People have always had troubles and trials, and they always will until Jesus cleans up the mess sin has made of this world. No person can have true peace until they allow Jesus to take over their life.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Just this month a friend of ours lost her mother on Tuesday and her husband on Wednesday, the next day. Despite lingering health issues and then death itself of two people she loved and cared for, she has peace in her life because she allows it to filter down to her soul from God. In addition, she has her own health problems, but continues to work.

Last month another friend of ours passed away, by committing suicide. There is no question that the troubles and trials in his life were overwhelming, but he failed to realize that they were not overwhelming to God.

I’ve always said that if you live long enough you will have adversity in your life sooner or later. There are even many dear folks who experience troubles and trials at a young age. I know I’ve had my share, and I’m sure many of you have too. For that matter, many of you may be experiencing difficult times now.

It is most tragic when we hear someone say, “Why me God?” It is tragic, but it is also understandable. No one wants problems, but whether we like it or not, they do arrive at our door eventually.

Sadly, some even blame God, and that I cannot understand. The Word of God is clear about why we live in a fallen world. It started with Satan’s lies and ends up in hell for those who choose not to escape the clutches of the evil one.

God does not cause our problems. I know that I have probably brought at least some of mine upon myself, and if you’ll be honest, you have done the same thing. What about those problems that just show up though? They’re part of life. They just appear. For example; you lose someone you dearly love because someone decided to drive while intoxicated; your doctor gives you news you really don’t want to hear; you lose your job through no fault of your own. Life is tough.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1Timothy 1:15)

There is nothing we can do about all the troubles and trials that befall mankind, but there is something we can do to have peace in our heart that only Jesus can provide. By putting our faith in Jesus Christ, we can rest in Him. Regardless of what comes our way, we can have peace that only He can provide. We can walk with Him each day, guided by His Spirit, and rest assured that we are already victorious over anything that comes our way, because we belong to Him.

Satan can throw anything he likes at us, but we have victory in Jesus Christ. Something may take our life. Fine, we’ll just be with our Lord sooner. Our loved ones may lose their life. If they too know Jesus as their Savior, it is “absent from the body, present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

The days we are living in can be scary if we let them. Every area of society is falling apart like toy blocks that a child has knocked over. Nothing is sacred. Nothing is sure. Nothing is guaranteed. There is calamity all around. At least, that is what the world sees, but as a Christian there is a peace the world cannot know, because it does not know Jesus.

If you are a Christian and worries are bringing you to your knees, turn them over to Jesus and let Him take care of you.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIV)

Allow God to glorify Jesus His Son through your life. The problems may or may not go away. They may get worse. They may not. The point is, let us glorify Him by being faithful. Even if all falls apart on earth, we will be rewarded when we see Him. More importantly, we will be with Him forever. Let us yearn to hear Him say of us, “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21)

The troubles and trials of this world can be used to make us stronger as a Christian and be a witness to so many others. We see them as monsters about to consume us, but when we remember that our God is in control, peace fills our soul and fear is replaced with a courage that only comes from Him.

Do you want to have all those problems you are worrying about? Of course not! But they’re there. What are you going to do with them? Are they going to destroy you, or are you going to allow Jesus to use them to bring you closer to Him? That’s something to think about.
Grant Phillips

What an interesting word.

WIKIPEDIA describes vitriol as: “Sulfuric acid (alternative spelling sulphuric acid) is a highly corrosive strong mineral acid with the molecular formula H2SO4. It is a pungent-ethereal, colorless to slightly yellow viscous liquid which is soluble in water at all concentrations. Sometimes, it is dyed dark brown during production to alert people to its hazards. The historical name of this acid is oil of vitriol.

Sulfuric acid is a diprotic acid and shows different properties depending upon its concentration. Its corrosiveness on other materials, like metals, living tissues (e.g. skin and flesh) or even stones, can be mainly ascribed to its strong acidic nature and, if concentrated, strong dehydrating and oxidizing property. Sulfuric acid at a high concentration can cause very serious damage upon contact, as it not only causes chemical burns via hydrolysis, but also secondary thermal burns via dehydration. It burns the cornea and can lead to permanent blindness if splashed onto eyes. Accordingly, safety precautions should be strictly observed when handling it. Moreover, it is hygroscopic, readily absorbing water vapour from the air.

