Isn’t it amazing how some people are still gullible enough to believe all the smoke and mirrors coming out of our government about Jan. 6th.? The evil one (Pelosi) has not and won’t be called on her actions nor will the real instigators ever be brought to justice, it’s still the same old witch hunt… let’s hang it on Trump. Of course, the Whitehouse is hoping this is a big enough distraction you won’t notice gas is over $5.00 a gallon, inflation is going through the roof, baby formula is practically non-existent, and our southern border is being invaded. Oh, and don’t forget the people against people violence, you know what I’m talking about, the one the media calls gun violence, where that inanimate object jumps up by itself and starts shooting people…
Talk about smoke and mirrors, the simple way to stop school shootings and take back our streets is by putting armed former veterans in schools and arming law-abiding, trained Americans. With all the lies and misdirection coming out of the Whitehouse, anyone with a modicum of sense should be able to see through it unless they want to see the ruin of our country. So it leaves God-fearing, patriotic Americans with this question… Who Can You Trust?
These are perplexing times we live in. Some may not want to hear what I am about to share. In these “last days”, it is important that we are aware of what is going on in the world.
Hopefully, none of us live our lives by the fake news or what we read in the printed newspaper, but by the printed and inspired Word of God.
Nevertheless, I feel I should remind us of how short the days are.
Allow me to share with you what I found this week in the news.
Source: The front page of the USA Today newspaper.
Title: “Fuel for nuclear weapons is more widely available than the public has been told.”
Conclusion: There are two significant problems in keeping our world safe from having a nuclear catastrophe.
A) Nations, such as Russia, have less and less money to finance the security of weapons sites still left from the “Cold War”
B) A recent study by the Natural Resource Defense Council found that “It’s a lot easier to make a nuclear explosive device than the public has been led to believe.”
What does all of this information mean to people like us living in small-town USA?
The world that once felt safe from the threats of the “Cold War” is now learning how to live in more and more fear and instability. The world is convinced that our days of peace and freedom are determined by the world’s leaders.
Question: What does the Word of God tell us about who we can turn to and trust in these days of pandemonium?
How does all of this relate to the Word of God written 2000 years ago?
Matthew 28:16-18 16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Our text takes place on a little hillside called the “Mt. of Olives”. Just like us, the disciples had gathered themselves there to meet with Jesus. It was here that Jesus made a statement of authority followed by a call to commitment.
Jesus’ Statement;
“All authority has been given to me.”
Regardless of what the world is trying to tell us in its newspapers and on television, the statement made by Jesus tells us that nothing has happened, or will ever happen, without His direct authority.
Despite what’s happening on the world scene, Jesus has direct authority over everything that takes place. We know that to have been the case while He was here on this earth. And we know that today. Jesus has direct authority over everything that will happen today, this week, this year, and to the end of this age.
Jesus commanded everything to be subject to His voice.
Whether it was the storm out on the high seas or the demons that tormented the demoniac.
Folks, Jesus is the Lord of your future!
Consider this;
The Bible tells the story of how disciples had to watch our Lord Jesus be beaten and judged before the Sanhedrin Court. Pontius Pilate ordered Jesus to be hung on a cross to die in total humiliation.
There were a lot of terrible things that happened to Jesus and the disciples. The disciples felt as though they were facing uncertain days ahead.
The disciples were not sure what was going on, or what was going to happen to their lives with Jesus being crucified.
The disciples were frightened of what their future held for them.
The disciples had to learn 3 important things that we must also learn…
First, when you decide to allow Jesus to save you from your sins, you must make Him Lord over every area of your life.
This is not something you kind of grow into and become mature in. It is not a Personality that is being slowly developed in our lives or something that we hope to become or even an option for you to choose when and how you want to live for God.
You cannot accept His love and forgiveness and then not live under His Authority. To receive the true forgiveness of Christ means you must also receive the His Authority.
Acts 2:36…God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Philippians 2:10-11 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, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Why is this so important? Because in these days of uncertainty, we need to understand Who is in charge, and comprehended the authority of Christ.
There are many weak Christians that only rely on God to save them from an eternity in hell.
Oftentimes, what the world is saying has a greater influence on the people of God than the authority of Christ has.
Jesus said,
“All authority has been given to me…”
When you make Jesus the Savior of your life, you are not granted permission to do whatever you want to with your life. When you are saved by grace, you are also placed under the authority of Christ (along with everything else in this world.)
The second thing the disciples had to learn, we must also learn…
When Jesus is the Lord and authority of our lives, we are to naturally walk in His truths. This is something that Christ has already established for us a long time ago. Our Responsive Reading states this for us. “…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,…”We must accept the Bible as the only complete and absolute truth.
What those verses mean is that we are to walk and obey the truths that Jesus put in place long before the world ever began, we cannot change the rules. We cannot rewrite, alter or modify the commands/principles of Jesus.
We do not have an option with the Holy Word of the Lord. It is not a piece of poetic literature that we can pick and choose what we will or won’t agree with. When we accept Christ as Savior and Lord we must accept everything the Word of God has for us.
