We observe around us the signs of a world falling apart...

[Brakelite]

We are definitely on the road. I agree we are not in it, though I think we are so close that this could change almost overnight.

That is so true. A wise lady advised a long time ago that the final movements would be rapid ones. Yes, we are only one major disaster away from total tyranny. And the worse thing is, the vast majority of people will demand it out of fear for their own safety. What was it that Benjamin Franklin said about giving freedoms away in favor of safety? And Biden is openly admitting the removal of freedoms "for the common good".
It's too late to protest all that's going on. The horse has bolted. The next election is too far away to have hope for change in the time necessary to save anyone from the coming disaster. As I said elsewhere, we only know how much we need Jesus when we know He's all we've got.

 

[MatthewG]

Thank God there is rest that can be found in Christ Jesus ~ Christ overcame the entire world. ~ @Backlit.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I see the increasing determined push for global vaccination as a 'litmus test' for control before the big move to dominate any semblance of freedom won by previous generations. I reflect on scenes from Orwell's 1984, amazed at the parallel.
I also see a phase of the Gospel message building steam which is addressing the false charges against God by God's 'own people'.

As my eyes are opened to the immeasurable immensity of God's love for the inhabitants of Earth I continually seek wisdom, discernment and an instructed tongue along with the capacity to genuinely love those I come in contact with. I am not finding it an easy task to share what burns in my bones when ears are indifferent or opposed or even 'very nice'.

Being removed from the mainstream geographically has in many ways made living in these stressful times, particularly for folk in more populated areas, less stressful, for which I grateful.

I notice the love of many growing cold.....replaced with a pseudo love, both those close and those distant. It appears men have no anchor.

Animal Farm too, I was thinking the other day about that and mask mandates being constantly flaunted by elites who keep getting caught.
All animals are created equal, some animals are more equal...

 

[farouk]

My first priority is to Praise Him every moment...and with that is to keep my eyes on Him. I won't allow fear to consume me because this world is not what I live for.
I also am compelled to gently push others to get a relationship with Him now while they still can.
Sharing my testimony when I can.

@Heart2Soul Hebrews 12.2: 'Looking unto Jesus'....

Helen Lemmel: "...and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.'

Thus radiant, motivated believers can themselves be a bright testimony in a dark world...

 

[Heart2Soul]

@Heart2Soul Hebrews 12.2: 'Looking unto Jesus'....

Helen Lemmel: "...and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.'

Thus radiant, motivated believers can themselves be a bright testimony in a dark world...

Exactly which is what I purpose to be...a light in the darkness

 

[farouk]

Exactly which is what I purpose to be...a light in the darkness

@Heart2Soul Great sentiment; and John's First Epistle has quite a lot to say about it... :)

 

[marks]

Hello Blacklit,

Hardly ever watch the news.

(If I watched the news every morning when getting up it would just be a bunch of things of the world itself that doesn't much feed the spirit, it is unfortunate for people who have problems in our nation USA, or any other nation for that matter because the whole world itself: Is filled with Gods Creations who are living and making choices freely on their own according even down to what is presented on the television screen ( Do watch tv sometimes but not the news very rarely).

The world has been reconciled to God, and there are many choices for individuals to make.

Understanding that there is no escaping death which come with-in a certain amount of time often has people searching for the things in the world to bring them happiness that may be fleeting after the moment of obtaining it, may lead them to the light that shines through the darkness.

Thank you for reading,
With Love in Christ,
Matthew G.

I agree very much with you in limiting the amount of world being poured into our heads through TV/whatever.

News of the world does not renew the mind. Some information is good, but not "Your soaking in it!" (Who said that?)

Much love!

 

[amadeus]

Exactly which is what I purpose to be...a light in the darkness

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt 5:14-16

 

[Ziggy]

I'm interested in how Christians here are responding, and what you see is your first priority during these times when the world is confused and fearful at what is taking place.

