Certainly, there seems to be more evil in our world than at any other time in history. Maybe it’s just because some of us have been on the planet too long, but I don’t think so. My take is found in Romans chapter one where God is saying, “Okay, I’ll let you have your way for a time.” However, I believe we’re at the door where time is almost up. God gave them over and we are on the precipice of the age being over.

Isaiah 5:20 

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Proverbs 8:13 

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Are you ready for the closing curtain? Give it some thought.

Gary

Some make deals with God. You do this for me and I’ll do that for You. Habakkuk was a prophet during the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, somewhere in the timeframe of 620-590 BC but before the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC.  Trouble was coming on a massive scale and his faith would be tested to its core. I’m no prophet, but I think trouble is coming, and I desire Habakkuk to be my example. What about you?

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
¹⁸ Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

¹⁹ The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Give this some consideration.

Gary

Cribbage was my game. I started playing it at thirteen years of age after school. I loved the distraction on those long bus rides to distant towns where we played ballgames with teams in our league. Once I married, my wife and I enjoyed the friendly competition. It’s just a game that sometimes you win at and sometimes you lose. Sounds like the games of life, doesn’t it? The competition has changed though, for now my opponents are the world, the flesh and the devil, and I don’t always win. It also reflects the results of doing a character study of Biblical personalities.

Does it have a Biblical precedent? Glad you asked.

Ephesians 6:12 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

When playing the game, play to win. Give it some thought.

Gary

The politicians and religious leaders of Jesus’ day were brought together by their hatred of Him. Down the road two thousand years, we see preachers and politicians are being brought together by their animosity to God’s Word. Interesting, isn’t it?

Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

2 Timothy 2:16 

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

1 Timothy 6:20 

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

Give it some thought. Turn off the nightly news and read the Bible.

Gary

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.”
― Terry Pratchett, Diggers

An open mind is okay, but like your computer it needs a good antivirus program to keep it safe from the evil that lies in wait.

1 John 4:1 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Matthew 24:24 

For false Christ’s and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Working knowledge of Scripture is the best antivirus for an open mind. Give it some thought.

Gary

Matthew 6:25-27

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” 

Wouldn’t it be nice to just read these verses and never worry again? I must admit, it didn’t happen for me. Did it for you? I’m just appreciative of the fact that God takes care of me whether I worry or not. He knows our struggles with this common tendency. The likelihood to fret, shouldn’t stop us from moving forward by faith however.

Give it some thought.

Gary

2 Kings 7:3

Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?” 

That question should be considered by every one of us. Why are we sitting, waiting for death, when there is a possibility of finding eternal life by accepting God’s gift.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 10:10 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Give it some thought.

Gary