'The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teaching comes through..." I Timothy 4:1 & 2
I will not mis-represent this verse by filling in my own thoughts... the point, quickly made, is that the end is near...it has been for over 2,000 years. As Christians, though, we are to be expectant, even though we don't know the day or hour. We are to live lives worthy of the calling placed on us, as HIS! Quiet, holy, busy lives, lived for the Kingdom.
Lives that conform to sound doctrine, and truth. In these days, truth is valuable, but hard to find. It is a character trait in some, but a very foreign concept to others.
I was mortified this week as David Letterman made the statement on his late-night program that he had, in fact, had affairs with colleagues from his TV show. I wasn't so much mortified that he'd done it, or that he was talking about it on national TV. What mortified me was the reaction of his studio audience. It is sickening. Laughter fills the studio, and he's getting by with making a big joke out of his illicit behavior. He remains a hero to 1,000's of young men who champion such behavior. The guy who was trying to extort him loses his job. I know, I know, extortion is a really bad thing. But, do we see the double standard by this episode in the world in which we live? You can't hurt me, if I destroy you first...And, the really sickening thing is, in the enterainment business, it appears that it's expected and accepted.
(my stomach turns every time I go through a grocery store check out line and see another 'diva in detox' splashed across the page, compete with close ups of her emaciated little body--not a career path I would encourage for any one I know--looks fatal (think Marilyn Monroe/Michael Jackson, the list goes on and on).
Dear reader, as the Word of our God says: the end is coming soon. Our culture does nothing to prepare us for this truth, it's up to us. We are, if we choose to listen, led down a path that is pleasing to our enemy. And, our enemy is Satan, the one who hates us, the one who is out to seek, kill and destroy...using what ever means he can to lie to us...even about ourselves.
It might be because I'm in the midst of studying Daniel, but this keeps rolling through my mind: Babylon. We live in a place similar to Babylon. Items that God put in place for holy use are being used for unholy purposes.
As believers in the Lord Jesus, we house the mystery of God. We have the Holy Spirit in us. By this, we become the Temple of the God of the Universe.
Precious in His sight. Holy.
Consecrated. Set apart.
We are Not to bow down to the god(s) of this world.
(Mark this: Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord...
every one--even the pop-icons of our culture)
Holy and set apart.
Holy and set apart.
As Children of God Most High. As Dearly LOVED.
As the Apple of His Eye!
Live like it: You are a Child of the King.
He knows everything about you...and loves you (and me) anyway.
He knows your fingerprints, and how many hairs are on your head.
He has a plan for YOU.
He wants to reveal that to you. Draw near to Him.
Delight yourself in Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Give Him honor and glory. He is worthy!
Worthy of All Our Praise.
Praise HIS HOLY NAME!
2 comments:
so true...
Amen and amen.
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