In the Headlines of Today

"But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;" Acts 4:19

Goes for today too, when standing on God's Word is under attack.  When agendas within the Church and without don't align with God's Word.  When you are confronted by people about your beliefs. Don't be afraid of those you face.  It says in Luke 12:12 "for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."  The lines in the sand are getting deeper. This world is not falling to global warming.  It's being prepared for the events of the book of Revelation.  Both the planet and the people.  Matthew 24:37-39 "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.  For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,  and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be."  The kind of people at that time is what people are today "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time." Genesis 6:5.

Sensationalism in the media is being used as a weapon to attack believers. It's being used to strip away the rights if people.  Evil is certainly on the rise.  But Jesus said not to be afraid.  He is with those who are His. We are being attacked on TV, in the movies and at work. In social media and just out in public.  Those who say we are being intolerant are themselves being intolerant.  But again Jesus said "I have overcome the world."

We are Soldiers in this Spiritual battle of this life.  Revealing the darkness with the light of Jesus.  It's not our light that shines in the world.  John 1:4-5 "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." When the Father looks at a believer,  He sees Jesus.

Paul tells us that he fought the good fight.  1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 2 Timothy 4:7-8 " I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;  in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."

Paul also reminds us of being soldiers for the Cross of Christ.  2 Timothy 2:3-4 "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."

Put off the old self, put on Christ.  Ephesians 4:22-24 "that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,  and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.We are given the tactics of the enemy of Christ. Jesus said that the world would hate believers not because of what they did, but because of Christ in them."

Spiritual blindness is everywhere.  Evil is everywhere.   Within the Church, warnings are given above people gathering for themselves teachers who tell them what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,"

Jesus warns 7 churches in Revelation.  All those churches no longer exist.  He is watching all churches in this world. 

Peace and safety!  Is the cry of the headlines.  People want it but don't realize it will never come apart from God.  Jesus said that people will want peace and safety.   1 Thessalonians 5:3 "While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape."  They want it but in their terms, not God's.  They still want to be the god of this world without acknowledging the Creator of all things.

But why?  As it also says about how intense the events of Revelation are.  If these things had not been shortened, no one would survive.  All men and women everywhere will be without excuse.  Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."

Every knee shall bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, not us, but Jesus.  Philippians 2:10-11 "so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The Gift of Salvation is free. There are no hidden fees, no hidden catches.  It's simple.  Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;"  Jesus promises abundant life for those who have put their faith and trust in Him.  Not necessarily worldly riches but blessings nonetheless. Internal peace that cannot be explained.  Answers to prayers that are incredible. 
A life that is truly lived. 

Go ahead and read the end. Revelation spells it out. God is a God of love, but that love demands God's justice.