As you read the title of today's blog you were thinking, so where is he going to go today? Let me be honest with you as I sit writing this blog I am asking myself the same question. Certainly, first of all, where are we going in this blog today as I share thoughts and observations. As well, there is the question of where are we going in this crazy world and country in which we live.
Recently, as I spoke to someone, I commented that I heard someone say once that they were no longer in the 4th quarter of their life. I can certainly appreciate that statement. They indicated that they were now in sudden death over time. For sure, I can also appreciate that statement.
In my lifetime, things have changed dramatically. I don't say it in that way for literary purposes but simply because it is true. As one who was born into a Christian family and raised in that Christian environment, I can tell you things were much different than they are today. Not just in the world but also in the church. It is important that you understand that when I say church I mean a couple of things. The first is that the church to which I speak is one in that the members are born-again believers in Jesus Christ. Saved by His grace in His death, burial, and resurrection. Secondly, they are of every color, culture, and denomination from all over the world. Their common brotherhood is in Jesus Christ and His saving grace which they have received. My reason for this clarification is that Scripture tells us that-
Acts 4:12 reading from the Amplified Bible that-
12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”
Please take a few moments now and read Acts 4. This is the account of Peter and John's arrest, their release, and the threats against them, then the sharing among the believers. It will bless and encourage you.
Now back to what I was saying earlier about how things have changed. Life was cherished, respected, and protected. The words of the Declaration of Independence were known and stated as written-
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Recently the Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris purposely misquotes the very words of the Declaration of Independence to which she indicated she is quoting. She states-
'It is a promise of freedom and liberty — not for some, but for all,' she said. 'A promise we made in the Declaration of Independence that we are each endowed with the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.'"
There is no reason to think that she did so for any other reason than to adhere to her belief that abortion is a right. There is no reason for me to think that she did not know exactly what the Declaration of Independence says. She chooses on her own to not only misquote but also to dupe those who would not know or look for themselves to know she has purposely told them a lie.
There are so many examples of this that are occurring all around us every day. I truly wish that I could say things will get better but I can not. Can we see occasional glimpses of things being more than they should be? I believe so and that the state in which we reside, Florida, is a shining example. That could change in the future but for now, we are okay.
There was a time you could have said that about these United States but as the old saying goes, that ship has sailed. Can the course be corrected, the answer is yes. Will it, well that is yet to be seen.
Now I don't want to come across as gloom and doom. Yet when we talk about these types of things it is hard to find silver linings. Because from a Biblical worldview, the world in which we live will not make it. There will one day be a new Heaven and a new earth.
In the meantime, it is our responsibility as citizens of this world to follow Biblical standards. Listen to and do as led by Scripture and the Holy Spirit of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reading for the Amplified Bible-
5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6 In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
Back to the question of the day, so where are we going? Closer individually each day to the end of our lives here on this earth. Closer as a world each day to the end of this world as we know it to be now. In both cases individually and as a world, Jesus is the only answer.
In the Gospel of John, are the very words of Jesus Himself recorded for us. Using the Amplified Bible again I have shown to you in red Jesus' words-
16 “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.
18 Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him].
19 This is the judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
20 For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned.
21 But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].”
Well, I guess the answer to the question today is that we are all going into an eternity one day. Where we go is a decision we have to make here because it is too late to wait until it is all over.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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