Well, you are not at this moment looking up because you are reading this, and thank you for your time. I recently watched a sporting event kicked off by the singing of the “National Anthem.” To this day in my 62 years of life, I tear up and get chill bumps every time I hear it sung. I have had the privilege of growing up during my formative years in the greatest country on earth. I thank God for that and for the opportunity my children have had to experience life in the United States.
Our country has experienced its problems no doubt, but freedom of speech has not been threatened before this recent era in which we find ourselves. Lawlessness without consequence is rampant. Cities and businesses have burned. Whoever thought defunding of the police would ever be agreed upon? My heart breaks as I see division and hate abounding as family members and friends become enemies if there are differences of views and beliefs. As “Old Glory,” our flag, flies beautifully unfurled by a gentle breeze, the message it formerly sent of national pride, of lives sacrificed to grant us the liberties we take for granted has been lost in the fray.
People protest and sing “thank God for abortion” as a woman plays out the birth and killing of a baby on the steps of a church as worship takes place inside. Murder of babies is fought for vehemently. Politicians fight to pass legislation to “abort” babies up to 28 days after birth. Again, that is murder plain and simple of the most heinous type, and we file this under “healthcare for women.”
Equality for genders and sexual orientations which God never intended is front line and championed. Attempts are being made to confuse children on these issues in the school systems as early as the age of seven and eight. Outright lies are championed as truth. Deception is now the norm. Church members are disillusioned and stepping away from their faith and belief in God. Prominent “Christian” worship leaders and pastors have now embraced atheism.
But here is the question. Is God surprised? Of course not. Did He, his prophets, and disciples speak of days such as this in the Bible. Absolutely! Jesus himself explained future times such as these as He spoke to his disciples in Luke 21:5-36. Please take the time to read these “red letters” spoken by our Lord as if He were speaking of current day events. And smack dab in the middle of those scriptures is verse 28 which reads: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. “
We have a choice to make. We can continue to look at all the distractions Satan has in play in our society, wring our hands and become distraught, or we can look in our Bibles for encouragement and strength because these times are foretold. We can look away from our phones, computers, televisions and look up for the blessed appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can look around and ask the Lord for opportunities to share his love, sacrifice, gift of forgiveness and the ability to be adopted into the family of God. We can also share the reality of where eternity will be spent…Heaven or hell. God is love, but there will come a time when unbelievers will experience his wrath.
If you are reading this and do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please keep reading to the ABC’s of Salvation. Read through some of my prior posts if you are new to the blog and find encouragement in the Lord for these times. Hold fast in your faith and seek God’s face, spending time in His presence through prayer and study of Bible where all truth is revealed through His word. God bless. Look up! To God Be the Glory!
A. “There is no one righteous, not even one…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:10,23)
Ask God’s forgiveness. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:3)
B. Put your trust and belief in Jesus as your only hope for salvation. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
C. “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) See verse 10 also.