SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNMENT

TITUS 3: 1

"Remind the believer's to SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNMENT and its officers.  They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good."

The One Truth Today can be difficult to understand for many of us.  If an election does not go our way and our candidate loses to an opponent we dislike, what does God want us to do!  What if the new government is one that does not have the same ideas and attitudes that we hold near and dear?  What if we believe that the new leaders will take our country down a path that will lead to destruction and a demoralizing of our citizens.  They may want to increase our taxes and stifle descent.  We may may believe that they will bring an end to civilization and our country as we know it.  What if we can never recover?  As believer's, what are we to do?

SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNMENT and its officers.  That is pretty straightforward and a clear statement from the Word of God.  We need to be reminded of this expectation of the Lord from time to time.  We are to accept the elected officials and officers and accept and respect them. This is in contrast to doing what is evil.  The Lord is in control of everything and He places those in authority over us.  Sometimes if you turn you back on God as a country you should expect that God make turn His back on our country.  Perhaps this is the Lord's way of awakening the electorate as to how important their vote and participation is.  We have to remain upright and honorable and obedient, always ready to do what is good.  We have to SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNMENT.  Remember that even though the Emperor of Rome thought he was in control of his empire, in fact God called him to enforce a census in all the world that allowed Jesus Christ to be born in Bethlehem, just as the Word of God predicted.  

We are not to slander or physically harm our rulers and officials.  Do not quarrel with their representatives.   After pointing out your position, that is in conformity with the Word of God, you will have a chance to vote and place a candidate of your choice at the next election.  We should always be humble and gentle and righteous.  Remember also that we are just pilgrims passing through this world and this is not your home.  What occurs on a temporary basis here on earth is only for a moment.  Look up for your redemption is drawing nigh.   This king is not the King of Kings, this leader is not the Leader of Men, the Lord Jesus Christ.  They have no control over your eternal soul or body.  Even though your life is not perfect now, it will be for eternity.  Remember, God wants you to SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNMENT until His return and then you will be a citizen of Heaven.  Do not focus on the horizontal but concentrate on the vertical destination.   

WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?

LUKE 8: 24-25

"Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waters.  The storm stopped and all was calm.  Then Jesus asked them, WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?"

Do you worry a lot?  Are you concerned about what could or might happen to you?  Do you panic when you are confronted with an emergency or difficult problem?  Are you so afraid of everything that you fail to live, because you are afraid to die?  The One Truth Today is meant to point out to you that how you react to life has a lot to do with the measure of your faith in Jesus Christ!  How do you handle the big and little problems of life?  What if you thought you might crash or drown or be killed, how would you react?  A lot of people panic just as the disciples did in the storm.  The disciples shouted out to the Lord, because they were afraid they were going to drown.  It is natural to worry when you are in a storm, but the question Jesus wants to ask you is, WHERE IS YOUR FAITH!

When confronted with an emergency or problem, as believer's we should always ask this one question; what do I have to fear if I have the Lord Jesus Christ in my life?  If my faith and confidence is resolute,  the Lord is with me, always, even unto the end of time?  If you place your faith and trust in the Lord you can know for sure that He never fails.  Death where is thy victory, grave where is thy sting?  Your trust in Jesus Christ must remain unquestionable. When you have the Saviour you have someone who will rescue you no matter what the problem or what the emergency.  The only question we have to ask ourselves is, WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?

No matter what the occasion in your life, Jesus is always there with you.  He never leaves us and He never fails.  So no matter the problem or emergency, stop and remember who is in control of the Universe, let alone your life.  If you lose a job, or a loved one, or become ill just remember to keep your faith in the Lord.  He never sleeps and He never loses control.  Try not to focus on the here and now, but always remember your eternal destination and its perfection!

Remember we are just passing through this world and our home is in Heaven.  Depend on the promises of God.  So the next time you worry or panic or lose control, try to hear the Lord asking you, WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?

BE PREPARED!

2 TIMOTHY 4:  2

"Preach the Word of God.  BE PREPARED, whether the time is favorable or not.

Patiently correct, rebuke and encourage people with good teaching."

Many of us are familiar with the Boy Scout motto, "BE PREPARED".  Now we know where they learned the phrase.  This One Truth Today, like all truths has its origin from the Word of God!

The message was meant for preachers, teachers and leaders of men and women.  As believer's we need to be prepared to preach the Word of God whether the time or place is favorable or not.  It is our job to rebuke and also encourage people, based on the Word and its good teachings!  There is a time coming, and some would even argue here,  when people will no longer listen to the sound and wholesome teaching of the Lord.  People will follow their own selfish desires and look for those who agree as they reject the Word of God and its truth!  That time is all ready here for many.

A preacher is someone who proclaims publicly the Word of God.  They have learned and digested the truth of the Lord and can give a sermon on His messages.  They are advocates of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord God.  This includes pastors, Sunday school teachers, or for that matter anyone who proclaims the Gospel anywhere and at any time.  If you are a true believer you too will be called upon to preach the Word of God.  Are you prepared?  The time or place may not be right but it will be your obligation to advance the Word of the Lord so that others can be Saved.  There is a sense of urgency for each of us to know and love the Lord and His word and Gospel.  Then when the opportunity arises you too can rebuke, encourage and teach the people you love with good teaching!

The Lord is not going to ask you if it is convenient or timely, only that you BE PREPARED.  We have a duty to direct people to the right path and the knowledge of God.  If there is something wrong in their lives that is going to lead them to death and damnation, it is up to rebuke as well as teach and encourage them about the Word of God.  Remember where you came from and how you were Saved.  Faith came from hearing the Word of God.  Just as the Lord was inexhaustible and patient with us, we need to emulate Him in our preaching.  We are armed with the Truth and we are proclaiming the right path.  We need to be bold and persistent in our teaching and preaching.  Most of all we need to, BE PREPARED!

