C.J. Sears's Blog, page 17

Thursday the 12th: Toss Aside the False God of Superstition

“‘Come; let us discuss this,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18-20)

Tomorrow is Friday the 13th. For some, it’s a day to plow through a marathon of a cheesy slasher series. But for many, that means a day of superstition, bad luck, and haunting things. It’s a day in which people emphasize tired sayings, ghost stories, and musings on the supernatural.

It’s a day of unbelief. Why do I say that? Because people from every religion, every walk of life, fall prey to the trappings of an invented horror. There’s so much undue hushed talk around the dangers of the number 13. Every worse thing imaginable can happen on a Friday the 13th, they say. It’s a day of spirits and ghoulish machinations, some say. Be on the lookout for ladders, black cats, and broken mirrors, many lament.

It’s all hogwash. 13 is the number that comes between 12 and 14. Nothing more and nothing less. It has no power. It’s no more dangerous to duck under a ladder on Friday the 13th than it is on Christmas. And there’s no such thing as luck, bad or good. Black cats are merely what they say on the tin—cats colored black. What if you break a mirror? Well, unfortunately, you may have to buy a new one. Shocking and terrifying as that fate is, it’s not luck.

People are fickle gossipers and worshippers of lies. Even words given that are intended merely to entertain can turn even the most benign of circumstances into a horrifying, tragic, and deadly event waiting to happen.

Everything has a cause and an effect. That black cat crossed the road in front of you to get something to eat or to find some shade or otherwise. It’s not going to curse you with bad luck or spoiled karma. Something falls on your head after you went under a ladder. Guess what happened? A) You weren’t paying attention. B) Someone or something dropped said object. C) There was never a time when that wasn’t going to happen.

Why? Because whatever choice you make leads to the next. And the choices you make, God knows. He knows that if you read a certain text on a certain day, you will come to Him. He knows that if you hear such and such talk about something that you’re interested in, it will be a way to draw you to Him. God knows, sees, and ordains all that has happened or will happen in this world. He is never truly surprised.

We don’t have the benefit of omnipotence. We’re squishy and fleshy things prone to fear and anxieties. When things go wrong, when we don’t believe in Him, we make up stories to warn others to take care not to make our mistakes. But if we’re not in the right mind with God, our warnings are tainted by unbelief and sin, leading to the multiple superstitions that have overtaken our lives and especially on manufactured “bad luck days” like Friday the 13th.

But the Truth that he has given us is paramount. It is not a lie. It is not a superstition. Tomorrow, if you feel the call to falsehoods and worry over unreal horrors, turn instead to the Lord your God and He will, as is written above, cleanse you of your iniquities and your sin. Wash away the blood of superstition and evil with the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ and be made new.

Look to the light of Truth, not the darkness of death and superstition. Thanks for reading and may God be with you.

Whatever You Do

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Today’s post is an unusual (and late, thanks to atrocious internet) one. Rather than give you a typical evangelistic post, I thought I’d share something I created with you.

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Yep, it’s a LEGO Christian Church [sans roof]. Or, as I call it: Ye Olde Church.

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You’re probably wondering a few things. Why did I make this? I’ll tell you in a bit. Why am I sharing it with you? You’ll know soon enough. And why is the entrance colored tan while the rest of it is gray and dark gray? Brick count and some distinct aesthetics.

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Well, you’re an intelligent fellow—I presume—so you’ve probably made the connection between the Scripture and the picture. Yes, I made this because I wanted to do something unique for God using the talents at my disposal. Is it the prettiest thing? No. Could someone else do it better? Probably. But it’s for Him, not only for me. Of course, I thought the final result looked cool too.

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More than that, I wanted to show a way that you, as a believer, could demonstrate your love to God outside of the norm. Obviously, we best honor Him by having faith, setting a good example, encouraging others, and genuinely spreading the Word. But there are other ways to express yourself that, while lesser, also provide Him with a representation of the joy you feel at His presence in your life.

I’m not a great speaker. I don’t have many gifts. I’m not Liam Neeson, but I do have a very particular set of skills: writing, teaching, and crafting. So I use them for His glory, whatever that entails.

When I write a novel, mold a LEGO building, share the Gospel, or map out a plan, I do it because it’s a way to show the talents He has bestowed upon me. No, that’s not a boast. I’m not saying I’m some brilliant artiste or a big-time author. Nor do I claim to be a prophet, an apostle, or an architect. I’m just a guy, a man made in His image. I’m just a sinner saved by His grace, and I want to show my appreciation for Him.

