CHRISTIANS, DO NOT FOCUS UPON THE BAD NEWS

In a day when the News is filled with horrible atrocities, anarchy, abuse, corruption, violence, racism, threats of war, etc., it is very easy to be discouraged!  And yet, there are two passages of Scripture which describe our world just prior Christ's return.  They are found in Romans 1:18-32 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5.  Yes, I know those things existed in Paul's day, even perhaps from the beginning of this world following Adam's fall (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 5:12, 19), but today, they are literally the dominate characteristic of the vast majority of mankind.  Galatians 5:19-21 tells us how men without faith in God, act: 

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

The apostle Paul also wrote these words of encouragement found in Philippians 4:4-9:

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

God, despite what we might think, is still in control!  His plans are not subject to man's approval, but are going to be played out regardless of what Satan does to try to circumvent them!  He tried to kill Baby Jesus, he tried to tempt the Man Christ Jesus, and failing to accomplish that, he has turned his attention to destroying both Israel and the Church.  He WILL NOT SUCCEED!  I read the end of the book, and this is his future; it is written in Revelation 20:7-10:

"And when...Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle:  the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city:  and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever."

So, no matter how things look today, remember, in the end, God's children win!