PLEASE READ: About The Changes in America, and Your Grief

[creationliberty]

I just want to write a brief note to everyone in the church, and by that, I mean not just in our local church, but all of you who are born again in Christ. It is deep grief that I'm sure many of you are feeling, and I share that with you. We have seen many cowards and traitors in our nation's judicial, legislative, and executive branches; so much iniquity in the swamp, it is hard to even know where to start. In fact, I'm up at 4AM writing this because, for the past three days, I have been awake at all hours of the night with my thoughts racing, praying in grief and trying to sing hymns to myself to calm my heart so I can go to sleep. Sleep doesn't come, and when that happens, I just need to get up and get busy.

Please understand that Christians throughout the centuries have been living under oppressive governments led by corrupt men and women. This has always been the case, and just because God blessed America to have more liberty than other nations have had in the past 200 years, does not mean we are not due for our own tribulations, which we are guaranteed in Scripture, but I want to emphasize that we are also guaranteed that Christ has overcome the world:

tribulation (n): severe affliction; distresses of life; vexations

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
-Acts 14:22

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
-John 16:33

And yet, from leader to leader, and from century to century, our job does not change, and we went over these verses in my first-half weekly teachings just a few weeks ago:

Let love be without dissimulation [i.e. a false appearance]. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
-Rom 12:9-13

Please do not sit back and believe the Lord God did not answer your prayers, but rather, understand that your prayers are reserved unto the day of wrath that is coming. Your prayers may be answered in part now, but they will be answered in full when Jesus returns. One of the seals that will release terrible destruction onto this world are the prayers of the saints, and it is certain that they will not escape unless they come to godly sorrow of their sins and faith in Jesus Christ before the end.

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
-Rev 8:1-5

The Lord God has allowed this to happen, or rather I should say, made this to happen indirectly, and put these wicked men and women into positions of power to bring the United States to its knees. Americans have been FAR too prideful. When suffering increases, mankind becomes more receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that is why, now more than ever, it is imperative that we preach the truth. If you are not out there preaching the truth, then support those who are. (I'm not just talking about me; I'm talking about anyone who stands firm on the truth of the Word of God, whether it be in prison ministries, homeless ministries, teaching ministries, street preaching ministries, etc.) They need a lot of help, and I mean help in exhortation (i.e. lifting them up in encouragement), help in duties, and help financially, and that's where the church needs to pick ourselves up, come together in the unity of the Spirit, work hard and do our jobs as faithful servants of Jesus Christ in prayer, thanksgiving, and fellowship together, so we can be pleasing in His sight, and He will work in us to bear fruit in due time.

Our rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ even during times of great peril and grief is a testimony of our faith established in Him. If you are weak in that faith, then go to the Word of God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
-Romans 10:17

I'll close this post with a few passages that you may want to read, and perhaps, keep close to your hearts:

PSALM 2
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

PSALM 64
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

[Joshua JZB]

Thanks a lot for this post. I was filled with a lot of despair last evening as I was learning more about what's happening. But I am encouraged by this post and all the scripture and thoughts that were shared in the other thread too.

I hadn't really considered that if times get really bad then people would be more likely to humble themselves before God. Right now Revelations 3:17 applies to much of the world:
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
With fewer things to blind people, they may be more likely to come to understand their true state. So I will be comforted with this understanding when things get really bad and tribulations and persecution comes, and right now as well as we anticipate them.

Also makes me want to not waste any more time at all and get to work!

[theAXEisLAID]

It is easy for me to whip myself into a frenzy (fret) when witnessing these events unfold and this was the case over the last few days. While I was perplexed the night of January 6th, I read Psalm 37 and was thoroughly comforted. Comforted because one of themes throughout Psalm 37, is that one day those who work iniquity will be gone.
 
1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.

7. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

9. For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 10. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

20. But the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat lambs: They shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

34. Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 35. I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

38. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: The end of the wicked shall be cut off.

I am thankful to have been born an American but even more thankful to have been born again into the Lord's family. The grief and tribulation of this present life will someday pass but the word of the Lord will stand forever - and found in his word is great comfort. I have to take the time to pull myself away from the "news" of this world and turn to the eternal good news found in scripture - as I am sure you all must do as well. We must endure as these events take place and the wicked are given more time to repent. Thanks to the Lord's mercy and patience as I too was given much time, despite my wickedness, to be brought low unto repentance. I too was encouraged by this post, like many others, and wanted to be part of it to hopefully provide some of the same.

Psalm 37: 39-40
But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

[creationliberty]

Great posts guys! Good Scripture too!  Excellent to read!

[anvilhauler]

We certainly are living in "interesting" times.  For a long time I have been thinking that 2020-2030 could easily be the final decade and have sort of expected and been prepared for that.  When the end of the age comes, it has to happen in someone's life time.  It is a blessing to be a part of a church that is full of astute and awake people that have their eyes open at a time like this.