As I sit today and write my mind goes to God’s Word, for it brings comfort to a troubled heart and soul.
At 63, I can honestly say I have never seen this world in this much turmoil. I have never witnessed so much division and violence in these United States. This column is titled “Hope for Living;” this is what each person needs today, hope!
Of course when hope is offered there will be those who heed the offer and sadly there will be those who reject the offer.
As a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I have a burden to speak to you with truth, love and compassion — to explain what I myself believe with my whole heart. Years ago I was introduced to the Gospel or “good news” that totally changed my life, and continues to transform me day by day.
Jesus told us in John 16:33, “These things have I spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Some folks will not listen because they want to continue to live as they are and to suppress the guilt and shame they are harboring within. Then there are those who hear the voice of God speaking to them through His Holy Spirit but when you mention the name of Jesus as the mighty Savior who came down to this earth, denounced sin, died on the cross for the sins of men and women, and then rose again in mighty power they are offended.
In the book of Acts, Peter and John (Christ’s disciples) encountered the very same thing from the Pharisees after praying for a lame man who then arose and walked: “Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day; for it was now eventide…” (Acts 4:2-3).
It infuriated them. Does this sound familiar today?
In verse 7 they asked, “By what power, or by what name have ye done this?” Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking with great boldness (oh, how we need this today), said, “Be it known … that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. …
“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Friend, what is going on today has not taken God by surprise. He is not wringing His hands wondering what to do.
We can look to our government or others for answers, but I will tell you we MUST look to Jesus Christ for our answer.
Christ said, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:3). It means to acknowledge (agree) that we have sinned against God. Then we must repent (turn around) and ask for forgiveness and salvation, trusting in Jesus Christ alone as our only hope.
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, that He went to the cross to pay for our sins and then rose from the dead on the third day? These are the most important questions you will ever face; your eternal destiny depends on the answer you give.
I am just the postman who brings the mail; what you do with it is between you and God. My prayer for you is to cry out to Jesus, trusting Him to do what He said He would do (John 6:37).
Lance Stevens pastors at Huntsville Evangelical Community Church in Pendleton. He and his wife, Judy, are formerly of Greenfield. This weekly column is written by local clergy members. Send comments to dr-editorial@greenfield reporter.com.