Priority
#1. Don't jump to conclusions.
#2. Don't believe everything you hear or see.
#3. Research for yourself both sides of an issue. Not just the ones that "sound" good.
Not everything is as it seems.
#4. Test the spirits. Learn to taste truth and lies.
#5. Don't take everything personally. This is their game, we are just the spectators.
#6. Pray for the good and the bad. Perhaps the Lord will change a few hearts.
#7. Don't let your emotions control you. Don't be a Cain.
#8. Questioning the objective of what is being persued. Where are they trying to lead us and why?
#9. Meditate and pray about what kind of reactions these times are stirring in yourself. Are you defensive? Offensive? Angry? Confused?
#10. Trust God. It's His plan and we are here to do His will. What is God's will? That we trust Him. :)

Hugs

 

[Truman]

I stand at a distance, observing. I collect a piece of the puzzle, one piece at a time.
I am not in a rush. I don't try to make out a picture. I continue to collect pieces.
In due time, under the Lord's guidance, a true picture comes into view.
This is how it works for me. Being patient and continuing to trust the Lord are the challenges I face.
I goof around a lot on the forum...thanks for being tolerant. It helps relieve the frustration.

 

[Ziggy]

My Dad is visiting with me until tomorrow. This weekend has been interesting and frustrating at the same time.
He likes Fox News. We are both on the same side of most issues, except when I question if Fox is sincere in their messaging.
My Dad gets real defensive. If we can't trust the news (whether this one or that one) who can we trust? We have to believe something....

Understand, my father is 86. He's been around a lot longer than me. He's seen more. He knows more.
And here I am, the youngest of 3 trying to explain that fake news lives on both sides of the aisle.
There is a story in the news right now about a woman who went missing and her boyfriend is being implicated in the case.
There are so many holes in the story I couldn't catch a dragon flying through it.
So I question things. And he asks me why am I questioning. So I point out the holes that I see that he doesn't see.
The guy fills a backpack. Takes a car and leaves it at a motel or something and goes off in the woods.
His parents come by and takes the car and brings it back to their house.
Why did they leave him stranded? Did they know he wasn't coming back?
They say they found a body of a woman. They cant identify it. They don't know the cause of death. But all fingers are pointing to this man.

There was a rally on Saturday for the people being held in a DC jail. People were told not to show up because it was a trap.
3 people got up to speak. I said.. I think they are working for the other side.
My dad got flustered. Why don't you think they are their for the prisoners?
I said dad.. everytime you see any group of Trump supporters or prayer groups meeting in public, and they are surrounded by antifa...
There is always confrontation and attacks. These people at the podium, are getting no flack, no pushback whatsoever..
Just seems odd to me. I seen enough action last year to know how these things usually turn out.

"So, you don't think they should be there defending these people in jail? "

I didn't say that. I said I don't trust these people who pulled this rally together for the "cause" of those incarcerated...
KNOWING that those that would show up, would be surrounded by opposition groups.
It's a set up. 2000 people showed up, and only about 200 were there legimately for the cause. The rest were FBI agents, so called Press, police, antifa, and BLM... think about it..

"Hmm.. "

So he thought about it. And started asking questions himself.. lol

We were brought up to trust people in authority. The police, the doctor, the teacher, the priest or pastor, the justice system, etc..
But all those things have been coopted. They been infiltrated by an enemy while we were sleeping.
It's hard to become skeptical when your instinct is to trust.
Some people are the other way around. They trust no one. And that can be hurtful as well.

We watched Dr. Jeramiah the last couple days. He was preaching about the way the world has changed and we have to be on guard.
Don't follow the world down the wrong path, keep yourself seperate and follow Jesus.
My dad has never been a religious man. But I believe he has always believed in God.
But believing and having a relationship are two different things.

I'm a better writer than I am an orator. I can't find the words to speak to say what I mean. And he ends up twisting what I say and I get frustrated and try again.. and again.. eventually we find a middle ground.. lol

Patience...

It's really not fair the games the media are playing with people's minds. Making them doubt, making them fear.
Twisting things upside down until people like my dad have a hard time seeing truth from lies.
We all are facing this right now.
I believe we are living in the days of the great deception and God is testing us to see if we are faithful to Him and trusting Him, with our very lives in these days.
I tell my dad, Just trust God. No matter what you hear or what you see or how you feel persuaded to lean.. Trust God.
Just because it's Fox news doesn't make it true. Just because it's MSNBC or some other channel you been watching all your life, doesn't mean they are telling the truth now.
6 Corporations own all the media outlets on tv. They all have the same coin. This on shows this side and that one shows that side..
But it's still Ceasars coin no matter how you look at it.

Now that I think about it..
It's been a pretty good weekend after all
:)
Hugs

 

[Enoch111]

We are both on the same side of most issues, except when I question if Fox is sincere in their messaging.

You can lump Fox with all the other lying MSM. Fox news betrayed Trump during the election and then refused to apologize for their blatant lies. Ignore FOX. Newsmax could be somewhat better, but check them out thoroughly. Personally I do not watch any of them, and simply glance at headlines in about a dozen conservative new sources.

