LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED

Wherever you are, whoever you may be; there is no denying that we are in troubled times and many are overwhelmed by all the social, moral, religious, economic, spiritual and physical degradation. The world economies are failing, there is destruction and mayhem everywhere, crimes are on the increase globally, our neighbors are uncaring, bitter, unkind, litigious and merciless. Our enemies have no compassion. Sickness continue to increase, unemployment is on the rise, our debts are increasing, the things which were right and good yesterday are now wrong and bad for most of us and there is no safe haven for any to run to. There is an increasing sense of helplessness and hopelessness for many. Wives hate husbands, husbands hates wives, children hate parents and parents hate children; our neighbors hate us and we hate them with the same intensity or even greater. The Governments of the people are no longer for the people, kingdoms are rising up against kingdoms, wars are the tools and means been used to achieve peace. Love is no more love, affection is a tool used to destroy the unsuspecting; sex, drugs and alcohol are agents of comfort for many, with money being the clincher in this world of devious practices. What a troubled world to live in!  In spite of all that there is; there is reason to hope; good reason to hope. You can still have peace in the midst of all this chaos and turmoil. To tell the truth; our world is not as bad as it was in the early days of the dispensation of the Gospel. Many were martyred just for believing in Jesus Christ even at the mention of his name. Much of what is happening today was happening then on a grander scale. There was less respect for life. It didn’t take a trial with the verdict from a Jury of members of your peers to have you executed or have your children taken from you and killed or have your property taken from you by force. Yet, the people of those days were forewarned and so are we, as the scriptures tell us: “This know also: that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts; ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1-7). We are in those last days and as Christ admonished his Disciples, comforting them after the Last Supper he is admonishing us as he is able to comfort us today also; in that he said: “LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED; you believe in God believe also in me” (John 14: 1). Christ our Advocate has also prayed for you; not that you should escape this terrible world of chaos and not face the turmoil; but that the Father would keep you through it all, that you may be one in the Father and Son (John 17: 9-22). Even now he is seated on the right hand of the Father making intercession for you. Beloved: do not despair; be strong and of good courage for the Lord your God is with you; he will not fail you, or forsake you. God has not given you the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind that you can boldly say: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear”. Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: be faithful unto death, and He will give you a crown of life. Live with the knowledge and the assurance that God is your keeper; for the Lord's portion is his people and The Lord is His people’s portion. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is His faithfulness. Rejoice even now while you are in heaviness of heart through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold, might be unto the praise, honor and glory of Jesus Christ at his coming.

Be patient therefore my brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Establish your hearts firmly: for the coming of the Lord draws near. Know that The Lord is good to them that wait for him, to the soul that seek him. He is faithful who said: “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”. (Matthew 28:20). Oh: fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED. Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Love you. Be blessed.

W. Bennett