Seeing and Hearing

Hello everyone,

How are you doing today? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“For that just man, living [there] among them, tortured his righteous soul every day with what he saw and heard of [their] unlawful and wicked deeds –” 2 Peter 2v8 (AMP)

The Bible is here telling us about Lot who had moved to live in Sodom and Gomorrah. The NCV says “(Lot was a good man, but because he lived with evil people, his good heart was hurt by the evil things he saw and heard.)” You and I perhaps see and hear evil things each and every day – on the news, from those around us, there is so much happening in the world today, that is so disheartening. While we are in the world, we are not of the world, and we need to be careful not to be influenced by it, or be friends with the world. James 4v4 says “You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow with God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.” Instead we should take our place as the light of the world (Matthew 5v14) – bearers of God’s love, faithfulness, good news, shewing forth His praises and through His anointing and power, destroying the works of darkness. Our Lord Jesus prayed saying “I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that You shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17v15-16, KJV). Be at peace beloved. One thing the Lord told His disciples before He left was, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16v33, AMP). Beloved, even as you see and you hear, remember not to be conformed to the world, or the things of this world, instead present yourself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, that is your reasonable service. Renew your mind, that you may know what is His good and perfect and acceptable will (Romans 12v1-2).

Supplementary Text

“The sky and the earth (the universe, the world) will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business] of this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose; For it will come upon all who live upon the face of the entire earth.” Luke 21v33-35 (AMP)

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word this day, and pray that You will keep us from the evil that is in the world. Help us to keep our minds fixed on Jesus, help the Church to be One, and help us to be the light of the world that we are, in Jesus name, amen.