 

[Ziggy]

You can lump Fox with all the other lying MSM. Fox news betrayed Trump during the election and then refused to apologize for their blatant lies. Ignore FOX. Newsmax could be somewhat better, but check them out thoroughly. Personally I do not watch any of them, and simply glance at headlines in about a dozen conservative new sources.

The only time the tv is on is when my dad comes to visit.
This is the first weekend in about 2 months.
He always says he's going to stay for a couple weeks but always ends up going back to his girlfriend after a few days.
He worries about leaving her alone and I understand that.
This weekend she went up north about 3 hours away to do a craft fair. She was going to stay for the week with her son but it's colder than she anticipated, and ready to come home. So she will be heading back tomorrow.
He told me that he may have me come pick him up next weekend and bring him back here for a couple days.

Her house is so cluttered with crafting material, fabric, that there is no room to walk around.
He has an upright walker here with me. And he uses it when he visits.
The longer the time between visits, the harder it is for him to get motivated.

Winter is coming. I don't drive in the snow. I don't have snow tires or a cell phone.
She will have to bring him over or he will have to come and go according to the weather.
I wish he would stay. He gets better exercise here and I don't fill him up withh all kinds of pastries and "goodies"
I keep a pretty fair fridge of fresh fruit and veggies instead.

Anywhooo....
the TV is about all he has. He can't type, his fingers don't work very well.
He does play solitaire on her laptop when he's there. I was thinking about picking one up so he could play on it here.
I just don't have the money to get one.
And he hasn't suggested one.
I learned a long time ago not to try and second guess him. It never goes the way I think it will.. lol
He's a very stubborn man. LOL

Hugs

 

[Truman]

The stores are still full of made-in-China goods and we still buy them without a second thought. We should've been resisting years ago but no one wants to pay the price, which is what I find frustrating, because this lackadaisical attitude is exactly what has guaranteed that we will all pay the price. People are blinded by the god of this world.
God's people will get out okay in the end. Everyone else will get exactly what they deserve. I still haven't fully accepted the time I am living in. My country just ceased to exist...my attitude will come around.

 

[Ziggy]

The stores are still full of made-in-China goods and we still buy them without a second thought. We should've been resisting years ago but no one wants to pay the price, which is what I find frustrating, because this lackadaisical attitude is exactly what has guaranteed that we will all pay the price. People are blinded by the god of this world.
God's people will get out okay in the end. Everyone else will get exactly what they deserve. I still haven't fully accepted the time I am living in. My country just ceased to exist...my attitude will come around.

Lev 25:23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.

Psa 146:9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

We're just passing through Brother..
HUGS

 

[FHII]

I wish the World could live in peace, harmony and freedom, but I know it ain't going to happen. Therefore, I am praying for it to end. Still crying out against injustice, but at the same time reporting to God the miserableness of humanity.

 

[Truman]

We are looking for the city, the city of our God.
This world is not our home, we have no treasure here, Jesus, all we want, we've found in You. - John Wimber

 

[Truman]

 

[Ziggy]

Happy Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
The Feast of Tabernacles, according to most calendars will start at sundown on Monday, September 20th, 2021, and end at sundown on Monday, September 27th, 2021.

The Feast of Tabernacles is a beautiful picture of God dwelling among His people. Our blessed hope is that Jesus, our Saviour, will soon return, where He will dwell with us forever. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the appointed time. However, it should be noted, there has already been a partial fulfillment during the first advent of the Messiah.

HUGS

 

[Truman]

Happy Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
The Feast of Tabernacles, according to most calendars will start at sundown on Monday, September 20th, 2021, and end at sundown on Monday, September 27th, 2021.

The Feast of Tabernacles is a beautiful picture of God dwelling among His people. Our blessed hope is that Jesus, our Saviour, will soon return, where He will dwell with us forever. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the appointed time. However, it should be noted, there has already been a partial fulfillment during the first advent of the Messiah.

HUGS

Happy Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
The Feast of Tabernacles, according to most calendars will start at sundown on Monday, September 20th, 2021, and end at sundown on Monday, September 27th, 2021.

The Feast of Tabernacles is a beautiful picture of God dwelling among His people. Our blessed hope is that Jesus, our Saviour, will soon return, where He will dwell with us forever. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the appointed time. However, it should be noted, there has already been a partial fulfillment during the first advent of the Messiah.

HUGS

This is my new favorite song!