Taking another solo road trip to Lebanon, Tennessee, to visit my two oldest kids and their families, I survived a tornado that did damage 1 ½ to 2 miles away from me and others of my family, in three different houses in Nashville and Lebanon. Also, in Alabama, a blue car flew by in front of me, running a red light, as I started to drive on through a traffic light that had just turned green. God spared me again, for which I am very thankful. We do pray for those in several counties who lost loved ones and much property.
As I prayed and prepared for this, there were several subjects that came to mind. One idea concerns one’s worldview, or how we look at the world and all things that concern our lives. If we are Christians, our worldview should actually be different from that of those in America who are not Christians. Why do I say that? If we claim that Jesus is our savior, that God is our father, and that we have within each of us the Holy Spirit that Jesus gave to every believer, then we must view the world in the same way that God does. His “worldview” is made clear in the Holy Bible.
In this present society, God’s ideas are looked upon by most as “old-timey,” archaic, or out of date. However, in order to be a real Christian, depending on him to save us from everlasting punishment in hell, and believing that he will take us to a glorious eternal life in Heaven instead, we must decide to take him at his word, as stated in the Holy Bible. Look it up. There are many ways of life in America today that are accepted as OK, even as good. But God’s Word says that, in the last days of this world, good would be called evil, and evil would be called good. I’m afraid that has come to pass, just in the past few years, with some things even becoming legal that a few years ago were considered abominations in God’s sight. Believe it or not, they still are. Abominations, I mean. (See Isaiah 5:20; Romans 1:16-32; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 127:3)
I was startled while reading “Total Truth, Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity” by Nancy Pearcey, a Christian author who co-authored a book with the late Chuck Colson. She explained how many of us hold Christian beliefs, yet, when it comes to our daily living, we make decisions based on principles formed by the “pervasive influence of the media and the Internet.” Her explanations made much great sense, especially as we also explore the disturbing results of surveys and polls taken by such groups as Pew Research and the Barna Group. We see that the lifestyles and actions of Christians as a whole differ very little from those with no faith in God or the Bible.
On another note, there are those who claim the Bible and God’s existence cannot be proven. Have you ever tried to discover whether or not that is true? It would be wise to do so, as it may determine your eternal destination. Check out on Youtube the teaching of the late Chuck Missler or the scientific studies of the Institute for Creation Research and Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis. There have also been attempts made by some to disprove Christianity, which attempts resulted in these authors becoming Christians themselves. Examples of these articulate apologists are Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, and C. S. Lewis.
Fulfilled prophecy is one huge avenue that leads to faith in God and His Word. That would be one way to shore up a failing faith or to begin a faith where there never was one. There are hundreds of prophecies that have been fulfilled already, about Jesus’s first coming, and other subjects. Then there are hundreds more that have been fulfilled since then, such as the nation of Israel becoming a nation again after its destruction and the people’s dispersion over the earth 2000 years ago, which prediction was clearly written out in the Old Testament thousands of years before.
There is much in the Word concerning our future. Though we cannot yet come to a realization of the specifics of the events of the last days, it would be wise for us to study the subject. There are admonitions that are so important, as to compel me to list a few here.
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36.
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” II Timothy 4:8.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” II Corinthians 5:10.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25.
You know, if we are thinking clearly, we should agree that this world had a beginning, with God being the Creator. Then His Son, “slain from the foundation of the world,” was sent to fulfill that prophecy, in order to save many people who will be “conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29. He came, He lived a perfect life, and He was crucified. He rose from the dead, becoming the Resurrected Savior of the world. Believers in Jesus are given the “right to become sons of God.” John 1:12.
Live for Jesus! He’s coming soon!
You may contact me at lagnesrussell@gmail.com or 601-635-3282.
