Those who are trying to exist both in the world, and IN *GOD*, face the possibility of being shaken loose, as evil, and chaos increase, for their stance is shaky to begin with! It is important, it is imperative to know where your heart is, as IF it is yet in the world, stability IS compromised! The enemy of THE LORD, of us, and all which is right, good, and just, KNOWS that LOTS of souls will be lost due to ignorance, confusion, delusion, and human perception, SO, one must discover the TRUTH of themselves, and act accordingly! IF you TRULY LOVE THE LORD, you must learn to leave the world and its magnetism, behind...
The world IS like a grand illusion; it is ever taking over the senses, the mind, the body, with its endless allure! It is ever challenging the being, aiming to distract, and distort TRUTH, and our reality; especially those who claim CHRIST JESUS as their LORD! It is a constant battle which we are NOT capable of winning away from HIM; ONLY WITH HIM can we survive, and arrive!!!
THE LORD'S people ARE a peculiar people IN THAT, they KNOW they are in the world, but NOT OF it! They REALIZE this is as temporal as the blowing winds! They ACKNOWLEDGE LIFE comes later, then forever! They STRIVE to STAY ON THE PATH, despite the constant forks popping up, encouraging them to take this route, or that one! They BELIEVE in HIS PLAN, and accept that the treachery of this realm IS part, and partial to said PLAN, as IS their own involvement! They RELY ON HIM to LEAD them, in which case, they are always attuned, aware, and awake, thanks to HIS WORD, and their OPEN heart which allows them to note HIM WORKING in them, through them, and around them! They ADHERE to the knowledge that this IS ALL FOR HIS GLORY!!!
In the past, now, and forever, our ONLY HOPE IS FOUND IN THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, as well as EVERYTHING necessary to this Earthly journey! When we are caught up in the nets cast by the world, we waver, we forget, we even doubt, which adds to the woes of the moment! ALWAYS SEEK HIM, and HIS PEACE, and think of that above more than what is of this realm; HE IS EVER working FOR us, which in the end, IS FOR HIS GLORY, and LIFE for all who are OF HIM...
EXODUS 14: 14...
“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”
There was no way open to Israel but upward, and thence their deliverance came. We may be in the way of duty, following God, and hastening toward heaven, yet may be troubled on every side. Some cried out unto the Lord; their fear led them to pray, and that was well. God brings us into straits, that he may bring us to our knees. Others cried out against Moses; fear set them murmuring as if God were not still able to work miracles. They quarrel with Moses for bringing them out of Egypt; and so were angry with God for the greatest kindness ever done them; thus gross are the absurdities of unbelief. Moses says, Fear ye not.
It is always our duty and interest, when we cannot get out of troubles, yet to get above our fears; let them quicken our prayers and endeavours, but not silence our faith and hope. Stand still, think not to save yourselves either by fighting or flying; wait God's orders, and observe them. Compose yourselves, by confidence in God, into peaceful thoughts of the great salvation God is about to work for you. If God brings his people into straits, he will find a way to bring them out.
2 CORINTHIANS 4: 16-18...
16+++Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
17+++For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison.
18+++So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
What sense was ready to pronounce heavy and long, grievous and tedious, faith perceived to be light and short, and but for a moment. The weight of all temporal afflictions was lightness itself, while the glory to come was a substance, weighty, and lasting beyond description. If the apostle could call his heavy and long-continued trials light, and but for a moment, what must our trifling difficulties be! Faith enables to make this right judgment of things. There are unseen things, as well as things that are seen. And there is this vast difference between them; unseen things are eternal, seen things but temporal, or temporary only. Let us then look off from the things which are seen; let us cease to seek for worldly advantages, or to fear present distresses. Let us give diligence to make our future happiness sure.
MATTHEW 11: 28-30...
28+++Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29+++Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30+++For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
It becomes children to be grateful. When we come to God as a Father, we must remember that he is Lord of heaven and earth, which obliges us to come to him with reverence as to the sovereign Lord of all; yet with confidence, as one able to defend us from evil, and to supply us with all good. Our blessed Lord added a remarkable declaration, that the Father had delivered into his hands all power, authority, and judgment. We are indebted to Christ for all the revelation we have of God the Father's will and love, ever since Adam sinned.
Our Saviour has invited all that labour and are heavy-laden, to come unto him. In some senses all men are so. Worldly men burden themselves with fruitless cares for wealth and honours; the gay and the sensual labour in pursuit of pleasures; the slave of Satan and his own lusts, is the merest drudge on earth. Those who labour to establish their own righteousness also labour in vain. The convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror; and the tempted and afflicted believer has labours and burdens.
Christ invites all to come to him for rest to their souls. He alone gives this invitation; men come to him, when, feeling their guilt and misery, and believing his love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer. Thus it is the duty and interest of weary and heavy-laden sinners, to come to Jesus Christ. This is the gospel call; Whoever will, let him come. All who thus come will receive rest as Christ's gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts.
But in coming to him they must take his yoke, and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things, as to their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing servant, however imperfect the services. Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only. Nor need we fear his yoke. His commandments are holy, just, and good.
It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love. So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness.
The way of duty is the way of rest. The truths Christ teaches are such as we may venture our souls upon. Such is the Redeemer's mercy; and why should the labouring and burdened sinner seek for rest from any other quarter? Let us come to him daily, for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from sin and Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows. But forced obedience, far from being easy and light, is a heavy burden. In vain do we draw near to Jesus with our lips, while the heart is far from him. Then come to Jesus to find rest for your souls.
As the world darkens, and the minds of people are filled with the woes of the day, the more need there is for one to delve into THE LORD, HIS WILL, and HIS WORD, for ONLY WITH HIM exists THE LIGHT of LOVE, PEACE, and HOPE, indeed!!!
LWINSOR © 2020
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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