THE GRACE OF PATIENCE

 

THE GRACE OF PATIENCE We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ - and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, patience and endurance. Romans 5:1-3 Patience is a valuable lesson, and any school that teaches it is worth attending. Few things in life are as important as learning patience. Many people destroy their greatest hopes because they lack patience. Impatience in certain situations can result in losing everything, while patience in those same situations can lead to gaining everything. In this way, patience becomes the key to success in life. Patience is often taught in the school of suffering. In these hard experiences, we learn to endure, to refrain from crying out in our pain, and instead, to sing through it. Many Christians are taken into dark periods of life where they learn to have an extra measure of patience that is very evident in them. We may admire those who possess great patience, not realizing the cost they paid to acquire this precious grace. By J.R. Miller

 

THE GREAT APOSTASY

 

THE GREAT APOSTASY For rebellion is like the sin of divination and witchcraft, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23 The term "end times rebellion" refers to a significant event prophesied in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 that will occur before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This rebellion, also called the great apostasy or falling away, is described in the Bible as a widespread turning away from the Christian faith and the truth of God. This rebellion will happen during the Tribulation. FOR THE WORLD: We can see in the news how any kind of authoritarian action on the part of leaders is met with strong resistance. The mantra of our generation is "Nobody tells me what to do." Unfortunately, because of their deceptions, people will not recognize evil when it appears. The widespread end-times rebellion will set the stage for the antichrist. FOR CHRISTIANS: As worldly people have thrown off all restraints, Christians have tried to turn the world back to Biblical values. But there is danger in this, also. Christian nationalism is a distraction from the message that Christians are supposed to be proclaiming, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of us have forgotten entirely what our Christian priorities are: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 For the past 60 years the world has been able to march it's radical agendas forward at an incredibly fast pace; but to try to force our culture back by any degree will not change the hearts and lives of people who need Christ. Attempting to force moral values on the population will not work. THE BATTLE IS BROADCAST What is fascinating is that the moral battle is being slugged out in national headlines for all the world to see. The issues are front and center. They're hot topics in our discussions. This too, is by God's design; as people listen, judge, and make their choices. WHAT IS MISSING? But what is missing from all of this is the GOSPEL. There's been an awful lot of use of the word LOVE. However, love is also a distraction from the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. Love by any definition does not replace the person of Jesus, who ought to be the MOST important person in our lives. Jesus should be the MOST beloved name on our lips. And He absolutely is the most important, most loving good news that this sorry old world needs to hear. THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST The Jewish people expected their Messiah to be a warrior King who would defeat enemies and set up His Kingdom. In other words, they expected a mighty, charismatic REBEL who would set them free from their oppressors. Instead Jesus obeyed the Roman laws, he obeyed the Jewish laws, and he submitted in every way to his heavenly Father who required really difficult obedience from him. Jesus fulfilled all the law and the prophets... he was absolutely sinless. And it was because of his obedience that Jesus WON. It was through obedience that he defeated the greatest Enemy of mankind. It was through obedience that he won custody of the keys of Death and Hades. The supernatural overcoming power of Christ was acquired through obedience! So let's not follow the world into their rebellions. Let us follow our Good Shepherd in obedience, wherever he leads us.

 

JOHN ON PATMOS

JOHN ON PATMOS REVELATION 1.1 This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known to his servant, John. Blessed is the one who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is near.  Did you know that you are blessed just for reading the book of Revelation? God is offering us some incentive, because he wants us to know his plans for mankind. Without the book of Revelation, we wouldn’t know how earth’s story will end. And it’s especially important to have hope as events on earth will literally take a turn for the worst. The Apostle John was an old man when he wrote Revelation. He had been exiled to the island of Patmos, where authorities intended to put a stop to his ministry: but it is there that he recorded his visions of the future, and left us an enduring legacy. Some ancient illustrations depict John as a young man - but it’s more likely that he was elderly, as shown in the painting above. Scholars believe the book of Revelation was written sometime during AD 81–96. The raven is an ancient symbol of prophecy and prophets, with the raven being seen as a messenger. This tradition may have started when a raven brought food to the prophet Elijah at the brook Cherith. Although a raven is not specifically mentioned in the book of Revelation, it is frequently depicted alongside St. John in ancient illustrations. On Fridays we will be reviewing the book of Revelation!

 

DAILY GRACE

 

DAILY GRACE My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Corinthians 12:9 How can I live sweetly amid the vexatious things, the irritating things, the multitude of little worries and frets, which lie all along my way, and which I cannot evade? I cannot at present change my surroundings, so whatever kind of life I am to live, must be lived amid precisely the experiences in which I find myself in. Here I must win my victories or suffer my defeats. No restlessness or discontent can change my lot. Others may have different circumstances surrounding them, but here are mine. I had better make up my mind to graciously accept what I cannot alter. By the grace of God, I can live a beautiful life in the midst of my present circumstances. —J. R. Miller

 

THE LORD IS OUR LIGHT

 

THE LORD IS OUR LIGHT For You, O LORD, are my lamp; the LORD lights up my darkness. 2 Samuel 22:29 Am I walking in the light? Then, LORD, You are my lamp. If You were taken away, my joy would be gone. Yet as long as You are with me, I can live without the temporary comforts of this world. What a radiant light Your presence casts upon everything! Just as a lighthouse can be seen for miles, You, LORD, are not only near but also visible from far away, even in the land of the enemy. O LORD, when Your love fills my heart, I am as joyful as the angels, for You are my deepest desire. Am I in darkness? Then, LORD, You will bring light to my darkness. Soon, things will change. Even if circumstances grow darker and cloud piles upon cloud, if it becomes so black that I can’t see my own hand, still, I will see Yours. When I can find no light within me, among friends, or anywhere in the world, the same LORD who spoke light into existence can do it again. He will speak light into my life once more, and I will not die but live. Already, the day is beginning to break. This sweet verse shines like a morning star, and soon I will clap my hands in joy as the shadows flee away. By Charles H. Spurgeon