So it’s not complicated. I create for Him because He created me and rescued me from darkness. Do I always succeed? No, far from it. I come from fallen stock—as do we all—so the things I make aren’t very good or even good as God defines it. But I try, and I’m listening, and He is my Father and yours.

Let’s make Him proud. Whatever you do in this life, do it for Him.

Trying Times Ahead

“The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Lord God has said about Edom: We have heard a message from the Lord; a messenger has been sent among the nations: ‘Rise up, and let us go to war against her.’ Look, I will make you insignificant among the nations; you will be deeply despised. Your presumptuous heart has deceived you, you who live in clefts of the rock in your home on the heights, who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you seem to soar like an eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down.” (Obadiah 1:1-4) [Emphasis mine.]

While I read this passage, I was struck by how it might be applied to the current slate of tragedies unfolding in America today. Now, don’t mistake what I’m saying. This slice of Scripture is specifically about the judgment against the nation of Edom. It would be a horrible misinterpretation to say otherwise. But all the same, the language used reminded me of the precarious state of our country.

Are we not enormously self-righteous, casting down from on high our belief in a self-superior status? Doesn’t America believe itself a holy nation despite abundant evidence to the contrary? Is it not true that in the wake of wars, terrorism, and overseas skirmishes that the other nations of this earth have come to deeply despise us?

Let me clarify that I am not advocating some form of revolution. I’m not saying that men should rise up against the supposed tyranny of the government—were that even possible. Nor am I asking that efforts be put into changing the nation into some form of theocracy. Why? Because men’s hearts are too hard, too rebellious, too sinful for an undertaking like that to ever work.

What I’m speaking to is the disillusionment amongst the people of this nation and the ever-increasing hatred against her. People within and without rise up in violence against America. Social justice activists campaign against both the government and objective morality. Supremacists fester in their hatred for other races. Christians are told that their beliefs don’t matter and that they must conform to the world’s increasing secularization and harmonization of disparate and incompatible beliefs. Politicians and businessmen wheel and deal while ignoring the pleas of an ailing nation.

At some point, this will all come to a head. I don’t know when or how widespread the violence and hysteria will be. Who is to say how close we are to the end times? Certainly not I or anyone who has read Scripture will dispute:

“Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son—except the Father only. As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark.” (Matthew 24:36-38)

The only thing a discerning Christian can say is this: we do not know the hour, but every day is one day closer to His return. It may not be for another thousand years, but every second that passes is one step toward His coming.

In the meantime, what must we endure? Before His glorious arrival, to what tribulation must we bear witness? If we don’t come together in harmony, will there be a second American Civil War?

For all our sakes, I pray that this is not what we can expect from this wounded nation. We haven’t ever recovered from the first battle between brothers. What good will another do?

None.

Thanks for reading, God bless, and may we all be ready for the trying times ahead.

*Feature image of The Battle of Antietam taken from History.com

No Greater Love Than His

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love is eternal. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love is eternal. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His love is eternal.” (Psalm 136:1-3)

Thus begins Psalm 136. One notices the common refrain in italics. The author of this psalm remarks on the work and wonders of the Lord throughout, complimenting each Almighty act with that same simple and indisputably true statement.

Who made the waters, the lights, and the heavens above? God did; His love is eternal. Who parted the Red Sea and instructed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? God did; His love is eternal. Who strikes down kings and gives food to every creature? God does; His love is eternal.

And, had this Psalm been written in the aftermath of Christ’s crucifixion, no doubt it would have also said:

“He bore the burdens of sin; His love is eternal.”

For us, whose lives are quick and tumultuous, it’s difficult to fathom what eternal love looks like. How can one love another for all time? We can’t begin to process such a feat, but God is more than capable of such a deed, because He is love.

What does He say to His followers in the Gospels about self-sacrifice?

“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

That’s what Jesus did on the cross. He laid down His life for all sinners everywhere so that they may be free from their sin, believe on Him, and come to repentance. In three days, through His death and resurrection, God made it so that the world could be reconciled to Him if only they put their faith and trust in Jesus and admit their need for a Savior.

We, the rebellious men and women that we are, all deserve the just punishment and penalty of death and hell. But through Him, through His love, we can have eternal life.

“Give thanks to the God of heaven! His love is eternal.” (Psalm 136:26)

Look forward to the day when we will be reunited with Him in heaven. It is written:

“For it was You who created my inward parts. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)

God has known us since before we were born into this world. He knows our coming and going, the number of breaths we will take. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Many of us have been blessed with great and loving dads. Indeed, we mustn’t forget to honor our father and mother, for it is one of the great commandments. Yet even their love must pale in comparison to His. He is our Father before all fathers in this world. How Great is He!

