Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled.
Matthew 24:6
Considering recent events in the Ukraine, many are saddened to witness and hear what is happening right now as Russian troops invade Ukraine. It is hard to witness neighbor fighting with neighbor, but this is exactly what is happening, for this is a civil war. We all should pray for peace in the Ukraine. We should also pray for Christians, and anyone left in the Orthodox Churches. Putin is a friend of the Jews and has supported the Orthodox Church. It was under Putin that the unity among Jews in Orthodox Churches in and outside of Russia was established. Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia is now a registered religious organization by Ministry of Justice of Russia in 1999. This was an unusual agreement and through much prayer it was achieved. Let us remember 1st John 2:11, “He that saith he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.” Let’s remember the 10 commandments about not killing and not coveting thy neighbor’s possessions. The Ukraine has about 360,000 Jews and it is the center for Hasidic Judaism. Let us remember that we follow a Jewish Messiah and the apostle Paul said that the Jews will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again if they would only believe in who Jesus is [see Romans 11:23].
We do not know the whole truth in what is happening in the Ukraine, we only see what is happening. When we see our brothers and sisters in pain, we feel that pain. We can also become angry and do things that void our testimony in Christ. It is easy to get carried away by our emotions into reacting to world events at home and abroad. In any case, any type of political policy made does effect people. No one can deny that. In America we are witnessing policies that one wonders if one has a conscience at all. How have we turned against each other turned due to the political environment has some shaking their heads in astonishment. I’m hearing about apostasy in America, a turning away from the truth of Christ and from sin in general. Moral apathy is beginning to take place with a lack of faith in any type of organization. The church being top of the list for people’s loss of interest. One cannot blame it all on the pandemic. The walk of a good minister is lacking when they are seeking goods for themself and have no concern for the flock at all. When they treat God like a genie just to get what they want at the people’s expense. When sin is not being preached and the cross of Christ no longer means anything, something is wrong.
We have entered a new age when we see a departing from the faith that is in Jesus Christ. This should sear our conscience as the apostle Paul stated in 1st Timothy 4:1-2.
In the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.
If there is no true conversion to Christ, then whatever faith you have is a dead faith. Do you find it hard to tell the difference between one who professes to be a Christian and one who is not? As I was recently reminded by a statement “welcome to the new world.” This new world of doing business where personal identity theft, fraud, and cyber-attacks, are now commonplace. How should we respond? We should respond by getting down on our knees and pray. The apostle Paul told us Christians that we have the word of reconciliation [see 2nd Corinthians 5:18]. Christ was made to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him [see 2nd Corinthians 5:21]. We should never forget this. It was Christ himself who stated, “take heed that no man deceives you. For many shall come in my name saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many [Matthew 24:4-5]. These words were stated before “you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars” by Jesus. All this was said to his disciples regarding His coming at the end of this age. No one will know the hour the Lord will come [see Matthew 24:42]. That is why we watch and pray.
We pray for safety and endurance. Endurance because we have committed ourselves to him who will judge righteously [see 1st Peter 2:23]. We pray for God to deliver us from the evil one as is stated in Matthew chapter six verse 13. We continue the work of an evangelist by preaching the word in all season’s rebuking, exhorting and reproving with long suffering [see 2nd Timothy 4:2]. We remember the words of Peter in chapter 3:
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1st Peter 3:11-12
The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open to their prayers. Praise God! This is good news. If your heart is in the right place, He will hear your prayers. We are close to the end, but we are not there yet. There is a season for everything, but in the end, it all belongs to God. Everyone should fear God and know their place in life. If your house is not in order then get it in order and “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” [Matthew 6:33] this was talking about personal needs we all have as human beings such as food and clothing. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,” see Matthew 6:34. God cares about what you need but remember to seek Him and His righteousness first. All things are in the hand of God. Therefore, we seek Him and pray. Should we receive the good of our labor, we should remember that it is a gift of God.
Every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God. I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever; nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it; and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
Ecclesiastes chapter 3:13-14
Be not troubled of what you hear and see. Continue in prayer and always be reconciled to God. Whatever you eat, drink, or do, do all to the glory of God.
