An insightful email I read recently included this thought:
Since the horrific events of September 11th, 2001, our North American society has been deeply influenced by a media-driven culture built around growing apprehension and alarm. Think of the news items with which we are constantly bombarded that concern the latest studies showing threats to our health, home invasions, child abductions, plunging stock markets, soaring oil prices, terrorist plots, casualties in Afghanistan, and murders down the street. Sales of home alarm systems are growing rapidly. Parents are afraid to let their children play outside or walk half a block to school.
To this, I would offer two thoughts. Firstly, there are many of us who see a shaking of things as they currently are, that there are changes coming to our world, and that many are going to find the things they have trusted in are not secure. In the natural, fear and apprehension are the likely response.
But that is not the way for us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8).
That is the simple truth. If we see these things coming, and our eyes are on anything but Christ, we will sink beneath the waves of apprehension. But, if we fix our eyes on Him, we find the one safe place, the Person who will never let us down. For, God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. (1 John 4 16-18a)
Remember and live that today.
The Age To Come 
This present post reminds me of my participation in New Westminister’s Ten Year Plan for 2018. MAP is what I think they called it. We all sat at separate tables and were encouraged to come up with visions and plans for the next decade. Knowing most everyone would come up with the usual platitudes such as compassion, inclusiveness and save the whale I suggested as my contribution, “Fear the Lord” (Luke 12:5 and Rev 14:7 for example). Needless to say it scared the ladies and we compromised on “Be aware of God.” but even that fell by the wayside.
While it is true that all Christians can’t be separated from the Love of Jesus and will join him at the Resurrection ought we not to be a tad less careless here on earth? For example, “the media driven culture” that was mentioned in the e-mail is merely a group of men. Would it not be more profitable to examine who these men are and stop blaming the “media” or the “government?”
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Greetings. This truth needs to be emphasized over and over again. We all need to be continuously reminded to look to Jesus as scripture comes to pass. The things coming to pass are going to astonish even the ones who are watching because of their sheer intensity. I think of Peter when Jesus bid him to comer out onto the water. He was fine at first, but then he heard the howling winds and saw the waves towering over his head. At that moment the situation began to get the better of him. The fact that the Lord rescued Peter the second that he called out should be comforting to all of us.
Thanks for this admonition. It cannot be stated enough as this age possibly has more distractions than all of the previous ones combined. Have a blessed evening in Jesus.
timbob
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You must be made of stern stuff to participate in one of those white rabbit. I think I would have been tempted to turn the tables should somebody have suggested exchanging “Fear the Lord” for “Be aware of God.”
Hello Timbob. I believe I owe you a visit, as Bloglines is telling me you have been quite prolific. When I have time and my thinking cap on I shall toddle over. There is a comfort that we serve a Lord who knows our frame so very well, far better than we do.
Blessings,
Peter
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Spot on Peter! We need not fear what man can do nor the enemy when we belong to Christ. I planned on calling but have been sick and fell asleep this evening. But soon though, as the Lord wills.
Blessings to you!
Susan
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So many of the investment emails I get show me that the “conventional wisdom” is going all squirrelly and pacic is about to set in. Of curse, the current administration will be blamed, but I have always felt that it is the speculator’s own greed that brings on their destruction and they should be held accountable for their own folly. Such thinking runs counter to those who believe that Big Government should take care of us from cradle to grave (and beyond?), but I have never bought into that deceit.
You are correct, now is the time to be watching and waiting prayerfully. Things are moving and shifting, and the only one who can be depended on is our blessed Lord and Savior. As TimBob pointed out about Peter, we need to keep focused on Jesus, for he is the one who saves us in the worse of circumstances and also in the best of circumstances!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
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