Missing God

As I look around at friends, at family, at people in my classes and total strangers... there's one thing that sticks out, that seems to be so prevalent... God is missing. Even people who claim to be Christian's shove God away in opportune moments to sin so they can go on about their immoral lifestyles with little or no guilt. I try to confront some of these 'Christian' persons by bringing up the truth in love, only to hear things like: "Well I know it's wrong in the Bible but I'm not going to stop doing it" (fornication) They might as well be saying, "I don't care enough about what God says or thinks to stop." A person even used scriptures to try to justify and make their sexual immorality righteous (which is impossible to do because God's word is clear on the topic; I'll speak more on that another time). It's so sad... My heart truly aches for them yet also for my Jesus Christ who willingly died a gruelling death upon a cross and shed his blood for the salvation of those who call upon him- and yet some people, even those carrying the name Christian still treat it as nothing. Unfortunately, but fortunately for those who might turn and repent at this knowledge, I must point out what the bible says is in store for such people:


For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. -Hebrews 10:26-28

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. -Hebrews 6:4-8

For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. -1 Peter 2:21

...all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified...on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. -Romans2:12-16

While many believe once saved always saved and that God will never take his free gift of mercy away; I believe we ourselves can give God his gift of mercy back to him, by making the choice to continuously and willfully sin which grieves the holy spirit. It is our job to continuously come to the cross and submit our free will to his will.

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. -Colossians 1:21-23

Peace in Uncertainty

Luke 21:7~35 (New American Standard Bible)
… "When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately."
Then He continued by saying to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake. "It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony."So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute… and you will be hated by all because of My name… because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled…"There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory."But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Then He told them a parable: "Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. "So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. "Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. "But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

These very words used to terrify me but now these very words bring me comfort and peace. Many would say that we live in very uncertain times; but Jesus has graciously told us through the Bible what to expect, and what is to come before his inevitable Second Coming; especially for Christians. To many perhaps, these words should or do bring about terror. They shouldn't though.

I can’t promise you won’t be persecuted or even martyred for your faith in Christ, which many persons are experiencing the harshness of right now. The chances are that you will no doubt experience persecution. From America’s beginnings to our current standing, the nation has tried numerous times to stray from God, and branch out alone rejecting the Bible, Christ and it’s teachings; as well as lessened it’s acceptance towards it, all of which has only escalated. Jesus has said through out the Bible that we will have trials and tribulations, and one or both of those (persecution/martyrdom) may very well be the thing or things you face.

The comfort and inner peace that you should experience is the fact that someone can and may take everything away from you but they can’t take Christ away from you. You may lose everything you own or even everyone you love; like many of those people in the recent hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes did but you can never lose Jesus- All because he is within. He can give us peace within the most disheartening and frightful situations or circumstances.

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” -John 14:27 (New American Standard Bible)

He will never leave nor forsake you. Check out what God says to Joshua after the death of Moses:

“ No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you, I will not fail you or forsake you.” "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.” "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." –Joshua 1:1~9

How awesome is that!! I hope to bring no offense with this… So what about all the scary stuff you hear on the news- you already know what it is going to eventually amount to; the end result. You can do your part by spreading the gospel; protecting and standing up for your rights and future generations' both as Christians and citizens by voting or petitioning, comforting those in distress… there are so many things you can do to make positive differences in negative situations. It only takes one person to make a world of difference.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9

In season's of adversity don't forget God and his character. God is always with us, Always no matter what season we are going through. He is what keeps us strong, what keeps us from collapsing under the weight of our burdens. While in fact you may feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, God himself would bear that weight that you feel, for you- If you ask him to. It is quite hard to let something go, to not worry about an ever present problem, to not hold on to something that seems so significant and worthy of endless thought... But friend there's nothing you can do with those burdens, especially alone without Gods help. Humble yourself and ask God to help you. He sees everything- past, present and future. He sees every point of view from every single person involved, he sees their true nature and the condition of their hearts (no matter what their words might say). He sees and knows everything. He already has the answer to whatever you're facing- but it's in his perfect time alone that the answer can be revealed to you (if your even asking for his help). Double-minded? confused? Afraid to make the wrong decision? Why? Remember in Ecclesiastes 3 it says- I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before.

God never said we wouldn't have troubles in this life, in fact Jesus said just the opposite and even said we would suffer for his names sake (Jesus). Everyone in life has troubles and no one is excluded from them nor immune to them. Be STRONG, Be CONFIDENT, Stay in FAITH.. Don't let your worries and cares lure you away from God (the parable of the sower: Luke 8:11-15; Matthew 13:18-23; Mark 4:12-20). You've got The Almighty power and favor of God on your side, Fear not!