Birth Pains

Proverbs 1:1-10 My Devotional for you this week is something I think needs to be said. Many people don’t understand what’s happening right now in our country. Many are scared; many are mad; many are giving up; some actually understand exactly what’s happening, right now in our nation of civil unrest. Some are even calling for Jesus to come right now. Friends, it will have to get worse! And another thing…this is not the end, because the church will be raptured out before the unbearable tribulation time.

I will only scratch the surface here, but hopefully I can bring some clarity to the confusion from a Christian standpoint. (well, one of them)

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: (Proverbs 1:5)

The truly wise person will (1) hear the Word of God (Proverbs 1:5) and (2) obey it (Proverbs 12:15); (3) store up what is learned (Proverbs 9:9; 10:14); (4) win the lost (Proverbs 11:30); (5) turn from sin (Proverbs 14:16); (6) control the tongue (Proverbs 10:19; 16:23); and (7) be diligent (Proverbs 10:5). The wise person will inherit glory (Proverbs 3:35); bring joy to others (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20); have his or her needs met (Proverbs 21:20); and have strength for war (Proverbs 24:5–6). ! In the dictionary "WISE" means: Properly having knowledge, hence having the power of discerning and judging correctly, or of discriminating between what is true and what is false. It is the discrete use or application of knowledge. The Hebrew word "WISE" means: To be wise in (1) mind, (2) word, or (3) actions.

Friends, I’m not claiming to be “wise” but I think I have “Discernment of scripture” to be able to share this with you concerning our present time. I want you to see a prophecy in the scripture from Habakkuk to God. And when you read this, I believe, your eyes will be opened!

1 The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received…

2 How long, LORD, must I call for help,

but you do not listen?

Or cry out to you, “Violence!”

but you do not save?

3 Why do you make me look at injustice?

Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?

Destruction and violence are before me;

there is strife, and conflict abounds.

4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,

and justice never prevails.

The wicked hem in the righteous,

so that justice is perverted.

Dear friends, does this sound familiar? Does this sound like what is happening to the United States of America, right now? Absolutely!!!

Listen to God’s response in Chapter 2… and I want you to read this very slowly as the Lord speaks to your heart to make you understand today’s world through history and to show you a parallel in this, our time.

5 “Look at the nations and watch—

and be utterly amazed.

For I am going to do something in your days

that you would not believe,

even if you were told.

6 I am raising up the Babylonians,[a]

that ruthless and impetuous people,

who sweep across the whole earth

to seize dwellings not their own.

7 They are a feared and dreaded people;

they are a law to themselves

and promote their own honor.

8 Their horses are swifter than leopards,

fiercer than wolves at dusk.

Their cavalry gallops headlong;

their horsemen come from afar.

They fly like an eagle swooping to devour;

9 they all come intent on violence.

Their hordes[b] advance like a desert wind

and gather prisoners like sand.

10 They mock kings

and scoff at rulers.

They laugh at all fortified cities;

by building earthen ramps they capture them.

11 Then they sweep past like the wind and go on—

guilty people, whose own strength is their god.”

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo, here is my word to you today… God is in Control. The rain falls on the Just and the Unjust. Impure gold MUST be refined. Call on your Holy Spirit Wisdom and hear the Word of the Lord. Satan has come to Steal, Kill, and Destroy. This world is not our home! Yes, we are here, but only for One Main Reason… to Win Souls for Christ.

There will be a reckoning one day; I personally don’t think this is it. But what I do believe is that we are starting to feel the birth pains of the end of days. Christians, Be bold, have courage for the Lord YOUR God, is with you…wherever you may go! Joshua 1:9

Amen fbcthreespringspa.org Neal Gracey