It’s a sad state of affairs all over this globe. We have terror attacks, famine, oppression, slavery and genocide, just to list a few. The media is, I believe, glad to report the horror. At least it seems that way. We all seem surprised by the events of the day, but should we be? I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but when you look at the core of a human being, his sinful nature is his most recognizable attribute. And when I say man, I mean me…. and all of us.
Psalm 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
1 John 1:10
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Now, before I go on, it’s important that you know where I am coming from and that this is not just another opinion piece. I am obviously speaking as a Christian. A Christian is not someone who believes in a higher power, simply acknowledges that Jesus was someone special, who attends a church and is a relatively “good” person. A Christian in the true sense of the word is a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is defined as one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. (Webster) A Christian knows that the God of the Bible is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. He exists in three persons; the Father, Jesus His son, and His Holy Spirit. A Christian believes, and I do, that the Holy Bible is the Word of God and contained in its pages are history, people and promises breathed by God and recorded by men for the purpose of teaching His people about Himself.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (notice it says ALL!)
A Christian knows he is a sinner and deserves death, but is saved from God’s wrath by the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His death took our sins, once we repent of them, and His resurrection gives us new life, eternally with Him here and eventually in heaven.
Matthew 28:17-20
When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
So, I am just going to say it. I am not praying for peace in this world. There has never been peace here, and there never will be. (Remember Cain and Abel?!) That is, until Jesus returns and makes a new heaven and a new earth. Yes, there will be peaceful times within people groups. Obviously this is true or we would already all be dead. But there will never cease to be hunger for power, pride and self-advancement that creates friction and fighting among us. I am however praying for peace in the hearts of people. Peace comes to our souls only when we put all our trust in the One true God. He created us. He knows us. He sustains us. And he will take us home to live in peace for eternity. That is a promise.
So why does He not just end it now? Why not just take the faithful and bring on the end?! God is just, but He is also a God of Love. He wants ALL to come to Him. He wants NONE to perish. Even the radical religions who bring forth horror; even the pseudo Christians who don’t believe there is only one way to heaven; even those who embrace Jesus, but pick and choose what commandments to obey and which to disregard; and especially those in remote areas of the world who have yet to hear the good news.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
He is at work. Make no mistake about it! The events of these days will bring more to know Him. This is His purpose!
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I pray for all to receive the peace that only comes from Jesus Christ. I pray that this peace would trickle down and snuff out the hate that is so prevalent in the human heart. I pray that by replacing hate with the love of God, many will be brought into His kingdom and our time here will be more fruitful. I pray for contentment as we wait, but also for a desire to make disciples of all nations; I think we need to start with our own. Show the love of God to everyone you meet. Pray for Him to change the hearts of His people and of those who don’t yet know Him, because He is the only one who really can.
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. AMEN
Psalm 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
1 John 1:10
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Now, before I go on, it’s important that you know where I am coming from and that this is not just another opinion piece. I am obviously speaking as a Christian. A Christian is not someone who believes in a higher power, simply acknowledges that Jesus was someone special, who attends a church and is a relatively “good” person. A Christian in the true sense of the word is a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is defined as one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. (Webster) A Christian knows that the God of the Bible is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. He exists in three persons; the Father, Jesus His son, and His Holy Spirit. A Christian believes, and I do, that the Holy Bible is the Word of God and contained in its pages are history, people and promises breathed by God and recorded by men for the purpose of teaching His people about Himself.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (notice it says ALL!)
A Christian knows he is a sinner and deserves death, but is saved from God’s wrath by the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His death took our sins, once we repent of them, and His resurrection gives us new life, eternally with Him here and eventually in heaven.
Matthew 28:17-20
When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
So, I am just going to say it. I am not praying for peace in this world. There has never been peace here, and there never will be. (Remember Cain and Abel?!) That is, until Jesus returns and makes a new heaven and a new earth. Yes, there will be peaceful times within people groups. Obviously this is true or we would already all be dead. But there will never cease to be hunger for power, pride and self-advancement that creates friction and fighting among us. I am however praying for peace in the hearts of people. Peace comes to our souls only when we put all our trust in the One true God. He created us. He knows us. He sustains us. And he will take us home to live in peace for eternity. That is a promise.
So why does He not just end it now? Why not just take the faithful and bring on the end?! God is just, but He is also a God of Love. He wants ALL to come to Him. He wants NONE to perish. Even the radical religions who bring forth horror; even the pseudo Christians who don’t believe there is only one way to heaven; even those who embrace Jesus, but pick and choose what commandments to obey and which to disregard; and especially those in remote areas of the world who have yet to hear the good news.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
He is at work. Make no mistake about it! The events of these days will bring more to know Him. This is His purpose!
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I pray for all to receive the peace that only comes from Jesus Christ. I pray that this peace would trickle down and snuff out the hate that is so prevalent in the human heart. I pray that by replacing hate with the love of God, many will be brought into His kingdom and our time here will be more fruitful. I pray for contentment as we wait, but also for a desire to make disciples of all nations; I think we need to start with our own. Show the love of God to everyone you meet. Pray for Him to change the hearts of His people and of those who don’t yet know Him, because He is the only one who really can.
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. AMEN
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