Responding in Faith to Life's Troubles

Jesus said we'd have troubles, but He also gave us a promise:

"In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Let us allow ourselves to be continually transformed so that we more quickly remember all the time that, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

So what the world without faith can only see as PROBLEMS we can know are really CHALLENGES, and these challenges are in turn actually OPPORTUNITIES -- OPPORTUNITIES to grow closer to Him while growing in grace and faith, and while communing with Him and working alongside Him, and witnessing His work. Believers have rest. We are here, but also in Heaven. Praise God!

People Fighting Off Their Savior, and Running to Satan

 And no, because of the slander that Trump supporters have replaced Jesus with him, I will leave no room for the slander. I'm talking about Jesus Christ, of course.

It is so incredibly sad to see how humanity in its natural state of sin fights off their Savior, Jesus Christ, and runs to Satan, and accuses Jesus of being Satan, and embraces Satan as savior instead. It's so sad to see when people persist, and succeed in doing throwing off the Lord for good, and without some drastic intervention from the Lord Himself, there will be no coming to the truth for them until it is too late, and they are being eternally judged and thrown into the Lake of Fire.

It is so sad to see eternal doom embraced as safety.

I am so thankful to the Lord that He revealed Himself to unworthy me, and gave me the faith to see Him for the savior He is so I would realize that I should stop fighting Him, and that it's wrong and deluded and self-destructive to do so, and also learn to do everything I can going forward to submit to His will for me, and fight the flesh, not Him.

It's terrible to see a nation, as a body, triumphantly turn its back on God, after slandering Him and judging Him, and declaring, "We know better than You, because we are better than You, and we shall do as we like. But we are still Your faithful servants, because we know it's so." 

It's sad to see blatantly obvious rebellion towards God en masse, and know that the outcome is there in God's Word, in black and white, simple enough for anyone to understand. Those who leave this world in rebellion to God will get their just recompense.

Thank the Lord for His mercy and longsuffering towards us. It gets harder and harder it seems to like other people. It's a natural attitude that we are commanded to not give into, though, as we are to love as He loved unworthy us, but it speaks to His infinite superiority to us, that He can still love us, despite the evil creatures we naturally are. 

If you are in rebellion to God, don't find out that you were wrong to fight your Savior when it is too late. Don't trade a place in Heaven for the empty promises of this vaporous life and an eternity in Hell, because you are not fit for a perfect place, being in rebellion to God. Be reconciled to Him as soon as possible, while you still can.  

Psalm 2

1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Praising the Lord for His Son, the Lion and the Lamb

 Praise our Heavenly Father, for giving us His Son, who is a spiritual lion that appears to sleep, but is only longsuffering, like the Father, for the sake of His children. And the wise who are lost see Him and soon grow afraid, and turn back to the Lord. And the prodigals get tired of living in constant dread around the lion, and eventually they turn back to Him, too. But the wicked grow only more bold in sinning as, in their eyes, the lion continues to sleep, and might even be dead, until one day, the lion’s eyes open and he springs up, to their horror.

And praise our Heavenly Father that His Son knows His sheep and became a sheep for our sakes, and no sheep’s outfit can ever fool Him, and no unconverted wolf shall ever enter Heaven.

Halloween: Adapt it for Christian purposes or abstain?

Going by God’s Word, there is no doubt that Halloween is worldly and celebrates the Satanic and demonic, as well as spiritual darkness, sin, evil and death without hope. It's patently anti-Christian. That’s all part of its appeal, especially to many adults, and its celebration alone by the world has already wrought a considerable amount of spiritual damage. 

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20)

There is no saying, then, that Halloween can simply be accepted and celebrated by Christians as the world accepts and celebrates it without denying a great deal of God's Word.

So then the central question is, is it a better Christian witness and better for doing our part to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) to abstain from Halloween altogether, or to participate in it by using it as an occasion to turn people's attention to Christ, expose the darkness at its heart and offer a godly, spiritually satisfying alternative vision of the day? And too, what should children be taught about Halloween, and should they be allowed to participate in it?

After many years of considering these questions, I do believe that Christians following the Lord's leading for themselves might arrive at either conclusion.

Bible thumpers: “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.” (Ephesians 6:24)

Godly Ingratitude

“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” John 6:11

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthian 9:15

Thankfulness towards God is naturally in the heart of those who sincerely love the Lord. Everything good, and good for us, comes from Him, and we’re most especially thankful for giving His Son for us, so that we may be forgiven by Him for our sins and enter into eternal life.

We are similarly taught to be thankful towards those who have helped us and for the things that have helped us along our way in life. Some of them will have even directly led us to Christ in one way or another. The people and things we acknowledge as having helped us in some way might be Christian, or they might even be of the world. Either way, thankfulness for them and sometimes to them seems entirely right and justified by God’s Word.

Yet, at a certain point, when not properly directed, thankfulness can also be a trap laid by Satan himself, and the people or things that helped us can become idols.

