Disciples must talk about bad news in order to bring up the good news of the gospel. The world does not always want to listen, and even fellow disciples may weary as well. “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 KJV). Christian, your greatest advertisement for Christ is the blessed, happy life you live for the LORD, in the meantime. “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14 KJV).
Author: Ken
Fragile, Vulnerable, Yet Durable
“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:22 KJV). Dennis Quaid’s documentary, Grid Down, Power Up (2022), explains the “risk and consequences of the US power grid going down, leaving the nation without electricity for an extended period of time. It is explained how we became this vulnerable, and how we can resolve it going forward.” “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28 KJV). Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Another Nation Invaded
On the morning of October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas invaded Israel, killing more than 1,300, injuring thousands, and kidnapping more than 100. Hamas’ 1987 founding charter calls for the destruction of Israel (Psalm 83:4). Even as the LORD had discontinued Israel’s political identity (70 AD) and brought it back into existence (1948), may we all remember His warning, “He that toucheth you [Israel] toucheth the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8 KJV). “We’re Going to Die Here” tells us what it was like for some in the early hours of this conflict.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6 KJV). What does the peace of Jerusalem to do with your peace? Jerusalem was chosen by God. “But I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name might be there” (2Chronicles 6:6 KJV). The LORD will judge Israel for their unrighteous rejection of His Messiah, but in Spiritual Warfare, the LORD of Hosts will judge those who lift their hand against His chosen city and bless those who pray for her peace.
Led By The Spirit
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14 KJV). What does it mean to be led by the Spirit? If we were the captain of our own ship and were simply to do whatever we liked, then that is not being led by the Spirit. But, if we are God’s blood purchased possession and are sensitive to that understanding, then whatever we feel compelled to do as servants of the LORD, is being led by the Spirit. Even our misunderstandings, mistakes, miscalculations, and errors will be used to correct and further sanctify us (Romans 8:28).
Holy Ground
Every bush, a burning bush. All ground, holy ground. The old time religion of evangelists of long ago urged converts to daily live their religious experience, like the LORD commanding Moses. “Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5 KJV). Such honest converts become stalwarts of the faith, will not be drawn into the deception of the Antichrist, and will be translated by their Lord to glory. May we be of that number!
You’re In Better Hands Than You Should Be
“Relax, you’re in better hands than you should be,” quipped Monroe Kelly (Ernie Hudson) to Peter Elliot (Dylan Walsh) in the sci-fi/action/adventure film based on the Michael Crichton’s book of the same name, “Congo” (1995). The concept is Someone who is well capable of intervening in our circumstances to accomplish His purposes, when they happen to coincide with our purpose, regardless of difficulty, cost, sociopolitical circumstances, etc. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV). Praise be to the Only Being Who Commands All Things for Our Good!
Drones, AI, ChatGPT, and Deep Fake
As the population ages and diminishes in capabilities — drones, AI, ChatGPT, and Deep Fake are exponentially increasing, making the future increasingly harder to predict or control. A Luddite response against technology based upon a Terminator fear of loss of control fosters the question, Can the creation become greater than its creator? With man this is possible, but in no possible universe can the creature become greater than the Almighty Creator. “And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom He hath chosen, He hath shortened the days” (Mark 13:20 KJV). All glory to our Omnipotent God!
FYI: We Don’t Know
NASA’s concluding report for 2023 on UAPs (unidentified anamolous phenomena) or UFOs (unidentified flying objects): “We are the American government and we are open, but we don’t know what these UAPs are.” Nothing to make front page news. Better that than ET phone home. Explanation for most UAPs was “planes, drones, weather phenomena, and instrument features” with the recommendation of using scientific instruments for UAP detection. Editorial opinion: UFOs are lying wonders. “Even him [Antichrist], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2Thessalonians 2:9 KJV).
Smyrna Was A Suffering Church
Smyrna was a suffering church. In Revelation 2 and 3, only Smyrna and Philadelphia were not rebuked by Jesus. “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10 KJV). God’s appointed suffering is always measured (“tribulation ten days”) because He remembers our frame is dust.
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