If a feller don’t fuss about what he knows for sure, the things he don’t know ain’t apt to bother him none. It’s this here guessin’ that sure gets a man down.”

                         –Harold Bell Wright  (Shepherd of the Hills)

        “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.  He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”

                         –2 John 9 (NKJV)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World

Key Verse:  “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the power and control of the evil one.”  –1 John 5:19 (NLT)

The devil cares nothing about you.  He doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, healthy or sick.  He doesn’t care what condition you are in just as long as you do not believe in Jesus Christ.  If you believe in Jesus he takes great offense and will fight you, attempt to destroy you (especially your faith) and hinder your walk with the Lord in any way he can.  James writes, “Where do war and fights come from among you?  Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (4:1, NKJV)
       But oh, be thankful for the grace of God.  Now, we are children of God.  Remember, the past two lessons?  WE KNOW!  There is no doubt about it.  Failure and stumbling may come, but We Know that we are His child and He watches over us and keeps us.  We Know that we belong to God.  We Know that we are born of God and He is now our heavenly Father.  We delight in Him and we rejoice in Him.  We Know we are controlled by the Holy Spirit; He guides our steps and we live for God.  We Know that we are destined to be like God and to live with Him throughout eternity.  WOW!  If you do not know these things, get into the Word and let the Holy Spirit saturate your souls with these truths.
       This old world is in chaos and there are some things we know regarding it as well.  We Know that the world is not improving and that it is under the control of the evil one.  We Know that evil must be controlled and kept in bounds.  Currently that is one of the culture fights.  God’s righteous moral laws versus those thought up by man–absolute truth versus relative truth.  We Know that evil will finally be judged and damned.  The evil one will one day be cast into the Lake of Fire.  Because of this evil world, because of the fight that comes from within, We Know that we constantly need to be cleansed.

                    “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life.”
                                    –1 John 5:20 (NKJV)

       We Know Jesus!

I’ve been disappointed in life, but I’ve never had too many regrets.”

It is quiet, but I like the stillness.”

                 –Louis L’Amour  (Rustler Roundup)

       “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.”

                 –Ephesians 2:14(NKJV)
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I was able to sit a couple of times in the chapel at the Air Force Academy.  Usually there are dozens of people touring, but a couple of times I was able to come in and enjoy the beautiful chapel’s setting.  There was peace and serenity in that place.   However, we must remember that we do not have to go into a chapel, cathedral, or church to be in the presence of the Lord.  In the next part of Psalm 73, the word “sanctuary” is mentioned.  The word for “sanctuary” is plural, possibly referring to more than just the visible Temple.  It may refer to any place where God reside, such as our own heart.” (Petersen)

          15 — If I had said, “I will speak thus,” behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
          16 — When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me–
          17 — Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
          18 — Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
          19 — Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!  They are utterly consumed with terrors.
          20 — As a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
          21 — Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind.
          22 — I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
          23 — Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
          24 — You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  (NKJV)

       Go to the sanctuary of your heart and try to perceive things from God’s perspective.  We have many “whys” in our mind that we think we must have the answer to.  Why does evil exist?  Why do the wicked seem to get ahead?  Why do I feel all alone?  When you go to the sanctuary and meet with God you begin to see the whole picture.  Not all of it, for we are unable to contain or understand the whole, but part of it.  What begins to happen is that instead of looking at the “whys” or the wickedness of men, our focus returns where it belongs–on God Himself.
       We so often forget or ignore the value of personal worship.  Many think that worship is in the church, with other believers singing and swaying to music.  They worship to be entertained, however, some of the most needed and most valuable worship is personal.  Sitting in the “sanctuary” alone with God.  Focusing on Him, recognizing Him for who He is and His wonderful goodness to us.  Asaph, when he was alone with God and concentrating on Him, came to the realization that he was “foolish and ignorant.”  Then I think he breathed a big sigh for he realized that he was continually with God.  God has everything under control.  God has our lives under control.  He walks through this life with us as we hold to His hand.

                    “Come, tell me all that ye have said and done,
                    Your victories and failures, hopes and fears.
                    I know how hardly souls are wooed and won;
                    My choicest wreaths always wet with tears.”
                              –Edward H. Bickersteth

Lead him gentle—don’t push none. He comes to life real sudden when he’s shoved.”
                    –Clarence Mulford  (Bar-20 Days)

       “When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.”