Trending Topics
Does the term “Trending Topics” sound familiar to you? If so, then you must have seen those little briefs in your Facebook notifications.
No matter what, Facebook displays these trending topics. Right there in black and white, these headlines are designed to evoke a reaction and get you to click on them. Most of the topics lean towards one political party. There’s also the occasional rant of a celebrity who threatens to leave our country if a particular candidate gets elected. Often there’s a new political scandal or revelation. Heavy sigh.
Can You Shut Them Off?
Do you want to shut them off like I do? I’ve tried to delete these trending topics. The instructions say to click on an option such as “I don’t care about this.” You’d think the topics would then disappear, right? Wrong. Every time I click to get rid of them, the briefs are still there minutes later, no matter what I click and how many times I go back onto the site. So much negative, right? So, so much.
Where’s the Wite-Out? Wouldn’t it be nice to take some correction tape and permanently erase those little briefs you don’t want to see on the side of your screen?
God’s Reminders
How about some briefs that reflect something good for a change?
These are some of God’s reminders I like to think about and want to share with you. Take a look at these truths and remind the other believers in your life what we have to look forward to, no matter who wins the election. There’s an ending to all of this global junk and it’s a Good Ending. There’s no cliffhanger to keep us guessing. The Bible tells us how it ends.
In the meantime, when fear and doubts come, dear ones, please remember:
1. God does not abandon Us
He hasn’t gone anywhere. God will never break His triumphant promise. He never violates His Word. Regenerate believers – He’s right there with you. Talk to Him when the fears come.
I’ve done that myself. I’ve walked outside during a beautiful sunset and silently prayed to God about my concerns. I know He is listening. I feel a sense of peace I can’t even adequately describe and His peace eventually takes over any fearful thoughts. Try it sometime.
**Even so, the cross we carry is only for a little while at most, and then we shall receive the crown, the glory. Surely we should love the cross and, instead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, for it works out for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. – Alistair Begg, Christian Pastor.
2. God continues to bless us individually according to His Will
Christians have the blessing of eternal life. But, in addition to that beautiful assurance, God will also continue to pour out His blessings on us as individuals. Don’t miss those blessings.
Let’s start with this morning. You’re up and breathing, right? Have you thanked Him yet? God didn’t create you just to go through life, work yourself to the bone, retire someday, and then breathe your last breath. Poof! It’s all over. That’s a defeating premise for someone like you and me who God is holding in His grip.
God created you and me for so much more. We can’t waste our lives on the trivial stuff. If there’s something you can do to bring glory to Him, do it! Acknowledge Him. You may never know in this life whose lives you may have touched by doing so, but some day you will know. Your witness may help plant the seed that leads someone else to eternal life with Christ, and it’s all worth it.
3. There is one way to eternal life, and that is through the saving grace of Jesus Christ
One way. Not ten ways, not a thousand, not even a trillion. (How many zeroes is that?) There is one way, praise the Lord!
Why does the Bible refer to us like sheep? It’s not flattering. Sheep play “follow the leader” and will blindly follow the herd off a cliff.
*6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
– Isaiah 53:6, ESV
Christ took the fall for all of yours and my sins and gave us His saving grace. Praise the Lord we have a Shepherd to guide us and protect us until He calls us home.
4. God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is our Advocate. The Holy Spirit convicts us. Take the hint 🙂
Cherish the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. If you mess up, apologize sincerely to God, and He will forgive you.
5. Everything in life is working out according to His Will
Life may feel like it’s going to hell in a hand basket, but God’s Will is done every day, behind the scenes. His will is at work and we can’t fully understand it.
I’ve asked that question myself, “How can this be right for our country? How can that even be happening?”
Remember that sheep analogy earlier?
As sad and as tragic as events in this world will get (a fact of life), all circumstances are following God’s timeline.
God is all-knowing. Nothing surprises Him. And the good news is that His Light will always win out over darkness. The trials and sufferings we have experienced (and will experience) during our lifetimes are gone in a flash when Jesus returns for His Church. Remember, God’s timing is very different from our concept of time.
As an example, a year can seem like forever to us. To God, a year or more is nothing.
Everything that happens to us as believers is leading to a spectacular and very real event in our future.
6. Everyone who should be saved will be
It’s comforting for me to know that no true Christian will be left behind. That’s why we must take it to heart to share our stories of how our lives changed once we started following Him.
God doesn’t want anyone to perish. We must humble ourselves as a child, and seek His forgiveness. In the final chapter of our lives on this planet, earthly power, riches, success, and status mean nothing. The only thing with eternal meaning is our relationship with Him.
As I was leaving a morning Bible study recently, I had this song playing on my iPod. I always liked the melody, but intently listened to the lyrics this time and thought how foretelling they are. It’s a song by MercyMe called, “Finally Home.”
If you get a chance, please listen to the lyrics. Think about meeting God face to face. Imagine reflecting on your life with the One who gave you life. He loves you that much!
God bless!
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*Scripture quotation from the The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
**Begg, Alistair, “Your Cross.” Crosswalk.com. 5 April 2017, Web Access 05 April 2017. Copyright Truth For Life. Used with Permission.
