article by site founder, Connie Rice
Do things seem out of control and upside down in America and around the world? For those of us old enough to remember the “Twilight Zone” television series, it seems as if we are stuck in one of those episodes. How did we arrive at a place where public servants and trusted institutions reveal themselves to be corrupt, where actual crime is ignored but law-abiding citizens are treated as criminals, where barbarism as well as the intentional harming of children is defended, where death is promoted and even celebrated, where courage is required just to share facts, where Christians are being persecuted around the world with no media coverage, where words are redefined to mislead people, and wars and threat of wars are all around? Does peace seem to be a distant concept while anxiety and stress rule the day? Does all hope appear to be lost?
God did not leave us alone with no way of understanding what is happening. He provided a Savior, making a way for all who would believe to be reconciled to Himself so heaven could be our eternal destination. I didn’t grow up attending church, so wasn’t familiar with hymns, but I’ve discovered how powerful the lyrics are in so many of them. This one has been really encouraging to me in recent times:
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Lyrics & music by Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863-1961)
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection conquered both sin and death. Oswald Chambers wrote that those who fear God do not have to fear anything else – not man, not evil, and not even death:
“The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”
Oswald Chambers
God also gave us the Bible, His revealed Word, with prophecies of what to expect during the end times. We can know what is really true because the Creator of it all has told us not only what has occurred in the past, but what will happen in the future. Those who know the Bible know that prophecies are being fulfilled and that things are lining up for the return of Jesus Christ. Much of the Bible is prophecy. Some of it has been fulfilled exactly as prophesied. Some of it has not yet happened, but God means for us to see the signs so we will be prepared. This is the time to seek truth, which means to seek Jesus, because He is the way, the truth, and the life.
“The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.
From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth;
He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:13-22
For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.”
“’Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’”
Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’.”
John 14:1-6
America has pretty much rejected God and His ways. How is that going for us? Most people recognize that God’s blessings have been on both Israel and America in previous times, but don’t realize that His blessings are contingent upon obedience to His commands. Unfortunately, the history and science being taught over recent decades rejects biblical teachings and has become so biased that highly educated people develop a belief system that is far from God’s ways. These same people gain influence in our government, our media, educational, scientific, and medical institutions, etc.), drawing the culture further from the ways of God. The prince of this world (Satan) has cleverly and gradually directed our nation away from life and wholeness (God’s creation) toward death and destruction with the intentional killing of defenseless and innocent human life in abortion, intentional killing of the elderly and/or sick in euthanasia, addiction (loss of a productive life and many times life itself), destruction of families, loss of committed fatherhood, increased violent crime, loss of hope and meaning in life resulting in despair leading to suicide, etc.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.”
Paul’s encouragement to believers in Philippians 2:12-17
At the same time, we see the love of God manifesting itself through His calling people to Himself and continuing to restore and transform lives. On a 12-minute video in “Stories of Us” from Prager University, Adrienne Johnson explains, “Why I am No Longer an Atheist”. There are so many other powerful testimonies of God revealing Himself to those who seek Him with their whole heart and answer His call in their life. Some of these amazing stories include that of atheist doctor, Greg E. Viehman, former women’s studies professor and lesbian, Rosaria Butterfield, former Muslim and author of “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus”, Nabeel Quereshi, and Jewish businessman turned Christian missionary and author of “Betrayed”, Stan Telchin. Former newspaper investigative reporter, Lee Strobel, and former cold case detective, J. Warner Wallace, both used their career skills to try to prove Christianity wrong, but instead discovered that it was true. Both ended up not only accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but gave up their careers to became evangelists to point others to the truth. Lee Strobel’s journey resulted in his book, “The Case for Christ” , which was made into a movie and he has written numerous books and Bible studies since, even some for preteens. J. Warner Wallace’s chronicled his journey as well in his book, “Cold Case Christianity” and has written other books and Bible studies since – as well, as some for preteens.
“We must warn the nations of the world that they must repent and turn to God while there is yet time. We must also proclaim that there is forgiveness and peace in knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.”
Billy Graham
We may not ever write a book or become well-known, but may our words and deeds point people to the One who can fill them with supernatural peace and strength for today and where they can find hope for tomorrow. May we continuously strive to allow Him to transform us more and more into His likeness and praise Him for who He is and all He does. To God be the glory! Forever and ever. Amen.
© Constance Rice 2024
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