Tuesday, March 29, 2016

A Sunday Message

1Corinthians‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭- For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

A great Sunday message for resurrection day. Our life is only sure in Christ. It's all about Him, as I repeatedly say. His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection...all that we might become righteous in Him. 
2Corinthians‬ ‭5:21‬ ‭- For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

All about Him. The world is determined to do in their own power and strength. It is pure pride to be that determined. And don't you know we all fall into it. But God says we have no real power or strength apart from Him. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God... ‭(John‬ ‭15:5‬, 2Corinthians‬ ‭3:5‬)

So the Sunday message was titled Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. In a nutshell, power is missing in many churches. Why? Because often church is being done man's way, not God's. It's man's wisdom, not His. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians‬ ‭6:3)‬ ‭We must be born again. When we are born into Christ and become true believers, that power works in the church. His Holy Spirit power is evident as we attend and worship. I can say that I feel that power even in Sunday school when we discuss the Bible. 

Power comes with the new birth in Christ. It's the only true power. There can be life in any aspect of Sunday morning worship. It doesn't need to be somber. Besides being in Sunday school, it's in our praise and worship, prayer, time of testimonies, the message and time at the altar. Only a life in Christ produces this. Entertainment is fleeting; preaching Christ is eternal. He came that we could all have life. No one else can do this. We cannot achieve eternal life on our own. God gave us our initial birth and He hopes we will receive that new spiritual birth to gain access to heaven one day. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭

Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is all we need to hear preached. This was the apostle Paul's main message since he knew the power of God in his life. Before Paul became an apostle he was Saul of Tarsus. He was a persecutor of Jesus' followers and disciples. I love this story! He was stopped one day on his way to persecute even more and was blinded by a great light from heaven. He once was blind to the truth of Jesus, but now he saw Him...and believed. From then on Paul preached Christ and His power, in His short life, and in His power over death.

That should be the goal of any believer, to preach Christ, His power to save, His power that comes to us upon conversion, His power in our lives...to give us wisdom, understanding and discernment. Hallelujah. Jesus is alive. He reigns. He died for our sins. He wants to be your Savior. 

2Corinthians 5:20 - Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though 
God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 

Sunday, March 27, 2016

The Rest of the Story

Matthew 28:6-8 - "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

So proclaimed the angel. It's the rest of the story. While He died, He IS now risen! He is alive. We may not see Him but He's here. By faith we believe. His Spirit is alive. 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬)
...we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans‬ ‭8:24-25‬)
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Hebrews‬ ‭11:7‬)

Noah. Without knowing why. Prepared an ark. So that anyone who heeded his warnings and entered that ark would be saved. From a flood. Which no one had ever heard of before...What's a flood? What's rain? By faith he built the ark. Noah and his family waited, maybe with perseverance, maybe with anticipation or anxiousness. But they did it...in faith. 

Little did Noah realize that this ark would be a precursor to the ark that would be the Messiah, our celebrated, adored, worshiped Jesus Christ. The Door...to the ark. The Door, the Way. To safety and life. From the destruction. Of our sins.

We should also fear Him. But our fear should be reverent fear. If we fear anything in the way we think of fear it should be for our lives. Or we fear Jesus because we are convicted by our own sin. BUT GOD...has provided the Way into the safety of a new Ark to take away that sin. Our sins went to the cross on Jesus. 

But He's alive! He conquered the grave. He's in His rightful place at the right hand of God. All He did He did for us. He has returned that all may be set free. It takes a great deal of faith to trust and believe in Someone we cannot see. It may be why it's so hard for some to do. They may recognize, and I don't like saying this, a higher power, but aren't always sure what they recognize is for real. He's alive! He is real. Trust those feelings.

Like the two women who went to the tomb that dawn, we should be filled with joy. We should be so filled with joy we share what Jesus has done for us. He has forgiven me of my sin. He has made me new, through Him. I can rejoice with all the others who have received Him.

When Jesus appeared later to the disciples, the great commission was exhorted.

Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭- And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end 
of the age.” Amen.
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Saturday, March 26, 2016

Psalm 22

 Amazing, yet not at all. What Jesus would experience before He even existed. The thoughts that might have been on His mind. What He would do for those who would believe in Him, before many even existed...the love. What He would do to those who do not believe...the judgment. The two sides of this Savior. 

A synopsis of His life...despised, rejected, humiliated...only to be glorified by a greater God. What He has done for us and what is often ignored. Indescribable, horrific, glorious. How can one not see and desire to know Him? 

He did it for His Father, He did it for us. He died that all who would truly believe would be set free from their sins. All glory is due only Him. 

