Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 34-35 NLT, Ch. 36-37 NIV, Ch. 38-39 CEV

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Thoughts

There was something in each of these two closing chapters that grabbed my attention.

In chapter 15, verse four, Paul wrote, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us patience and encouragement so that we can have hope.”

I’m seeing articles lately in which the director the the Center for Disease Control (CDC) said that deaths from suicides and drug overdoses are now higher than deaths due to COVID-19. Here is a link to one such story: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/suicides-higher-than-covid-19-deaths-amid-school-lockdown-cdc-chief-warns

I haven’t spoken much on this show, about the pandemic. But it is the primary reason I began producing new episodes for Lifespring! Media. I felt God’s leading to do what I can to be a light, to proclaim His name, to let people know that there is an answer to the terrible things that are happening in the world right now. Jesus is the answer. Beloved, we are to be the salt and light, right. We can’t hide the light under a basket. We have to let our light shine before others. People have to know that there is hope, that there is a God that loves them, that they are of immeasurable worth, that God paid the ultimate price to redeem them, and that He wants to give them life, an abundant life. This mess we are in is temporary. There is a future, and it is bright, beloved. 

The second thing that really stood out to me was in chapter 16, vv 17 & 18. 

“Brothers and sisters, I ask you to look out for those who cause people to be against each other and who upset other people’s faith. They are against the true teaching you learned, so stay away from them. 18Such people are not serving our Lord Christ but are only doing what pleases themselves. They use fancy talk and fine words to fool the minds of those who do not know about evil.”

So many messages out there today are aimed at tearing down our faith in Christ, and the Judeo-Christian values that have brought us so far. We hear it from nearly every quarter. News organizations, politicians, school teachers, even some from the pulpit.

Be wary, beloved. Stay away from false teachers. They are everywhere. Compare what they say to what scripture teaches. If it doesn’t line up, reject it. I have even had close family members fall victim to some of these people, and it is heartbreaking. My advice is do not listen at all. Follow what Paul said in Phil 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Fill your mind with scripture and prayer and worship. Turn off the news. Consume social media with a great deal of moderation and discernment. Pray without ceasing. Encourage others. Reach out to those who are suffering. Let the love of Christ in you flow out to them. Lives, and souls, are at stake. The enemy knows his time is coming to a close. He is fighting hard. We need to put on the full armor of God and get in the battle, knowing that He that is within us is greater than he that is in the world.