We have had the opportunity to be away recently at the beach which is our favorite place. Now for the most part we like any beach. If you know much about beaches, they are certainly not all the same. I mean there is water and sand but in Florida there is gulf water, the one we prefer. Then there is ocean water which is not necessarily our favorite.
Now for those of you who might wonder about the gulf vs ocean let me explain. We live in Florida and the west coast of the state is on the Gulf of Mexico. The east coast of the state is the Atlantic Ocean. Heavier surf and cooler waters are common to the Atlantic coast. Where the gulf tends to be calmer and warmer. A major difference is that the gulf can be very clear as it is up in the Destin area where we have been of late. So with that said, we tend to stay on the west coast. However, we did go to the St Augustine area earlier this year. So maybe we are expanding our horizons. Get it, horizons, eastern vs western horizons? Thought I could get away with a little humor, forgive me.
So with all of that behind us, one of the things I personally enjoy about times away is that I tend to pray fervently about things. I am not on a schedule per se. We are going with the flow so when we are sitting on the beach, I find myself thinking and praying unlike other times. It is very relaxing and often times very illuminating as to the things God shows me.
My reading during a time away like this is very broad. It can be a Randy Alcorn book "Heaven". Michal Knowles "Speechless Controlling Words, Controlling Minds". I will even catch up on reading the golf magazines I receive each month. You see, once I am back home my focus returns to messages, blogs, the foundation and the everyday business of life for me and Elaine.
In these past days away, I have covered a lot of things with the Lord. However, that was after much time focusing on Him and His Glory. His power, faithfulness, unending love for mankind. Time in prayer and acknowledging Him and thinking much about what He is doing in my life and in this world.
You see even though we are away, I am still in God's Word each day. Currently I am in Jeremiah and his proclamations as God instructs him for the people. I am again quickly reminded of how far mankind has removed themselves from God. Maybe even more troubling is how far our nation and churches have removed themselves from God in just my life time.
What happened that made things get so bad and out of hand? What could I have done? Was I not listening and responding correctly? Well, the answer is very simple. It has and will continue to deteriorate and then either we will die or Jesus will come back. Don't brush that off but ponder it for a few moments.
If you are like me, you have lived your life as you should as a believer. You have done the right things and participated as a citizen by doing the right things and voting your beliefs. I was listening just like you and I heard the things that were said right and wrong. I embraced the truth and rejected to false.
Yet here we are today and it is a very scary world out there. Wrong has become right and right has become wrong. I will only speak the truth when given opportunity. I will stand for the flag and I pledge my allegiance to our nation. That is patriotic but even more important is that I stand for the flag of the Lord of Lords. That my allegiance is pledged to Him as the King of Kings.
As badly as things are going today, you might ask can it get any worse? Absolutely, and the worse has yet to occur. As the old saying goes "you ain't seen nothing yet".
This is not a doomsday blog it is actually a reality reminder. Remember what Paul told young Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
He wrote that over 2,000 years ago and things were bad then and they are bad now.
So what do we do? How do we prepare to live today and tomorrow if that day comes?
In John14:27 Jesus said
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
So fear not and trust he Lord.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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