I was going to write about something entirely different,
but with the news of just the past couple of days, I feel compelled
to talk about all that is currently taking place ... as we speak ...
on this beleaguered planet. .... Simply, chaos abounds at most all levels
of our existence.
Let's start with climate extremes we are seeing
all across the hemispheres ... every which way we turn, we see
new records of both hot or cold temperatures .... tornadoes never seen
before at this time of year ... the biggest & most powerful cyclone
to ever hit land ... headlines that scream stories like .."Weather
goes berserk over Europe: Scientists baffled" ... or "Christmas
Chaos: Turbulent storm systems to send tornadoes, storms &
heavy snow over much of U.S." ..... and what about drought? ....
One headline stated this ... "U.S. drought: 3rd highest severe
to extreme percentage on record." ... This is in conjunction with
terrible drought & famine conditions in places like China, India,
Russia, and of course, Africa.
Continuing in the "pestilence" department,
the number of volcanoes that are now continuously erupting is unprecedented
... not to mention three super-volcanoes that are showing signs of life
after many years of dormancy. ......
.... And what about earthquakes? ... Here's
just a sampling ... In April of 2012, a leading earthquake scientist
warned that the planet is showing signs of 'cracking up' ... this after
a series of massive quakes. ... the series started with two huge earthquakes
in Indonesia measuring 8.6 & 8.2, rapidly followed by three more
slightly smaller ones in Mexico, within hours. ... "There is no
doubt something is seriously wrong. There have been too many strong
quakes as of late. These quakes are a surprise that cannot be
explained by any current scientific knowledge,' he stated. ....
Since 2004, there have already been three quakes with a magnitude of
over 8.0 which is way beyond 'normal' ......
The Lord Jesus Himself told us that these things
would take place just prior to His second coming. saying in Luke 21:11,
"There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various
places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."
As bad as all this is, even more disconcerting,
at least to me, is the moral decline taking place all over the world.
... With just a brief glimpse, It would seem that civilization,
as a whole, is unraveling in any direction you look. ... Economic hardships
.... high unemployment ... hunger ... mass killings ...
a quick example is a headline on BBC News just this
morning ... "Britain warns of more riots, as civil unrest sweeps
across Ireland, Bangladesh and India." .... Nations with massive
debt loads abound with the world's three largest economies ... the U.S.,
China and Japan ... being no exception.
And right here at home the moral degeneration is
rapid and rampant! .... Homosexuality is becoming the 'normal' lifestyle
it would seem. ... It's the only one we ever hear about! ... And what
about abortion becoming the 'norm' in our society. .. I guess we can
now 'play god' at just about any level we choose .....
And finally, the attack on our Christian faith is
the last straw! ... and it's happening on two fronts ... the first from
the outside from anti-religious groups such as 'Freedom From Religion'
... and secondly, from within our own ranks with the rise of false teachers
and false prophets. ... Certainly we knew that "scoffers"
would come on strong in the last days. ... 2 Peter, chapter 3 gives
you the details on this.
.... But these opponents of the faith were never
on board with Christ's saving power. ... But sadly, many of the
'false teachers' were, at one time, part of the 'family'... But
here again, the Bible teaches that this would happen. .... 1 Timothy
4:1 says it plainly ... "The Spirit clearly says that in later
times, some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and
things taught by demons." ... You can also look up 1 Timothy 6:20-21,
2 Timothy 4:3-5, Matthew 24:11, 2 Corinthians 11:13 & 2 Peter 2:1.
The aforementioned is just a glimpse of what all
is taking place around us today ... and it can be very defeating
and fearful to so many people. .... But knowing this, I want to share
the lyrics of a song I wrote several months ago concerning this issue
... It is titled ... "The Answer" .................
Eyes looking out from darkness - lonely
and afraid
searching for hope
and safety - but sensing fear instead
Wondering what will free them - in
the days to come
from the fear of
desperation - emptiness for some
Reaching to the heavens - empty and
alone
searching for an
answer - of something that's unknown
Hope seems only fleeting - when faces
with despair
grasping for some
meaning - but finding nothing there
Now they're running to & fro -
everywhere
so many seem to have
the answer - here and there
They're looking to the wisdom - of
this age
but answers always
seem to lie - on a different page
But there is hope - there is love
just beyond - the
edges of their gaze
There is peace - there's an answer
this is the beginning
- of a better day
Jesus is the answer - He's the only
way
Well, that's it for now ... and just remember, no
matter how dark it gets ... and it will only increase as we draw ever
nearer to the Lord's day ... just hang on to the fact that He is always
with you and He will never leave you. Of this you can truly trust
as the 'Gospel Truth."
Until next time,
Red