A book sells largely because of its title and cover. When I was a kid, I remember checking a few books out of the library based on the title. I thought one of those books was about werewolves.
Boy, was I disappointed when I got home. The best I can remember, it was some fiction book out of the adult section. Probably about psychology or something. Too bad. Werewolves would have been better.
There’s a principle of life for you: Werewolves would better. Apply it as you see fit.
These are the Last Days.
Many prophecy experts say that no further prophesies remain to be fulfilled before the Rapture of the church. Before that moment, when we shall meet the Lord in the air. In the twinkling of an eye.
Where we shall be changed and be forever with the Lord.
We are approaching that great pivotal moment in history which will shake the very foundations of the world.
In these last moments, the church is in “the valley of decision”. Her choices will allow the Lord to manifest Himself to the world or they will obscure the gospel for untold multitudes of people.
Back in 1972 when I became a Christian, I didn’t think too much about the importance of translations. At least not in the sense of whether they were accurate or not. I was just hungry for the Word and would read whatever was available.
It’s really kind of humorous to consider the Bible translation journey I have taken over the years.
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.“ (Galatians 4:4,5)
Whatever we do, time marches on. Nothing can slow it down or speed it up.
On a bad day, it is slower than molasses. On a good day, it races by at light speed.
I was recently watching the movie, The Time Machine. In the old version, the best one as well as the one produced by George Pal, it is set just before New Year’s Eve.
The original author of the book was H.G. Wells. He was a man that believed in the goodness of men to overcome evil. He believed in a lot of the progressive views of societal & governmental control that are popular today among liberals.
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him because he first loved us.” (I John 4: 17-19)
Joy is not possible in the midst of fear. A prerequisite to having joy and keeping it is to reach the end of fear.
So what is it that causes our fear?
The problem is our focus on ourselves — on our own performance, our own good works, our own sincerity, our own inner spiritual gymnastics. Even our own faith.
As Christians, has God brought us to a place where we can live without fear? Do we have a relationship to Christ that removes fear? Can we know the peace and joy of His approval?
The answer is, “Yes”.
My local church is doing a series of sermons this Christmas season on Joy. As in “Joy to the world, the Lord is come; let earth receive her King!”
That is something that we hear every year which probably just moves us for a moment and then passes by. Others hearing those words may be drawn into deeper despair. Especially those dealing with chronic physical pain, deep depression or any number of problems that just don’t seem to subside.
There is little point in brow-beating people over their depression. As when people say, “Why are you depressed? Stop it! You are a Christian and should be joyful.” Which always works amazingly when people say that stuff to us.
“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:17)
When Jesus said this, he was not breaking people out into groups of sick folks versus well folks.
What he was saying is that either people see that they are sick or they do not. Because people that think they are OK do not go to the doctor. Generally speaking.
The problem is, all men are sick; and all men need The Great Physician.
Or, more specifically, all men are sinners; and all men need The Savior.
Christ cannot save a man that will not see his need. A man must be willing to see his need.
A man chooses to face his need or he does not. He chooses to see himself as God sees him; or he chooses to live in a fantasy world.
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” (Psalm 138:2)
God’s word is placed above His name.
As we continue to focus on the Gospel Absolutes, it is critical that we do not forget this foundational truth.
Because, to reverse this order — by focusing on His name above His word — is a serious error.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17,18)
Here we have an amazing promise of God’s miraculous power.
This has to do with the word of God. Specifically, it has to do with God’s concern that His word would always remain available to all of His people in all generations.
The Bible is filled with promises God has made to His people that He would preserve His word.
The question is whether we believe Him or not?
Eternal Approach 
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