Let me begin this week with an outrageous story out of China. The Chinese communist government is re-writing the Bible! This is a direct attack upon the faith of the growing church in China. Estimates now place the size of the underground church in China at about 130 million. This means the underground church is now larger in number than the communist party membership.
So, now the communists want to “update” the Bible with socialist values! Get the whole story from CBN News.
LIVING IN GOD’S ECONOMY
News continues to trickle in painting a picture of growing difficulties in our economy. Retail stores continue to close across the nation, fast food outlets continue to struggle, prices on food remain high and ticking upward, and layoffs in various sectors of the economy continue at an alarming rate.
Our nation is large, and the economy is huge. Consequently, among the population there are Americans who are doing fine despite inflation and high interest rates. However, for a growing number of people financial pressure is becoming intolerable.
When discussing personal finances (regardless of the condition of the economy) it is important to understand the root cause of financial problems are often spiritual in nature. Those who walk in God’s wisdom weather bad-times well and even prosper during such times.
One of the main characteristics of spiritually minded believers is contentment. Contentment is the needed hedge against living beyond your means. Consistently living beyond one’s means is the root cause of financial suffering for many Americans. Over-extending financially during the years of a good economy lends itself to disaster when things go south. Discontent is the root cause of many bad decisions that are now causing unnecessary financial pain across the country.
Here are passages of Scripture instructing us about contentment. We all need to apply these words to our lives: Philippians 4:9-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Hebrews 13:5-6.
ISRAEL
As I write these words Israel is bracing for what appears to be a substantial attack from Iran and Hezbollah. In anticipation of a larger regional conflict our military is beefing up its presence in the Middle East even more so.
Time will tell as to the plans Iran has to attack Israel again. However, perhaps Iran is hesitant because Israel has promised an all-out response to Iran should they choose to attack. Iran must know Israel will level considerable damage to their homeland if they choose to attack. I think they are weighing that possibility carefully.
Remember, if Israel hits Iran forcefully, they will aim to take out Iran’s leadership and perhaps Iran’s nuclear program. Our Lord’s prophetic words that there would be “wars and rumors of wars” surrounding Israel are coming to pass right before our eyes.
Soon the world shall enter the days leading to the climax of history when our Lord delivers Israel from annihilation upon his visible, physical return to fight the battle of Armageddon. My friends, we are near the Lord’s return. It is near, even at the door!
Here is another informative update from the Israel Guys to help keep you in touch with what is happening. Take note toward the end of this short video of the sad details of so many attacks upon Israel in Judea and the Jordan river valley. Follow this link to the video.
PASTOR TO PARENT
One of the most basic things parents can do to bless their children is to maintain a faithful church life. Children need to develop a love for the house of God and failure to cultivate that habit at best leads to spiritual weakness in our children and at worst may end up being the contributing factor of children never coming to faith in Christ.
In my years of service as a pastor I have observed a serious mistake parents consistently make. Somehow everything becomes more important than the house of God. Instead of putting the Lord first in the life of their children other activities reign supreme.
Be careful. Devotion to Christ requires we drop things from our busy schedules and simply put the Lord first. The wise parent knows faith only comes from hearing the Word of God. Thus, a faithful church life is an essential part of building a strong commitment to Christ in the heart and life of your children.
There is a powerful passage of Scripture found in Malachi chapter one with an important lesson for all of us. Read Malachi 1:6-13. Take note of how the Lord viewed Israel giving him their leftovers. May I say, the Lord does not want our leftovers. He wants our first and our best. Be careful. Do not give the Lord your leftovers when it comes to his house. Nothing good comes of that.
CREATION CONNECTION
One of the basic truths set forth in Genesis chapter one is the concept of created kinds (Genesis 1:21, 24, 25). It is obvious from Scripture that one “kind” cannot evolve into another “kind.”
Yet, this is exactly what the mythical idea of evolution proposes. Evolutionists believe that simpler forms of life evolved over millions of years into more complex forms of life. For example, the idea that man evolved from monkeys.
Such thinking is ludicrous! It is not possible for one “kind” to change form into another “kind.” Dogs are dogs. Cats are cats, etc. According to the Genesis record God obviously never used evolution to do anything. He called the various “kinds” into existence by the power of his word.
