There is very little to write now but this: our generation is perverse and apostate. They want us silenced. They want us ashamed. For they do not want the young to know that there is salvation, and the old to experience sorrow, grief, and turn to the Christ, who can save them.
To paraphrase Paul, I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of salvation to all. I am ashamed that we have fallen to a point where the gospel is considered impolite to mention.
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” (Mark 8:34-9:1 ESV)
I am not ashamed of the gospel. I am ashamed of my nation. I lack the serene confidence of my Surfing sister, who wrote this.
I mean, nothing is surprising me now. Planned Parenthood selling baby parts? Eh. They hook pimps up and ignore child molesters already… Trans folks okay in the military (has anyone thought about how they’ll figure out the fitness qualifiers)? Just another day in the neighborhood. God’s just not *wanted* around these parts, and that’s darn clear. One day I feel like “popcorn! What’s next? What could *possibly* be next?” and the next day I’m mourning, wanting a pile of ashes and some torn clothes so that I can sit and weep over what’s been lost. I know I’ve been watching the skies and heavily into eschatology for years now, am I just crying Chicken Little once again? (FWIW I am, at this point, looking for the demonization and marginalization of committed Christians before I am betting on the Trumpet’s sound. Of course I have no clue and don’t claim to. After all my time and study, I agree with my hubs. LOL that happens to me a lot!). I’m a pre-tribber, and y’all know that by now. I’ve got work to do every day God gives me on this earth. But I’m wondering if those days are getting short… one way or t’other? Oh well, if there’s one lesson God is pounding home to me in this season, it’s that He’s got this! Whatever comes, I can trust in Him for everything, big and small.
I know I should pray for my nation, and the rulers of it. But it is hard. The anger is there: I know that the capital has a huge fault running through it and is due a massive earthquake — all public buildings there are engineered to survive an “eight” on the Richter scale — and that leads to Schadenfreude not horror.
But Hearthie is correct. God has this. Our nations may fall. Christ may come. But we must never of the gospel have shame.
Well, y’all Calvinists get less stressed about chasing your beloveds into the arms of the Savior – all that predestination stuff. So I guess being pre-Trib is useful for something?
Thanks for the link-love, Chris.
I’ve said this in many a combox. But fear is not rational for the believer. God could have me dead any time it suits Him. I figure, being scared is okay – you know, if you yell BOO you get frightened. But once I can take thoughts captive, it’s sinful to let fear set up root in my heart. It would be SO easy for me to go there, so I just can’t let it set up shop. So. Easy. To. Go. There.
Night has to come before the sun can rise.
“the capital has a huge fault running through it and is due a massive earthquake — all public buildings there are engineered to survive an “eight” on the Richter scale ”
It was instantaneous, a thought that flashed in my mind; It is a sin to count the lords guns! 8 ON THE RICHTER SCALE. My G-d is able. If my G-d has set it so and will deliver a 10, so be it.
Part of the gospel is, they won’t believe even if a dead man rose from the grave. After a 10 on the Richter scale,(Washington, D.C. USA) will any be left to measure, or even one to say ” Can I get a Witness!’
A six would take out Washington. One should not pray for this.
I really enjoy your blog. I go out of my way to try to read it on a daily basis. I’ve learned from it. It has been 30 years , but I remember it like it was yesterday, I denied the the lord and was ashamed of the gospel, and swore an oath to that effect.
Luke Chapter 16 was one of the reasons why I started studying the old testament. Now I’m old and have been told that I’m not much use for anything, I remember the times that I was up. I also bring to mind many times that I was the the poor man sitting begging at the rich mans table. Psalms 107 and 2. I have learned to not pray for judgement on my enemies, or prosperity as something I deserve. In my vanity I pray for my immediate family, they will see the light, the peace of Jerusalem and that G-D’s will be done on earth. If the Lord allows me to see it, I will try to remember, Deuteronomy 5 and 24,25,26. I will try to remember to say thank you to the Lord.
I no longer pray for judgement on Washington ,D.C. or San Francisco. I try to recite Psalms 51 and hang my head down.