The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos.  The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.”
–Napoleon

“The authentic Christian minister possesses faith thick as the crust of the earth.  Those scam artists I mentioned were as dust scooting across the surface.”
–John Vermillion

There are again the rumblings of war and destruction.  North Korea and Iran are developing nuclear weapons and now testing the means of delivery.  Russian jets buzz our ships and China is making aggressive gestures.  What are we to do?  Oh me, oh my.
We are being distracted at home by the media and their disparaging agenda.  Whether you realize it or not, there is tremendous conflict taking place.  Depravity will be with us until Jesus comes.  That brings a glaring question, “Whose side are you on”?  It is time to take a stand, especially in the fight against evil for the sake of our family.  It is time to stand between them and the onslaught of the enemy. 
There are a couple of things that are extremely dangerous at this time.  The first is that so many are oblivious to the battle.  They just go on day by day ignoring the sounds and sights of the battle.  Call it compromise, call it complacency, whichever, it is dangerous and the lives and souls of loved ones are at stake.  The second problem is that many of the chosen of Christ have joined the enemy in the battle.  It is time to realize that this world is the enemy of God.  If you don’t believe that then throw away the Scriptures, for it is very plain. 
A.W. Tozer wrote, “We have so degraded our religious tastes that our Christian service is largely exhibitionism.”  Seeing some of the “worship” taking place actually makes me ill.  We reject the Holy Spirit and have pseudo-worship and pseudo-Christianity.  “We resist Him [Holy Spirit], disobey Him, quench Him, and compromise with our hearts….  He has come to comfort.  He has come to teach.  He is the Spirit of instruction.  He has come to bring light for He is the Spirit of light.  He comes to bring purity for He is the Spirit of holiness.  He comes to bring power for He is the Spirit of power.” (Tozer)  And yet…
We better learn how to fight!  It is very interesting that peace will finally come when Jesus mounts His warhorse and takes up His sword and returns to the earth.
—————-
I served in the U.S. Air Force.  On the Great Seal of the Air Force is the symbol of a thunderbolt.  The swift power of a lightning strike.  If you have even been in an electrical storm you should understand the power in a lightning bolt.
It made my attention go to the throne of God.  “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” (Revelation 4:5, NASB)  Try to visualize that.  Power!  Light!  A tumultuous sound!  It is an awesome display of the throne.
Then it reminded me that God often uses lightning bolts as one of His weapons.

“And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.”
–Zechariah 9:14 (NASB)

“The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.”
–Psalm 77:18 (NASB)

Talk about an display and then use of power!  Nothing can compare; nothing will be able to stand when the Lord of Hosts takes up arms against His enemies.

Men are qualified for civil liberties in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites.”
–Edmund Burke

“The whole course of life is upset by failure to put God where He belongs.”
–A.W. Tozer

“Violence!  I cry….  Must I forever see this sin and misery all around me?  Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence.  I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.  The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there is no justice in the courts.  The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and justice is perverted with bribes and trickery.”
My mercy!  Was this on the evening news, or was it the internet?  Perhaps it is from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk (1:2-4, NLT)  The prophet was crying and moaning over the evil that he saw in his day.  There were atrocious things happening and no end in sight.  Where was justice?  He wondered.  Why does God allow this to happen? Then he actually questions God about it.
Ever felt that way, especially in the last few weeks?  Paid demonstrators, violence, a push toward anarchy just because they are spoiled brats.  In the devotion at school on Tuesday one phrase stuck out to me.  “God is observant.”  It may not seem like it in our eyes, but God is watching everything that happens.  He is not far, but near and is adding to the cup of iniquity.  How full must it be?  The prophet asks, and I do as well. 
Are we now seeing the words of Nietzsche being fulfilled?  “Chaos, I glory in chaos.  Out of chaos will arise the supermen (or man).”  The works of antichrist are seen daily on the news.  Yet, we continue to enjoy, seek, and bask in this world system that is so much against the Word of God.  How long?  How long will He allow it to continue?
Those are legitimate queries and questions.  However, more importantly is our reaction to all of the junk and stupidity that is happening.  Look at what the prophet finally says.