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? 
O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent. 
But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed. 
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, “He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!” 
But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God. 
Be not far from Me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help. 
Many bulls have surrounded Me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. They gape at Me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. 
I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. 
My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. 
For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 
They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. 
But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! 
You have answered Me. I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. 
You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! 
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him, He heard. 
My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him. 
The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever! All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. 
For the kingdom is the LORD’s, and He rules over the nations. 
All the prosperous of the earth shall eat and worship; all those who go down to the dust shall bow before Him, even he who cannot keep himself alive. 
A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, they will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this.

This is a loving Savior. 


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Friday, March 25, 2016

All Under the Same Condemnation

Philippians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭- And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Reading over all four crucifixion accounts this morning I realize, again, there are so many elements to the brief Gospel accounts. Jesus was wrongly accused, yet He did not say a word, apart from suggesting that, "It is as you say," when questioned if He was the King of the Jews. He did not defend Himself. He didn't need to; He was the spotless Lamb, like those repeatedly being sacrificed in the Old Testament, yet now being offered as the once for all Sacrifice for mankind's sin.

He said not a word when being mocked, spat upon or whipped. He carried His cross without complaint despite the fact He had to have been in immense pain...and knowing what was at the end of that walk to Golgotha. He did it for each of us, without complaint.

Then there's Simon the Cyrene. He was ordered to help Jesus carry His cross. It shows us that as believers and followers we, too, are to carry this cross for Him. When we are mocked for our beliefs, we continue speak the truth. We carry on our roles in sharing the same message as Jesus, the disciples and any followers since. It will not be easy sometimes because we will face some of the same things...some even death for those beliefs.

Two thieves were also being led to the place where Jesus was nailed to the cross, one on either side of Him. One was angry, one repentant. At the last minute of the one thief's life, he was pardoned. Jesus never stopped forgiving and doing His Father's will. I love these words from the forgiven thief to the other: Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds...(Luke 23:40-41) We are all guilty of sin. None are righteous, none without fault. We all need to react like this thief or we are like the unrepentant one. One went to paradise, one did not. So it still is. One will receive eternal life, another will not.

All but John's account mentioned the tearing of the veil in the temple, the earth quaking, dark skies. We don't know why and it doesn't change the fact it happened. John was the closest to Jesus, like a brother. Maybe his focus was more on the Lord and His mother. Jesus' death meant that there no longer needed to be a separation between God and man that so prevailed in the Old Testament rituals when the high priest was the mediator...the veil of separation was gone, Jesus becoming our Great High Priest and our only Mediator between God and man. When one realizes that Jesus truly is the Son of God who took away the sins of the earth...if one believes by faith and receives Christ into their lives...we can go to the throne of God boldly (Hebrews 4:16).

Easter is not about egg hunts or bunnies! I really don't know where those customs come from. And although we go through the motions of celebrating this time of year, we should be celebrating every day. Celebrate Him and who He is, what He has done and what He is still willing to do for those who seek Him. Celebrate the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords. Celebrate our lives if we have received Christ. 

Don't think that your sins are automatically forgiven because you've read this or went to church on Easter or go every week. There is more you need to do. Your sins are only forgiven if you receive Christ. If there is ever any feeling of uncomfortableness in hearing the name of Jesus, saying His name or you don't like these words or the words of pastors, maybe you haven't done this. 

Is He your King? Has He changed your life? Has He forgiven you of your sins? Have you let Him? Every day is a new day to do this. 

Philippians‬ ‭2:9-11‬ ‭- Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Refusing to Enter

Exodus 14:4 - So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt."

More on the Promised Land!

In Numbers 13 and 14 Moses and the Israelites had come to the land of Canaan where a group of men, one each of the twelve tribes of Israel, were sent to spy on the land. When they returned it was deemed that this land truly flowed with milk and honey and the fruit of the land was rich and abundant. But they countered this with more news. According to ten of the twelve spies, the people and cities were strong, imposing people. They felt threatened. 

One of the two remaining spies, Caleb, spoke up suggesting they take this land because he felt they had the strength to do it. The ten were adamant that the people were too big, too strong, that they were like giants to grasshoppers. And they complained and made the suggestion above. They whined that if they had to die, why send them on this journey to die when they could have died in Egypt where "life was better" (as slaves).

How often have we heard the Gospel preached, or urgings made by others, to come, to listen, to enter in? We see the Promised Land that God brings as good on one hand and restrictive on the other. Oh, that we could live in the world and do what we wish (Egypt) but have the good of the land that God gives. What the world has to offer is nothing compared to what God has to offer. But a decision must be made. Do we want control of our lives or do we want to give God, who created us and knows all about us, the control? Hard decision, isn't it? We cannot, will not, have both. In one place is life, in the other death.

We do not know what God has for each of us but if we choose to follow Him we can know one thing, He will provide what we need. It won't always be easy, nor will it always be what we think it should be (this is my struggle), we will have our problems and trials, like the rest of the world, but if we endure to the end, the reward will be greater than we can imagine. This is called faith. It's trusting God with our lives, not trusting self or man. The ultimate reward is eternal life. Just as Jesus came to this world to die for our sins, He rose again. If we give our lives to Him we die to self and at the end of our life we rise again spiritually to eternal life with Christ. 

