THE RIVER OF NO RETURN!

Any of you who have followed my weekly blogs know I do not write about politics. My stated purpose is to "inform, inspire and challenge believers in their Christian faith". With the mid-term elections just over, I want to say a few words about them, but use them as a serious backdrop regarding the spiritual implications for us regarding today and the future. Let me begin by saying I am disappointed, but not distressed, depressed or surprised. And there is no true follower of Jesus that should be! My trust is in God and I know He has a plan He Himself is orchestrating! I don't grasp it all but I do know what the Bible teaches!

I also know that the United States has repeatedly turned its back on God, His Word, His warnings and His plans! As in the case of the ancient nations of Israel and Judah (northern and southern kingdoms), when they repeatedly disobeyed God and His Word to them, turned their back on Him and rejected Him and His faithful warnings, He finally brought about severe judgment and both nations went into years of captivity, suffering and correction! And they were God's chosen people! I believe we as a nation may have crossed the RIVER OF NO RETURN this time! Most rivers are deep, wide, rushing and dangerous. We see socialism, marxism, godlessness, unrighteousness and flagrant rejection of God's Word being embraced in our nation! The Apostle Paul wrote this by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: ". . . because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! For this reason, God gave them up . . . and since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind . . . They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, coveteousness, malice, hatred. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil. . . foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give their approval to those who practice them" (Romans 1:25-32). Descriptive of what we have today in the USA, isn't it?! Sad but True! According to Scripture, I note that the worst is yet to come on the stage of human existence.

So, enough of that. We must trust God and know that He knows what He is doing! We are not called to understand or comprehend, but WE ARE CALLED TO PLACE OUR FULL AND UNDIVIDED TRUST IN HIM! Here is what the Prophet Daniel said, "HE (GOD) changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding" (Daniel 2:21). Another translation begins that verse with these words, "He controls the course of world events. . ." (The New Living Translation). HE DOES FOR SURE!

So, here is my admonition for all of us who follow Jesus as our Savior and Lord! IT IS HIGH TIME WE SET OUR SPIRITUAL HOUSE IN ORDER! Most of us are too busy with cares of this world, our jobs, our responsibilities, fun, activities, entertainment, sports, games, seeking happiness, homes, cars, bank accounts, our retirements, travel, celebrations, and a host of other unimportant things in light of eternity's values and reality! We are so busy with the mundane that we have left God out of FIRST PLACE that He requires of us! Again in Romans, Paul the Apostle wrote along this same theme, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of (spiritual) sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk . . . as in the day . . ." (Romans 13:11-13). We best be reading and obeying His Word, consistently praying, practicing all the disciplines of the Christian life, teaching our children who God is, what He's like, the plan of salvation, and equipping ourselves and our families to prepare for eternity, because that is what we are here on earth for, and to share the Gospel of Jesus with others! I urge all of us to prayerfully read and consider Isaiah, chapters 40 - 48 and Revelation, chapters 1 - 3 to get a clear and Biblical picture of WHO GOD IS, WHAT HE DOES and WHAT HE REQUIRES OF US!

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog on "NEARER THE TOP OF THE HOUR" which I strongly encourage you to read. I truly believe we are living in the very last days. Let's not be scoffers as many are these days! Let's not succumb to unbelief, scepticism, indifference, panic, or depression! Rather, we have ample reason to rejoice, to be hopeful, optimistic and thankful! God is still on His throne and His faithfulness is sure, His mercies are new every morning, and He is bringing His eternal plan and pupose into fulfillment. I also wrote a two part mini-series on "GOD IS STILL GOD . . EVEN!" I hope you read those two blogs. How we need that Biblical perspective! Have you missed it?

Every one who has ever lived or will live, (including myself) will stand before God to give account of ourselves at His Judgment Seat. Those of you who have read my blogs will not be able to say "I did not know" . . . FOR I HAVE REPEATEDLY MADE THE TRUTH KNOWN IN THE BLOGS I HAVE WRITTEN! What you do with it is absolutely up to you and to you alone! PLEASE DON'T CROSS THE RIVER OF NO RETURN!

Would you pray this with me? "Lord God, thank you for your faithful mercy and grace and for the eternal life you have provided. I confess I have allowed the unimportant things crowd you out of first place in my life, and I truly repent of that! I do not want to cross the river of no return, so I turn to you right now and ask your forgiveness! From here on out, with your help, you are my highest priority and I will put you FIRST!" Amen!