No Troubled Hearts
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John14:27
I don't talk (as in lengthy conversations) to many people on a day-to-day basis. Like you I go through the days of my life at work and at home. I listen to some news, and occasionally the social media outlets. I have been a Christian (born-again, saved) since I was a child. But being a Christian did not shield me from being sinful, disobedient and rebellious to my Father's commands, As a person, created in the image of God, I=as the Bible teachers does not give us automatic tendencies not to sin once we are saved. Paul wrote to the church of Philippi, "...continue to work out you salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12. So there is some work to be done and there are many days that I feel like I'll never be where I should be but at the same time I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. Over the course of my life, I've hit a lot of road barriers, detours, and wrecks along the way. Oh, God's grace really is unlimited.
As this new year dawns, it brings with it a whole lot of known uncertainties. Yes, I said, known uncertainties. For example, we appear to be in a volatile time, politically, socially, and economically. We know there are issues, that is certain, how they will be handled is uncertain. We have accepted the status quo for so long we aren't really sure if we can ever get back to the biblical principals we started with. The "woke" generation is about canceling out anything and anyone who doesn't agree with them.
When I was young I remember the nightly news discussing the wars and politics of the day, I also remember my parents and extended adult family talking about the news of the day. But I don't remember being frightened about it. What I didn't realize that slowly and quietly we were being inundated with ideas and cultural changes through television and entertainment. Now it is blatant accept all ideas and lifestyles or else. People are attacked in the streets for wearing political apparel that is opposite of the attacker. The world is a much scarier place than it used to be. My mother had a famous quote, I'm sure a lot of parents, would used when asked if could wear something inappropriate or go somewhere I shouldn't; "Would you jump off a cliff if someone else did?" A pretty ridiculous statement, but it got her point and answer across loud and clear.
God is the same way He knows what is best, His ways are not our ways, and though His way isn't always the easiest way, when we follow He always leads us to triumphant victory.
This world is not hour hope for a better year or tomorrow, Jesus is our hope. If it's not time for His return, He is our hope for endurance and looking forward to His return is the best thin we can do. That is the prize we wait for, that we work toward when our faith becomes sight. Paul said something else in letters, I have not already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me. I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
The world is not going to get any better, but we must press on in our Father's work, being a light in this dark world, preaching, teaching and following Christ's example, glorifying god for all His mercy, kindness, strength, and help for each day. God does not expect us to do more than we know and what we have not yet learned from Him, Paul goes on to say in verse 16, "Only let us live up to what we have already attained." In other words, do what you know to do, and keep moving forward.
The wo5ld will continue to taunt us with its lies and fear mongering, Jesus said; Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give you. His peace, even as He face His accusers and soldiers who beat Him and then crucified Him, carried Him through what God sent Him to do. I do not give as the world gives. Promises made and then broken, lies and betrayal of our trust. Look around, doe you see peace in this world? Jesus said... DO NOT LET let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27.
Just as the Father was with the Son, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit is with us. If God is for us, no one can be against us. We know the end of the story; Jesus comes backe, takes us out of here, and we live with Him forever...No troubled hears! Oh, The King is Coming!
In HIS Time
Teresa
