"Father......I would ask your proctection on my friend reading this. I ask that nothing would be able to bring harm. I ask Father that You would take away any fear. Protect my friend's family. Most of all Lord, would You help my friend to become closer to you. Give wisdom during these trying times. May complete peace and rest in God now come."
I pray that the one reading this who thinks that all this "God stuff" is a bunch of stupidity will at least read on with an open mind to what I am about to say. There is nothing to lose.
As I woke up this morning I became greatly concerned about something that I know is very critical. It wasn't so much COVID-19. We already know that Corona Virus is a serious situation. As I scanned the news headlines and then the lastest posts from people on social media, a great sadness crept in. This situation has to do with our spiritual condition, which really controls everything else.
And just like with the virus, THIS IS NOT A GAME.
Even though we are all facing a crises which nobody seems to have a cerain answer for, I see very few who are responding to the call for a return to the God who gave us life in the first place. At this point......... and at any point for that matter, God is our only true source of hope. Yes, we need to use our common sense and listen to our president and govenors, but it's ultimately God who is the author of life and eternity.
Don't get me wrong I know that there are still a lot of people who are always constant in their faith. Solid followers of Jesus. Ones who love and pursue Him very much. Believe it or not it is the faith and prayers of those devoted followers who are keeping the world from falling apart! The salt has not completely lost it's flavor (Matthew 5:13). But for others who have been hot and cold or even hard hearted towards the things of God very little, if anything, seems to be changing when it comes to God. Status quo. Instead, more time on social media, video games, reality shows................the list goes on and on. I'm not saying I'm against any of those things, (Well maybe some video games and the trashy reality shows) but I see very little signs of what the Bible would call a carnal christian wanting to read the Bible more, spending extra time in prayer, or even just calling out to God. It always seems to be the same faithful ones....... and if you are one of the faithful, I thank God for you.
As a society, especially over the last 10 or 15 years we have "changed" many things about the Word of God. There are many things that are being called good, normal and acceptable that once were not. Think about it guys. Think about it pastor and priest. God didn't change His word. We have changed it for Him. Things like defining marriage, sexual identity and the sanctity of life. And in the meantime the world keeps wearing down and falling apart. We are living in a sin infested nation and world and all of creation is groaning louder and louder.
I'm not going to go on a rant, but here is what was behind my heartbreak this morning. In all honesty it really started to surface during prayer last night as it seemed like God was reminding me of hearts that become so hardened towards Him that they almost reach a point of no return also. If anything scares me...........it's that.
The Bible speaks about a time when there will be such a falling away from God that there will be a point of no return. Some translations refer to it as the rebellion which comes in the end times.(2 Thessalonians 2) I don't believe that we at that time yet, but I do believe we are in a critical period of time that could easily take us to that time. Does that make sense? It's like when you are waiting for the Super Bowl or the World Series to start, but you have to watch the pre-game show first. It is my personal belief that our "pre-game show" has started. I believe that God is watching what we do as individuals and a nation very closely. What will we do with this time that has come upon the earth. (Other nations are not exempt. God is watching the whole earth. He created it all.)
Now I'm not trying to cause more panic or fear. When you abide in God's love it will chase away fear. I'm not into predicting the end times, but I do believe that we are in like a valley of decision. I believe that God wants to restore us, heal us and renew us. I am quite sure that God wants our churches to be full again. Churches that will love people unconditionally without compromising the Word of God. A lot of churches need to relearn how to do that, especially the part about not compromising. We need a time of returning and rest that I recently read about in the Bible. A beautiful time.
But we have to choose to return to Him. He won't do it for us. He gives us a choice. He will help us, but He won't force us. My concern is that as of right now I see very few signs from our elected politicians (there are some), our government, our media and individuals as a whole who really care about even giving more of their time to God.
It starts with us! You and me. Even if we would give exclusively to God just a tenth of our 24 hour day, I can only imagine how that would change everything. Even if nobody else joins you, God wants to give you an abundance of peace instead of fear. He wants you to completely trust in knowing that He is walking with you every step of the way. Spiritual wholeness and wellness are yours for the taking. Believe me, even with COVID-19 seemingly all around, you can live each day completely free from fear.
And that's a beautiful thing!
Zechariah 1:3 "This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies"
We've been given a window of time to respond. We can't let it close!
