Keep hope alive by looking to “Christ Jesus our hope” (1Timothy 1:1 KJV). Hope is that feeling events will turn out for the best. “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). Without great expectations, we will not attempt great things for Christ. “However, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. Just look at the great things He has done for you!” (1 Samuel 12:24 NET). When things are darkest, “hope thou in God” (Psalm 42:5, 11 KJV).
Author: Ken
Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt
Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) find us as an any easy target, if we allow someone other than God to define our reality. We like to think ourselves current with the events surrounding us. If an uncontrollable fire drives us into the ocean, as it recently did to many on the island of Maui in Lahaina, Hawaii, we, too, could not but react. Pray for Maui. May God be merciful to all those affected! Our hearts go out to you! But, beyond reasonable measures to prepare for adversity, our greatest resource and defense is confidence in God. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2Timothy 1:7 KJV). Fear, on the other hand, is a characteristic of hell. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8 KJV). Faith is confidence in God. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV). Faith comes from God’s Spirit working in us as we trust Him, in particular, when believing His Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 KJV). God alone is able to defend us from the triumvirate of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Trust God, for He is worthy!
Donate to the Red Cross for “Hawaii wildfires” or Hope worldwide for “wildfires on Maui” relief.
Analysis Before Russia Invaded Ukraine
UKRAINE CRISIS: US ignored Russia’s security concerns, Putin says. ANALYSIS: Putin is attempting to unite the Russian people against an external enemy, consolidating his power and increasing Russia’s sphere of influence. UPDATE: More than a year after the invasion of Ukraine, Russia failed to capture but the easternmost portion of the country. Ukraine’s counteroffensive has made slow progress, but will the West tire before Ukraine has retaken its lost territory? QUESTION: What is the LORD attempting to accomplish through this? Positioning nations for end time fulfilment before His return. What should be the position of the godly? “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10 KJV).
Pray for all affected parties.
Donate to Hope worldwide to “support Ukraine relief.”
Work From Home
Work from home (WFH) has changed the dynamic of employment since the advent of the COVID pandemic. Fridays are the least likely day for employees to be required to return to the office. The evolution from subsistence farming to industrial mass production to cloud based work from home, it appears not even Apple Park saw this coming. “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
https://apple.news/AkejJPPqGQZ-tlSAbexJT_w
Fake News
Fake news is not new. A June 2, 1897 article in the New York Journal reported: “Mark Twain was undecided whether to be more amused or annoyed when a Journal representative informed him today of the report in New York that he was dying in poverty in London… [He said] The report of my death was an exaggeration.” We are responsible for what we allow ourselves to believe, so we ought to make the greatest effort to act in love. “[Love] is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1Corinthians 13:6-7 NET). Let God be our Judge.
Climate Change Is Happening
Climate change is happening, according to most Republicans and Democrats surveyed by The NY Times in 2014 and 2016. How to regulate human activity causing the carbon emissions is the divide between party politics and between economically developed and emerging nations. The same advice Christ gave individuals should be heeded by political parties and nations. Treat others the way you want to be treated. “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31 KJV). May God give us wisdom to meet the challenge of climate change.
Superstition and Luck
Superstition and luck are the irrational belief that some guiding force for good or ill is directing life. The supernatural is by definition an unnatural explanation for events, describing both God and the devil. Faith and confidence are associated with God, while superstition and luck are not. When Paul was bit by a venomous snake, the superstitious islanders concluded he was a murderer being justly punished; but, when he survived, they called him a god. Take care to give the Almighty your confidence and all the glory; otherwise, like Herod taking undue credit for his speech, God will judge you. “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost” (Acts 12:23 KJV).
And Then There Was One
Was Elijah the only faithful prophet left in Israel? Evidently not. The LORD replied, “I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal” (Romans 11:4 KJV). But, when no one seems to be representing the Lord God Almighty, He must take matters into His own hands. “And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore Mine own arm brought salvation unto Me; and My fury, it upheld Me” (Isaiah 63:5 KJV).
Target of the First Atomic Bomb
Hiroshima, as the target of the first atomic bomb, received sixty seconds of radiation from less than a gram of matter, producing the horrific effects known today. Yet, Hiroshima is now a thriving metropolis, unlike Chernobyl. Jesus prophesied, “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).
https://youtu.be/e3RRycSmd5A
Belief in Creation in 17th Century Thought
Belief in creation in 17th century thought fueled the rise of modern science. Christianity’s belief in an omnipotent, precise, and predictable Creator compelled Galileo, Newton, and Boyle. Instead of questioning if Christianity really motivated the rise of modern science, a better question would be, why just then did the Almighty allow it? “But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another” (Psalm 75:7 KJV).
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