“‘Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain’ declares the Lord. ‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces.’” (Jer. 23:28-29)

 It’s God breathed and useful

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV)

It’s sharper than a two-edged sword

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)

It’s for our instruction 

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4)

Therefore…

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22 NIV)

 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Tim. 4:2 NIV)

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 NIV)

 Who’s is Jesus?

If you ask the average person on the street the question: “Who is Jesus Christ?” You will get many answers such as: “He was a good man”… “He was a religious leader.” … “He was a Bible character”…. “He was a prophet of God” … “He was a great human moral teacher.” And many more answers, too numerous to name. People have been asking the “who was Jesus?” question for a long time! Jesus’ own disciples even declared, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matt. 8:27). And Jesus asked them one day, “Who do people say that I am?” (Mark 8:27). And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” (Mark 8:28). Then Jesus said, “Who do you say I am?” And Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” And Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. (Matt. 16:17 NLT). Jesus clearly stated to His disciples that he was indeed the expected messiah that they had been waiting for. 

Other Bible passages about Jesus

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 5:6)

 Jesus said He was God. “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father's side, has made Him known.” (John 1:18)

“Jesus replied, Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father.’” (John 14:9)

 Therefore… 

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” (1. John 5:12 NLT)

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13 ESV)

Quote:

 “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else He would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”- C. S. Lewis

“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” (2 Tim. 3:1–5).

Jesus foretold perilous times

“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold...” (Matt. 24:19-12)

Even though dark and perilous times do happen and even intensify, God’s light continues to shine brightly! 

God’s light shines in our hearts

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6 ESV)

When you follow Jesus, you will not walk in darkness!

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)

Therefore…

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Eph. 5:8 ESV)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16 ESV)

Quotes:

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.” - Dwight L. Moody

“The devil abhors light and truth because these remove the ground of his working.” - Watchman Nee

“And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts”. (2 Peter 1:18-20 KJV)

This present darkness

Looking around at all the unrest and evil happening everywhere; the USA, for instance, is politically split down the middle with people in power calling evil good and good evil. It would be easy to get discouraged if you didn’t know who is behind all of it. This evil condition is nothing new! Notice in the following passage, the writer refers to it as “this present darkness.” That’s because the enemy has continually been at work making hearts evil for a very long time. And we’re reminded in Scripture that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but is against spiritual forces. 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”(Eph. 6:12 ESV)

God’s Word is light  

The good news is we have “a light that shines in a dark place.” And, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy.” (2 Peter 1:18-20). And many other Bible passages say the same. 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 ESV)

“For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.” (Psalm 18:28 ESV)

The Word of God shines light in our hearts

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6 ESV)

Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you

“So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:35-36 ESV)

Therefore…

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 15:14-16 ESV)

Quotes:

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.” - Dwight L. Moody

“We are to order our lives by the light of His Law, not by our guesses about His plan.” - J.I. Packer

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Do God’s work wholeheartedly

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Col. 3:23)

God’s favor establishes the work of our hands

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 80:17)

Therefore…

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)

"For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

There are lots of things that are impossible for man, but not for God, the creator of all things, who can do the impossible. 

“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, you have made the heaven and the earth by your great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

See what God has done

• An Ax head floats (2 Kings 6:1-7)

• The sea parts so God’s people can walk safely through on dry land. (Exodus 14:21)

• Three men survive in a blazing fiery furnace without even the smell of smoke on them. (Daniel 3:23)

• A donkey speaks. (Numbers 22:28)

• Peter walks on the water. (Matthew 14:29)

• A man, dead for days, comes back to life. (John 11:43)

Don't limit God!

“But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” (Matt. 19:26)

Therefore…

“'Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?'” (Jeremiah 32:27)

Quote:

“Our beliefs and possibilities have to be in line with the will of God. That’s how Jesus lived His life and how He taught His disciples to live (John 5:30). When our lives are lived in obedience to God’s will, nothing is impossible. Dream big — but dream biblically! Just as He parted the sea for Israel, reversed the events in Esther, raised Jesus from the dead, and converted Saul of Tarsus, God is capable of reversing our irreversible problems.” – David Jeremiah 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14)

 It's not about secular leadership!

This verse says it very clearly. It says, “If my people.” It doesn't say, “If the president of the USA” or “If the Kings or Queens of the world,” or “If the combined world leadership.” No! It says, “If God’s people, who are called by His Name” will do certain things, then God will do certain things.

What “God's people who are called by His Name” must do:

• Humble themselves

• Pray

• Seek His Face

• Turn from their wicked ways

How God promises to respond:

• He will hear from Heaven

• He will forgive their sin

• He will heal their land

Therefore, the real answer to the wickedness in our land is not political, it's spiritual! It's up to God’s people to wake up and respond according to His Word!

“The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Prov. 15:29)

“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:28-30)

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Eph. 6:18)

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

“He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.” (Psalm 102:17)

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:23-24)

What you think about is very important!

What you think about it is an indicator of who you actually are. The Bible says it this way, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7). In other words, what you think about is who you actually are. An old saying puts it this way: “You aren’t what you think you are, but what you think, you are!” So, true! 

Work on what you think about

You do have control over what you think about and the Bible says you must take every thought captive. That means you can do something about all thoughts that are not well-pleasing to God, before they enter your heart, and before they become a part of you. 

“…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5)

What you put in is what you get out

A big part of what you think about is what you feed into your brain (mind) in the first place.Your mind is like a computer in that it produces only what is programmed into it. For instance, if you watch a lot of television, secular news sources, visit social media, watch unwholesome movies, you will soon be thinking along their negative, even destructive, mental pathways. 

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:5-6 ESV)

Be careful!

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov. 4:23 ESV)

Therefore…

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8 ESV)

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 ESV)

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Rom. 4:19–21)

Don’t give up!

If you think about the impossibility of things, it’s easy to allow yourself to get discouraged and to give up!

We all have many big challenges that come our way. But, God is not limited by our limitations! Just look at Abraham and his wife, Sarah. Their situation was completely impossible from a human standpoint. They were way too old to have children, yet God promised them that they would. Abraham was strong in faith and believed that God was able to do the impossible. And, it happened just as God said it would!

Therefore…

Don’t put limits on God! He is able to do much more than you think! Even things that are humanly impossible!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Eph. 3:20)