In these times:Faith

In These Times: Faith

2 Timothy 3

New International Version (NIV)

3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

We are definitely in these times now. This is a time of strengthening your Faith. It is a time of prayer and working together as brothers/sisters in Christ. We are in the World but not of the World. The bible spoke of these times. I agree it is sad when graduate students are taking money they receive for education to purchase firearms to kill innocent people. (And yes I do not his name but why give more attention to evil deeds). CEOs with  strong Christian beliefs are ridiculed because of their stance on same sex marriage. In this life some people will like you. Some will love you. Some will dislike you and yes others might hate you. What is important is keeping your mind on God and looking to please him. In the end he is the only one that can decide whether you are in Heaven or Hell.

I was reading a post online and after the news post there were comments. Of course with the news you have all kinds of different opinions reflecting on the story but the one that stood out to me was a one sentence response that read. “Some people still believe in God?” This bothered me and to an extent angered me.  My first thought was why it would change. God is the same today as he was yesterday, and will be the same tomorrow. God does not change, unfortunately people do and sometimes not for the best.  I understand that the constant bad news can be depressing at times or bothersome but we walk by faith not by sight. We cannot get caught up in that. Faith is not like a coupon. It does not expire. There is no particular conditions that will cause your Faith in God to no longer be valid.God is still a provider, protector and healer. We believe in his miracles in the past. Why not believe that he will see you through now? Everything that is being experienced has been spoken of in the bible.  Thessalonians tells us that we belong to the day. and to be awake when the Lord comes back. The bible says he will come back like a thief in the night.  Even in these times: Faith.

1 Thessalonians 5

New International Version (NIV)

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.