Week One, 2024
We should look to our eternal promises as a means to endure through trials while entrusting our souls to our faithful Creator (1 Peter 4:19).
We begin a new year, like we begin every new year, not knowing what lies ahead. We make resolutions, most of which will be broken by the end of the first month. Columnists, politicians, and prognosticators will predict what lies ahead and by year end, most will be proven wrong.
So, I am going to make my prediction. The question is what will be the most major, and significant events of the coming year. My answer will be the Bible and not in the way we would like to see. We will see it in the classroom, in the news media, on television and at the ballot box. In this coming year, the Bible will be on trial.
The Bible stands up to critical scrutiny and academic investigation. It shows itself to be a trustworthy record of historical events and God’s dealing with man. It is an all-inclusive promise to sinners of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. It is the world’s most important book. Without it, there would be no Western civilization.
It is an eyewitness account of historical events of such magnitude that they have literally shaped the world in which we live. Without this book the Western world and a good deal of the Eastern world would be completely different today than if the events of this book had never occurred.
The Bible is the only foundation to build our lives on. We are called not to just listen to the Word, but to do the Word. To listen only and not practice is dangerous. Casual Christianity may make you look good here, but won’t help you at the judgment. Someday we will see ourselves.
It is our foundation. Only the Bible and commitment to Christ will hold us when the storms of life arrive. Activism can be a coverup when we focus on what we do rather than who we do it for. The greatest storm will be the final judgment. The foundation is Jesus. He is the solid rock.
Yet, in today’s contemporary society, the Bible and all it stands for is hated by the liberals and woks who want nothing to do with Christianity. For many years people have ignored the Bible and gone their own ways, but now the Bible is under outright attack. We are at war.
I never thought I would see such disrespect of God’s Word as I do today. I have witnessed flagrant attacks on the Scriptures in which people challenge the intent of the Word. I have heard people claim that Jesus did not mean what He said and then proceeded to explain what He was actually saying. What is shocking is that many “celebrity” pastors/teachers, and evangelists are leading the charge away from the integrity of God’s Word. Yes, some of the attacks are coming from within with many denominations slipping down the slippery liberal slope. Nearly eight thousand United Methodist churches have left the denomination because of the wandering away from Biblical inerrancy.
The main reason people speak out against the Bible is because the Bible speaks out against their Lifestyle!
As Christ followers, we need to speak up and shout out for the Christian lifestyle. Be ready for war for it is coming and it is coming fast. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
In 2024, be ready to fight for the holiness of the Bible.
SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
In 2024, we are called to…
– Love the Lord your God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength
– Love our neighbor as yourself
– Take up our cross and follow Him
– Go therefore and make disciples, teaching and baptizing them
– Love as you have been loved
– Forgive as you have been forgiven
– Do the work of Him who has sent you as long as it is day. For night is coming when no one can work
Marty Stubblefield
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In Biblical times, Christianity was new, and believers were trying to understand what it meant to be a Christian. Many had come from religions which allowed them to act in evil ways to satisfy whatever idol they worshipped.
In addition to that, they had false teachers to deal with whose motivation was their own individual gain. To combat false teaching, the Apostle Paul wrote letters to various churches for their correction.
Even though we have the full Bible today, we also can get caught up in false teachings. Things like, “If you are a Christian, you will lead a trouble-free life”, or “You will get monetary blessings beyond your imagination”. They always sound enticing and play to your natural desires. However, they also become our idols, just like immortality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed.
Listen to Paul who further says that only One is worthy of our worship, and that is Jesus Christ. Read the Word of God daily so you will recognize false teachings and reject them.
Go from idolatry to Christ. Rich Jensen
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Cambridge Dictionary declared “hallucinate” as its word of the year for 2023. The reason has to do with artificial intelligence (AI), which “hallucinates” (also known as confabulating) when its tools produce false information. The dictionary’s publishing manager noted, The fact that AI can ‘hallucinate’ reminds us that humans still need to bring their critical thinking to the use of these tools.
— o —
Your 2024 guide:
be strong and courageous
QUOTES YOU CAN USE
The bigger the “why,” the easier the “how”. Jim Rohn
Stand firm and strong in what you know and believe. Elbert Nasworthy
Pay less attention to what men say. Just watch what they do. Dale Carnegie
God speaks to us through His Holy Spirit.
In these changing times, we need to be anchored to the unchanging Christ. Dan Shock
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14
It is God who saves, but we are asked to participate in the process. Have confidence in God.
After people get saved, they need attention from the body of Christ. We are to work with and through the local church.
Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice, before everyone has heard it once. Oswald J. Smith
The fastest growing evangelical church is in Iran.
If it costs you your peace, it is too expensive. Paulo Coelho
You can’t create chaos in the lives of others and expect peace to come to yours. No matter what they did or how you feel, causing hurt to others will never bring healing to you. Morgan Richard Oliver
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. Henry Ford
Unbelief can keep you from enjoying the rich, full life that God wants you to experience in Christ. Dan Shock
I didn’t get old on purpose, it just happened. If you are lucky, it could happen to you. Andy Rooney.
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