First, we might believe that at low points in one’s life, it was using or abusing drugs  or alcohol, or an ungodly relationship, or other sinful behavior, that “got us through.”

Second, we can begin our lives so spiritually distant from God that we can feel indebted to whatever and whomever He uses to point us in His direction on the very long journey towards Him, even if that person or thing is in actuality only disguised as an “angel of light,” or a light that is actually worldly darkness.

God in His great mercy allows there to exist the image of something good even in what isn’t actually good spiritual food, for the sake of drawing to Himself His children, but if we’re not careful, those things can become strongholds for the devil and beloved idols of the flesh. At some point, we need to see all ungodly, worldly things that God permitted us to partly survive upon for what they are truly are spiritually, even while remembering, in humility, our former state and our need for His mercy. So, for instance, a Christian who no longer drinks but believes that abusing alcohol kept him alive for years after a difficult childhood needs to not have contempt for people at that point in their lives, or see them as beyond hope of salvation and damned if they don’t repent and turn to Christ when he believes they should.  

But when God has indeed brought us to the truth about an idol, His Word teaches us to love Him first and keep our own selves from idols. If a sense of indebtedness to an idol seems to trap us, then we can remember how God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt. The devil would have them believe that Egypt was an idol to love, or at least be indebted to for “taking care of them.” Yet the Lord’s lesson was to plunder the devil, without a sense of obligation. If Satan masquerading as an angel of light does a good deed and comes to your rescue, you needn’t be bound to him in gratitude.

 “And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.” Exodus 3:21-22

 

 

"Come out of her, My people..."

 "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities..."

The laws of the United States are now positively anti-Bible.

The U.S. joins the other "advanced" wealthy nations in being anti-Biblical and anti-Christian.

Even with the slowing effects in some ways of the Trump presidency, the nation's laws still, in so many ways, require Christians to compromise on if not simply abandon God's Word, or else face economic and even criminal penalty. And at this point, nothing but a Biblical disaster of greatest proportions is likely to change that.

So, I wonder, are there believers who have considered joining fellowships that are more separate, such as conservative Mennonites, or the Amish, or doing something like Christian homesteading as a community?

Overall, much of the church here, which is heavily influenced by the powerful, wealthy megachurches, seems to be content to compromise and retreat, becoming more and more like the world, and actually becoming separated from the Body of Christ of all times and places.

Just recently, a Christian bookseller in China was sentenced to 7 years in prison.

Many Christians in Nigeria have been killed too just in recent weeks for their faith.

Much of the church here pretends that this more faithful, "not loving their lives to the death" church, the church which grew knowledge of the Gospel in the world through its members bearing their cross, even to death, even exists.

The Laodicean church here doesn't seem to want to see or recognize much about how things truly are, or to resist Satan, but instead, to pursue peace with him for a more comfortable ride in this life.

But when you try to save your life here in this world, as Jesus warned against, out of fear of missing out on what this world offers (or seems to offer), you instead miss out on all that the Lord has for you.

So are other believers thinking about "coming out of her"?

From Revelation 18:

1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Lament over Babylon

9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

The Saints Rejoice

20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Psalm 147:11: Two Things We Must Do

"The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy." Psalm 147:11

This one verse amazingly captures the essence of our relationship with God.

We must do these two things, but perhaps we tend to be more faithful in one than the other.

Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom and leads to humility before Him, a desire to do what's right and recognition that we nevertheless sin against a holy God and need the sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God, the Son of God, to take away our sin. Properly understanding our relationship before God means believing that faith in Jesus Christ will save us during a Day of Eternal Judgment which is coming.

But there is still more for us to do besides properly fearing the Lord. We must also hope in His mercy. When we're experiencing pain, or it seems that some suffering might be on the way, we can become fearful and doubt that God will be there with us and carry us through the situation, and fear and doubt will both try to undermine our faith. Believing in His mercy, on the other hand, fills us with hope, increases our faith and brings us into a closer relationship with God.

If we don't properly fear the Lord, then we can't truly have a relationship with Him. We won't respect Him, but instead will view Him as someone to rebel against, as Satan did. We won't see ourselves as sinners before a holy God or appreciate the gift of the sacrifice of His Son for our sakes. Instead, we will take His grace towards us for granted and see no need to repent.

But it's also possible to fear the Lord properly but to not hope in His mercy as we should. When we do this, we're also listening to Satan and accusing God of being evil, and perhaps even more perilously so because we're doing it less obviously. When we ignore His mercifulness, we translate the need to fear Him into a belief that He's merciless and unloving, forgetting the giving of His Son for us which is an act of sacrificial divine love.

Hoping in His mercy, on the other hand, builds our faith as we remember to properly fear the Lord, and will help to give us His peace and joy even in the midst of trials. While consciousness of God's holiness versus our sinfulness and His coming wrath properly give us a perspective of fear before Him, we have the greater knowledge that our hope to receive His Mercy has been assured for us through His Son.