      “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength!  He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.” (3:17-19, NLT)

I’m not sure I’m as strong a man as Habakkuk.  Frustration builds up and I know that the Lord is there and He will bring justice.  It is up to me to have faith, to hold on to the Lord and depend on His supreme wisdom.  He knows what He is doing!

Despair, so many live a life of despair today and they do not know what to do. They strike out, destroying their lives and often the lives of others. Look at the destruction of the past month. Why? Sure some of them are paid rioters, but others are simply wandering aimless, wanting to strike out, because they have no hope. Talk to them of God and they sneer, scoff, and scorn. By doing so they only bring more despair upon themselves because He is their only real hope. They are sinking deep in the sea of sin with no hope.

“I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, Now safe am I.”
–James Rowe

There are some keys words in this great song in the second verse which should be the desire of every Christian. “All,” “Ever”, these are all inclusive and demand the total being. We are to love Him with our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Our time, our effort, our very breath should be for Him.

“All my heart to Him I give, Ever to Him I’ll cling,
In His blessed presence live, Ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true Merits my soul’s best songs;
Faithful, loving, service, too, To Him belongs.”

His love is so mighty, so overwhelming it truly deserves our best. Our lives belong to Christ because of His sacrificial love. People don’t despair–look up to His love and there is hope. Jesus is there to lift you up; don’t scorn His love. The power of His love will calm the angry waves whether it be a physical storm or the storm that is raging in your soul. Today is the day of salvation.

“Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love Out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, Billows His will obey;
He your Saviour wants to be–Be saved today.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.”

In the midst of despair put your anger aside and let the love of Jesus move deep into your soul. He wants to calm that inner anger, that inner longing. He desires to put true purpose in your life, not a false hope of the world.

A woman doesn’t sit on a pedestal, making sure her hands are lily-white and that there is no common dust on her skirts.  Unless she is a fool she goes out and–and meets life.  She loves and marries and has children, if she is lucky.  Her hands roughen and her face wrinkles.  Griefs and troubles wear her away, as they do a man.  And in spite of that she is happy, given the right mate by here side.”
–William MacLeod Raine

“This was as it should be…a man and a woman working toward something, for something.  Not apart, but a team.”
–Louis L’Amour

I am convinced that most folk out there, especially of the younger set, have no idea as to the concept of love.  The world, which is our enemy, has portrayed an image quite different from what God intended.  Isn’t that the purpose of the world system–to contradict and confuse the things of God?  People will say “I found my true love,” to only split a year or so later.  So much for “true love.”
I read where Barna reported that 65% of those of the younger group, 35 and under, believe that it is okay to cohabit before marriage.  They have all sorts of reasons, mostly they say to find the right person to marry.  Try them out, ruin the goods, and then move on.  Wonder why the nation is in such a mess?  The family is in such a mess.  No matter what they say, the bottom line is to enjoy the “perks” of marriage, but not have to truly be in love.  Love requires sacrifice, responsibility, commitment, and accountability.  It requires a fight to survive and to keep the world from taking the children.  To not marry, but live together is simply another way to feed the lust, not the plan, purpose and will of God.
One of the things I have wondered about is “falling out of love.”  I guess people can actually do it, but how?  What does it mean?  Were they really in love in the first place or was it just infatuation, a euphoric feeling?  When people say, “I don’t love you anymore,” it makes me wonder.  This is especially true of Christians.  Do we not listen to the Holy Spirit in regard to our relationships?  Me, oh my…
One thing for certain–God does not fall out of love with us!  His love never changes.  Oh, He might have to discipline us, judge us, but He never stops loving us.  My pastor said on Sunday, a person may go to hell not knowing God, not knowing salvation, but he will never go to hell not being loved.  That was the whole purpose of sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth.  He loved us so much that Jesus would pay the price.  All that is required is repentance and acceptance.

          “When hoary time shall pass away,
           And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
           When men who here refuse to pray,
           On rocks and hills and mountains call,
           God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
           All measureless and strong;
           Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
           The saints’ and angels’ song.”
                     –Frederick M. Lehman

“But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him.”
–1 John 2:5 (AMPC)