As I sit here today and remember some of the recent blogs I have posted, I realized how I have been drawn toward what is coming next as to the end times. I do think that it is a worthy topic to discuss and consider. However, it is right now, today that we live, and if the Lord doesn't send Jesus back what do we do?
The question came to my mind as to what's going on? There is certainly, in the big scheme of things, that which we spoke of last week. There are however so many little things in comparison, that are going on, too. If you missed that blog, you can go take a look at it right now. Then come back and continue with this blog.
Now as to what's going on, that is not to even suggest that what's going on is trivial or unimportant. They are having an effect upon our lives and it is not good nor is it constructive.
We are truly seeing evil in ways that have not seen before in our country and in the world. I am not talking about crime per se but evil in the manner in which good and evil are actually known. We seem to have come to a place as a nation where there are about 50% of the people who feel one way and the other 50% feel the opposite. Do I think this is dangerous? I do and it is because as a nation we have and are continuing to abandon the ideals of what we call common decency which is defined as moral or ethical behavior that is guided by fairness, empathy, propriety, justice, etc.:
Last week I preached a message on "Convictions: Values, Commitments and Motivation". In the message, I noted that by definition a conviction is "a fixed or strong belief” but it is really much more than that. Your convictions include your values, commitments, and motivations. There are a lot of fixed or strong beliefs in our country today. In the message, I said that-
Convictions are made up of your values, commitments, and motivations. I asked the question, What do you really value today? Is there really anything that you would say is a true commitment to you? Are there any things that truly motivate you?
I believe that the vast majority of believers live this life without ever really experiencing all that God has for them and why? Because they fear all the wrong things and never face life. It takes courage to live this life as God desires.
The author is unknown, but still these words ring true:
“Courage is a special kind of knowledge; the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared, and how not to fear what ought not to be feared.
From this knowledge comes an inner strength that subconsciously inspires us to push on in the face of great difficulty.
What can seem impossible is often possible, with courage”
If you were to study the book of The Acts of the Apostles, you would begin by seeing just how wonderful things were as they began to minister. They had been promised the Holy Spirit. They had spent time in the upper room after Christ's ascension. Acts 1:14 says they continued with one accord in prayer and supplication and even Mary, Jesus' mother and his brother were there.
Then in chapter 2, the Holy Spirit comes on the Day of Pentecost. People are responding to the message. Peter is preaching and on one day alone 3, 000 souls were added. The church is growing. The lame are healed and at Solomon’s porch, Peter preaches, and then in chapter 4 things change.
Peter and John are arrested. Then in the presence of the Sanhedrin, they preach of Jesus Christ.
They are threatened but hold fast to the message of Christ.
Acts 4:19-20
19…“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
That is an example we should all follow. Now you might say well that is easy for you to say as a preacher but it applies to us all in whatever role God has placed us.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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