Troubled? Discouraged? Needing Confidence?

The signs of the times are ever before us. The news is depressing at best and down-right scary at worse. Many are left without hope. They have nowhere to turn, no answers, and merely an unwelcoming future. I can see why many are disheartened.

But the truth is that there is hope. There is hope when the financial market collapses. There is hope when the environment rages. There is hope when the political leaders fail. There is hope when your entire world crumbles. In a world full of despair it is refreshing to read a book that shines a light on that hope. That is just the type of book that Dr. David Jeremiah wrote in Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World.

In a striking contrast to his book, What in the World is Going on?, Dr. Jeremiah delivers a message of hope that is imperative for the troubled soul. In it he lays before us a plan of living the Christian life in this uneasy world. With the foundation of the Holy Scriptures, he inspires his readers to look beyond the immediate – that which is filled with concern, chaos, confusion, and commotion – and encourages us to lift our eyes to the eternal. Persuading the reader to stay calm, compassionate, constructive, challenged, connected, centered, consistent, committed, and convinced, Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World imparts a spirit of peace and confidence to the weary mind.

Do not be troubled; despite the darkness that surrounds us, there is hope in Jesus Christ. The light shines most brilliantly after the fiercest storm. And Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World paints that picture in a very straightforward way. It is a book that I will be recommending to friends this year.

Disclosure:  Thomas Nelson Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.  I am not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.

It’s getting GLORIOUSLY DARK!

I’m always amazed at how few people care about what is going on in the world.  While I must admit, following the news can be rather depressing.  However, we should be responsible enough to stay up-to-date on what is going on in the world.  Why?  You ask.  Because, as believers in Christ, we have an obligation to warn those without of the coming judgment.  Am I gloom and doom today?   Reading the news, it would be easy to be so.   According to today’s Drudge Report, Israel has ‘8 Days’ to hit Iran nuclear site.    Why is it that a nation as small and insignificant as Israel is always in the forefront of the news?  I believe the scriptures bear out the answer.  Yes, the last days are here.  Second Timothy three gives a description of the last days.  Man will be…

-lovers of their own selves       -trucebreakers

-covetous                                 -false accusers

-boasters                                  -incontinent (without self-control)

-proud                                     -fierce

-blasphemers                           -despisers of those that are good

-disobedient to parents            -traitors

– unthankful                             -heady

-unholy                                    -highminded

-without natural affection                 -lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God

Does this sound like today’s society?  The passage goes on to say that people will have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.  (Just how many American’s claim to be religious today and live ungodly lives?)  But this next attribute is what gets my attention.  Second Timothy 3:7 says, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  We live in the information age.  Technology is at its peak, yet still exceeding.  People are very smart and learning more and more everyday but very few know the truth.  Let me prove it.  Just ask someone if “truth is relative” and see what they say.  Statistics prove over and over again that very few “born again Christians” acknowledge that truth is absolute.  How sad!

 So, am I gloom and doom?  Yes and no. 

 Yes, the world is ending.  Read 2 Peter 3:4-7, 12, 11 Cor. 5:10-11, Rev. 20:11-15.

 No, because the ending of the world means for every believer the beginning of eternity.  Christ is coming soon.  The heavens will soon be mine.  My affections are already there.  How exciting!  It thrills me to see prophecy fulfilled. 

 If you do nothing else today, I pray that you will …

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. (2Co 13:5a)   For the times that we are living in are becoming gloriously dark!