Peace in God during Turbulent Times

Matthew 24:10-13 – “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

If the above scripture verses don’t sound like “today” then you are asleep. There is much unrest and unease in our country and the world. Many quarrels and separation of those once united. We have been efficiently and effectively divided by false words and ideologies screaming in our ears 24/7. Many people have chosen to follow other people rather than HEAR God’s voice and follow our Shepherd safely away from the wolves.

Matthew 7:15 – “Jesus warns His followers to beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but inwardly are ravenous wolves. This vivid imagery serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the deceptive nature of those who masquerade as virtuous and righteous while harboring malicious intentions.” In summary, our current world!

I have noticed an uneasy stirring within myself the last few days even though I cannot put my finger on the reason. For the last 2+ years I have been writing and warning all of you that “hell is going to break loose” and you need to be ready: physically, mentally, resources stocked, and most importantly, spiritually. Ready for battle, if you will…

Even though I knew this day was rapidly approaching, I wasn’t prepared for the feelings I was experiencing right now. I am guessing UNIVERSAL UNREST is the cause and I KNOW God is the answer!

In our world, there have always been two elements at play: good and evil. Satan has a plan and God has a plan. Sometimes we are acutely aware of evil, but other times we lazily live with it day by day until we realize darkness has overshadowed the light. That is where The Word and our relationship to God are critical to our survival and happiness, and being able to share The Way Home with others.

Satan’s plan is to seek, overcome, destroy, and kill as many as possible, often using material and secular lures to catch people on his hook. Just like a fish out of water, we are subject to those who have caught us once we are away from the Living Water and floundering on the shoreline.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

John 10 is an important chapter to read and know. It explains how Satan comes to hurt us, but Jesus protects and shelters His flock. It says the human shepherd will run from the wolves, leaving the flock to tend for themselves, but Jesus will fight off the wolves, gather the sheep, and lead them to safety. I pray that you will read this chapter and embrace the feeling of safety and security it exudes. This will help prepare you for what’s coming next.

God’s plan is the opposite of hurting us, but His plan is to protect us and give us a great life. Jeremiah 29:11-12 spells out God’s plan in very basic terms: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Are you calling on God? I know I am!!!

Jesus spent His time on earth teaching, preaching, and providing an example of righteous living. He made an unbelievable sacrifice of leaving The Father and suffering beyond human comprehension when He came to earth in order to SHOW us the RIGHT WAY! He also beseeched us with warnings! (Beseech means to ask for something in a way that proves to the listener that they need it very much)

Jesus knew that humans are easily deceived and led astray. Once we have been separated from the flock we are easy prey and easily killed (the Bible means this spiritually), so it is important to heed His warnings.

Additionally, Jesus often said “If you have eyes; see and if you have ears; hear. He means for us to use common sense, follow His teachings, and connect with our innate knowledge of good and evil to know and do the RIGHT thing. The right thing for your own safety and the right thing for the safety and protection of others. There is right and there is wrong. Do not let yourself be falsely led to believe otherwise.

When the Bible repeats the same words over and over, it means we are to pay ESPECIALLY CLOSE ATTENTION to those words and warnings. Because Jesus truly understands human nature, He repeatedly told us to see The real Truth and not what we are told by other humans is the truth.

Something that is especially prevalent in our world today and we can see it CLEARLY if we look is that there are too many grey lines being drawn to confuse us about good and evil. The Bible says: “What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.” (Isiah 5:20)

What I mean by grey lines is that we can see how others are trying to brainwash us into thinking there are no real genders (male and female, He made them), no right from wrong, no universal laws of behavior and kindness, and that murder is ok…not just ok, but murdering our young needs to be accepted by all as normal! We are being led to our own “slaughter” by agreeing to give up the freedom God said is a right of ALL humans in order to appease a few who seek to manipulate and confuse.

As all of these different evil plans start connecting and intersecting around the world, we can feel the unease and insecurity that is increasing at an alarming rate, thus my “human” anxiety and agitation is building and building. You can feel it too! But Jesus told us NOT to be alarmed when we see all the changes and scary events. (Matthew 24; Luke 9; and Mark 13) The fact that this is repeated in three of the Gospels tells us that Jesus wanted us to stay calm even as the world around us got scarier and scarier. Although it isn’t always easy, I have chosen to alleviate my natural feelings of fear by focusing on Jesus and The Word. How are you handling the increasing stress and turmoil? What are our choices in a difficult world?

We can take what appears to be an easy road, standing up for nothing, while we sit and let ourselves be devoured or we can turn to God for guidance, peace, protection, and The Truth, so we can stand up against the evil that pervades modern society. God will show us righteous living and give us the correct understanding of truth and justice. This country was founded upon God and these principles, and only by following these principles will freedom and God’s purpose for the USA be retained.

As we face these unsure and turbulent times, the choice of standing up or sitting down is ours. We can stay connected to The Vine (see last week’s sermon) or we can fall off the tree, wither, and be burned because we are no longer useful or needed. I pray you can see that those who seek to take you from God and His principles will destroy you as soon as you are no longer useful to them. What an awful fate and a high price to pay. This plan is that of pure evil.

On the opposing side of evil is good. God is good and He values each and every human life. He will lead and protect you not only from self-destruction, but to salvation and eternal life where there will be no more sadness, no more tears, and no more pain.

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Peace during these and the upcoming difficult times is found in only one place and that is in God. He is our Creator and loves us like a parent is supposed to love their children. He cares about our mind, body, and soul, not wanting to lose even one to the evil of this world.

Jesus said “And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day.” (John 6:39)

He is called our Savior for a reason. Because we need one, man, left on his own will not only destroy the earth God gave us but also each other and ultimately mankind. If you want to feel peaceful as we face the turbulence ahead, God is the answer you seek.

May you be enlightened, insightful, and useful as we face more uncertainty and darkness than ever before. You were born to be Jesus’ light on earth. Grab your torch and lead others into the safety of our Lord’s arms. Amen. Lisa ><>

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