“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

(II Chronicles 7:14)

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.         (I Timothy 2:1-2)

In 2007, as a part of an introduction to this series called Matters of the Heart, I opened by stating that everybody seems to have their own opinions and ideas about this country we call the United States of America, land of the free, and home of the brave. In addition, I also stated that some of us, if we would be honest, in our own minds feel that when it comes to running this country and getting it back on track, you personally can show everyone a thing or two. Well, as strange as it may seem, with the events that have occurred within the past seven years to current, people are raising their hands all over the place. Even people who do not have any political background at all. You see friends, despite the arguments and debates, campaigning and elections to come, trying to decide who belongs here and who doesn’t, really isn’t the issue. The real issue that everyone has to face has absolutely nothing to do with current events, who gets elected, what’s the next iPod, iPad, movie, athletic shoe, or Apple product to stand in line for, or even who will win Super Bowl 50. The facts are and the truth still remains, that even though all these things will have an effect on mankind on earth, there still remains a crucial and more devastating problem existing in the world. That’s right, sin. As long as sin exists in the world, mankind will never be satisfied with the things the world has to offer or its temporary solutions. You see, sin is designed to hang out with you and appear to be your BFF, (best friend forever), making right appear wrong and wrong appear right. Sin will set you up for a big payoff that comes with a price that you simply cannot afford to pay. The consequences are preset and non-negotiable. In fact, when it’s all said and done, the fear is so intense, (False Evidence Appearing Real), it will cause you to feel you have absolutely no hope. When a person has no hope, that person becomes desperate, unpredictable, and willing to do whatever seems right to ease the pain and hopelessness they feel.

There are times when the mind is dealt such a blow that it hides itself in insanity.

There are times when reality is nothing but pain, and to escape that pain the

mind must leave reality behind. - Patrick Rothfuss

Now I’m not sure who has been led to read this chapter of my book. In other words, I do not know if you are a born again believer or not.  So here is the first word of hope: If you are a part of the (my people group) mentioned in the opening passage above, II Chronicles 7:14, then you have nothing to fear. You already know what to do, it’s in the passage!

You see, whether you believe it or not, know it or not, you have been thoroughly equipped with everything you need for the battle that is at hand.  The battles that we face as believers are never ours, however, we do have to show up and take our positions of being victorious in Christ Jesus.  We have already overcome, because Christ has overcome the world.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. His commands are not burdensome; for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. I John 5:3-4.

Whether “test” missiles keep taking flight, drones targeting various areas, or even peace treaties being made, that we know nothing about, this is not our permanent home.  We are admonished in Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”(NASB) We do not need to arm ourselves with material weapons inside our places of Worship as the world is now suggesting. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”(II Cor 10:4) When we leave this place, and how we leave, is out of our hands, HOWEVER, where we go when we leave is totally up to us!

Here’s the second word of hope: If you are not a part of the (my people group) mentioned in the opening scripture, you can be today, right now (see personal note below). The decision is up to you. You can choose to either live eternally with God or eternally without God. The choice is yours.  Do not continue to let the troubles of the world weigh you down. In the Bible, Chapter 1 of James verse 5 in the New Testament tells us to ask God for His wisdom if we lack wisdom. The cool part about this is that, we can ask God for His wisdom as many times as we want, and He doesn’t get upset about it or hold it against us.  Certainly during a time such as this, we need God’s wisdom right. None of these things has caught God by surprise or off guard. Doesn’t it just make sense to seek Him regarding such important and crucial matters?  Again, all of these events are a time in history for us, but not for God.  He does not operate by or is He limited by time, but operates in Eternity. Always has, and always will. While we are arguing and having our own private debates with each other about who’s right and who’s wrong, God already decided in Eternity past. This is new for us, but not new to Him who is Sovereign, simply put, meaning He is in control and has ultimate power. He is never caught off guard or surprised about anything.

As born-again believers, we must always find ourselves in a place of desiring God’s perfect will.  Sure, we can get by with His permissive will, but we miss the full benefit of God’s blessings when we insist on settling for less than what God really has for us.  Remember, the earth, sun, moon, stars, fowl of the air, land animals and water creatures, trees, mountains, seas, and oceans, all bear record.  The testimonies of these have more experience than man will ever have about world events and its history. It’s going to take a lot more than man’s experience to get us through these tough times.  It is quite obvious, that with all that is going on in the world at this point and time in our history, the eminent return of Christ is swiftly approaching.  Being fully confident and sure about where you will be spend eternity, is much more important than anything that can happen down here. Let’s redeem the time that we have, watch and pray, and be about our Father’s business, the “Great Commission” as Christ was and is.  Ask Him to give us a heart of love and compassion towards one another, line our will up along side His, and stand on the promises of His word.  He promised that He would never leave us or forsake us.  Let’s delight ourselves in the truth of God’s Word.

Ps 33:10-12 10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.  11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.  12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Ps 75:6-7 6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

• Let God fight for us, for He is on our side
• Remain in position, wearing the full armor of God
• Pray without ceasing
• Know and Believe that Jesus is our Hope

Personal Note:

Perhaps you are wondering what was the point of all this. You have probably said, “Whatever happens, happens, I’ll just live with it. All of this church stuff, God stuff, what does it all mean anyway? I mean truth be told, church folks resemble the world at times, so why would I want to change anything.” Good questions and very valid points, however, don’t remain undecided about your Eternal Security and let the poor behavior or not so good example of what Christ-likeness is ruin chance to obtain God’s best for you. God proposed a perfect plan for your life in the only candidate that is fully qualified to meet every need you have. He is the only answer to the “sin” problem we have. The only one who was and is qualified to pay the high debt of sin that consistently tries to set you up. His name is Jesus. You see, Jesus loves you so much that He died, was buried, and on the third day, according to the scriptures rose from the grave with all power of heaven and earth in his hands. It was His shed blood that paid the price for your sin and mine back on Calvary. The Bible says in the New Testament book Hebrews Chapter 9 and verse 22, “In fact we can say that under the old agreement almost everything was cleansed by sprinkling it with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”

It really doesn’t make a difference how this world ends, whether by missile or drone, however, what does make a difference is how you leave this earth. Your soul is very valuable to God, so much so, that He gave His only begotten Son to die for you in your place. In the New Testament book of John Chapter 3 and verse 16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

If you leave this earth with Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, it will make all the difference in the world and Eternity.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer (Prayer is talking with God)

God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. If the following suggested prayer expresses the desire of your heart, I invite you to pray this prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Welcome to God’s Family!

If you have any questions or would like additional information about how to live a Spirit-filled life and connect with a good Church home, I invite you to visit:  www.newdestiny.online

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