God took His beloved people, Israel, out of their life of bondage, not without struggles, listened to their complaining, but continued to provide for them. They could not let go of what they knew for something they would have to trust Him for. Oh, that people would see this! It's a step of faith that when taken will bring about a glorious end. 

We can enter into this new life, new land. It is our Promised Land. Life looks different. We see through the eyes of God not self or man. There is a better understanding of why there is so much evil in the world. Even politics looks different! We see what is meaningless...and what is truly meaningful. There is hope, joy and peace in the midst of what goes on around us.

The second spy who believed this land of Canaan, the Promised Land, was worth entering into was Joshua. Here is what he and Caleb had to say. It is a statement just as good for us today. Like today it was not met with much enthusiasm. In fact the others wanted to stone them. That is how the Gospel message is met quite frequently! We can fight entering into His rest. If we stop fighting He will delight in us. 

Numbers‬ ‭14:6-9‬ ‭- But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”
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P.S. - After Israel's disobedience God swore those who opposed going in would never enter. He allowed them to wander for forty years in that wilderness. That took care of the disobedient generation and raised up one who only saw God's power, strength and provision. Those were allowed to cross over. 


Thursday, March 17, 2016

Do Not Fear or Be Discouraged

Deuteronomy 1:21 - Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.

Every person is being, or has been called, to become a child of God. It took me more than half my life to respond. It came at the right time. I don't know why it takes some longer. A lot of time it's whether we choose to answer that call. We might be fearful of what it all means. 

Israel had wandered 40 years, 11 months and 1 day in the wilderness to get to the promised land. It should have taken two weeks. Their grumbling and disobedience caused this. (Just like us if we keep rejecting God's offer.) Forty in the Bible symbolizes a period of testing...or judgment. Moses after his first 40 years of living in Egypt and learning their ways was then led to the "backside" of the mountain to become a sheep herder for 40 years. 

Do you see the connection? Egypt and leading? After those 40 years in leading sheep God called him to lead His people out of Egypt, out of captivity, to the land He had chosen for them. He had to be groomed for this. He needed to learn about Egypt and leading. And he did! 

God has written His Word that we might be encouraged and filled with His wisdom (as opposed to our own), so we can trust that what He says is true. All the examples of everything we need to know is there. We just need to find it. As an aside, I saw an article yesterday entitled: How Can We Understand the Bible? Read It! Now I have to admit I tried several times before receiving Christ and I failed. Too many begats, too many never-heard-of names, etc.  But eventually through the power of the Holy Spirit it became a wondrous thing, this Word of God. 

So, look to the land the LORD has set before you to possess. Do not fear or be discouraged what lies beyond what you know today. If God is leading He has only your good in mind. It will not be without trials but you will be carried through by His strength which far surpasses your own. And the final outcome will be worth it. 

The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes... (Deuteronomy‬ ‭1:30‬)

We can fight and struggle against His will. Yet His will will be done. You 
will either end up in His will or out of it. Might I suggest being in it is the better choice.

Deuteronomy 1:25 - ...It is a good land which the LORD our God is giving us.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Where is Your Heart?

Matthew‬ ‭6:19-21‬ - Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ‭

Our study in Revelation touched on Revelation 18. Babylon, as noted in the Bible, refers to the world in general. It refers to societies, cultures, world views, politics and the things man has chosen to believe are important. 
* The worldly trust in wealth and self while the godly trust in the riches of Christ
* The joy found in God is greater than all the world's treasure
* The worldly reap justice while the godly reap everything eternal
- BSF, Revelation, Lesson 23 lecture.

We idolize musicians, sports and sports figures, women/men, television, our iPads and iPhones. We can idolize our spouse, our children, our homes, cars. We idolize clothing, jewelry, actors, food/drink, hobbies. We can idolize our jobs, achievements and status. With work and politics, we can idolize (and abuse) power, ladder-climbing. We can idolize money. Basically, we can idolize just about anything. 

Where is your heart? Does your heart consider the things of heaven? At all? Ever? Do you consider there's a God in heaven who desires you know Him? Do you know that He sent His only Son to die for your sins so that you may go to heaven some day? That He is to be a very important Person in your life? That without Him heaven will not exist? That "you can't take whatever is an idol with you"? The example of the Titanic was brought up in the lecture. Everything was just gone. Riches, lives, no doubt even many souls. Gone. Wealth couldn't even save those with affluence. 

If we choose to lay up for ourselves the treasures of the world, there is no place in heaven for us. With God there is no middle of the road. Our hearts are devoted to Him or the treasures on earth...Babylon. There is only one important truth in life...Jesus saves. 