Sulfuric acid has a wide range of applications including domestic acidic drain cleaner, electrolyte in lead-acid batteries and various cleaning agents. It is also a central substance in the chemical industry. Principal uses include mineral processing, fertilizer manufacturing, oil refining, wastewater processing, and chemical synthesis. It is widely produced with different methods, such as contact process, wet sulfuric acid process and some other methods.”�

The wiseGEEK explains in part how the word “vitriol” is used to present an argument: “Vitriol” is used to characterize a caustic though often literate verbal attack or argument posed in highly abusive terms. The word applied in this way comes from its meaning in chemistry, where oil of vitriol refers to sulfuric acid. In its purest form, oil of vitriol is tasteless, odorless, and found in abundance in many geographic areas, particularly among volcanic sulfuric crystals. The chemical industry uses vitriol in diluted form for a number of commercial applications that include battery acid, manufacturing fertilizer, and processing wastewater.

The term “sulfuric acid” may have replaced “oil of vitriol” in the manufacturing sector, but vitriol is still used as a characterization of speech. Vitriol is intended to demean, blame and censure the subject of the attack. It can indicate bitterness or deep-seated ill will, or a simple attempt to hurt or deeply offend.

While many can argue about degrees of acceptability or the difference between passionate debate and insult, vitriol is a form of speech that crosses the line of decency by general standards. Vitriol reviles, vilifies, insults, snipes and assaults. It goes beyond passion to become mean-spirited, and as such reduces the value of the argument when value is present at all.”

Venom, bile, bitterness, sarcasm, hatred, contempt, scorn are all words that are synonymous with vitriol, and this is the attitude often displayed when speaking of such things as God’s saving grace, eternal security (OSAS), and even the Rapture (believe it or not). There are a host of other subjects that seem to get people’s hackles up also.

It is obvious to me that there is more going on here than meets the eye. One Scripture verse in particular comes to mind; i.e. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

The first two, God’s saving grace and OSAS, are mandatory beliefs that a true Christian should have seared on his/her heart. They are critical to salvation.

The third, the Rapture, is an important and truthful doctrine but it is not necessary for salvation.

There is another subject that also produces vitriol in some people, and that is the apple of God’s eye, Israel. “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)

Satan is in an all-out, increasingly intensified war with God because he knows his time is quickly running out. The stakes are high and he knows it, Satan is in full-frontal attack concerning the Truth of God’s Word, the Bible.

God’s Saving Grace

Satan has always tried to muddy the waters concerning God’s saving grace, and today, he seems to be working overtime. The facts of the Gospel of salvation are very simple.

One can only be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. It is His works that count. Ours are worthless. Apart from the saving power of Jesus Christ, we are dead in our sins.

There is no other way to be saved from our sins and receive eternal life but through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Eternal Security (OSAS)

If we can trust God to save us on His conditions, then why can’t we trust Him to keep us on His conditions? We could also say, if we don’t trust God to keep us by His power, then obviously we don’t trust Him to save us by His power.

Those who are truly saved and are now children of God through Jesus Christ will always be kept by the power of God. They will never be in Satan’s orphanage again because they have been adopted by God through Jesus and are now His property.

We can no more un-save ourselves than we can save ourselves. Salvation and eternal security all depend on God’s power not ours, assuming we have any, and we do not.

True Christians are our Lord’s sheep. Unfortunately, there are many goats in the pen too who may profess Christ but do not even know Him.

The Rapture

The doctrine of the rapture of the Church prior to the seven year Tribulation is very clear to those who will listen. However, it is not a mandatory requirement of belief to be saved. Many who are truly Christians do not believe in the Rapture, or they believe in some corrupted form of it, but they are still our brothers and sisters in Christ. What a pleasant surprise awaits them.

Israel

The fourth subject I mentioned was Israel. To believe or not believe that Israel is still the apple of God’s eye and very much applicable today, is also not necessary for salvation.

It is a legitimate belief (faith, trust) in Jesus Christ that saves our souls, nothing else.

However, Israel is very important to God and very much loved by Him. To not recognize this is foolish, to say the least. The remaining seven years promised Israel that we generically call the Tribulation is all about Israel. It is about God’s judgment upon Israel and the world in general, but on the positive side, it is about God bringing His people Israel back to Him.

I have just hit a few high spots in these four subjects, and as I said earlier, Satan gets upset over all Truth that comes from the Bible.

It is no sin to disagree, but if we are guilty of a vitriolic attitude over some subject of Bible Truth, how can we say we represent Jesus? Venom, bile, bitterness, sarcasm, hatred, contempt, scorn, etc. do not come from God. They come from Satan, because Satan hates God’s Truth. If it stirs up hatred in our heart, then we are listening to Satan and not the calling of God to repent of our sins and be saved.

Time is running out. Our Lord is coming. Don’t allow Satan to steal your joy and place you at odds against God.

Grant Phillips