Intensity
When faced with growing intensity in the world, it is tempting to just "focus on the positives." This is a massive danger in this hour. Simply focusing on positives will lead many into strong delusion.
The truth is, this is the "Great and Terrible" day of the Lord. Even if you aren't a believer, simply focusing on the positives leads to great dissappointment if the world gets worse. According to the Bible it will. Based on observation, it is. We need a different solution than simple positive thinking.
We need vision.
When I have vision that the time of trouble I am in is FOR something positive, then I can ENDURE in HOPE.
Hope is what we all want. But, what brings enduring hope? Hope that doesn't dissappoint?
The only enduring hope the Bible talks about is the hope seen by looking THROUGH tribulation and understanding that trouble, when approached correctly, is what forms me into a more stable and hopeful person.
Talk to anyone hopeful who has walked through a very hard thing in life and they will universally say the same thing: "I wouldn't have traded the trouble, it is what actually taught me to have joy regardless of circumstances." Many people who know God...like they hear what he says to them...learned to hear him in the midst of great trouble, like Elijah on the run from Jezebel.
Right now there is a better way than simple cliches like "stop the hate" or "stop being negative". Believe it or not, "not being negative" is the opposite of being faithful. Faithful is not dependent on positive or negative circumstance. To be "faithful" actually requires some darkness, or resistance, to see through. Faithful simply looks truth square in the eye and believes God uses all things for the good of those who love Him AND are being called (walking forward) according to HIS purposes.
God has prophesied a TON of trouble for the world, and a bunch of people lying about Him being "positive" to go with it!:
Matthew 24:21-25 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. (23) "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. (24) For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (25) See, I have told you beforehand.
The trouble is going to get much worse before it gets better. But, if I am willing to look it square in the eye and see it is designed to get ME to learn to love God and others more, I will grow in HOPE!
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; (4) and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
People who think of the "end times" (the world isnt going to end) as a "doom and gloom" message generally don't know what the Bible says about the end times. This is the time the MOST hope is going to come forward. BUT, it won't come forward by accident. It will come forward by people who ask for it, seek it, and knock on heavens door for it, because they humbly admit they NEED it.
That is the point of organizing a community of people to take turns talking to God (David's Tabernacle). It is a place where a whole community finds hope that grows stronger with more trouble.
Amos 9:9-11 "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground. (10) All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, Who say, 'The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.' (11) "On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;
The truth is, this is the "Great and Terrible" day of the Lord. Even if you aren't a believer, simply focusing on the positives leads to great dissappointment if the world gets worse. According to the Bible it will. Based on observation, it is. We need a different solution than simple positive thinking.
We need vision.
When I have vision that the time of trouble I am in is FOR something positive, then I can ENDURE in HOPE.
Hope is what we all want. But, what brings enduring hope? Hope that doesn't dissappoint?
The only enduring hope the Bible talks about is the hope seen by looking THROUGH tribulation and understanding that trouble, when approached correctly, is what forms me into a more stable and hopeful person.
Talk to anyone hopeful who has walked through a very hard thing in life and they will universally say the same thing: "I wouldn't have traded the trouble, it is what actually taught me to have joy regardless of circumstances." Many people who know God...like they hear what he says to them...learned to hear him in the midst of great trouble, like Elijah on the run from Jezebel.
Right now there is a better way than simple cliches like "stop the hate" or "stop being negative". Believe it or not, "not being negative" is the opposite of being faithful. Faithful is not dependent on positive or negative circumstance. To be "faithful" actually requires some darkness, or resistance, to see through. Faithful simply looks truth square in the eye and believes God uses all things for the good of those who love Him AND are being called (walking forward) according to HIS purposes.
God has prophesied a TON of trouble for the world, and a bunch of people lying about Him being "positive" to go with it!:
Matthew 24:21-25 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. (23) "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. (24) For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (25) See, I have told you beforehand.
The trouble is going to get much worse before it gets better. But, if I am willing to look it square in the eye and see it is designed to get ME to learn to love God and others more, I will grow in HOPE!
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; (4) and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
People who think of the "end times" (the world isnt going to end) as a "doom and gloom" message generally don't know what the Bible says about the end times. This is the time the MOST hope is going to come forward. BUT, it won't come forward by accident. It will come forward by people who ask for it, seek it, and knock on heavens door for it, because they humbly admit they NEED it.
That is the point of organizing a community of people to take turns talking to God (David's Tabernacle). It is a place where a whole community finds hope that grows stronger with more trouble.
Amos 9:9-11 "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground. (10) All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, Who say, 'The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.' (11) "On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;
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