Times are rough and getting rougher. The entire world is facing horrendous turmoil, but Christians have answers. Or, should I say, we have access to the answers. Scripture is filled with prophecy, but too many Christians don’t bother to study. We seem more concerned with denominational teachings than what Scripture teaches, and we forget that we have a bond that is far beyond human understanding. We are bound together with our love for Christ. More importantly than that, we are bound by His love for us.

At first, there were just a few believers, but the numbers grew quickly. It was Peter who stood up on the day of Pentecost and gave a sermon that brought 3,000 men to faith in Jesus. Peter didn’t tickle any ears but spoke truth, and the results were amazing.

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

What would you tell them? This was all new ground for the Apostles. None of them had attended a denominational seminary, so they hadn’t been taught how to twist Scripture to make everybody happy. Peter and the others had been taught by Jesus, and now that people wanted to join the group, Peter needed guidance from the Holy Spirit. Peter’s words would set a precedent for generations to come.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:38-39).

These were the first of many who have come to faith in Christ over nearly 2,000 years. Those years were filled with much persecution and turmoil as well as joy and hope.

The early Christians coped with difficulties because they pulled together more than modern Christians. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers…. And all that believed were together and had all things in common. And sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every man had need” (Acts 2:42 & 44-45).

They needed each other, and modern Christians could learn from them. Many Christians in this world are facing tremendous persecution. Their lives are in danger, and they have great need of our prayers. Even if we live in relative safety, there are still needs. There are brothers and sisters in your congregation who have lost loved ones and need someone to show compassion. I can tell you that from my own experience when my husband died. He knew how to repair the roof and fix the plumbing, but I’m unable to make those repairs, and it would be helpful to have a Christian step in and help. There are many others with similar problems. To many, just a friendly smile would mean a lot.

The first Christians truly cared for each other, but we seem to have lost the agape love that they had for one another. What has happened to make us stop caring? Life is very busy for most of us, and we don’t have time to think of other people. If we look at the above verses, we see that they didn’t stray from the truth. There were no best-selling books with new ideas that contradicted what the Apostles taught; no purpose-driven or new-age teachings infiltrated the congregation. Those early Christians lost a lot by embracing Christ. Many were shunned by family and friends, and their businesses failed because their customers wouldn’t use their services. Their fellow Christians made sure everybody had what they needed to survive. We need each other today, just as our forefathers in the faith needed each other.

Most of those early believers came from the Jewish community and had heard Jesus speak, saw His miracles, and had also seen Him crucified; they couldn’t un-hear or un-see what He had done. Some had seen the risen Christ.

“And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:5-6).

Paul wrote those words many years after the day Peter spoke on Pentecost, so those listening to Peter may have witnessed the risen Christ. The testimony the first believers had was tremendous, and their faith was unshakable. Those first believers learned directly from the Apostles. Peter had risen to leadership of the believers, and life was challenging for all who chose to follow the new Christian faith.

The Temple had been the hub of life for the Jewish people. Friends were there, business deals were made, and widows and orphans were cared for. Once Christ was embraced, they were no longer as welcome in the Temple, and many were rejected by family and friends. What could they do? Persecution was making life unbearable for anyone who professed Christ for salvation. Many were driven out of Jerusalem, but whether they fled or stayed, they needed each other.

How did they survive? They depended on each other. They took care of each other, and if there was a need, they made sure it was taken care of. Do we see that kind of brotherly love today? How many people in your congregation are hurting from the loss of a loved one? Do you take care of widows and orphans? If you sit in a Baptist church, do you care about the needs of people who sit in a Lutheran church? We are all one in the love of Jesus.

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

As Christians, we all belong to the family of God. Most people will help their own family members because they love them. That’s not a bad thing, but Christians are family, and we need each other. I’m not promoting that we continually help someone who doesn’t even try to help themselves, but a smile will cost you nothing financially and just might help a lonely Christian feel as if someone cares.

Looking back to Acts 2:42, we see that the Christians didn’t deviate at all from the Apostles’ teachings. This is a huge problem today. How many times do you hear someone say, “My Jesus wouldn’t…” or “My Jesus understands why I….” There is only one Jesus, and His words and actions are found in Scripture. There isn’t a Jesus for me and a different Jesus for you. Those early Christians didn’t “go to” church. There was no church to go to! They met together daily and at home and prayed together. Since they were steadfast in following the Apostles’ teachings, there were no denominational issues. There were no liberal congregations, and not even the Apostles were lifted up above laity. Only Christ was worshipped.

