January 10
Gen 23-24:51 | PS 9:13-20 | Prov 3:1-6 | Matt 8:1-17
A couple of years ago I saw a movie called, "The Auschwitz Report", describing the true events of two Jewish Slovak escapees from the camp and their attempt to tell the world of the atrocities taking place in the concentration camp. Though much of the movie detailed the actual escape, what was most alarming, was how hesitant those who were witnessing the proof could not and would not believe the level of evil occurring, despite the label of the Zyklon B gas, actual numbers of deaths, and first hand accounts. The Red Cross worker showed the two escapees letters of prisoners detailing a different story, showed the rations they were sending, and believed the reports of the Nazis that it was simply disease that was causing death in the camps. History is cyclical and is repetitive. For whatever reason, it is always easy to point to the past and see the evil, but somehow though it is pervasive in our midst it is explained away as not possible. But we are told that evil will only escalate, not scale down as we move closer and closer to the end times so clearly portrayed in Bible prophecy. So, who are you listening to? What are you seeking for your truth? This is not the time to get partisan, for politicians on both sides of the aisle have shown themselves false, and willing to do and say anything for the purpose of political gain. Doctors, like most others, are now threatened with their livelihood, if they step out of line, at the levels of hospitals and their licensing organizations. Government organizations have a long track record of lying, and coercing, for "the greater good". The pharmaceutical industries, the media, and social media have all underlying goals that are far from altruistic. In fact, what I have been most surprised about in our recent turn of events is the lack of any real critical thinking, honesty, and true transparency in anything and everything. I say this because, the only, and I mean only source of truth, always, and especially as we see our world changing at warp speed, is God. For, He alone, can be trusted. He only wants what is best, and He has no hidden motive other than wanting to welcome you as His child and into His kingdom.
We read in Matthew 7:15-20, "“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." Are we so blind, that we are unable to detect the pervasiveness of the false prophets so prevalent in every facet of our society? Lies are told as easy as truth, without the slightest bit of remorse once they are revealed. In fact, truth seems less important to most than pushing forth the change that all seem so desirous to bring about. There is only one way to withstand and gain clarity during these times, and it comes down to what it is that you will place your trust in. We read in 7:24-27, "“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”" If you notice, both individuals are confronted with the same problems, the difference only being the foundation they chose to stand upon. While the world has ulterior motives, Jesus seeks only you. Immediately after His sermon, He comes down and touches a leper, heals the Centurion's paralyzed servant, heals Peter's mother-in-law, followed by multiple other miraculous healings. Prophetically, we read in 8:17, " that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”
If you think our situation is so unique, read David's concluding words in Psalm 9:17-20, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten; The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O Lord, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be ,judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O Lord. That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah." David saw the distinction clearly, it comes down to man or God. We, all too often, can't see this and blur the lines. But read Solomon's wise counsel for us in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Notice the absolute terms in this proverb of :all, not, and shall. These are not maybes and possibilities. The purpose of the One Year Bible Challenge is to get our eyes off of the world, off of worldly counsel (no matter how wise it might seem), and onto the only truth that really exists, the Word of God. I need this. You need this. Jesus said in John 18:37, " “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Now, take this alongside John 8:31-32, "“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”" It's up to you, you can either move towards clarity or confusion. Pick your source wisely.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: