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Listen while you read: "There Is A Happy Land"1 (Lyrics) |
Isaiah 5:20 – They say that what is right is wrong, and what is wrong is right; that black is white and white is black; bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. (TLB)
Jeremiah 9:12 – Is there anyone around bright enough to tell us what's going on here? Anyone who has the inside story from God and can let us in on it? Why is the country wasted? (MSG)
What is going on here? Do you ever have that feeling when watching the news on television? It seems that everyone is perplexed. Terrorism, natural disasters, weather phenomena, "fake news", and now, in the United States, government shutdown. What is true? What is this all about? It seems that no one understands. We watch in fascination. Is there anyone around here who really knows what's going on?
Yes, there is! His name is Jesus. And Christians have Jesus' Spirit, so we also know what's going on. We have access to God's own thoughts!
1 Corinthians 2:15,16b – The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one. But we have the mind of Christ. (NET)
Without the Spirit, we would be like anyone else. But we Christians know what we are doing: we are doing God's will. We are keeping this crazy world in check — for now. But we are becoming a minority. We are persecuted. Laws are changed every day. Non-believers think those laws have nothing to do with God, but of course, they do. We see others throw up their hands in despair. They don't have God's Spirit. They don't understand — and don't believe the good news when we tell them.
1 Corinthians 2:14 – The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (NET)
Christians know exactly where all this confusion is headed. We can watch from the sidelines and be at peace. When accused of judgment, we can stand firm. But many Christians, as well as non-Christians, have forgotten how to judge properly. Afraid of being politically incorrect, they no longer stand up for what is right and good. They are not choosing God's standards, but rather the world's standards. They are looking for peace in all the wrong places. Peace does not come from approving of everyone and everything.
World news would be very discouraging if Christians didn't know the outcome. But the Bible tells us that God has a plan, and God is in control.
Luke 21:31 – Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. (NIV)
Revelation 21:1-4 – Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth … Now the dwelling of God is with men … for the old order of things has passed away. (NIV)
Don't despair, friends. Stand up for what the Bible says is right and true. This is the good news:
THE KING IS COMING!
Prayer: Father in heaven, You assure us that You are creating a wonderful new world and that Jesus will return as King, to whom every knee shall bow. We can be glad and rejoice! Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen.
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You wrote a very timely, Awesome devotional today! Thank you.
You can’t help but think it must be time… but, in the meantime, he is counting on us.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Thank you for this uplifting [pun?] reminder!
This is a timely and excellent devotional! I printed it off to share with my Bible study group, along with the author’s name. Thank you so much for saying it so well!
Thanks JJ, for boldly sharing God’s viewpoint. My yearly read through the Bible has me in Jeremiah. It’s so appropriate for our modern times. Praying empathetic repentance for our world. Blessings.
You must have climbed inside my head! I really needed this message today. God Bless you.
Dear writer, JJ,
This devotional was very much worth the extra effort to get to it and read it. So true.
We Christians must pray more, and more often, more pointedly, and more fervently.
Thank you. Keep writing.
Dear J.J.
A heartfelt Amen to your “HUH?!” Devotion.
It reminded me of a conversation I just had with someone the other day.
Makes me sad to see people so interested in temporary things – not really giving the Lord much thought – or things that really matter and are eternal. J.J. Keep writing and sharing The Gospel Good News. For all of us, this life is a vapor. Your writings will keep speaking volumes even after you are Home in Heaven, to those who have ears to hear.
Lord have Mercy on the lost!