Here are several articles on this subject to help strengthen your understanding on this matter:
https://answersingenesis.org/creation-science/baraminology/variety-within-created-kinds/
https://answersingenesis.org/natural-selection/speciation/do-species-change/
https://answersingenesis.org/creation-science/baraminology/creations-hidden-potential/
https://answersingenesis.org/creation-science/baraminology/bara-what/
PASTOR APPROVED – DANIEL LIVE!
Perhaps you heard about the newest production from the Sight and Sound theater based in Pennsylvania. Anything they produce is worth watching and now their latest production on Daniel is coming to movie theaters for a limited time as described in their news release below:
DANIEL — Live!
For the first time ever, Sight & Sound is broadcasting LIVE into movie theaters nationwide! Join us as the brand-new original production, DANIEL, goes from the big stage to the big screen in this special movie theater event — August 30th, with additional showtimes through September 2nd.
My wife and I already have tickets for this event at a venue in Sandusky. I can recommend this event and beyond the fact it is great family entertainment this production cultivates our faith.
Here is a link to the official trailer:
https://www.sight-sound.tv/daniel-live/videos/official-trailer-daniel-live
To secure a ticket to the event in Sandusky, Ohio, visit this link: https://www.danielevent.com/tickets/
PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP
GROWING IN CHRIST
As you grow in Christ the call of your Lord to all out discipleship deepens. As followers of Christ, we are to spend our lives reaching others with the gospel. This commitment lies at the heart of discipleship.
Our Lord was a worker in the harvest. Likewise, we should be workers in the effort to win souls for Christ. Listen to these words from Matthew chapter nine:
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
The workers are few. Disciples of the Lord Jesus must embrace his compassion for the lost. It is compassion for a lost world that compels us to labor in the harvest. Are you a worker for the Lord? Let the Holy Spirit thrust you into the harvest. There is work to be done and you are needed!
THE LAST WORD
Always feel welcome to share feedback with me at [email protected] and your prayers are appreciated. May the Lord bless you is my prayer
Pastor Rusty Yost
P.S. You can access past issues of Discerning the Times by visiting the blog page on my website. Once on the blog page simply scroll down the page and past issues become visible. Tell others to check this information out. For the most part, the content in these past blogs remains relevant today.
So, now the communists want to “update” the Bible with socialist values! Get the whole story from CBN News.
LIVING IN GOD’S ECONOMY
News continues to trickle in painting a picture of growing difficulties in our economy. Retail stores continue to close across the nation, fast food outlets continue to struggle, prices on food remain high and ticking upward, and layoffs in various sectors of the economy continue at an alarming rate.
Our nation is large, and the economy is huge. Consequently, among the population there are Americans who are doing fine despite inflation and high interest rates. However, for a growing number of people financial pressure is becoming intolerable.
When discussing personal finances (regardless of the condition of the economy) it is important to understand the root cause of financial problems are often spiritual in nature. Those who walk in God’s wisdom weather bad-times well and even prosper during such times.
One of the main characteristics of spiritually minded believers is contentment. Contentment is the needed hedge against living beyond your means. Consistently living beyond one’s means is the root cause of financial suffering for many Americans. Over-extending financially during the years of a good economy lends itself to disaster when things go south. Discontent is the root cause of many bad decisions that are now causing unnecessary financial pain across the country.
Here are passages of Scripture instructing us about contentment. We all need to apply these words to our lives: Philippians 4:9-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Hebrews 13:5-6.
ISRAEL
As I write these words Israel is bracing for what appears to be a substantial attack from Iran and Hezbollah. In anticipation of a larger regional conflict our military is beefing up its presence in the Middle East even more so.
Time will tell as to the plans Iran has to attack Israel again. However, perhaps Iran is hesitant because Israel has promised an all-out response to Iran should they choose to attack. Iran must know Israel will level considerable damage to their homeland if they choose to attack. I think they are weighing that possibility carefully.
Remember, if Israel hits Iran forcefully, they will aim to take out Iran’s leadership and perhaps Iran’s nuclear program. Our Lord’s prophetic words that there would be “wars and rumors of wars” surrounding Israel are coming to pass right before our eyes.