Rejoice in his kingdom, for Scripture says:

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; Your rule is for all generations. The Lord is faithful in all His words and gracious in all His actions. The Lord helps all who fall; He raises up all who are oppressed.” (Psalm 145:13-14)

May those who are lost find Him. May those who are found abide in Him. And may those whom He loves recognize and give thanks to Him and His glory. For as the psalmist says:

“Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 150:6)

The Christian Call of Duty

As Christians, it is our duty to make disciples and believers of Him who saved us, molded us, and comforted us. We are called to go out into the world and bring the sheep to Him, our Great Shepherd.

“After this, the Lord appointed 70 others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go. He told them: ‘The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves.’” (Luke 10:1-3)

In this context, He is speaking to His disciples and the twelve apostles, but that same calling applies to all Christians everywhere. We are to delve into this sickly world and put on a brave and committed face for Christ. It is our job to spread the Good News of Christ’s love and sacrifice for our sin.

In doing this, we undoubtedly will face rejection, persecution, callousness, and all manner of evildoing. Yet still, we must persist even if it were to mean our deaths. We should not be afraid of the wolves, of man.

“The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6)

“Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

The only one we should truly respect and fear above all in this life is Him, our Creator. Man is nothing by comparison. Man is cruel; he will attack you in all manner of ways. He will bite at your heels, nip at your convictions, compel you with force and a silver tongue, but he cannot overcome one who believes. He cannot destroy that which belongs to the Lord our God.

If in your journey to make disciples and bring the lost sheep back to God, you find yourselves at a crossroads of faith, do not compromise. Fallen man spits on and reviles that which he detests and hearing the Truth is a one-way ticket to scorn and ridicule. But if these men (and women) have hold of your flesh, you dare not speak against Him. Satan’s children want you to deny Him, but this is the one thing you must not do above all else.

“Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.” (Matthew 10:32-36)

This means that yes, even your own family may turn against you for speaking the Gospel Truth. Such are the lies of the devil that they manifest in those closest to you. But you, the believer, must persevere and deliver unto them the Good News of Jesus Christ. And if they should not come to repentance and belief, shake the dust from your feet and move on. Be much in prayer for them, but if they have heard the Good News and still steadfastly refuse Him, you have already done your duty.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing, you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

In your journey, many will seek to stop you from bringing souls to the Lord. They will demand that you turn away from Him and serve the pleasures of the flesh instead. But do not be fooled. They believe only in lies. They need their Savior, their Redeemer, and their Lord: Jesus Christ. Do your part to share with them the Good News.

Only the Lord can truly change the hearts of men, but you have a role to play. And, should all fail on your end, remember that He has everything in hand.

Thanks and praise be to Him, our Father in Heaven, who is gracious, kind, and not quick to anger. In Jesus name, I pray that His will be done. Amen.

A Plea to an Ailing Nation

“Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration—turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13)

These words were given to the prophet Joel to speak to the people of the nation of Israel, but I open today’s blog post with this passage for an important reason: it readily applies to all nations, everywhere, who have compromised the Word of God and embraced their selfish desires. The Lord’s wrath is just, but He is not quick to anger. Yet His limits should not be tested.

America is in a seemingly constant state of unrest. Protests, riots, hateful rhetoric all around—none of it is good. Solutions seem temporary at best. Violent upheaval appears to be on the brink of many minds. But although everyone is angry, there is one central truth behind it all: man has embraced his sin, his desire to be God, over all reason, logic, and faith in the Lord.

For years, folks from all over the nation (and the world) have believed in only that which they can perceive and touch. The roots of materialism, atheism, and evolution which were planted in our youths have sprouted into full-grown trees. They believe in no hope but that which they can enact through fear, violence, and social change. They don’t know God or His Word.

And who enables them? A hierarchy of false believers, pseudoscientists, politicians, and businessman. Even a genuine man of the Lord cannot escape his share of the blame in this deceit. Why? Because he (or she) has told our youths that it is okay to indulge in that which pleases you regardless of what that thing is. Their picturesque construction of a meek and gentle Lord who only wants you to be happy has dissuaded people across the country from the Truth.

It is a lie of the devil. God loves you, yes. He died for you so that you might love and seek Him and be with Him in heaven. But He hates your sin. He cannot stand it and will not tolerate it. Sin separates us from the Lord and those who are not born again will not be with Him in their eternal rest.

But our God is great. He knows our lives are measured in fractions from dust to dust. He has given each of us the time we need to come to Him. His coming is quick (whether you believe or don’t, the Lord’s return is always one day sooner than the last) and the masses, in their sickness, need to be healed and return to Him.

