As you have probably heard me say many times, “If you ask the wrong questions, you’ll get the wrong answers!” Obviously, our world has become a frightening place. People are very unsure of what to do. We have unconstitutional mandates and determinations by those in power that do not allow us due process or any free nation’s freedoms.
The intention driving the chaos is confusion, chaos, and fear. So many people are completely overwhelmed. Others are making their situation worse by asking the wrong questions and getting answers that do not apply to their situation, multiplying their confusion with what they thought would be proper solutions.
I had a dear friend send me a question a few days ago which depicted this destructive process. This person had grown up in a legalistic environment. Every way they perceive God is negative and unscriptural. Like most people in similar situations, they rebel against God and the Bible.
The truth is, their issue is not with God or the Bible; it is with their religious interpretation of the Bible. So the answers people are searching for to overcome beliefs are not based on Scripture. A question that is not based on Scripture can never lead one to a scriptural answer. Therefore, no matter how the question is answered, it will never be the truth, and it will never set them free. There are few places where this occurs more than questions about the beginning of sorrows and the end time.
I recently read a book by a man who is considered to be among the foremost authorities about the end time. He worked from a commonly accepted understanding of end-time teaching. While many of his points were valid, his presuppositions forced him to interpret scriptures in a way that confirmed his opinion. Several things emerged: 1. His interpretation produced chaos and conflicting points of view, 2. If a reader asked for clarification of some of his doctrinal positions, the answers would take them into deeper confusion 3. Like most end-time doctrine, it pretty much blamed God for the problem. If God is the source of the problem, He cannot be the Comforter through the problem.
The answers to all of our questions about current events may, at best, provide a degree of temporary relief, but they will not bring peace nor fill you with faith and power. These things come from direct personal involvement with Jesus.
One of my favorite stories in the Gospel is the account of Peter walking on the water. Nearly every believer knows this story, but few seem to catch the subtleties. So, Jesus comes walking on the water, and it frightens the disciples.
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. (Matthew 14:27-32)
As always, whether in the old or new testaments, the first admonition is, “Do not be afraid,” “fear not,” or “be of good cheer!” The moment fear begins to drive our thought processes, it takes us off course.
In this story, Peter focuses his attention on Jesus and steps out of the boat. As we all know, where we focus our attention determines our emotions and our capacity to operate faith! As the waves rose, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, the solution, and onto the waves, the circumstance. Immediately, he began to slowly sink. Many people have asked, “Why didn’t he immediately sink to the bottom of the sea?” Peter didn’t give up his faith/trust/confidence completely; it occurred by degrees. Therefore, he only sunk to the level of his fear and unbelief.
Hebrews 11:1 tells us faith is based on evidence. Where we place our attention, the sources we listen to, and the people with whom we discuss a matter all provide us with information based on their perspective. When our perspective is shaped by people who are not of faith, negative or anti-biblical sources, or negative thoughts, this information is evidence that leads us to fear and unbelief.
I am very cautious about whom I discuss my beliefs and my understanding of current events. To the degree that I am swayed to take my eyes off Jesus, I, like Peter, will begin to sink until I am completely overwhelmed; the evidence demands it. Instead, I talk to people who know and believe the Bible, people who are looking to Jesus. This evidence demands that I stay in faith.
In my communion with Jesus, I never ask frivolous or non-relevant questions. I have no concern about what is coming next. I am only concerned with what He is leading me to do at that moment. As long as I am following Him, I will always be in the right place at the right time. I will avoid the trouble that surrounds me. This is what it means to stand on the rock. The storm cannot overcome me!
This is not the time to get into prayer driven by fear. This is not the time to seek answers that will strengthen your faith. This, more than any time in your life, is the time to invest in your heart connection with Jesus.
This is also the time to ensure we are reaching the ends of the earth with the Gospel of the Kingdom, not just any version of the Gospel. If you do not understand the Gospel of the Kingdom, you may want to check out my book, Heaven on Earth. It will help you understand a great degree of what we are doing all around the world.
Please remember this, if you have taken your eyes off Jesus, He doesn’t abandon you. He will do with you just as He did with Peter. He will stretch out His hand to pull you back to the safety of the boat.
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I am so thankful we are taking this journey together, and joining our efforts and …
Together; we are changing the way the world sees God!