was a younger sister and an older sister.  The younger sister is certain the groom is going to marry her.  In haste she buys her wedding gown and tells people about the wedding but the groom isn’t interested in her but instead her older sister.  He has been in love with her for sometime.  She is not brash like her younger sister but conservative in outer appearance and attitude.   The groom tells the mother he can’t marry the younger sister because he doesn’t know her.   His heart is solely for the older sister.  He “knows” the older sister intimately.  They have danced and he has lain down with her, consummating the marriage. 

I had to look this up but in the Hebrew the word is “ginōskō“.   It is to sexually/intimately know. 

Example of this is Joseph did not “ginōskō” Mary until after Jesus was born. 

“And did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.  And he called His name JESUS.” Matthew 1:25

The groom in this case “knows” the older sister intimately and sexually.  Like Mary, who was a virgin, who became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  Note: Matthew 1:18

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!  She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” Matthew 1:23

However I believe these sisters are illustrations.  They are not two human sisters like Mary and Martha or Leah and Rachel but are illustrations of two countries.

Ezekiel 23:2,4 uses similar language as the dream when speaking of the sisters. 

" Son of man, once there were two sisters who were daughters of the same mother."  The older girl’s was named Oholah and her sister was Oholibah, I married them, and they bore me sons and daughters.  I am speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem, for Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

   

I believe the mother, is the illustration, of the belief/faith that birthed these two countries.

I could only think of Israel and the United States as two such countries born from the belief faith in the ONE TRUE GOD.

Historically speaking, Israel would be the older sister and United States would be the younger sister.

Knowing of someone is different then knowing them, trusting, depending, looking to and so on…  The present spiritual state of United States- the powers that be, shows it only wants “relations” with the worldly narrative and society.  It trusts not in God but in worldly elements such as money and popularity.   It may want the benefits of God but she has shown herself unfaithful to God.  If you were God, would you want to marry/support a country that has adulterous and idolatrous actions and thoughts in her mind and heart?  How could God bless a nation that goes against Him?  

God says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”  Who does America trust?  Does it trust in itself?  Does it trust in money?  Does it trust in its past reputation?  What lusts drive it?  Does it have any self-control or does it continue to fall deeper and deeper into sin?

Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

James 4:6 says “… God sets himself against the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”

United States in a nation who turns to God in crisis but then forgets Him.

We see lies and injustices in government officials and courts, a mounting tidal wave of debt, a rise in drug use, and an American holocaust where babies are killed for convenience and profit.  We see people calling what is good bad and bad good.  We see discontentment and distrust in government leaders, we see same sex marriage become legalized and celebrated even in and on the White House.   We see our government falsely accusing Israel of terrorism for going after those who have hurt and killed their own.  We see our government publically declassifying private information about Israel?  Is that a way to treat a sister?   We see America’s government unable and unwilling to rescue and negotiate for American citizens to be released from a Muslim country but give this same Muslim country billions of dollars to support their “nuclear development technology”.   Further this Muslim country hates Israel and its people chant death to America on public television.  America reminds me of the church of Laodicea who said, “ I am rich.  I have everything I want.  I don’t need a thing! And God said to it,  “You don’t realize you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”  Further America now persecutes Christians with jail time and fines for not following the rules of the land, rules that go directly against God’s word.

How backward American has become, this nation founded on principles and truths of God is now persecuting those compelled to live by the principles and truths of God.    

Followers of Christ remember this:

Jesus said, “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.  Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.  And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.”  Matthew 5:11-12

Christians will be like the prophets who spoke out and lived out their faith while their nation fell to sin, was taken by its enemies and was even destroyed.  Christians will suffer by and for actions of unbelievers.  In a way, if we are not taken up before then, we will taste a little tiny measure of what Christ suffered for the sins of the world. 

Jesus said, “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”  Also “Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.”  Matthew 24:9

Again God does not “know” a country that denies him.  He does not propagate a nation that does not follow, pursues, trusts, submits to, and loves Him.

I know this isn't an uplifting message and seems harsh but sometimes the truth is the truth, no matter if it's comforting or not.  But I want to share one more thing.  God spoke this to me this morning as I was relieving some burdens, "There are very many moments that come and go on the Christian stage but stay faithful to what you do know so you do not give up hope and become weary."  

