Tag Archive | 2 Corinthians 4:4

Clarifying the Plans

Feb26

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.John 10:10a (HCSB), “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy.” So what is it that the Enemy desires to steal, kill, and destroy? The answer is obvious—anything God has planned for us!      p 13 FD’s 3rd edition

   It’s obvious that America is in trouble. Chaos reigns in hot spots throughout our land. Too many of our leaders have called upon human reasoning and false arguments to replace the Christian principles upon which our country was founded. Slowly but surely the foundations of our country are being eroded away.

  But you know the same is true for individuals. Rejecting God sets us on the same course of depending upon human reasoning and false arguments. The outcome of such a choice places our lives, families, and ,therefore, our country at risk.

And because we are not motivated to spend time with God in prayer and in His word, we are ignorant of the following Truths:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

The second half of John 10:10 reveals an aspect of God’s plan for His children, “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” p 13 FD’s 3rd edition

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ p 24 FD’s 3rd edition

 

How about we examine the two plans

Cooperating with God’s plan produces

… Galatians 5:22-23. This is the familiar verse describing the fruits of the Spirit. When God puts a thought into your mind, then, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or selfcontrol, for example, is the desired end. The purpose behind thoughts influenced by God is meant to conform us into the image of His Son. p 54 FD 3rd edition

Rejecting God’s plan produces

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. Galatians 5:19-21

So why do individuals choose Satan’s plan over God’s plan?

In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.         2 Corinthians 4:4 HCSB

 

Please open our eyes LORD. Lead us out of our darkness into Your Light!

Blinded Minds

Apr22

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (NLT) 2 Cor. 4:4

Wow, this explains a lot!

   When we take on the perspective of the above verse, it’s not so difficult to figure out why people are behaving contradictory to the principals upon which our nation was founded! Why courts are ruling in favor of a small minority to the neglect of the majority. Why music artists & major businesses, are protesting state’s actions to protect their women and children, and their citizen’s religious beliefs! Why selling fetal body parts is a lucrative, albeit illegal, business and why it is so difficult to defund these organizations! Why, it is that someone under a criminal investigation can run for president! Why it is that a president of the United States can continually get away with violating our constitution! Why it is that our Congress, uses nothing but spineless rhetoric in addressing any and/or all of these concerns! I could go on and on and on, but I need to keep this brief (so you will read it)!

     You see folks, Satan rules the darkness. Therefore, it is his plan to blind as many as he can to prevent them from seeing the Light, because he knows that any exposure to that Light threatens his rule. His success at manipulating and deceiving individuals is measured by his ability to preserve the darkness (this is where fiery darts comes into play).

     You know, I suspect that God didn’t raise up our beloved country, which is founded on Christian principals, just to see her throw them in His face as they are doing now! Nope, one way or another God will have His way. Like it or not:

For the kingdom is the LORD’S And He rules over the nations. Psalm 22:28

   The glorious light of the Gospel is our nation’s only hope, and for those individuals referred to in this post! But make no mistake, if we stand with the Light we will be judged. So, consider the following:

I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God. (God is Not Dead 2 quote)