February 6, 2024

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”  1 pet 1:13 nkjv

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 pet 1:3-5 nkjv

When choosing the devotional text for this issue, and after reading the various news headlines today, it caused me to ask this question… “How many people today have ever heard the hope and peace that these words above express?” It seems to me that most people either don’t know, or prefer not to know, [or think about], the amazing value of understanding Peter’s message; and have no understanding of the underlying evil powers and unseen forces causing their stress, fears and anxiety, and confusion that assails them… especially by negative and fear mongering news media, unrestrained evil entertainment productions, drug abuse, social media agitation [peer conflict], jealous and resentful assaults caused by seeds the evil one pricks their thinking with… and the pressure of thinking that maybe they are not “up to par,” or suitably acceptable as others “seem to be.” Is not their “expected standard” always changing… just out of their reach? Do you think they try to “grid up the loins of their minds” with the same substance and power resident in the one who’s security is founded upon Christ’s indwelling and His Word upholding them?

One of the latest responses I received from one of the readers on my mailing list, concerning a NY Post article, reporting the vicious posting of a nude photo of a teenage girl [high-school classmate], using a fabricated AI production of the girl was, “Oh My… I hope she does not try to kill herself!” This is a real issue because bullying by peer group associates has indeed caused many young people to commit suicide. The news article’s reader comments were a mixed bag of disrespect, so what, get over it, and get even with AI post of the offenders… and some even civil enough to condemn the act, demanding accountability. Trouble is, there seems to be no established judicial definition and “fit” into any actionable justice, so say the police. Do you notice here that no one seems to consider the moral and Biblical implications, and these issues continue to grow and self propagate?

I did see one reader’s comment that “maybe God will hurl an astroid at the earth…” I don’t know if they know it or not… but that’s on Yahweh’s “to do” list for the last days when thing go in the tank.

It troubles me that so many people, [the younger seem more disconnected I think] are so removed from serious thinking about Yahweh’s burning fuse getting close to the powder… We are told that the people in the days of the prophets [Jeremiah, Isaiah, Amos, etc], had no fear of God… Yahweh had become so done with them that He told the prophet “do not pray for them, I will not hear…” I must think we can’t be too far from such a similar tipping point. Do you think times are normal… do you think things will get better [or worse]; I am not sure how to reach our digital dumb society that worships at the shrine of the temple of social media, inflicted with cosmic illusional dissonance; perhaps Yahweh will simply allow an EMP or Grid shutdown to fry the illusional stupor that envelopes us. I think this is a serious and eminent danger.

It seems turbulent times are ahead; Yeshua has gone before us, we are to follow Him. So as the storm rolls in, here is Peter’s closing thoughts to the flock:

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.” Amen.  1 pet 5:6-11 nkjv

Shalom, John