Jesus was praying to His Father in John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
The problem we sometimes have is when we do not embrace the complete truth of God’s Word.
As an example, someone who is raised (as a child) in a prejudiced and racist home will become a racist and a bigot.
Later in life, that person finds that he/she must have Christ save them from their sins. But unfortunately, they refuse to let go of the way they were raised.
What sometimes happens is they will modify their interpretation of what the Word of God says so it will fit into what they have always believed.
Now I just used an extreme example. There are plenty of other examples that could fit your life. Here’s another.
If I am raised in a home that allows/accepts drinking and smoking, I may choose to continue abusing my body with things that are not good for it. And if that is the case, I may never allow the Lord to rule over my health. I will continue to destroy my body while I profess to be a Christian.
Where is the authority of Christ for us?
We must allow Christ to have authority over every area of our lives!
His truth is the ultimate & absolute truth. There can be no debating the Lordship and authority of Christ.
Here’s another example.
Some people will become Christians and will continue in other philosophies of mankind. Such as false religions.
No, they won’t go and bow before Allah, the god of the Muslims. But they will believe that we all have access to heaven through other gods.
Where is the authority of Christ?
We must know that Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life.
The third thing the disciples had to learn that we must also learn –
We must declare Jesus Lord over our minds and every opinion we have. When anyone becomes a Christian, they have ungodly thinking that must come under the authority of Christ. The Bible tells us that our minds are to be transformed into the mind of Christ.
Everything in our minds must come under the complete authority of Christ.
We cannot be a Christian in our private life and someone else in our public life.
Even your political persuasion should be under the complete authority of Christ. Whether you are a democrat or republican really doesn’t matter. When it comes to politics, only what you believe is the will of God for our God-fearing country matters.
Here’s an example…You cannot be a Christian in your personal life, but in your public life, if you accept things such as abortion.
The world thinks you should because (for them) it is politically correct/acceptable.
The point is this… Whatever we think or do in our life must be under the complete submission of Christ Almighty, and no one else. Not your parents’ position, your favorite talk show host, not your best friend and confidant, not some psychic, and, not even yourself.
“Jesus must be Lord over everything.”
There is a purpose in all of this, and it has to do with what we are now faced with in this nation and in your communities.
It appears that we are fast approaching days of more fear and terror. Nevertheless, God is in control!
Romans 13:1-5 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’s sake.
Many Christians(I pray) disagree with the politics and certain politicians. And that is okay. What our nation is going through is causing controversy all over the world. We must remember that it is God Who rules over the politicians. The truth here is that all governmental authority has been established by God.
In the Bible, we can find many cases in which even unrighteous governments are established. But they were all used for the purposes of the Lord. What complicates things is when Christians forget that Jesus is Lord.
Jesus said to all of His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Do you remember the story of when Jesus was brought before Pilate and Jesus would not speak to him?
John 19:9-11 and he entered into the praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate *said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me unless it had been given you from above; for this reason, he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
What this tells us is that power = authority
Two of the most ungodly politicians, Pilate in the New Testament and the Pharoah in the Old Testament were both sent for the salvation and deliverance of God’s people with authority given to them by God.
We can trust what God is doing by what He says in His Holy Word. Listen to this.
Daniel 2:21 says that God “removes kings and raises up kings.”
Apparently… God is God.
He gets to do whatever He wants to.
All authority is given to Christ. Not to us. Not to anyone else.
The truth is this. Those in authority over us have been given their authority by God.
There is another point to make here. We must pray for our nation’s President and its leaders to protect our country.
I Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The man in authority at the time this was written to Timothy was King Nero. He was one of the most inhumane kings ever.
King Nero was known to take babies from the Christians and burn them on a stick for his torches at his garden parties. The Christians of that day lived under the kingship of a disgusting and vile man.
I Peter 2:13-17 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Apparently, this was a time of incredible torment to the Christians. There were no born-again Kings having prayer breakfast in the Oval Office, just like now…There was rampant unrighteousness in all of the politics of that time throughout the world!
Not much different than today… Still, we are to pray for those in authority over us.
I know, it’s hard when so much evil is going on, but remember nothing in the scriptures said being a bible believing Christian would be easy…
We love all of you with the love of the Lord, may the Lord’s blessing abound in your lives, and for goodness sakes… KEEP LOOKING UP!
Until next time,
Semper Fidelis
Dusty
My prayer for you; 
Father, what a time we live in, we come to you asking forgiveness for our sin and pray for your healing grace and mercy for our country, world, and leaders that are in power. I pray they open their hearts to you and turn toward the cross for their guidance.
I pray law and order be reasserted in our cities and peace be found throughout the world. Lord, we need complete healing, from the tops of our heads to the souls of our feet. I pray You to fill us with your living water and bring this world into alignment with Your holy word.
I ask this in our Lord and Saviors’ name… Jesus Christ
AMEN!
