And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (Revelation 3:1,2)
I was thinking of a camping trip my wife and I took last summer. We went down to Tennessee to do some hiking on the Appalachian Trail. And we stayed in a campground way up on the side of a mountain. We pitched our tent right inside the edge of the woods.
That first night, a huge storm came crashing over the mountain and down into our campsite. We could hear the thunder and see the lightning for about 1/2 an hour before it hit. We wondered if our tent would be blown away in the massive gale. But for a while, we sat there enjoying that incredible wind rushing down through our tent. And listening to the trees around us creaking, groaning and crashing. It was awesome!
“And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out , saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion . . . Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.” (Acts 19: 23 – 41)
This account of a riot in ancient Ephesus contains a perfect application to our present-day turmoil. I recommend reading the whole account. The ending is unexpected.
Riots, violence, unrest, and anger are not new to this world. There is always something that will set off one group against another.
When I first became a Christian, I was attending the United Methodist Church where I had grown up. But, strangely, it was not through the teachings of the UMC that I came to Christ. It was by reading the scriptures themselves. Along with other books that focused my soul toward salvation.
I remained at my church for about two years after I became a Christian. At first, I did not see the real conflict that the UMC beliefs had with my new life. But, point by point, this conflict became apparent to me.
As I look back, my eyes were opened in a very dramatic way when my friend, Ron, opened the Bible to Psalm 1:1.
“Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? (I Corinthians 14:8)
Dennis Prager, a radio talk-show host, has often said, “I prefer clarity to agreement.” I get this. In many ways I agree with him. I am tired of people that cannot honestly and clearly tell you what they believe. You expect that from politicians; not from pastors and teachers.
But when discussing biblical truths, agreement is critical. Especially on doctrinal matters. A worst-case scenario is when individuals are purposefully vague regarding truth. They use creatively soft and nuanced teaching that draws the crowds and fills churches. They especially appeal to the young by conforming to the world in every possible way and re-working, re-thinking and re-wording the Word of God.
What or whom do you worship?
Everyone makes a choice. It is unavoidable.
That is one thing you cannot escape in this life. You are faced with a choice. Some think they can delay this choice. Put it off for another time. Play it safe. Take the middle road. Keep your options open.
NO CAN DO.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)
When I first became a believer, I was a real skull full of mush. Even though I had been reading the Bible deeply and regularly, I just did not have much of a doctrinal background. And I was very dependent on those who took the time to talk with me and teach me.
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. (Psalm 36:9)
Without the light of the sun and moon, our world would dwell in darkness. And then, without some artificial light or flame to create a fire, we would have no light at all.
This is the most basic state of man. That he is dependent upon light. And not just any light. It must be of the proper type and intensity to make things grow and to keep the world at the proper tolerable temperatures for survival.
Eternal Approach 
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