What Drives You?
"Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
Imagine, something is coming at you, something you know you are not going to like. You know you will be disturbed, upset, or even angered after you are forced to encounter it. How do you prepare for it? What is it that drives your reaction?
Fear?
Worry?
Faith?
Trust?
This is tough. We all want to avoid the battle and the pain that comes with it but we all know that we cannot escape from all of it. Sometimes in our lives we simply have to endure unpleasant encounters and the resulting consequences. Those are the times in our words and professions prove themselves; it is when the "rubber truly hits the road" and our faith is tested.
You have to believe that this is really difficult for me to even write about because I wrestle with it a great deal. It is what I am coming to call my own personal thorn in the flesh. I fear and I worry far too much about things that I have no control over. But I do have control over what I choose to believe and I do have control over what I say to myself and I do have control over what I ultimately put my trust in.
I fear and worry about what is happening in our country and in the world. But that fear and worry have no effect on changing that - it only tears me down. There is what seems to be an overwhelming shift toward evil - even among those who, in my opinion should know better. What once was commonly held as unacceptable - things to avoid and not accept or believe because they are just not right. These things are being embraced because of the utter lack of reason and thoughtful consideration. Leaders and want-to-be leaders are embracing this change because of the uproar from those advocating the change for their own selfish and sinful passions and greed.
Everyday, there is more and more evidence and examples of Christ haters, God haters speaking out. Whole programs on television are dedicated to pronouncing the the hate of the program host. It is no longer a matter of stepping aside and letting those who are corrupt in their thinking to pass by in the "live and let live" attitude. Letting them have their opinion and freedom of speech is not enough any more. No, that is not far enough anymore. Now, what is demanded that all people actually accept as good and proper what is fundamentally contrary to Christ's teaching. In fact Christ's teachings must now be changed so that they show acceptance and not offend those who hate Him.
If this is not afforded by you or by me, then we must pay the consequences. Those consequences currently are mostly ridicule and scorn and hateful messaging but they will become more. It will become required by law not only to allow but to adopt. It already has been in some cases and standing on the Word of Christ as we believe it will be come unlawful. Those who expose evil and unlawful practices will be silenced by the very courts and legal system that should be holding the lawbreakers accountable. Lawbreakers are using the courts to protect and shield their activities.
But wait.
There is a reason the Word of God is crammed packed with promises and encouragement to not be afraid, to not fear those who can hurt the body but can do nothing to the soul. There is good cause to trust in what God says and be deaf to the accusation and temptations from the devil.
You see, in the final analysis, when the dust has cleared, the last man standing will be the Son of Man who gave his life for all who will believe. He will reconcile His word and His every word has been tested. It has never failed - it always proves to be true. God is a shield to those who take refuge in Him - His word, His promise, we can count on it no matter what happens.
Imagine, something is coming at you, something you know you are not going to like. You know you will be disturbed, upset, or even angered after you are forced to encounter it. How do you prepare for it? What is it that drives your reaction?
Fear?
Worry?
Faith?
Trust?
This is tough. We all want to avoid the battle and the pain that comes with it but we all know that we cannot escape from all of it. Sometimes in our lives we simply have to endure unpleasant encounters and the resulting consequences. Those are the times in our words and professions prove themselves; it is when the "rubber truly hits the road" and our faith is tested.
You have to believe that this is really difficult for me to even write about because I wrestle with it a great deal. It is what I am coming to call my own personal thorn in the flesh. I fear and I worry far too much about things that I have no control over. But I do have control over what I choose to believe and I do have control over what I say to myself and I do have control over what I ultimately put my trust in.
I fear and worry about what is happening in our country and in the world. But that fear and worry have no effect on changing that - it only tears me down. There is what seems to be an overwhelming shift toward evil - even among those who, in my opinion should know better. What once was commonly held as unacceptable - things to avoid and not accept or believe because they are just not right. These things are being embraced because of the utter lack of reason and thoughtful consideration. Leaders and want-to-be leaders are embracing this change because of the uproar from those advocating the change for their own selfish and sinful passions and greed.
Everyday, there is more and more evidence and examples of Christ haters, God haters speaking out. Whole programs on television are dedicated to pronouncing the the hate of the program host. It is no longer a matter of stepping aside and letting those who are corrupt in their thinking to pass by in the "live and let live" attitude. Letting them have their opinion and freedom of speech is not enough any more. No, that is not far enough anymore. Now, what is demanded that all people actually accept as good and proper what is fundamentally contrary to Christ's teaching. In fact Christ's teachings must now be changed so that they show acceptance and not offend those who hate Him.
If this is not afforded by you or by me, then we must pay the consequences. Those consequences currently are mostly ridicule and scorn and hateful messaging but they will become more. It will become required by law not only to allow but to adopt. It already has been in some cases and standing on the Word of Christ as we believe it will be come unlawful. Those who expose evil and unlawful practices will be silenced by the very courts and legal system that should be holding the lawbreakers accountable. Lawbreakers are using the courts to protect and shield their activities.
But wait.
There is a reason the Word of God is crammed packed with promises and encouragement to not be afraid, to not fear those who can hurt the body but can do nothing to the soul. There is good cause to trust in what God says and be deaf to the accusation and temptations from the devil.
You see, in the final analysis, when the dust has cleared, the last man standing will be the Son of Man who gave his life for all who will believe. He will reconcile His word and His every word has been tested. It has never failed - it always proves to be true. God is a shield to those who take refuge in Him - His word, His promise, we can count on it no matter what happens.
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