 

The Age of You

My wife and I watched the Age of Adaline.  It is about a woman who, after a car accident, never ages.  Being a secular movie, it takes on mostly a worldly morality but several things struck me while I watched this film.

The first is Adaline’s tells her boy friend, “Tell me something I can hold onto forever and never let go.”
And her boyfriend replies, “Let go.”

Reminds me of the verse Jesus says to us, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it, but if you let it go you will save it.” Matthew 10:39

It’s human nature to hold onto things of this life and connect our lives with the things of this life.  They give us meaning, comfort, purpose, a sense of reality of who we are- no matter if they are true or false.  

Have you ever allowed people and/or circumstances tell you who you are?  Have you ever lost a sense of meaning in life when you lost someone special in your life?

Have you ever invested time, energy, money, heart into something that failed and since it failed- it soured you from putting in that much effort into something ever again?  

Thank God, He doesn’t do that to us.

How about when you fail you?  What happens then?  What happens when your body or mind starts to fail you? 

What happens when we hold onto and put our hopes in people and things that are not going to be here forever?
  

Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Don't get me wrong here... It is good to invest our lives into other people’s lives, it is good to love others and pray for them and see them as gifts from God.  But when people and ourselves out rank God in telling us who we are, then that is a problem.  We can’t assume since people think of us in a certain way that God thinks of us in the same way. That goes for both the positive and/or negative.
 

It does not matter if we are loved or hated by the world- what matters is are we for God.  Are we being influenced by the world or by God?  What context are we living in, seeking, trusting in?  The temporal or God the eternal?  This determines how the heart will be guided.
  

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

What gives light to your soul -regardless to the difficult circumstances in this life?

LIVING VERSES LIFE

Harrison Ford’s character, in the same movie says, “How is this possible? For all those years you’ve lived, you’ve never had a life.”

How true it is that people “live” but have never had a “life”?  They seek “life” but it only in the these temporal forms and way but they never find LIFE.  Think of the richest people who have ever lived but have never found LIFE.  

People instinctively seek what God gives such as joy, peace, love, goodness, and so on but they don’t look to Him.

Even intelligence and wisdom of God's word won't get us there!  

Jesus said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” John 4:23

Adam and Eve decided on the “temporal” in the Garden of Eden instead of God who is eternal and always and they lost what was essential, the Spirit of God, in their life.  They may have had the wisdom and knowledge and truth but the Spirit of God was not there to help them live in that wisdom, knowledge and truth.  So they lived but did not have life.

God not only creates the living and provides for the living but also gives LIFE to the living. 

Jesus says, “I am the truth, the way and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.” John 14:6

John says, “In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:4

Life is through the Holy Spirit -which God gives through His Son, Jesus Christ.

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Here there is not conflict with the law.” Galatians 5:22-23

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:2

How our heart sinks and goes to dark places when we trust in and look to the temporal things of this life.

The last thing that struck me in the movie, was when Adaline finally decides to stop running from the truth and.... she receives her life back. (Sorry spoiler coming!)  She ceases from just living and begins to have life she never thought would be possible.

Is this not true of our spiritual life as well?  It’s only when we “stop running” from God and turn to God in whatever condition we are in- that we realize and grow in Jesus who is the truth, the way and life.  We find LIFE and value, freedom is in Him not the temporal things of this world.

Yep... "He has made everything appropriate in it's time.  He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end" Ecclesiastes 3:11

For each of us has an eternal soul that God has created.  A soul that is to live forever.   God has set eternity in our hearts, which is LIFE, and we only discover this LIFE and find and get to experience it in Him.  That we don’t have to continue make the same mistakes as Adam and Eve by seeking life in the temporal but instead -the eternal.  God is to be the author and finisher of our faith/life but in order for that to happen we must surrender and continually surrender to Him.  And in doing so we discover and experience what God has planned for us from beginning to end in Him.

In a manner of speaking this is the age of you.  Jesus came to... what did he say, "I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Note John 10:10
 
We all have decide is if we only want to just live or if we want LIFE.