Thursday, May 26, 2011

What Is Happening?

What Is Happening?
Along with severe weather and deadly tornadoes hitting many areas in the USA, various large earthquakes in many areas of the world, wars, fighting and the uprising in the middle-east, there is now flooding in many areas that is ruining crops, homes and possessions.  The loss of life due to the tornadoes has been tragic.  Just recently, the news released a report of 232 people still missing in Joplin, Missouri.  

Many people are asking this question, "What Is Happening?"   People are wondering what is going on.  Your acquaintances are asking, "What's with all these natural disasters?"  Your neighbors may be saying, "How come there seems to be so many more of these things and that they seem to be getting more frequent and severe?"  What will you say?  

Within the last year there have been two individuals that claimed at least national attention for setting dates of the end of the world and the Lord taking His people away.  Others are asking, "What do you think of this?"  Are you prepared to answer this question?  

The word says in 2 Tim. 2:15  "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  We are to study the Word, asking the Lord to reveal His Word to us, not just use a single verse out of context. This is where many get ideas that are not sound.  When we study the whole Word learning what God has to say, then we will be prepared to answer those who ask these questions bringing them Truth and Hope.

Jesus gives us answers, in Matthew 24:3 - 8 (New Living Translation)
"Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?  Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.  And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.  Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.  But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come."

Even the earth is crying out for His redemption and the return of the Lord.  We do not know the day or the hour, but we see the signs of the times.  As the disasters and other things happen we see that just like a woman in labor, the pains get stronger and more frequent.  What used to be once in a century storms seem to be coming more frequently, with even several in a year.  I'm hearing the older generation people say, "I can not remember anything like this."

What should we do?  We should be studying His Word, praying and having a personal relationship with our Lord and be at peace in the midst of the storm.  We are to let our lights shine, be the salt and light of the world and full of peace, hope and joy.  They will ask!  They will come to you and say, "What must I do to be saved?"  It's our part to share the Good News, having a World View, and reaching out to others for the time is nearer then it was before.

Acts 13:47 (New Living Translation)  "For the Lord gave us this command when he said, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the earth."