“The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

We are in a sorry state of affairs. We need to return to the foundation of Truth and Love, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, while we are still able. The Lord’s coming will be like a thief in the night and none of us knows the day or the hour. Repent (turn from your wickedness) and believe on Him and you shall be saved.

It will be a struggle. We aren’t perfect. But isn’t it worth embracing the love of God to avoid His righteous wrath? It’s a simple decision.

It’s also the most important one that a person can make. Choose wisely and do not fall under the spell of unbelief and the lies of your false father, the devil.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:17-19)

Thanks for reading. God bless you and may all of us heed His warning and step into the warmth of our Lord. Amen.

Celebrating a Year of Rebirth

One year ago today, I finished reading the Bible (cover to cover) for the first time. Also around a year ago today, I realized that I’d been saved. Him who made me extended His grace to an ailing child and servant and brought me into His embrace. I was born on December 17, 1990, but I was reborn in September of 2016. Thank God.

In that time, I’ve been very blessed by Him. First, the extension of His grace freed me almost instantly from the grips of addiction to pornography. There is no other explanation for my sudden complete aversion to it other than His supernatural intervention. Second, my priorities for running my blog shifted. Whereas before I basically discussed any subject that came to mind, my conversion led to amateur evangelism and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. I’d wager that most of my posts have been in spreading the Word.

I’ve also published two novels in that time and I can only thank Him for allowing me to exercise the talents He delivered to me in that way. I don’t need to become a big time author on the bestseller list to know how He blessed me with these opportunities.

He’s also answered prayers that I didn’t know I’d needed Him to receive. He’s granted me another cat, one that I love and appreciate because I had wanted another feline companion for so long. He has softened my heart against the tides of anger and bitterness. The Lord granted me relief from pain and showed me how fortunate I am in this life.

Honestly, I don’t know if there’s a way to adequately express the depth of my appreciation for what He has given unto me. How do you ever repay your Lord and Creator? You can’t, really, other than to believe in Him, His promise, and to follow His way.

God brought me out of myself, out of my sin, and shined His light in my life. That doesn’t mean I don’t struggle against my worse judgments and the allure of the world. I am not perfect. I am not Him. But I can try. I can let the Holy Spirit which dwells within me guide me along the paths He desires.

His thoughts are not my thoughts. His ways are not mine. But I want to heed them. I want to listen. He is my Sovereign Lord, my Savior, my King, and my Creator. I am ever grateful, eternally, for His presence in my life and my salvation.

There is nothing I can do except by His grace. I owe Him all that I know or will ever see. He is the reason I draw breathe on this day. He is the reason I once was dead but now I live.

Praise goes to Him and may He work the same in you and everyone whom He wishes.

From this morning’s worship service, I think I’ll leave you with this message delivered to the Lord’s servants:

“Because of the Lord’s faithful love, we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness! I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.” (Lamentations 3:22-27)

And for your consideration, other verses which have impacted me (and that I have shared before, but bear repeating):

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff – they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:1-4)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is swallowed up in sorrow – to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me.’” (Matthew 26:36-38)

Thank you for reading. May God bless you and bring you to Him as He has done for me. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

The Shadow Over Lone Oak is FREE through Sept. 25th

Like déjà vu, I’m back with another FREE offer for one of my books. A few weeks ago, I launched The Smiling Man Conspiracy as a free ebook for a limited time. Now, my faithful readers, friends, and family, you can claim the original book in this series-The Shadow Over Lone Oak-for the same nonexistent price.

Yes, you heard me right. The first book in the “Evils of this World” series is available for free starting today (Sept. 23) through Monday (Sept. 25). For three days, at no cost to you, learn what happened in a small town with a dark and insidious secret. Some might say that the most sinister things deserve to stay buried. But as Llewyn Finch might say: when light shines on darkness, evil cannot endure.

If you already picked up a copy of the sequel, but weren’t sure about paying money for this thrilling beginning chapter, now’s the picture perfect time. Honestly, I wanted to pair them up as free offerings together, but the scheduling didn’t work with Amazon’s promotion policies. It’s a rare opportunity to pick up two books in a series for free, so don’t miss out. Link is below:

Happy reading. And be on the lookout out for a special blog post tomorrow (unrelated to my books).

He is in the Driver’s Seat

God got me out of the house. For some, that’s a weird statement to make. But after two years of self-imposed sequestering, He compelled me to take the initiative and get out of solitude. It’s not that I haven’t been outside or travelled, but yesterday was the first day in a long time where I made a purposeful decision to drive somewhere.