INSPIRED BY GOD!

2 TIMOTHY 3:  16

"All scripture is INSPIRED BY GOD, and is useful to teach us what is true.  It makes us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us and teaches us to do what is right."

All is such a tiny word and yet it is so powerful!  All can never be confused with part, or some, or a little.  When the One Truth Today states that "ALL" scripture is inspired by God it is complete and definitive.  Just as you can not just accept seven out of the ten commandments to believe or implement, you can not accept parts or some or a little of the old or new testament.  It may be convenient for some to avoid portions of the Word if they interfere with their actions or belief's, but they would still be a sinner or an abomination in the sight of God.  Just because you eliminate some of the Word or scripture from your bible does not make the actions any different.  Sin is sin and immoral is immoral.  If you want the truth, "ALL' the Word teaches us to do what is right and to realize what is wrong.   

Anyone who accepts only part of the bible is getting only part of the truth.  ALL scripture is inspired by God.  That means that He wrote it ALL through the hearts, hands, and minds of others but it is His Word.  The Lord has given us a manual to use for our lives.  The Word is to teach us right from wrong.  All the Word is to make us aware of the expectations of the Lord. When used properly it is meant to teach what is the right thing to do in every circumstance.  If something is going wrong in your life, check the manual.  All the Word is right and never wrong.  The Word is faithful and true and never changes.  There is no recall of Truth.  Now that is really Inspirational!

Every scripture in the Word was breathed by God and given through His inspiration.  It was and is meant to be used for instruction and inspiration.  If you know the Word of God you will be reproved of your sin and be shown what you are doing wrong.  If you are sinning and separating yourself from God you will suffer and you could die eternally.  This allows us to know and realize that we are missing the mark and need someone to save us from our sin.  By correcting your life and doing what is right instead of what is wrong you can be encouraged to accept the Lord into your heart and life and to give yourself over to Him.  If you want to conform to God's will for your life then you need to know "ALL" of His Word.  Put the Lord's Word into action in your life, IT IS INSPIRATIONAL! 

YOUR TRUST SHOULD BE IN GOD!

1 TIMOTHY 6:  17

"Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money.  Riches are unreliable.  YOUR TRUST SHOULD BE IN GOD, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment."

Where do you place your trust?  If you are rich, do you trust your money or wealth to protect and save you?  Are you proud of the wealth and riches you have obtained?  Then you need to learn the One Truth Today.  Your riches, like your money is unreliable and can have wings like an eagle and fly away from you.  How often the proud have fallen just as pride falls before the man.  Even if God has given you all that you could ever need or desire, you need to remember who it all belongs to.  We are not suggesting that you not enjoy the gifts of God, just remember to thank Him for all that He has given for your enjoyment.  You brought nothing into this world and you will take nothing when you leave, and everything you have may be taken away in an instant!  YOUR TRUST SHOULD BE IN GOD!

The rich of this world need to be warned not to be arrogant, contemptuous, or proud because of their money or wealth.  The blessings of God are just that, and not a result of your intelligence or actions.  It is vital that you do not put your hope in your money.  YOUR TRUST SHOULD BE IN GOD.  God supplies us with everything that we need both for living and for enjoyment.  How could you look down on those who have less than you when you could join them in an instant! Think of all the wall street moguls sitting in jail right now!  Think of the stars and leaders that have fallen in an instant and lost everything they had, even their lives.  

The best conclusion that you can draw from this Truth for Today is that you can not trust in riches or money even when you have them in abundance.  The most important conclusion you can draw from Timothy and this Word is, YOUR TRUST SHOULD BE IN GOD!  God and His Word never change.  He alone can save you and give you eternal life.  Money can not!  You can not buy a ticket to heaven.  Anyone can receive the gift of eternal life and their wealth is not the issue.  If you are enjoying the gifts of God be sure and share them with others.  Do good works for the Lord.  Be liberal and generous with your possessions.  Do not trust in your riches! 

AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME!

1 TIMOTHY 6: 15

"AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME Jesus Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and all might God, The King of all kings and the Lord of all Lords."

Jesus is coming soon!  How long have men heard about this?  When is the right time for the Lord Jesus Christ to appear?  Believers have been anticipating the second coming of Jesus Christ for two thousand years now.  Many believer's alive at the time of the death of Jesus Christ thought He would return in their lifetime.  Every generation since that time have prayed for Jesus Christ to be revealed from heaven and our prayer today is Maranatha.  We are waiting with anticipation and expectation for the Lord to return at any moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  The state of the world being what it is, it seems reasonable for this time to be the right time for His return.

The main point to remember and consider is that when Jesus Christ is revealed from Heaven and returns to the earth, He will be bringing judgement day with Him.  When that time occurs anyone who is not a believer, and a child of God, will be lost for eternity.  There is a heavy price to those who choose to reject God, and it is the Lord's heart and will that not a single soul should be lost.  The only reason the Lord tarries is to allow an opportunity for all men to be saved.  Surely you know someone that you love and care about that will be lost and suffer eternal damnation!  Unless they accept the Salvation of Jesus Christ they will be separated from us eternally.  If you care about them then you will rejoice that the Lord has tarried and is withholding judgement for a time.  

We know that the world will come to an end and the Lord will return with all of His Saints who have gone before us.  He will take us with Him as we rise to join them at His return.  When will that time be?  No one knows the hour or the day, but one thing is certain it will be AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME!  Judgement day is coming and so is the Christ.  He will be revealed by All Mighty God and He will be the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  He will bring judgement with Him for everyone past and present.  We do not have the mind of God and we will never know when He will be revealed.  That does not stop us from crying out to the Lord for His return.  Maranatha, come quickly Lord Jesus!