Have you wanted to read through the Bible but the idea seems too overwhelming? Do you wish you had someone to help you understand the more difficult sections and someone to cheer you on when you get behind or bogged down? Kind of a bible for dummies plan?
Well … you do!
Yesterday, in our New Testament reading, we talked about the opening of the first six seals in Revelation 6. It will be a time of famine, death, earthquakes, volcanoes, murder, chaos, and disaster. But it will be followed by a time of eerie calm and devastating fear after the God of heaven is seen on His throne and the world reels in terror over “what’s next?”
Also, do you ever take silent pleasure when someone who has criticized or mistreated you falls or suffers a setback? Is that how we should react? Is there a problem with rejoicing when “what goes around comes around”? Today’s reading in Obadiah looks at those questions.
The Tribulation can be challenging to understand for believers and non-believers alike. But we must remember that though God is a God of mercy and grace, He is also the Righteous Judge and must one day judge evil. While no one knows the day or the time, He will, possibly soon, begin opening the seven seals of Revelation 6 and unleashing final judgment on all who refuse to repent and turn to Him for forgiveness. What will that look like?
The Bible is the unpopular truth to many today. Those who believe it are ridiculed and accused of unloving behavior and attitudes. Many demand that instead we “give hardy approval” to the sinful things they do. Some who refuse have been sued or threatened with fines and other legal action. Freedom of religion is fast being replaced with a demand for the freedom “to do whatever I please.”
So, how does God expect us to respond? Are we to compromise in an attempt to hold on to whatever rights we still have? And how should we pray in these difficult times?
Have you ever been misjudged, falsely accused, or passed over by someone in leadership? Have you been hurt, mistreated, or treated unfairly? What do you think about at those times? Is it possible those events are actually orchestrated by God? And could those be the times we can grow the most? But something may need to change if that’s to happen.
Also, find out why God would call a group of women the “cows of Bashan.” Not very flattering! But could we be guilty of the same thing?
I love my coffee in the morning and, on occasion, I enjoy iced coffee, especially those blended ones from coffee emporiums. But when I drink hot coffee, I use one of those insulated cups to keep it really hot because lukewarm coffee is good for nothing! It’s the same for lukewarm Christians. Where are you on God’s thermometer of faith? Is God’s warning to the lukewarm Christians in the Laodicean church for you? Why could this post be more important to you than you think, possibly even eternally important?
Also, read about the tongue and the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to help you control it and how the fear of man (trying to please people) is a trap!
Remember. Repent. Repeat. If “red-hot love” has turned to “not tonight, honey” and passion has given way to bills, soccer games, and to-do lists … if you seem to have lost that loving feeling … what do those simple instructions have to do with regaining the feelings of love and romance you once had?
And on what are the greatest feelings in the world dependent? How can we have them no matter what our circumstances and whether or not other people act right or not?
The events of the Tribulation will be so frightening that unbelievers will cry out to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” But is it possible that it is also an outpouring of God’s grace?
Also, read about the hurtful power of words and how the truths of God are stumbling blocks to those who refuse to believe.
It’s easy this time of year to see how the message of Christmas has been blurred or almost obliterated in many places. Schools schedule a “winter break” instead of a “Christmas vacation.” Candy canes and Christmas trees are out, to say nothing of nativity scenes and wise men. Even Santa and reindeer are out in some places as guilty by association.
We can’t control what others do but we need to ask ourselves, what are you and I doing to personally shine the light of Christ into the world in which we live? Are we so focused on long lines and long to-do lists that we fail to share the most important thing about Christmas … the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Yet, maybe the idea of sharing the gospel at any time of year is intimidating to you. Check out today’s post to learn about a simple resource and some other suggestions that can help you share your faith this Christmas season.
It didn’t take long. Less than 70 years into church history and there were already those who wanted to water down the Word of God and the call to personal holiness. And others who wanted to add things to the requirements for salvation and Christian living. Nothing much has changed. There are still those who distort the gospel truths. Instead, we’re to teach and understand the whole counsel of God. In 25 verses Jude’s epistle called believers to contend for the truth. It still does today.
Sadly, many still prefer to teach only the easy-to-swallow parts … those things that don’t make anyone uncomfortable or the Christian life seem too hard and others who claim that something else is necessary.
How about you? Are you contending for the truth and seeking to understand the whole counsel of God? And why is doing so as important as ever?
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