January 1, 2014 Whatever you think about the Affordable Care Act, it’s safe to say everyone’s life will change — in some form — as the government takes control over this significant part of our lives beginning on that day. The rumor mill is working overtime propping up scary scenarios, predicting unthinkable disasters. What truly are the positives and negatives? How exactly will it affect YOU? What can you do now to prepare?
So IS it time to panic?
No, it is time to turn to Scripture.
Read Jude. All 25 verses! The Lord put this book JUST before Revelation for a very good reason! Reading it this morning, I was struck by how poignant this writing is for times such as these. Jude talks about the ungodly and how divisive they are, flattering us, saying they have our best interest at heart while all the time deceiving us.
So how is a lover of Jesus to react when chaos or panic besets us?
Jude 20 through 25 addresses that question perfectly:
- We are to “… keep ourselves in the love of God …”
- “And have mercy on some, who are doubting ”
- “Save others, snatching them out of the fire “
- “And on some, have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” – Hate the sin, not the sinner. These are lost people and our witnessing IS a matter of life and death, not to be taken lightly. The “fear” part (I think) is that when witnessing, we must be careful to stay on sure footing, not to fall into a quicksand of compromise.
- To accomplish these things, we need to “build ourselves up on our most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit.”
- We must have/find “our joy in the Lord”. Remember “He has dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.”
How can we apply this beautiful Word amid chaos or panic?
- I am grounding myself DAILY in the Word and prayer to guard my tongue, actions and thoughts to be pleasing to God.
- I am being a good steward of my time, talent and finances, prayerfully asking for wisdom in this unchartered territory of today.
- I am praying to be steadfast with Christ in my routine, ordinary life, so I react pleasing to Him and not impulsively.
- Remembering JOY IS STRENGTH.
God Bless You!