The Last Stand

Matthew 18:2-4,10
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Children in New Testament  times weren't idealized like they are today in western culture, that of being "happy go lucky" or free to be indifferent,  innocent, and having that simple faith. They were of little importance, claimed no status, and gained little merit or favor.

In general, children don't focus on the failures of the past or the what ifs in the future. The focus is on the experience of the here and now. Vs. 4 of Matthew 18 speaks of humility. It's not the innocence of a child that captures the heart of God, none of us can be innocent on our own. The average child hasn't earned anything in this world, they haven't gained wealth or recognition. Children seem to have natural humility, before the lies of the devil grab a hold of their hearts, before the world captures their mind and tells them they have to have this or be like that, they are content with the position they have in life.

Children don't care that they are completely dependent on their parents just as we should be be completely dependent on our Heavenly Father. When children are hurt or scared they have no problem turning straight to their parents to receive their peace comfort,  and contentment. It's only when we rely solely on Our Heavenly Father that we will have complete peace. I believe  He created a hole in our hearts that is to be filled with Him. However, so many miss the mark and try to fill that hole with stuff, with people, relationships, power, status, and just things. While trying to hold onto all of those things, we're  slowly giving our freedom away. With that freedom peace isn’t far behind. It is the freedom and peace that can only be given by Him. It's  a scenario  repeated  throughout  history.

While history seems to repeat  itself, we are witnessing history in the making, which will  include times of desperation that haven't been felt  or experienced  by many currently in this world and certainly  not in this country. The United States of America  may boast of strength, safety, and prosperity. We may claim to be the strongest and most admired and desired country to live in, with many freedoms, even blessed by God. However, the comfort in those boastful claims are weakening.  Weather or not people want to admit it, no matter how much the history of our country is rewritten, we were once a nation founded on the one true God. Today, our country  seem so very far from Him! They have turned their eyes away, keeping them hidden from the truth.

Many have given their trust and have sought out peace and security by looking to the government, a government  created  by man that is easily corrupt. This hasn’t happened in our country alone. When we put all of our faith into man made things, we are creating  idols or gods of our own making. The more power and influence  we allow  idols to have in our life the less power and freedom we have.  It was once a great, new, and unique idea to have the government  run by the people. Not the people run by the government. I believe the idea was a government run by the people while they looked to God. That is one sure lesson I have learned in life, as long as my eyes are on God and my feet stay on His foundation, I will stay headed in the right direction. Many have gone to war, battled, and died for that very idea!

 At the end of the Gettysburg Address, in 1863, Abraham  Lincoln  said,” It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the

earth.” People once believed in freedom under God so much, they were willing to die for it. Many people around the world still are, but what about in our own country?

Our government  now seems to be run by just a handful of people turning  our country  further and further from the ideals our founders once thought to be great. This same caution  about keeping our freedom was echoed in part of a speech given by Ronald Reagan in 1964 during an election year. He recounted a recent discussion  he had with a friend and a Cuban refugee, a businessman who had escaped from Castro. When the friend said, “ "We don't know how lucky we are." And the Cuban stopped and said, "How lucky you are? I had someplace to escape to." And in that sentence he told us the entire story. If we lose freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the last stand on earth. “ He further went on to say, “This is the issue of this election: Whether we believe in our capacity for self-government or whether we abandon the American revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capitol can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves.”  A TIME FOR CHOOSING (The Speech – October 27, 1964

See history, continues to repeat  itself! Nobody  pays attention  to it. Each time history is repeated we have greater consicuences! Although, in all my humanness, I wonder  if it matters that history  repeats itself. Even the Bible is a glimpse  into the past present  and  future  at the same time. I suppose  the lesson  that  is to be learned  isn't  exactly  to keep from repeating  it, because  as an individual the odds of my ability  to change history isn’t very high. The lesson is, how to live in the times we are living in, while history is being made. We don't  give up our peace and freedom, and lay down and die either. While the end may feel near, souls still need saving! If we lose  our freedom in this country  the task of seeing souls saved will become  more difficult. As you  know  being a Christian  in other countries isn't  too popular, in fact  it's  deadly. As deadly as it is, Christians understand the blessings of God outweigh the risk of death on this earth. If we aren't now as a country, we soon will be, the last, or one of the last stands on earth before the end comes.

I know I'm  stepping out and sounding like one of those fear mongers  yelling, “THE END IS NEAR!” Oh, I know people have been saying that since the time of Christ. The signs have been around just as long too. That is very true. However, like the beginning of sorrows or birth pains as mentioned in Matthew 24, they are coming more often and much strongrer, like the consicuences of history repeating itself will become more harsh, until suddenly, the birth of the end does come. Where will your hope, peace, and comfort be then? Will you have hope while living in the future, which may as well be our present now as foretold in Matthew?

Matthew  24:6-14 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all[a] these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,[b] and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

I think, right now we may be between verses 8 and 10. It is good that we are allowed to know this much. If we knew much more, we probably couldn’t handle it. We know enough to be prepared. John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” We can find hope in being prepared and knowing through Jesus whatever happens we can take the peace He offers. Who knows what 2016 will hold? Just as John 10:28-30 tells me,  I know God holds me and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in the palm of his hand and nothing can pluck me from it! Have you received that hope and future?