Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts

Saturday

What is the World's Creed?

I heard this creed quoted in a talk by Christian philosopher and apologist Ravi Zacharias.  With obvious sarcasm, English journalist Steve Turner wrote this "Creed" of Postmodernism.  It is, I hate to say, a true reflection of the prevailing thoughts and actions of the world's citizens.  It really could be our creed.

We believe in Marxfreudanddarwin
We believe everything is OK
As long as you don't hurt anyone
To the best of your definition of hurt,
And to the best of your knowledge.


We believe in sex before, during, and after marriage.
We believe in the therapy of sin.
We believe that adultery is fun.
We believe that sodomy’s OK.


We believe that taboos are taboo.
We believe that everything's getting better
Despite evidence to the contrary.

The evidence must be investigated
And you can prove anything with evidence.


We believe there's something in horoscopes, UFO's and bent spoons.
Jesus was a good man just like Buddha, Mohammed, and ourselves.
He was a good moral teacher though we think His good morals were bad.


We believe that all religions are basically the same-
At least the one that we read was.
They all believe in love and goodness.
They only differ on matters of creation, sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.


We believe that after death comes the Nothing
Because when you ask the dead what happens they say nothing.
If death is not the end, if the dead have lied, then its compulsory heaven for all
Excepting perhaps Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Kahn

We believe in Masters and Johnson
What's selected is average.
What's average is normal.
What's normal is good.

We believe in total disarmament.
We believe there are direct links between warfare and bloodshed.
Americans should beat their guns into tractors.
And the Russians would be sure to follow.

We believe that man is essentially good.
It's only his behavior that lets him down.
This is the fault of society.
Society is the fault of conditions.
Conditions are the fault of society.


We believe that each man must find the truth that is right for him.
Reality will adapt accordingly.
The universe will readjust.
History will alter.
We believe that there is no absolute truth excepting the truth that there is no absolute truth.


We believe in the rejection of creeds,
And the flowering of individual thought.
If chance be the Father of all flesh, disaster is his rainbow in the sky

And when you hear
State of Emergency!
Sniper Kills Ten!
Troops on Rampage!

Whites go Looting!
Bomb Blasts School!
It is but the sound of man worshipping his maker.

Monday

Love What You Have?

Most of us give lip service to the truth that we should not put our possessions above God or other human beings. Here's a good test for you. Estimate what percentage of your awake life has been devoted to money and possessions. Remember to include investing, managing, maintaining, using, researching and purchasing them. Then add the time spent working to obtain them.

Have you been that dedicated to anything else in your life?

Saturday

Prescription for Right Now

Cast all your anxiety upon Him, for He cares for you.
- 1 Peter 5:7
I'm not sure who wrote this, but it fits right into my last blog on Peace:  

It is natural to be anxious when we are ill; but it is just as natural for the one who has love for God in his heart to turn all anxiety over to Him.  Let God do your worrying.  Even more than an earthly father loves his child, God cares for you.  Cast your anxiety on Him!  His shoulders are broad.

Prayer:  Father, if there is anxiety in my heart, out of Thy great love take it into Thine own heart and give to me that peace which passes all understanding, in the name of Thy Son.  Amen.


Wednesday

Need for Peace

Peace, I just need some peace. If I have to I'll do anything. Don't need your love or your sympathy. But, I cannot go on living without peace.
- The Isaacs
Peace. It is difficult to imagine a better gift. But, that is precisely what God has given the Christ-follower.
Above all, [put on] love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. - Colosians 3:15-17
Paul & Peter, in the New Testament letters, repeatedly greet other Christ-followers with "peace". It is though they understand the need for it in the hearts of believers. Everyone needs it, but, it is only given to those who love Him.

Too often, we don't realize we have God's gifts. Or, maybe we don't understand what they are. Or, perhaps we don't really see how totally powerful they are in our lives. All this is especially true of peace.

This world we live in is cold, evil and most difficult. Let's face it, the burdens of living "down here" are overwhelmingly harsh. That will change for the Christ-follower - when we finally reach our destination. Our Father is leading us out but, for a short time we're still here.

Many well-meaning teachers claim that God will get us out of the pain and heartaches of this world. They claim that, by faith, we can talk Him into removing our problems. We just have to have enough faith and it will be done. When this is taught, it takes the focus away from one of His greatest miracles -
peace for right now. Peace for our souls, peace in our hearts and peace through any trial. I mean any trial.

Peace is a miracle. The Bible says that the Messiah Himself is our Peace. It gives a picture of The Man walking beside us through the valleys and through the trials. Through the depressing moments and sad years. This kind of miracle is what He means when He says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." I'll submit to you that what we really desire is peace. God says that we already have it. We just have to trust Him when He says we do.

To me, that is a bigger miracle than a financial blessing or a physical healing or anything else man can promise. And, I can't think of anything I desire more. What about you?


Thursday

Can't Miss Idea - What to Give up for Lent

This will be short. But, it needs your full attention. If you don't have time to read and think about this, then you absolutely must read this.

Complexity breeds confusion. Satan is the author of confusion. Confusion brings fear. Perfect love casts out fear. Complexity causes anxiety.

Simplicity is easy. Peace is found in the simple.

Simple is less. Less rules. Less stuff. Less to take care of. Less hassle. Less confusion. Less stress. Less fear. Simple means fewer things keeping my attention and focus of Jesus. Simple.

Keep it simple. There's a reason why we've heard this cliche repeated.
No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.
Look. Jesus says it flat out. NO ONE CAN DO IT! No one can handle complexity. We need less to focus on. We need to be devoted to less...not more. We need less stuff. We need fewer commitments. We need to want less and to be content.
Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So, here's an idea. Do something to make things simple. Think of something BIG that takes your time and get rid of it. Choose something that truly takes a lot of your time and remove it. I am getting rid of DirecTV. You?


Monday

Courage for Right Now

Encouragement gives you COURAGE. Here's some courage from the Word.

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. - 2 Thes 2:10