Yep, and inner false beliefs keep motivating those deceived by em.. into more and more crazy stupid destructive actions. Choose to believe what’s really so.
New Russian weapon can travel 27 times speed of sound…
NYPD investigating 5 possible anti-Semitic hate crimes this week…
City ups policing in Jewish areas after spate of attacks…
City ups policing in Jewish areas after spate of attacks…
It's no time to be afraid, confused, distracted or hateful towards people, but it is a time to wisely show love towards God first.. and towards all people. Yes, and to pray for them too. So much terror and many threats of it still. Walk circumspectly.
Sadly some more ISIS terrorists have just reportedly beheaded 11 Christian hostages on Christmas Day in Nigeria.
The Bible says that God has established government and government is endued with God's authority to protect its citizens and punish those who terrorize them. Some Govs are far better on earth, but all have flawed leaders in authority here. We submit short of sinning cuz God is our highest Authority.
Be encouraged in and praise the Lord all day long. You’re going to worship someone or something really.
Seems like it's gotten stronger.
A storm is raging across American culture affecting so many families—and it’s fast trying to sweep away our once God-fearing land. I love the USA.
Times of perplexity--religious fanatics still seek to annihilate us.
But in this time of trouble, we can still fervently pray and win. We can spread truth and see lives transformed! Remember when Jesus taught us.. You're either for me or against me, you're either gathering with me or scattering.. Follow me and I'll make you to become fishers of men.
Rebel against temptation to sin, other sins, against this corrupt world system, against your old fleshly nature and against fallen angels (1/3rd rebelled and fell) -- those are your real enemies. Rebel not against God or flawed delegated authorities over you. Realize who they are. Obey short of sinning. Submit to authority for the glory of God.
Love...always protects, so wisely protect those people around you by obeying the Lord (the Bible Jesus).
The Bible is quite clear about why legitimate governments are established and the extent of their authority. From the apostle Paul we learn:
"The authorities that exist have been established by God" (Romans 13:1).
"There is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1).
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities" (Romans 13:1).
Perhaps most appropriate to the case of the terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon are the following:
"Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" (Romans 13:2).
"Rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong" (Romans 13:3).
"He (the ruler) does not bear the sword for nothing" (Romans 13:4).
"He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer" (Romans 13:4).
We submit to legitimate authorities because they are duty bound to act against those who disobey the law and harm others. We also submit for the sake of our conscience. The terrorist attacks on September 11th were both unlawful and unconscionable. The United States government has both the right and the duty to God to pursue and punish those who committed these terrible acts and those who harbor them.
The Bible says that we are not to take punishment into our own hands but to defer vengeance to God through legitimately established governments.
Again the apostle Paul said:
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil" (Romans 12:17)
"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath" (Romans 12:19).
The Bible teaches that vengeance belongs to God because only He knows perfectly the hearts of men and only He can temper vengeance and justice.
"It is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." (Romans 12:19).
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip" (Deuteronomy 32:35).
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay" (Hebrews 10:30)
"The Lord is a jealous and avenging God . . . . The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished" (Nahum 1:2-3).
God's vengeance is ultimate vengeance when He shall judge all mankind. But as seen above, He vests legitimate governments with the responsibility of being His present agents of vengeance, not individual citizens.
While it is the right and the responsibility of our government to respond nationally and militarily to these terrorist attacks, it is not our individual right to respond. It is equally unlawful and unconscionable that US citizens would retaliate out of anger against those with Arabic or Middle Eastern surnames or faces. God and those legitimately established governments have the responsibility for vengeance and retaliation, not citizens of the state.
The Bible says that the way to overcome evil is not through personal retaliation or hatred but through personal good and compassion.
One more time the apostle Paul:
"Do not be overcome by evil" (Romans 12:21)
"Overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21)
"He who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8)
Add to this the words of Jesus:
"Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39)
And read what the psalmist David said:
"Do not fret because of evil men" (Psalm 37:1)
"Trust in the Lord and do good" (Psalm 37:3)
"Do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes" (Psalm 37:7)
"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath" (Psalm 37:8)
"Do not fret-it leads only to evil" (Psalm 37:8)
David, Paul and Jesus understood God's command to Moses:
"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:18).
Undoubtedly during these days of anger and rage we will hear people quote God's Word inappropriately. Many appeal to the so-called "imprecatory psalms" (Psalms 35, 59, 69, 109, etc.) to justify retaliation. But these psalms were not motivated by personal revenge. Behind these cries for justice was the recognition of a divine moral governance in the world and a call for God to exercise judgment as well as grace.
While the psalmists were aware of the constant battle between good and evil, they had no concept of the future judgment where God will punish those who take the lives of innocent people and reward those who live godly lives. The only justice they could conceive was the "here and now" justice. We can see far beyond that.
SO HOW SHOULD A PERSON RESPOND?
Turn, trust, know, worship, follow the Lord of Love.
"I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:9
Good idea. Let's wisely show the world in these desperate days... what the love of God is like. Thoughts, attitudes, listening to people, seeing real needs, good deeds, uplifting words, loyal in a healthy church, ongoing friendship with people!
The discipline of love in the face of adversity is what distinguishes the Christian from other people (John 13:35). This is a time for us not only to show Christ's love to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also to others who need to feel the warmth of that love in the cold aftermath of loss. (Thanks Anon.)
Rebel against temptation, sin, this corrupt world system, your old fleshly nature and against fallen angels -- those are your real enemies. Rebel not against God or flawed delegated authorities over you. Realize who they are. Obey short of sinning. Submit to authority for the glory of God.
