This summer brings little joy. For a start, there is that sore loser mentality that stubbornly refuses to abate. Despite the highest court in the land overturning Roe vs Wade in a landmark decision, the pro-abortion camp simply does not get it! The ranting and raving against the above legal move continue to fan the flames which are dividing a country. Right on the heels of this malaise comes another shocker that is indeed anathema to everyone who cherishes freedom and liberty. It is no longer gossip when there is mention of nearly ninety thousand armed-to-the-teeth government agents whose primary task is to wreak hell on earth for the average law-abiding individual!

At this juncture, multitudes would be driven into a frenzy, with anxiety and anger dominating the thought process. Includes quite a chunk in the Body of believers? No questions asked! About everybody is shaken by this negative tide. The real question is, to what degree?

Humanity is undoubtedly an eyewitness to swathes of unprecedented happenings, many of which belong to the unpleasant category. Few would react with indifference, especially when something incredible pops up like a bolt from the deep blue. It is a tough call for anyone to come to terms with many thrusts coming from different angles. The human brain struggles when it comes to processing these negatives, which, in turn, stir up emotions. Anxiety laced with anger is the final outcome. It can have a grip over many minds, thereby producing short fuses, jangled nerves, and sleeplessness.

As for those brothers and sisters in Christ that are of a much weaker hybrid, it certainly impairs their walk with the Lord. There is definitely a lot of good that can come out of all that evil, but the enemy does not want even a sniff at the positive. Remember that he is the author of confusion, and herein is his dirty work. It is so heartbreaking to see many from the Body of Christ fall for this vile ruse!

That sense of foreboding that generates much ill will is the adversary’s latest weapon in these final moments we all live in. The fact remains, has it gotten to a boiling point where everyone becomes toast? Not quite at this stage! This is where emotions come into play; the mind could conjure up scenarios that would not happen, and if they did, it all adds up to be a self-fulfilling prophecy – opposite to that which is the basis of our common salvation. The Living Word is our one and only hope.

At this point in time, there is a piece of Scripture that many should hang on to. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,’ Says the LORD” (Isaiah 54:17).

None of us needs to cower in fear when the evil one goes on the warpath with the meanest weaponry in his wicked arsenal. They cannot achieve anything worth mentioning because of the power of condemnation against them from the Lord. He who is infinite in power and resources can nullify whatever diabolical design; it could crumble before implementation and end up going back to the drawing board! Remember our role as salt and light of the earth. He will never leave us to battle on our own. The fight is His!

The nagging questions centered around what ifs should never possess the ability to harangue the true Believer in Christ. This is the case so long as we rest on nothing but the Word of God and, more often than not, engage in unceasing prayer. Belief in the omnipotence and omnipresence of the Living God is the key to getting the good out of this ever-menacing wickedness. All too often, the narrative from the adversary’s minions can be more than terrifying. But take heart; there is Holy Writ that is truly the Sword of the Spirit. Find rest and comfort in the Word of God, and that frightening drumbeat will no longer resonate in your mind. You will, in turn, be showered with the peace that surpasses all human understanding. Once you fully turn to the Lord, He will never forsake and leave you to the savages.

“And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Timothy 4:18).

When we see and hear things that are exceedingly despicable, there is that tendency for blood to boil. It inevitably affects our temperament, but when things go overboard, there is a risk of going off the rails in our walk with the Lord. Righteous anger might be acceptable, but it should never reach a point where we become dysfunctional elements of the Body we belong to. Do not let your focus on the truth be swayed by a rage that is planted by the enemy. When carried too far, it can cause dissent and quarrels within the Body of Christ. For anything that irks you, take it to the Heavenly Father in prayer. Vengeance is His, and He will never let whatever iniquity go unpunished.

“And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8).

We should all adopt a contrarian view that is out of this fallen planet. Yes! We are all cognizant of the times we live in, but do not let these earthly matters drag us down. We have a Blessed Hope, and it is a joyful eternity we should be looking at.

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28).

MARANATHA

EDWIN

Contact me at edwinuk13@gmail.com

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

Nobody likes fresh, home-grown tomatoes any better than me. I can eat ’em morning, noon and night. For the last few years, I have tried to grow some in my backyard. My gardening friends assured me I could and told me how to do it. Every year so far, something has gone awry. The wrong soil, where I had them located, the plant variety, when I planted, and on and on. Well, this year, I was all set: planted when I was supposed to, the best mixture of soil, the best plants, location, not too much water but just enough. You know the rest of the story: the heat zapped them. The heat didn’t just fry mine but just about everyone’s that I know. I’ve had a backup plan with a lady in the country who really has great tomatoes, but even she is without fruit this year. The heat is a killer.

There is one thing the Lord looks for and expects from His people, and it is fruit. In the Old Testament, God lays this out plain for His chosen people. Through the song of Isaiah, God compares the calling out of His chosen people to a man planting a vineyard. God chose fertile land; it was tilled and cleared of rocks. He planted it with the choicest of vines, and he built a winepress in preparation for a good harvest. When harvest time arrived, God was expecting good fruit (obedience, faith, love, thanksgiving, worship and service) but instead found foul-smelling wild grapes (disobedience, rebellion and idolatry). In Isaiah 5 in the New Testament, Jesus presented this same picture to the unbelieving Jews. And then He presents the truth of how God will have the fruit He desires.

Jesus said: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:1-7).

Jesus also said that whoever would come after Him, let him take up his cross daily and follow Him. I believe our cross is the daily labor of putting the old man and his works to death. The world, the flesh, and the devil work daily to excite and incite the passions of the flesh. I believe that Satan uses whatever tricks and devices he can to put the heat on God’s children, to dry us up spiritually, to render us fruitless.

Christian people are called to walk in newness of life, to put on the new man who has been created in the image of Christ. Remaining faithful in prayer will keep us spiritually fertile, whereby the Holy Ghost can continually feed and water us with the faith, hope and love of Jesus Christ. And not only will the heat not dry us up, but we will bear fruit that will remain: “Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net.