Isaiah 8:12 Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. 13 The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.

Do you remember the days before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,…? I do!  I remember life before the internet and cell phones. I know I am old, but those days were much less stressful. We had our issues and violence in our land, but the constant bombardment of anger, fake news, and conspiracies were very low. Today we find ourselves glued to news channels, social media propaganda, and we react to proposed conspiracies. 

God told Isaiah to tell His people, “you are not to take in the conspiracies that are heard around you. You are not to allow the many different voices to bring fear and dread into your life. As a believer, the only one you should fear and dread is God. God is in control. He oversees the kingdoms and governments of the world. As Jesus told Pilate in John 19:11, “you would have no authority over me had it not been given from above.”

Fear God, not conspiracies.

With God, there are no conspiracies … only truth. 

We should have a very healthy respect, awe, and even a fear of God who sees all and will judge all. God is HOLY. He cannot tolerate sin. He punishes nations and people while at the same time the Holy Spirit is calling people to repent and accept Christ as their savior, which would shield them from God’s wrath. I urge you to spend less time listening to opinion news and the slanderous conspiracies of social media. Spend more time with God and His Word. Spend time observing our beautiful nature. Allow creation to speak assurance to your heart. The God who daily manages all creation is also the God over America. He is the one who is above all things.

A new President and new leadership. How should we act?

We have a new president with a new group of leaders. Although it is not the one I voted for, I will pray for him and other leaders. I will ask God to give them wisdom. Paul said in Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Paul wrote this while the Christians were being hunted and killed by the king! God is the one who sees all, and He will avenge His justice.  

Romans 12:17-21

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Lord, we ask you to heal our land. We invite you to bless and guide our President. We look to You God as our Lord, King, and Savior. We leave our leaders in Your hands.

Allow your lightnside to grow bright and not your anger!

Luke 15:28-29 The older brother became angry and refused to go in…Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat…

Is America like the “angry brother?”

Luke 15:11-32.   Much is written about the prodigal son who because of his own lust and rebellion demands his inheritance before his father’s death to live life to the fullest.  Of course, the illusion of the sinful plans quickly places the son in ruins.  He has lost his fun, friends, and himself.  Finally, he begins to think about his life with his father.  The life he thought empty and dull were now suddenly rewarding and rich.  So he decides to return home in hopes of becoming at least a servant in his father’s house. Just to get a portion of the blessed life.

His father on the other hand sees the lost son coming home.  The father runs and reaches out his hands toward the lost son.  This is before any confession or apology of the son.  The actions of the father so overwhelmed the son’s expectations. He is accepted back into the family. A new family ring and robe are placed on the son and a feast given. Nothing is said about punishment or of the pain he caused the father. He is totally restored. This is a powerful picture of Christ’s love in action for us.

The “good brother’s” dark side. Anger, rage, self-righteous.

Now the prodigal son has a brother who witnessed all the actions of his little rebellious brother.  The other son has not left the father. He is faithful, consistent, self-disciplined, and loyal.  But he has a flaw. He too is a prodigal son in his own thoughts of himself.  He feels his works and actions should recognize his father’s gratitude over the lost son’s return.  He believes he is better than the son because of his actions. “Look at me, see what I have done. Look at my efforts.”  It is a slippery slope when we are aware of our efforts and begin to think those efforts make us worthy of God’s grace. Slowly we change in our attitudes:  Pride vs humility, works vs sinful repentance and, justification vs coming clean with ourselves before God..

We are all a part of the two sons. We experience sin and brokenness. We also justify ourselves by works compared to other people. While we may experience some security by not becoming broken and coming home for all to see the errors of our ways, we may be in more danger of losing the blessings of God through justification and comparison.

There is a greater danger in our hearts as we only look outward at the troubles of others.  Christ said before you comment on others make sure your eyes are clean.  I have had this truth slap me in the face as I see issues coming up in the media.  We are all lost without God’s grace.  It is not what we do but whom we believe in and follow.

The biblical account of the prodigal’s brother ends without repentance.

You cannot find joy, peace, and freedom without continually coming to the cross and allow God to once again wash you and brighten that lightnside.

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…” 33 “But seek first his kingdom…”

In the busy days of our lives where pressures and situations of a troubled world seem to weigh us down, rest not on your own faith, but in God’s faithfulness. Our faith is full of weaknesses and stumbling. God’s faithfulness is steadfast, tested, reliable, recorded, and can be trusted.

How can we transfer our own faith to God’s faithfulness?

Invite God’s presence around you.  

His presence is a calmness and assurance of a majestic, loving God, and of Christ’s desire to linger with you. You can hear Him knocking on your heart right now. All you have to do is arise, open the door of your heart, and let Him in. (Pray)

Revelation 3:20 ” Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Increase your knowledge of God.

Develop a daily diet of reading God’s word. One day when Jesus was teaching about his upcoming death on the cross, many people were offended and left. Jesus asked his disciples, “Are you going to leave too.” Peter said in John 6:68-69 ” Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” 

Observe God’s creation.  

The faithfulness of God is evident in all creation. God spoke into existence not only all creation, but the faithful continued reproduction and maintenance of trees, food, animals, and all natures need to survive. God’s faithfulness is marvelous to observe. Colossians 1:17 “He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together. “ 

Now, consider these steps and rest in God’s faithfulness… You will find great inner peace in your lightnside.

Wonderful Peace

There is a song we use to sing. The chorus goes, “Peace, Peace, wonderful peace. Coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray. In fathomless billows of love.

Here is a link to the song with great pictures of nature (God’s proven faithfulness). Don’t let the old fashion style of singing stop you from listening, watching, and enjoying God’s Faithfulness.