I went to church: Strawberry Assembly of God, to be specific. I greatly enjoyed the journey and the destination. Fellowship there was small but friendly. I’m honestly contemplating going to a Wednesday night service, which is something I used to consider out of the ordinary. For me, being around other believers is something that’s been sorely missing from my spiritual life.

Now, let me say that going to church (or not going) doesn’t necessarily make you a Christian (or not a Christian). The universal Church, the body of Christ, isn’t a building or a denomination. But in this instance, I was gladdened to have a place and a time to worship. And, as the author of Hebrews says, it would be unwise to forsake the gathering of believers where possible.

“Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)

This, I think, highlights an often overlooked aspect of church. Worship is for the Lord, yes, and it’s the most important part of any service. But church meetings serve the secondary purpose of keeping us together, rooted in our faith. In this way, as the passage describes, we can help prevent one another from falling into unrepentant sin with the Word and a gentle hand.

I understand a lot of the reluctance to attend a church. Believe me, I really do. As a socially anxious/shy/reserved/introverted kind of man, person to person interaction is both worrying and exhausting. Thus, singing and/or meet-and-greet style happenings are not typically my forte. Perhaps there is an overemphasis on such things in the modern church, but I’m not the most qualified or unbiased to talk about that.

I do know that I felt a great amount of joy when I went to the church and sat in the pew and prepared myself to listen to the Word of God. That’s what truly matters, not my anxieties or reservations about going, not my fears of getting behind the wheel, but paying attention to His will.

“But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind—God prepared this for those who love Him. Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

I’m thankful He gave me the courage and resolve I needed to leave the trappings of my house and seek fellowship. If it were not for Him, I don’t know that I would’ve ever put behind me the things which imprisoned me. Praise Him and His name.

Thanks for reading, have a great week, and stay tuned for more updates about my books and this website.

From the Beginning, Truth is Eternal

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

Outside of the New Testament, perhaps one of the most quoted passages in the Bible is its very first. It’s easy to see why that would be the case: it’s a concrete statement with little wiggle room for interpretation. It’s also one of the most challenged and offensive verses in the book. Why?

Because it’s Truth. Some people have no room in their lives for Truth. They’d rather go on believing in happenstance, personal glory, and generally self-serving practices. To their chagrin, Scripture shows them forthrightly to whom all the glory belongs. For some men (and women), it’s more fulfilling to be an error in a cosmic accident. At least they can make their own way, right?

But it’s an empty, formless kind of validation. Suppose He doesn’t exist. You’re free from the burdens of morality and obligations. It’s now permissible to do what thou wilt to get ahead and make yourself “happy” as seems to be the goal of many lives. You become CEO. You make a billion dollars selling out your fellow man. You live with multiple wives and concubines in hedonistic pleasure.

And none of it matters. Why? Under the belief that Genesis 1:1 is incorrect, that the Bible’s most basic foundation is wrong, there is nothing that matters. When you’re dead, that’s it. Whether you shot up a convenience store or donated millions to charity, death and nothingness is the same end result for all if atheism and materialism are true.

Now, let me clarify that I’m not advocating a works-based system here. I believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone. What I am saying is that without Him, without reason, logic, and creation, nothing one could do in a lifetime would ever matter. That’s what happens when you subtract Genesis 1:1—and thus, the Truth—from the world we inhabit.

Imagine such a dismal existence. That pedophile you saw on the news? There’s nothing evil about what he did; it’s his accidental chemical makeup that determined that, maybe with some environmental factors like a bad father or mother. You’re nothing but a bag of meat, says the atheist and materialist. There is no “you” to speak of. What a horrible, miserable way to live and think—all for the purpose of ignoring Him who made you.

I thank God that I’m not like that. I thank God that I’m not beholden to the darkness of nihilism and a void of nonexistence. I thank God that he gave me new eyes with which to see the fallen world in which we live.

One of the greatest things about coming to Him is in knowing that, even from the creation in Genesis 1:1, He had plans in motion.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.” (John 1:1-3)

Before even Adam was made, Jesus the Son (the Word) was with the Father. He and His Father and the Holy Spirit were here from the get-go. He will persist forever whether we want to know Him or not. His reign is endless and as we speak, the Good Shepherd brings the multitudes into His flock.

One day, perhaps not too far from now (although I make no prophecy), the world will be as it was when it began—minus the sinful nature of man.

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

“…and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:3-5)

I know on days like today, people are prone to sorrow or remembrance of great tragedy, but believe in the hope in Him above all. Thanks for reading, God bless, and peace be upon you.