No, Peter wasn’t a pope, and nobody was venerated more than anyone else. Early on, there was concern that some people weren’t cared for equally. “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration” (Acts 6:1).

Believers were multiplying, and it seems there was some neglect. It was decided that seven men would be chosen, men who were full of the Holy Ghost and were wise, to be sure all were treated equally and received the help they needed. There had to be organization, but it was all done only after praying for guidance. I’m not sure how often today a pastor will pray about a need in the congregation and seek God’s guidance. Do they first seek their denomination’s blessing, or do they seek God’s will first? I’ve also seen that many congregations spend much time and money caring for non-believers while fellow Christians are left in need.

In this day and age, much of the needs of people are turned over to the government. Welfare, food stamps, and other government programs fill the physical needs of people, but the spiritual needs are sorely neglected. Christians shouldn’t have to depend upon the government for care, but Christians should also be the example of working for what we have and helping our brothers and sisters who are in need.

Christians need to exhort one another to be steadfast in following Scripture. In order to do that, we must fellowship with believers. Too many Christians think church on Sunday morning is enough fellowship with fellow Christians, and the really pious believers even attend Sunday evening and Wednesday services. That’s only man’s traditions. If you re-examine the verses in Acts 2, you’ll see a better picture of their fellowship.

“And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46).

They did go to the Temple, but they stayed together and weren’t drawn back into old ways. They needed each other. The writer of Hebrews addresses this issue.

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for he is faithful that promised:) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another and so much the more as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25).

Assemble together with fellow Christians. Instead of spending your time with secular friends, share a meal with brothers and sisters. Instead of fellowshipping with CNN or ESPN, fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. This verse says, “as ye see the day approaching.” What day? The day we will all be called Home. That day is approaching quickly.

Things will continue to become more wicked, and it will become more difficult to remain steadfast in our Christian walk. Public schools are the devil’s playground, and it’s becoming illegal to voice a Christian point of view. That day is approaching, and we need each other more and more.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

Life can be filled with turmoil. It’s been said that you’re either just entering a crisis, in the middle of a crisis, or just coming out of a crisis. That sounds a little pessimistic, but we do see much trouble all around us. Jesus said that there would be tribulation in life, but Christians have hope.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

If you are a person with no turmoil, you are most likely a hermit living far away from modern society. Still, you have troubles. Does the roof leak when it rains? Do you have enough food stored for the winter? Do the wild animals see you as a food source? There is always something to cause us turmoil. The way we handle the turmoil depends upon our relationship with God.

My mother was a very gentle lady who tried to live in a way that reflected Christ. I called her a “people magnet” because people were drawn to her, whether she knew them or not. She was a good listener and always had the right words to say to encourage others. It would seem that such a gentle person would have an easy life. Not so. The troubles she faced were major, but her faith in God was unshakable.

I wish I could tell you that I, her daughter, made her life easier, but too often, I was the cause of her troubles. As I watched Mama deal with her problems, I saw she had a peace about her that was not from a human source but from the Holy Spirit living in her. She had many favorite hymns, and one of them was titled “‘Mid all the Traffic of the Ways” by John Oxenham. My mother hummed this song, and it helped to get her through some very difficult times. I find myself humming it quite often in these troubled times.

‘Mid all the traffic of the ways,
Turmoils without, within,
Make in my heart a quiet place,
And come and dwell within;

I’m not a person who deals well with city life. The traffic and noise are things that cause me distress. I prefer the peace and quiet of life in the country. Watching a deer graze in my front yard or seeing raccoons visiting my front porch looking to steal my cat’s food brings peace into my life. I enjoy listening to the frogs singing in the pond in my neighbor’s field and hearing the cattle calling to each other at night. I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but even here, among the beauty of nature, there are troubles. My house needs some repairs, my dog really needs to learn obedience, I have too many cats, and the chickens don’t always lay eggs like I want them to. Those troubles may be pretty minimal compared to the horrors happening in Israel or the gang wars in cities. No matter what the trial and turmoil, peace is to be found in Jesus.

