“To every prophet of pessimism and fear today let us say with confidence, “Sir, you do not know the resources and genius of God.” – J. W. Hawley

Roam newspaper headlines, or just watch television news and instantly we are bedazzled, thrilled, dismayed, shocked, embittered and finally thwarted to a level of depression induced by only minutes of viewership.  Never should we accept that the ideas and impressions that we get from images do not influence and have sway upon the inner man, that is the mind, as well as the heart and conscience.  Albeit how inviolable the human will truly is, we are nevertheless susceptible to distress, terror and manipulation by the power of ideas, no matter how great a person may consider his or herself made of ”sterner stuff.”

These prophets of pessimism and fabrication, or “spin” as some have called it, will spin our minds into acceptance of their half-truths.  And all of them are, in truth, a collection of rudders driving the ship of America–a ship of would-be lemmings–through a treacherous and dangerous sea off the horizon of a flat world these spin doctors have created for expediency, money and fame.  All subterfuge and sensationlism leads to nasty ends for the hearers, while ringing in profits for the prophets who barely believe in the doctrines of their own tripe.

“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  Or take ships as an example.  Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.  Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.  It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”  (James 3:3-6)

Do not listen to every wind of doctrine, philosophy or trouble that flies out of your television, radio or newspaper as the gospel truth.  Do not let your hearts be turned and your souls disturbed by such foolish babble.  Now, to the credit of reporting and for having the checks and balances that a free press provides, reporting is a most laudable position of responsibility.  So let us not throw out the baby with the bath water and castigate an entire industry because of its absuers.  Take what is heard and put it where it belongs as it applies in your life, but do not be dismayed by sour reports.  Guard your hearts by girding your minds with the truth of God’s word that brings His peace, surpassing all understanding.

Yes, we are indeed in extremely troubling times where we now face a fiscal cliff on the heels of our due remembrance for the first advent of the savior of our souls, Jesus Christ.  There are wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in various places at unprecedented levels and frequency.  We have lost young lives at the hands of a young man where prior to his actions he was already lost to a world of darkness in himself.  And as we all know all these things are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg as our Lord fortold to us.  “All of these are the beginnnig of birth pains.”  (Matthew 24:8) And he later followed this up with, “See, I have told you ahead of time.”  (Matthew 24:25)

In closing, let us remain steadfast and focused in our race to the finishline in the bounty of grace that is continually poured out upon us.  His grace is sufficient for us to see us through until the blessed hope of his shout to call us home in the twinkling of an eye.  (Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Please let the words of Annie J. Flint bless and encourage you:

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.