Authority of God's Word
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
How you doing? The world is in a turmoil, is it not? Wars, threats from a lot of countries, diseases, natural disasters (the weather appears to be out of control), political upheaval, immorality,(even within the church), racial tensions, and we are not even going to get started on fashions, living together, technology replacing live interactions. Yes, I sometimes feel like "Chicken Little". All of these 'problems' are stressing people out and when people are stressed out they become complacent, depressed, surly, angry, and their judgment is impaired. Of course this doesn't apply to everyone that is feeling stress because some people actually excel under pressure. But the stress I am talking about is combined with a feeling of frustration. It seems that our society is set in its ways and that their is nothing that can prevent our society from self-destructing. Sorry for all the doom and gloom. The only reason I point these things out is because I also want to point out that there is hope. In fact, when we feel powerless the most is when God gets the glory because then only God can get the credit for the marvelous works and mercy that our Creator bestows upon us. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV 'But he said to me, "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness." Jesus is our Hope. As it says in Ephesians 6:11, "put on the full armor of God that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." And that is exactly what is going on in our world. It is the cosmic battle of good and evil. It amazes me how many people will bury their head in the sand. Everyone is involved whether or not they want to be because "to know the right thing to do and not do it is sin" James 4:17. Revelation 3:15, 16, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth." If we sit the fence then God doesn't want anything to do with us. Sitting the fence, meaning you don't want to get involved, means that you have the Word of God and chosen to ignore it. C'mon, people hear the Word of God more than they realize. It is preached on television, it is quoted in movies and shows, it appears at sporting events(the guy with the colorful wig and the sign that says, John 3:16), friends, family, neighbor, co-worker, someone is sharing the gospel with us in one fashion or another. Even the Chreaster people have to answer for their actions. You know, people who only go to church at Christmas and Easter. So, if you have never heard the Word of God in a definitive way then there is hope for you because the Holy Spirit will work to bring you to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. If you are on fire for Jesus then great! Go get them and give them Heaven. If you have heard the Word of God and chose to ignore it or just give it lip service then "your heart has become hardened" and you are in dire straits for you are dangerously close to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. That means you do believe the Holy Spirit and God's plan of salvation through Christ alone. You don't believe in the authority of God's Word where the Scriptures tell us in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." John 14:15, {Jesus said} 'if you love me you will obey my commands." So, once again, "to know the right thing to do and not do it is a sin" and sin separates us from God and only Jesus can bring us back into a right relationship with God. Okay, I am done for today. One last warning, beware of the devil's schemes wherein he says there is new evidence, a different way to look at things that appeal to your feelings, and you have plenty of time, and more. According to the Bible the devil "roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour". Read the Bible.
God loves you and so do I.
Pastor Bruce
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