Soon the world shall enter the days leading to the climax of history when our Lord delivers Israel from annihilation upon his visible, physical return to fight the battle of Armageddon. My friends, we are near the Lord’s return. It is near, even at the door!
Here is another informative update from the Israel Guys to help keep you in touch with what is happening. Take note toward the end of this short video of the sad details of so many attacks upon Israel in Judea and the Jordan river valley. Follow this link to the video.
PASTOR TO PARENT
One of the most basic things parents can do to bless their children is to maintain a faithful church life. Children need to develop a love for the house of God and failure to cultivate that habit at best leads to spiritual weakness in our children and at worst may end up being the contributing factor of children never coming to faith in Christ.
In my years of service as a pastor I have observed a serious mistake parents consistently make. Somehow everything becomes more important than the house of God. Instead of putting the Lord first in the life of their children other activities reign supreme.
Be careful. Devotion to Christ requires we drop things from our busy schedules and simply put the Lord first. The wise parent knows faith only comes from hearing the Word of God. Thus, a faithful church life is an essential part of building a strong commitment to Christ in the heart and life of your children.
There is a powerful passage of Scripture found in Malachi chapter one with an important lesson for all of us. Read Malachi 1:6-13. Take note of how the Lord viewed Israel giving him their leftovers. May I say, the Lord does not want our leftovers. He wants our first and our best. Be careful. Do not give the Lord your leftovers when it comes to his house. Nothing good comes of that.
CREATION CONNECTION
One of the basic truths set forth in Genesis chapter one is the concept of created kinds (Genesis 1:21, 24, 25). It is obvious from Scripture that one “kind” cannot evolve into another “kind.”
Yet, this is exactly what the mythical idea of evolution proposes. Evolutionists believe that simpler forms of life evolved over millions of years into more complex forms of life. For example, the idea that man evolved from monkeys.
Such thinking is ludicrous! It is not possible for one “kind” to change form into another “kind.” Dogs are dogs. Cats are cats, etc. According to the Genesis record God obviously never used evolution to do anything. He called the various “kinds” into existence by the power of his word.
Here are several articles on this subject to help strengthen your understanding on this matter:
https://answersingenesis.org/creation-science/baraminology/variety-within-created-kinds/
https://answersingenesis.org/natural-selection/speciation/do-species-change/
https://answersingenesis.org/creation-science/baraminology/creations-hidden-potential/
https://answersingenesis.org/creation-science/baraminology/bara-what/
PASTOR APPROVED – DANIEL LIVE!
Perhaps you heard about the newest production from the Sight and Sound theater based in Pennsylvania. Anything they produce is worth watching and now their latest production on Daniel is coming to movie theaters for a limited time as described in their news release below:
DANIEL — Live!
For the first time ever, Sight & Sound is broadcasting LIVE into movie theaters nationwide! Join us as the brand-new original production, DANIEL, goes from the big stage to the big screen in this special movie theater event — August 30th, with additional showtimes through September 2nd.
My wife and I already have tickets for this event at a venue in Sandusky. I can recommend this event and beyond the fact it is great family entertainment this production cultivates our faith.
Here is a link to the official trailer:
https://www.sight-sound.tv/daniel-live/videos/official-trailer-daniel-live
To secure a ticket to the event in Sandusky, Ohio, visit this link: https://www.danielevent.com/tickets/
PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP
GROWING IN CHRIST
As you grow in Christ the call of your Lord to all out discipleship deepens. As followers of Christ, we are to spend our lives reaching others with the gospel. This commitment lies at the heart of discipleship.
Our Lord was a worker in the harvest. Likewise, we should be workers in the effort to win souls for Christ. Listen to these words from Matthew chapter nine:
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
The workers are few. Disciples of the Lord Jesus must embrace his compassion for the lost. It is compassion for a lost world that compels us to labor in the harvest. Are you a worker for the Lord? Let the Holy Spirit thrust you into the harvest. There is work to be done and you are needed!
THE LAST WORD
Always feel welcome to share feedback with me at [email protected] and your prayers are appreciated. May the Lord bless you is my prayer
Pastor Rusty Yost
P.S. You can access past issues of Discerning the Times by visiting the blog page on my website. Once on the blog page simply scroll down the page and past issues become visible. Tell others to check this information out. For the most part, the content in these past blogs remains relevant today.
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