Wow, I just realised that it's been over 3 years since my last post.
God loves you, my friend.....and so do I.
MarkS.
I pray that the one reading this who thinks that all this "God stuff" is a bunch of stupidity will at least read on with an open mind to what I am about to say. There is nothing to lose.
As I woke up this morning I became greatly concerned about something that I know is very critical. It wasn't so much COVID-19. We already know that Corona Virus is a serious situation. As I scanned the news headlines and then the lastest posts from people on social media, a great sadness crept in. This situation has to do with our spiritual condition, which really controls everything else.
And just like with the virus, THIS IS NOT A GAME.
Even though we are all facing a crises which nobody seems to have a cerain answer for, I see very few who are responding to the call for a return to the God who gave us life in the first place. At this point......... and at any point for that matter, God is our only true source of hope. Yes, we need to use our common sense and listen to our president and govenors, but it's ultimately God who is the author of life and eternity.
Don't get me wrong I know that there are still a lot of people who are always constant in their faith. Solid followers of Jesus. Ones who love and pursue Him very much. Believe it or not it is the faith and prayers of those devoted followers who are keeping the world from falling apart! The salt has not completely lost it's flavor (Matthew 5:13). But for others who have been hot and cold or even hard hearted towards the things of God very little, if anything, seems to be changing when it comes to God. Status quo. Instead, more time on social media, video games, reality shows................the list goes on and on. I'm not saying I'm against any of those things, (Well maybe some video games and the trashy reality shows) but I see very little signs of what the Bible would call a carnal christian wanting to read the Bible more, spending extra time in prayer, or even just calling out to God. It always seems to be the same faithful ones....... and if you are one of the faithful, I thank God for you.
As a society, especially over the last 10 or 15 years we have "changed" many things about the Word of God. There are many things that are being called good, normal and acceptable that once were not. Think about it guys. Think about it pastor and priest. God didn't change His word. We have changed it for Him. Things like defining marriage, sexual identity and the sanctity of life. And in the meantime the world keeps wearing down and falling apart. We are living in a sin infested nation and world and all of creation is groaning louder and louder.
I'm not going to go on a rant, but here is what was behind my heartbreak this morning. In all honesty it really started to surface during prayer last night as it seemed like God was reminding me of hearts that become so hardened towards Him that they almost reach a point of no return also. If anything scares me...........it's that.
The Bible speaks about a time when there will be such a falling away from God that there will be a point of no return. Some translations refer to it as the rebellion which comes in the end times.(2 Thessalonians 2) I don't believe that we at that time yet, but I do believe we are in a critical period of time that could easily take us to that time. Does that make sense? It's like when you are waiting for the Super Bowl or the World Series to start, but you have to watch the pre-game show first. It is my personal belief that our "pre-game show" has started. I believe that God is watching what we do as individuals and a nation very closely. What will we do with this time that has come upon the earth. (Other nations are not exempt. God is watching the whole earth. He created it all.)
Now I'm not trying to cause more panic or fear. When you abide in God's love it will chase away fear. I'm not into predicting the end times, but I do believe that we are in like a valley of decision. I believe that God wants to restore us, heal us and renew us. I am quite sure that God wants our churches to be full again. Churches that will love people unconditionally without compromising the Word of God. A lot of churches need to relearn how to do that, especially the part about not compromising. We need a time of returning and rest that I recently read about in the Bible. A beautiful time.
But we have to choose to return to Him. He won't do it for us. He gives us a choice. He will help us, but He won't force us. My concern is that as of right now I see very few signs from our elected politicians (there are some), our government, our media and individuals as a whole who really care about even giving more of their time to God.
It starts with us! You and me. Even if we would give exclusively to God just a tenth of our 24 hour day, I can only imagine how that would change everything. Even if nobody else joins you, God wants to give you an abundance of peace instead of fear. He wants you to completely trust in knowing that He is walking with you every step of the way. Spiritual wholeness and wellness are yours for the taking. Believe me, even with COVID-19 seemingly all around, you can live each day completely free from fear.
And that's a beautiful thing!
Zechariah 1:3 "This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies"
We've been given a window of time to respond. We can't let it close!
Wow, I just realised that it's been over 3 years since my last post.
God loves you, my friend.....and so do I.
MarkS.
