Dealing With Hate

You see it all over the internet, media and in our day to day lives; hate towards Christians.

I’ve seen God called things like an “Ego Maniac”, “Heartless” and “Evil.”

I’ve seen people laugh and scoff when someone talks about God, the Bible or their personal testimony. Even behave as childish as to hit the “laughing” icon at people’s comments.

Seeing these comments from people it is totally understandable to become angry.

But take a minute to look further into these types of people, think about what is in their hearts.

The truth is satan has overtaken their hearts and it’s lead to an obsession and hatred towards God. They’re totally ignorant to this as they don’t believe in God or the devil.

I saw a man on a nice Christian post on Facebook mock God and His believers, his words were filled with anger and hostility. Those who he didn’t respond to he clicked the before mentioned “laughing” icon on many, many posts that praised the Lord.

His hatred and anger had become an obsession.

I decided to click on his profile and what did I see? Profanity, obscene posts, cursing and mocking others not just related to Christianity but just people in general, his profile picture was a picture of his young child giving the middle finger to the camera.

He has let evil take over his and his family’s lives.

Think about the hearts of people like him and others, the unhappiness that must be inside of them. What a burden that must be to carry around.

It’s sad really.

Let’s not worry about what they say but instead let’s pray. Let’s pray because we know the true God and we see what they’re missing. My heart hurts for them.

We also need to remember Jesus told us this would happen*.

Rejoice and Praise God when they hate you and make sure to love as Jesus loved.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

*John 15:18-27 New King James Version (NKJV)

The World’s Hatred

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

The Coming Rejection

26 “But when the [a]Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A18-27&version=NKJV

You Cannot Change the World

It is true you cannot change the world. That may surprise you as you try to spread the Gospel to the world but the true reason you can’t change the world is you are not of this world*. However it is our job to spread the message of the Gospel to the people who live in the world so they can be brought out of the world and into the Kingdom of God.

This world hates* you, it despises you because this world is evil and is filled with injustice.

But God is good, He is just and He will create a new Heaven and a new Earth**.

Also remember you cannot change a person’s heart, it is up to them and God. Pray first, trust the Holy Spirit to guide you on how to present the Gospel to the individual person or group you’re speaking too.

God is infinite as is His wisdom. There is so much in the Word of God. Someone might be craving a message of justice, a message of family, a message of hope, or just plain love. Only God knows what message they need to hear so let Him guide you on how to present the Gospel in that moment.

It is very important to know scripture and know God because if you don’t your message of the Gospel may become twisted to fit the world. We must stick to the Truth and remember to let the Holy Spirit guide you on how you present the real Gospel.

Remember we are the light of the world***, even if we aren’t of this evil world we still are the light that is on it for now. While our light still shines on the Earth remember to shine it to those in need.

Present to those you are reaching out to, Christ in all His wonder, present Him as the True King, the One who will take back the Earth and make all things new.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Scripture:
*John 15:19 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

**Revelation 21: 1-7 New King James Version (NKJV)

**All Things Made New

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said [b]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It[c] is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, [e]unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

***Matthew 5:14-16 New King James Version (NKJV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Sources:
*https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A19&version=NKJV

**https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+21&version=NKJV

***https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A14-16&version=NKJV

Offer of Prayer During These Difficult Times

I know it is scary time as we all worry about the coronavirus and its effects on the world.

I know we all in some way are scared, anxious or frustrated with all the shut downs but it is the right thing to do. We all deep down know that. I don’t need to talk about the specifics and dangers of this disease, that is every where.

Instead, here I want to offer prayer and a reminder God is in control.

I am offering prayer for all people out there and if you’re in need of specific prayer please feel free to comment, be as discreet or open as you feel comfortable.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Some Links:
Bible Verses Anxiety…
https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/worry-and-anxiety-bible-verses/

Wonderful Story from Fox News about a little girl teaching her brother a Bible verse about fear during the virus.
https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/coronavirus-video-bible-verse-siblings-minnesota-mom

Here is the online sermon from Heritage Baptist Church…

Finally an event called “The Return” is coming up in September here is a video from Johnathan Cahn about it.

Response To A Person Upset About God Allowing the World To Suffer

For this week I am going to post a response I had to an atheist recently who told me that if there was a God then He didn’t care about us and allowed us to suffer.

Here it is…

“You’re missing the point. Read the beginning of the Bible. Humans sinned which caused the world to suffer. The Bible says the “wages of sin is death.”* It also says, “Satan is the god of this world”**. This is due to the curse humanity is under because of sin. Despite this God breaks the curse through Jesus, one of many times throughout the Bible and history God has bailed out the human race.

But it is never good enough. Again read the Bible for reference, despite every time He did  help or intervene the majority of the Israelite’s rebelled or complained again and again. In history and day to day life it is no different.

I will admit that I do this. I have prayed and seen answered prayers but did that stop me from complaining to God later? Of course not.

We as humans continue to sin, allow others to suffer, we literally have weapons that could destroy the Earth in a day. We do the opposite of what God wants consistently, over and over. Claim we are good but in reality we all live in some form of comfort while others die on the street, then we ask God, “why do you allow people to suffer?”

Some day He will ask us, “why did you?”

Look at who we truly are as a people, looked at how we handle things, what we do under our own free will. Look at the World.

I chose to praise God for intervening ever. The fact despite our deep flaws He gives us a path to Heaven at all is gracious.

And can we really argue with the creator of the universe that He isn’t doing a good enough job? That is filled with pride and it is silly to argue with Him when we as humans are in charge of the Earth and continue to make such flawed decisions.

As far as suffering goes, look at Jesus. He was born poor, doubted by friends, families and neighbors. He continued to live poor, constantly on the run from enemies, dedicated His life to helping others, so one of His best friend could betray Him for a very small sum of money. He then was brutally beaten and killed in public, so we can all be saved. He did this willingly, suffering while helping others.

Could you honestly stand before Him as a flawed human being and say, “Why didn’t you make everything perfect for me and others?”

Sad thing is He promises to but many can’t wait and endure a small amount of what He went through.”

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get through to this person but I pray that he allows God in his heart.

But maybe my response will help you who are reading this.

Either way…

Praise God in it all.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

*https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A23&version=KJV

**https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A4&version=NLT

You’ve Already Won

Life on this Earth can be hard. Sometimes it feels like the struggles are never ending. Sometimes it seems like we are failing or losing.

Truth is we all on this planet struggle and feel overwhelmed by the problems in our life, Christians are not immune to this. We Christians might even feel guilty for these feelings, we question ourselves and wonder if we have lost faith.

But we must remember the Good News, even in our struggles.

Jesus has defeated satan, death and the grave, He bore our sins on the cross. Jesus has won the battle for us.

If it seems like you’re losing, you’re are not. Fight with confidence because you’ve already won through Jesus.

When the enemy attacks you know that even if he lands a blow God is there to defend you. God is there to heal you. And when you’re ready God is there to fight back. You have the power of God on your side.

The race is won.

The fight is won.

Your faith has saved you.*

So go in peace.*

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

*https://biblehub.com/luke/7-50.htm

Here is a link to some good verses about the battle being already won.

https://www.openbible.info/topics/battle_is_already_won