Some day, as noted in Revelation 18:9-20, God will bring judgment on the worldly entities which have dragged societies away from the worthy treasures of heaven. Kings, merchants and shipmasters of the world will see it happen. Kings will lose their power, merchants their money and shipmasters the ability to trade. All the major elements of society will be destroyed. They will cry, Alas! Their treasures will not be making it to heaven and those hearts will not either. God is holding back this judgment for a time...He's giving additional opportunities to seek Him and live.

It's a narrow road believers travel. In the grand scheme of things, only a few will enter the kingdom of God, those whose hearts were on the things above. 

It's not wrong to be wealthy. It's not necessary to live meagerly. It's important to know what's truly important above all things. We are not to be consumed by worldly treasures. We are to be content with what we have. And, no!, that does not mean we all be on a level playing field! God has allowed rich and poor in this world. His concern is with one's soul rather than what one owns. One more point from our lecture this morning: materialism has nothing to do with wealth but all to do with attitude. Where your heart is, that's where the treasure is.

The Bible tells us to seek God first and things will be added to that. But it has to start with Him. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is His treasure. (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭33:6‬) (Reverent fear) He blesses and provides for those who seek 
Him above all other things. He's the treasure. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalm ‭19:9-10‬)

Where is your heart? 

‭‭1Timothy‬ ‭6:17-19‬ ‭- Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Blessed Be the Name of God Forever

John 7:12 - And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.”

Oh, this so stood out this morning! Does it sound familiar? These words are all over the news lately.

I know for some it's hard not to trust in self or others or in government. It's the way it is...before knowing the Lord. 

As we discussed in our Bible Study Fellowship lesson on Revelation, it is so comforting to know that God is in control of all things. Bearing that in mind, it should be a comfort to know we can let go of our fear and trust in God alone. While we do not know what or how He's working things out, we can know it is to fulfill His perfect, good purpose.

But how can you trust when you do not see where He's going with it all? That's called having faith. It comes when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior and through His Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we learn of Him. We see Him at work in our lives or others'. We hear Him, we feel His presence. It's amazing. I marvel (a word from our Revelation lesson) at it all.

Jesus has proven Himself time and again throughout His Word. He created and it was good...until man decided to change the course of things. Now we trust in self instead. 

We have presidential campaigns going on. It is NO fun watching at all...either side. My confidence in either party is thumbs down. As an evangelical I must vote my conscience. Who would God approve of? What most closely fits with His Word's truth? 

Ultimately, whether it is believed or not, He will place the person in office to fulfill His perfect plan. It may not look good; we may be disappointed, disgusted, angry. But my understanding of the circumstances cannot match God's! 

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. (Psalm 118:8-9)
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding... (Proverbs 3:5)

Man can fail. God cannot. God looks down on pride, boastfulness, deceitfulness, lying, cheating, people bent on breaking His laws, carrying out what He calls abominations. His judgment will come some day. And all knees will now before Him. I will praise His name now and as long as I have breath. He is faithful to those who will do this.

Daniel 2:20-22 - Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. 

Friday, March 4, 2016

On Him They Laid the Cross

Luke 23:25 - Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.
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We know the account of Jesus carrying His own cross to His crucifixion. We know the symbolism of Simon the Cyrenian being asked to take up the cross and carry it for Jesus. As believers we are all called to take up our crosses for Jesus.

Being a follower of Christ is not easy. Taking up our cross means we die to ourselves and learn to live for Christ. As people mocked, jeered and rejected Him and His words of truth, so will people do the same to those who take Him at His word, who believe His truth. We learn to daily to die to self, to know what truth is and not be in the world while living here. We do not accept the things God rejects. This is hard for many people. 

There are many who believe we are in the last days mentioned in the Bible. We see it all around us and we see how quickly things are happening. Many others do not see it, or choose not to, saying times have changed...and shouldn't we just fit in with those times? God's Word has clearly shown us right from wrong but somehow some have decided His words are outdated. God is the same today as yesterday and will be the same tomorrow. And since this statement is true...and Jesus is God and the Word...this/His Word never changes either. 
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬)
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. ‭‭(Numbers‬ ‭23:19‬, Psalm 119:89‬)
Just because the majority of society does not believe won't cause God to change what is happening. He has been longsuffering and still continues to love us all, but He will do all it takes to open people's eyes to His truth. It may seem old fashioned, unfair or disastrous, but it is only bringing us to His glorious end. Glorious to those who believe, trust, serve and obey Him.

Amid the junk going on we can have peace, but it only comes from knowing Christ. He is all we need. He will provide, supernaturally and in His perfect timing, when we need it. We need not fear. He can be our strength, our portion, our refuge in times of trouble. We look to Him and no one else.

We sang a song last Sunday that has stuck with me all week! Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. Won't you trust too? 

Luke‬ ‭9:23-24‬ ‭- Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."