We have many examples in Scripture of people facing troublesome situations, but God always gives peace and confidence amid the turmoil if we turn to Him.

Paul is a good example of finding peace in every situation. Paul was persecuted for sharing his faith and often went hungry, but he wasn’t bitter. He lived for Christ, not for himself. Quite often, he was thrown in jail because of his faith, but he used every opportunity to share his faith with others. One account that stands out in my mind is the time he was in Philippi and did what he thought was a good thing. There was a woman who was possessed by a demon, and Paul cast that evil entity out of her. That act of God’s love was met with anger from her handlers. The men who used the woman to make money from the demon that possessed her had Paul and Silas arrested. In those days, there was a different kind of justice than most of us understand today. The magistrates immediately inflicted judgment.

“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks” (Acts 16:23-24).

The pain must have been awful, and not knowing what tomorrow would bring could have caused Paul and Silas to be angry with God, caused depression, and turned them away from their faith. Instead, they found a quiet place of peace, even in that prison.

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25).

They shared their faith by praising God in a time of turmoil. Then, there was an earthquake, and the prison was opened, and the chains came off the prisoners. They could have escaped, but they all chose to stay. The jailor would have been forced to fulfill the sentences of all who escaped, and he decided on suicide, which is never a good choice. Because Paul and Silas found a place of peace among the trouble, no prisoner escaped, and the jailer was spared. The jailer understood that Paul and Silas had peace, which came from their faith, and asked them what he must do to be saved.

“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31).

Have you found God’s peace in troublesome situations? Have you been able to share your faith and help others find the peace that only comes from God? Be an instrument of God’s love rather than the hate that Satan brings to the world.

A little shrine of quietness,
All sacred to thyself,
Where thou shalt all my soul possess,
And I may find myself;

Too often, we forget that when we first believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is sealed within us. The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Holy Trinity and is God. He will guide you through the troublesome times if you allow it. Remember that He knows your thoughts and hears every word you say. Do the words of your mouth honor God? Do the actions of your hands show God’s love to others, even those who offend you? Find that place of quietness where God lives in you and find His peace.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16).

The Holy Spirit will guide you in God’s ways. The closer we draw to God, the greater peace we will find. When Paul left Philippi, he had established a congregation of believers and had many friends there. He kept in touch with every congregation he established, and in his letter to the Philippians, he closed by encouraging them to find peace.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

True peace is only found in Christ.
A little shelter from life’s stress,
Where I may lay me prone,
And bare my soul in loneliness,
And know as I am known;

Do you have stress? Bills to pay, kids to shuttle from one activity to another? Appointments to keep? All of that between holding a job and finding some “me” time. It’s not always easy. One thing that most people shuffle to the “last resort” or forget altogether is prayer. Not only talking with God about your needs but praising Him in everything. A time set aside when you can lay everything out to Him and listen for His answer. A time when it’s just you and God, with no distractions, no interruptions, and just honestly talking with Him.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a need for time alone with God. Health issues are a common worry as well as a financial strain. God cares about these things, but He also wants to hear your praise for that promotion you were hoping for or the good grade on an important exam at school. He knows you, and you matter to Him. Even if you feel as if nobody around you cares about you or your problems, God is there to lead and encourage you every day.

King David had his share of troubles; some were caused by David himself, but most were everyday problems of a king who loved the Lord and who loved the nation he led. Whatever David faced, he faced it with God.

“[[To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David]] Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah” (Psalm 61:1-4).

David found peace amid turmoil because he loved the Lord and found God’s peace no matter what situation he faced.

A little place of mystic grace,
Of self and sin swept bare,
Where I may look upon thy face,
And talk with thee in prayer.

Grace is a gift from God, and oftentimes, we think we deserve His grace and mercy. God’s grace is a gift that we can’t earn but only comes by faith.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8).

When we forget our own selfishness, we can be better able to approach God humbly and with thanksgiving. When we move past our own self-centered feelings, God can speak clearer to us. It’s easy to see life and troubles from our own point of view, but by sweeping our selfish desires and sin out of the way, we can then have an honest talk with God and hear His words. Admit your sin and ask to be forgiven, even if you feel justified in committing the sin. Find the peace God wants for you in spite of the hustle and bustle of daily life.

When you let Jesus come into every part of your life, you will find peace amid the turmoil.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).