Dear Dusty (and other readers),
Thank you for reminding us all of the authority of Christ Jesus over ALL of us, Believers and Non-believers alike! It is a tremendous comfort to me that God’s Word is ALWAYS true!
Concerning out country and its present leadership: it is very difficult for me to accept our current President knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is in office due to massive voter fraud! None the less, there he is and what the Bible says is ALWAYS true whether I like it or not. Consequently, I do pray for him and for our country, as you have so clearly encouraged us to do. At the same time I am also praying that the fraudulent way he got in office will be clearly and legally exposed and that all involved in this treasonous action will b!e brought to justice and receive their due consequences! – Tempered with appropriate mercy, of course.
I am ashamed to write the if I were King (thank God I am not!) I FEEL like having them all promptly executed and let God sort them out! Here is where the authority of God’s word, thankfully, reigns in my life! It is His Word and Christ alone who is both God and King of all creation, not me, not my indignation, not anyone else’s either! Hallelujah!
Praise God that He has given each one of us free will! We all can and do choose whether or not to know and follow Him and His Word. Some choose not to by default and ignorance because they choose to not read His Word (the Bible) and therefore do not even know what He has told us. Thankfully His Word is still and ALWAYS is true and clearly states the He is merciful. It also states that God is NOT mocked, and that we will reap what we sow. There are either good or bad consequences to our decisions and actions.
Gal 6:7-10 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. New King James Version
[For those of you who don’t already know: the New King James Version has been graciously provided for us as we live in the “atomic age.” That is why it is called the New King James Version or the “Neucking” James Bible.]
When observing and thinking about politics it comforts me to remember Romans 14. The whole chapter is one of my MANY favorites, and I encourage you to read the whole chapters, but for this blog answer here is verse four: “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Again the apostle Paul makes a similar statement in verse 10: “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” NKJV
[Politics: a compound word stemming from “poly” meaning “many” and tics: blood sucking insects.]
It is important for believers in Christ Jesus to familiarize ourselves with the WHOLE Bible! If we truly want to be led by the Holy Spirit of God we need also to know His Holy Word in order to make good judgement call on our own thoughts and actions, let alone the policies and beliefs of others! It is appropriate to remember God’s word in 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “if MY PEOPLE who are called by MY NAME will humble THEMSELVES, and pray and seek My face, and turn from THEIR wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” NKJV [Emphasis mine.]
What has been going on in congress and the White House is deeply disturbing to me but I am NOT in charge, nor do I have the political pull to influence those who do wield such influence very much. However as a citizen of the USA both you and I do have a voice that can be heard if we choose to speak up. I want to encourage us all to get involved in local politics if only by attending our city council meetings, school board meetings, county commissioners meetings, political party meetings, etc… It is amazing how much influence one voice can make, but ONLY if that voice will speak in the appropriate place. One of those appropriate places is also in the “secret place of the Most High.” Prayer really does change things!
As the apostle James wrote several times, “faith without works is dead!” It is good to pray in the secret place but it is better to pray and then take appropriate action. Listen to the Voice of the Holy Spirit, judge what you hear according to the Written Word of God in the Bible, and then obey whatever He tells you! If, like me, you do not like what is happening in your community, then it is imperative to speak out if we really want to see beneficial change.
We Americans have the unique privilege of “self-governance” in that we may all run for public office and/or vote for those who do. If we choose to not hold public office, we can and should clearly communicate with those who are in office and/or those who are running for office and let our voices be heard by those whose responsibility it is to listen to their constituents. Often that can be much easier said than done, but if we are patient and persistent, it can and should be done! – As our friend Dusty has so aptly pointed out each one of us should also be praying for those who are in office because they are NOT there merely because they have been voted in, but also because they are there by the authority of God Almighty, Christ Jesus, our King.
The bottom line is that each one of us must keep ourselves accountable to the Authority of Christ Almighty and His Word all the time. Actually, we are accountable whether or not we choose to know and obey His Word! As for being citizens of whatever country or community we live in, we are also called to be good citizens thereof, as well as being good citizens of the Kingdom of God.
I pray that all of us submit ourselves first of all to Christ Jesus and His Word, secondly to one another, and also to the governing authorities. I pray too, that we will ALL take appropriate action as well as praying for them. Speak out and vote! Attend public meetings and let our leaders know how to represent us accurately. If they do not, then it is our duty to vote into office those who will.
Always remember what Yahweh – “I AM” – said in
Numbers 6:22-27 22 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24“I AM blessing you and keeping you;
25 I AM making MY face shine upon you,
And being gracious to you;
26 I AM lifting up MY countenance upon you,
And giving you peace.”
27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
No matter what we see happening in the world around us, God Almighty is still in charge of everything, and Jesus Christ is still King of Kings and Lord of Lords whether or not any individual, governing authority, or country acknowledges that truth or not.
Rejoice ALWAYS!!!
Dean
AMEN brother AMEN! Great comment, I wish other readers would follow suit. on your comments and advice… Many blessings my brother!