I’m not an author who likes to share my political views with readers, but I am a daughter of God who often shares my faith in Jesus here on this blog. The horrific events of the past week, and the past several years, really, have been weighing heavily on my heart, so I felt led to dedicate this week’s post to highlighting Bible verses that can help us move forward and encourage us to share our faith despite opposition.

We Need to Seek God and His Word

 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.

-Jeremiah 22:29, KJV

It’s easy to think that it’s just the United States going through a period where evil seems to reign, but the truth is the entire world is being negatively impacted, because Satan is the prince of this world (John 12:31). But we have hope in our Lord, the Almighty God, and His Word that He gives us through the Bible. If we want to be comforted, we have to seek out the Comforter, because…

God Knows the Path Forward

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

-Psalm 119:105, KJV

God’s Word is a lamp that ignites our paths, and He promises to never lead us astray. In fact, it’s impossible for Him to lead us astray, because…

God Will Not Fail Us

And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

-Deuteronomy 31:8, KJV

Nothing is a surprise to God. Despite Satan’s mission to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), God is with us through each trial and storm, and He promises to not fail us, leave us, nor forsake us. He also promises that:

God Will Make Beauty from Ashes

 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.

-Isaiah 61:3, KJV

God promises us that He will take the ashes of the tragedies Satan tried to use to destroy us and bring beauty from those circumstances. We’ve already seen this promise fulfilled, as thousands either went to church for the first time, or went to church for the first time in a while, because they were inspired by a slain man’s unapologetic faith in Christ. Satan thought he was victorious, but God is using what the devil meant for harm to revitalize His kingdom in a major way.

The Devil is a Defeated Foe

 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 for ever and ever.

-Revelation 20:10, KJV

God’s Word clearly tells us that Satan will be cast into the lake of fire soon enough. Right now, Satan thinks he has free reign, but Jesus already defeated him when Jesus was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) and promises to return for the church, His bride (Revelation 3:11).

Jesus Paid the Price for Our Sin Debt

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

-John 3:16-18, KJV

When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, defeating death (Satan), He paid the price for our sin debt. As these verses in John 3 tell us, anyone who believes in Him can accept this free gift of everlasting life by making Him the Lord of our lives. Verse 17 reminds us that God did not condemn the world through sacrificing His one and only Son to atone for our sins, but that through His sacrifice, we may be saved; however, verse 18 clearly tells us that those who make the decision to not believe in Jesus are condemned.

Now, if You Don’t Know Jesus as Your Savior, Please Hear Me Out and Pay Close Attention to This Next Passage Where He Speaks of the End Drawing Near:

 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

-Jesus, Matthew 24:4-13, KJV

In chapter 24 of Matthew, the events Jesus speaks of may sound familiar. That’s because they’re happening right before our eyes today. All we ever hear about on the news is war, nation rising against nation, natural disasters, hate, offense, betrayal, and deception. It’s never been clearer to me than over the past week that, like verse 12 says, that, because of iniquity (immorality), the love of many is cold.

Do you see it too? We’re living in the dark times Jesus spoke of. The time is near, my friend. Jesus’s return is getting closer with each day, each hour. If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior and after reading this post want to get to know Him and make Him the Lord of your life, please know that you can do it today by taking these simple steps:

1. Admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
2. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins.
3. Confess your sins and repent, and make a public profession that Jesus is the Lord of your life.

You don’t have to be perfect to reach out to Him. None of us are perfect (Romans 3:23). Jesus will meet you right where you’re at, no matter what sins you have in your past, and offers redemption as long as you’re willing to accept it.

Do Not Be Ashamed of the Gospel

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

-Romans 1:16, KJV

I leave you with this, my friend: do not be ashamed of the gospel! Don’t be afraid to share what Jesus has done for you, whether it’s in person or online. Don’t be afraid to pray for others or pray with them. Christians, it’s time we stand boldly in our faith and share it with others, in love. Let’s take Jesus as seriously as He took us on the Cross.

I Don’t Say This Enough, But I Love You, Arrowheads!

If you have any questions about Jesus, please let me know and I will try to help you find answers. I love you, friend, and I hope to see you in Heaven one day. If you already know Jesus, I can’t wait until we can all hang out together in Paradise.

Aim high, stay strong, and always hit your mark.

-Allyson 😀