A world that wants to control the economy, the media, the education. A world that is interested in reducing the number of people on this planet, how? By giving them bad food, bad health services, jobs in which they will never be able to make enough money to be able to pay for good health services. They want you to be poor. They want you not to make it. They want you to fight each other. They want you to hate the truth. They want you to stay down. They want you to be blind because they want to rule and control. And the best way to do that is by controlling your mind. And once they control your mind, once you let them do that, it’s over. 

And I want to finish with the verse that John wrote that Jesus said in John 16. “These things I have spoken to you, that, in Me, you may have peace.” Not in the world, in Me. Not in the wealth, in Me. Not in health, in Me. Not in the pleasures of the world, not in the stars of the media, not in the stars of entertainment, not in Hollywood, not on TV, not on radio, in Me you will have peace. And then He says, “In this world, you will have tribulation,” great tribulation, “but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.’

Bible Bite: Having Joy in the Last Days

Psalm 103:1-5

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

King David hit the nail on the head in his reminder of the benefits and blessings of knowing the Lord! The Father, through Christ, has forgiven all of our sins. Someday we will all live with perfect and eternal health. He has redeemed us from destructive life patterns and actions and put a crown on us of His lovingkindness and tender mercies. He also satisfies our mouth with good things and some day will renew our youthful strength and stamina.

Yet we live in a world that says their way is better, their way is right. They promote their way as the way of tolerance, and yet they only tolerate those who think like they do. There are people in places of power today who think our world would be better if there were fewer of us. They have polarized the planet and set people at odds with one another setting the stage for the hatred that will dominate the Tribulation. This hatred will run so deep that those who don’t side with the Antichrist will be killed by him and those who are with him.

 How do we maintain our joy in times such as these?

1 Corinthians 2:16

For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Because we have the mind of Christ, our hearts and minds are guarded in Christ Jesus even though Jesus told us that we will have tribulation in this life.

Colossians 3:1-4

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

When the world tries to take control of your everyday lives and thoughts, set your mind on things above. When the world tries to pit us against each other, set your mind on things above. When the world confuses fame with wisdom and authority, set your mind on things above. When the world tries to control your health and well being, set your mind on things above where Christ is.

We are a blessed people who have access to all the benefits of knowing the Lord. We are even told in James 1:5 that when we need wisdom all we need to do is ask. It will not be the polluted wisdom of the world; it will not be wisdom from below:

James 3:14-17

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

We live in a time when the world is filled with and guided by earthly, sensual, and demonic wisdom, and yet the wisdom that is from above is nothing like it. This is why we can have joy and be of good cheer. This world is not our home. Christ has already overcome this world, and someday soon He is coming to take us to the Father’s house that we may be where He is. This is what we set our minds on in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. 

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

What we need to remember at such a time as this is that Jesus didn’t say you will have abundant life when Satan is cast into the lake of fire forever. He said that He came while Satan was trying to steal, kill, and destroy, and He did it so that you might live life abundantly. The word abundantly means superior in quality. 

This is what God has for you today. Neither Hollywood nor Bollywood has wisdom from above, nor does the UN or World Health Organization, nor do most of our world’s leaders today. So if you’re going have peace that passes understanding, it won’t come by looking to any of them. It will only come from above, where Christ is. The key to maintaining joy then can be summed up in one phrase – keep looking up!

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!