Gtcotr/ss092814
Psalms
23
A
familiar Psalm by David who knew trouble but also knew his God.
We have
recently seen evil physically manifested on an unprecedented scale
the likes of which have never before been experienced by the
generations who currently occupy the earth. Our world is in great
trouble yet God is on His throne, He has a plan and we have an
integral part to play in this plan.
Our
prayer is not always “Lord, get me out” but often “Father, keep
me in”.
By
“keep” I do not mean hold my feet to the fire or please don’t
deliver me, but rather, “stay with me and give me victory in the
midst of my troubles, my trials and my tribulations.” “keep me in
the tribulation”
Larry
Meyers, my friend and Christian brother who is the founder of Mexico
Ministries, humbly and with firm resolve prays this earnest prayer:
“If
you heal me Lord, I will enjoy it, and if you heal me not, I will
endure it.”
In
other words: If you fix these things God we will enjoy it but if you
fix them not, we will endure it. If things get better I will enjoy it
but if things get worse, I will endure it. Whatever comes, we will
soldier on …
Jesus
hoped His close followers would muster the courage and strength to
continue in faith beyond the personal and corporate hardships He knew
they would face. During the last few days of Jesus’ earthly
ministry we find Him sitting on the Mount of Olives talking with His
disciples.
Matthew
24 NKJV
3
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him
privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what
will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
4
¶ And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one
deceives you.
- Deception runs rampant today with the world dominated social media and news outlets. We have gotten to the place where the youth of our nation can’t afford to believe anything they see or hear … the capabilities of modern technology far out-advantage the truth.
- Children are raised and educated in our schools these days without the foundation of the Word of God. Our generations who will be taking the reins of our nation have been left without the benefit of owning a solid Biblical World View. To many, truth is relative.
- Satan and his appointed leaders of this world’s system will say anything it takes, utter every falsehood, swear to any untruth and declare lie after lie in strategic attempts to achieve their goals which include the total destruction of everything that is good and wholesome and dependable and true.
- Deceiving spirits dominate the classrooms and boardrooms of America and the whole world is following our lead straight to hell.
- The worst atrocities ever known to mankind are being perpetrated against the young, the unprotected and the innocent, all in the name of freedom and religion. No wonder our children are confused.
- If it were not for the Church of the Living God and congregations like ours who still hold to the unchanging Word of Almighty God, there would be no hope. 2000 years ago Jesus our Lord declared:
5
"For many will come in My name, saying, ’I am the Christ,’
and will deceive many.
6
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are
not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is
not yet.
7
"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in
various places.
8
"All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and
you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
10
"And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and
will hate one another.
11
"Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
12
"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will
grow cold.
13
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
14
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the
world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
What
can we do … What must we do to possess enduring faith? Here are 5
Basics of Life in the 21st
Century.
- Refuse to believe what the world has to say about anything.
- Money is their God and you are their mark.
- Embrace, maintain and defend an unwavering Biblical World View.
- Prepare yourself to pay some personal price for your beliefs.
- Keep the love of Christ as the motivation for everything you do.
- Openly support the advance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and insure it begins at home.
The
Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only power to save. Jesus is not just
another way, He is the only way. There is but one Son and but one
Savior … Jesus of Nazareth who was:
- Born of a Virgin
- Lived a sinless life
- Died an atoning death
- Raised to life on the 3rd day
- Is seated beside His Heavenly Father
- Is coming again to gather His saints at the end of this age
- His blood and only His blood can pay the eternal debt of sin
- If you recognize that you need a Savior and
- If you repent of your sins and turn your life over to Christ and
- If you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior
- You will be Born Again as an eternal child of Almighty God
It is
that simple, it is that certain and it is that secure … and … you
can do it right now!
Why do
you wait – give your heart to God the Father through Jesus Christ
His Son and the Holy Spirit will come into your heart and save your
soul.
